Avoid the crowds! Suining / Yingjing / Hongya / Jiangyou | One-stop tour of a poetic mountain and water Zen town
Tired of the crowded popular spots in Chengdu and looking for a relaxed short road trip without rushing?
Here are four hidden gems about 2 hours’ drive from Chengdu, each with a unique vibe: Zen water town, forest sanctuary, misty table mountain, and the hometown of the poet Li Bai. Spend 3 days and 2 nights for a deep stay, with a budget of 550–700 per person for a comfortable trip. Food, routes, and accommodations are all organized for you—just follow along 👣
1️⃣ Suining | Hometown of Guanyin · Zen water charm town
1. 5h drive from Chengdu, 2h from Chongqing, 1h from Nanchong
💰 3 days 2 nights, 550–650 per person
🚗 Travel tips
All highway travel, city attractions within 20 minutes by car; free parking around Guanyin Lake, 10 yuan per day at Dead Sea parking lot
🗺️ 3-day itinerary
Day 1: Floating experience at China’s Dead Sea with black mud bath → evening boat ride on Guanyin Lake to enjoy the lights → check in at Hedong New District and try Suining clay pot stew like Sa Beining
Day 2: Worship at Guangde Temple and visit Ming Dynasty imperial decree archway → hike Lingquan Temple for panoramic city views → stroll Longfeng Ancient Town and try iron cake and Chong cake
Day 3: Visit Song Dynasty porcelain museum to see national treasure celadon lotus leaf lidded jar → walk through the vast lotus ponds on Shenglian Island → buy tofu skin and Xiangye tea leaves for the trip home
🍜 Must-try food
Suining clay pot stew, iron cake, Chong cake, Daying white lemon, Shehong wild fragrant pork, about 40 per person for authentic central Sichuan flavors
🏠 Accommodation recommendations
Hedong lake view hotel with windows facing Guanyin Lake, or a courtyard-style ancient inn in Longfeng Ancient Town, with morning birdsong for a full atmosphere
2️⃣ Yingjing | Black sand intangible heritage · primal forest sanctuary
2. 5h drive from Chengdu, 30 minutes from Ya’an, 2h from Leshan
💰 3 days 2 nights, 580–680 per person
🚗 Travel tips
Direct highway access, gentle mountain roads in Longcang Valley, free parking on Sandware Street
🗺️ 3-day itinerary
Day 1: Explore ancient Shu ruins at Yandao Ancient City → hands-on black sand pottery experience on Sandware Street → lunch with Yingjing cold noodles and tata noodles
Day 2: Hike Longcang Valley Forest Park to see waterfalls and pigeon flowers → play in the shallow waters of Diecui Creek to cool off → dinner with crispy skin and tender meat Yingjing bangbang chicken
Day 3: Meditate among thousand-year-old camphor trees at Yunfeng Temple → wait for the sea of clouds sunrise at Niubei Mountain → bring home black sand tea sets and bangbang chicken seasoning as gifts
🍜 Must-try food
Tata noodles, bangbang chicken, clay pot yak fish, high mountain wild mushrooms, Yingjing cured meat, about 45 per person to eat until full
🏠 Accommodation recommendations
Black sand themed hotel in the county, or forest homestay in Longcang Valley, quiet mountain forest, comfortable year-round
3️⃣ Hongya | Green sea pearl · Wawu misty water town
1.5h drive from Chengdu, 40 minutes from Meishan, 1h from Leshan
💰 3 days 2 nights, 600–700 per person
🚗 Travel tips
Wawu Mountain and Liujiang Ancient Town about half an hour from the county, 20 yuan per day parking at scenic spots
🗺️ 3-day itinerary
Day 1: Explore stilted buildings and ancient streets in Liujiang Ancient Town and try spicy chicken hot pot → forest wellness at Yuping Mountain with zipline → overnight at riverside inn listening to flowing water
Day 2: Climb Wawu Mountain’s table mountain to see Lanxi waterfall and tung tree blossoms → boat ride on Yanu Lake to enjoy lake and mountain views → dinner with Wawu Mountain old cured meat hot pot
Day 3: Relax in Qiliping high mountain forest hot springs → visit Caoyutan cliff carvings → buy pepper oil and Wawu Mountain honey for the trip home
🍜 Must-try food
Hongya spicy chicken hot pot, yerba rice cake, pepper fish, yak fish, high mountain wild vegetables, about 50 per person to savor mountain flavors
🏠 Accommodation recommendations
Riverside terrace inn in Liujiang Ancient Town, forest view resort hotel at Wawu Mountain base, morning smoke and cooking smells for a healing start
4️⃣ Jiangyou | Hometown of the poet Li Bai · unique karst cave mountain town
1.5h drive from Chengdu, 30 minutes from Mianyang, 2h from Guangyuan
💰 3 days 2 nights, 600–700 per person
🚗 Travel tips
Doushui Mountain 20 minutes from city, Foye Cave 40 minutes, 15 yuan per day parking at scenic spots
🗺️ 3-day itinerary
Day 1: Visit Li Bai Memorial Hall to see poetry rubbings → explore Qinglian Ancient Town and Li Bai’s former residence → dinner must-try Jiangyou pork intestines
Day 2: Watch iron chain crossing performance at Doushui Mountain → underground river rafting at Foye Cave to explore the fairy palace → night tour at Fantawild with fireworks show
Day 3: Summer rafting at Yangma Gorge → watch Sichuan opera face-changing in the city to experience Bashu culture → bring pork intestine seasoning and Zhongba soy sauce home
🍜 Must-try food
Jiangyou pork intestines, cold dipping sauce, northern Sichuan cold noodles, Jiangyou rice noodles, Taibai duck, about 45 per person to eat to satisfaction
🏠 Accommodation recommendations
Chain hotels in the city near snack shops, mountain view homestay at Doushui Mountain base, early morning local market stroll full of life
💡 General travel tips
1. All four cities are suitable for a focused 3-day trip alone. If time allows, you can drive between two towns.
2. Summer mountain forest areas have big temperature differences between morning and night. Bring a light jacket and extra clothes for water activities.
3. Book free museum and temple tickets online in advance via official accounts to save waiting time.
4. Snacks in scenic spots are overpriced. Local old shops in residential areas offer authentic flavors and better value.
5. Highways are in good condition throughout. Prepare sunscreen and mosquito repellent for self-driving trips.
No need for long trips to western Sichuan. Within 2 hours’ drive from Chengdu, you can experience Zen, forest, mountain water, and poetic cityscapes. Budget-friendly and relaxed pace, perfect for weekends and short holidays. Slow travel lovers, save this now!