Pingwu Bao'en Temple 4-Day 3-Night Travel Guide

Core Idea: Arrive on the first day and visit the main attraction, the "Deep Mountain Forbidden City" Bao'en Temple; on the second day, explore the Baima Tibetan ethnic area to experience local culture; on the third day, visit the national nature reserve; on the fourth day, leisurely enjoy the county town before returning. Day 1: Arrival in Pingwu · Visit the "Deep Mountain Forbidden City" · Morning: Arrive in Pingwu and check into a hotel in the county town. · Afternoon (Core): Visit Pingwu Bao'en Temple. It is an official-style architectural complex built during the Ming Dynasty, known as the "Deep Mountain Forbidden City" because it imitates the Beijing Forbidden City. It is recommended to spend 2-3 hours focusing on the "Six Wonders": the revolving scripture wheel, the Thousand-Hand Guanyin, nanmu wood architecture, dougong brackets, murals, and the dragon-shaped carvings throughout the temple. Don’t miss the "Long Live the Emperor" nine-dragon plaque in the Mahavira Hall. · Evening: Stroll along the county town riverbank night market or the Bao'enli commercial street in the west city and taste local delicacies. Day 2: Secret Exploration · Baima Tibetan Ethnic Style · All day: Head to Baima Tibetan Township. The drive takes about 1.5-2 hours. · Morning: Arrive at Baxijia Ancient Village, a Baima Tibetan ancient village located by Tianmu Lake. You can visit the distinctive wooden buildings and try on ethnic costumes for photos. · Afternoon: Tour Tianmu Lake and enjoy the lake and mountain scenery from the viewing platform. If time permits, take a light hike in the Sea Buckthorn Valley (about 7 km round trip) to see the calcified waterfall. · Evening: Stay overnight in the ancient village guesthouse, experience a bonfire party and the Yuanyuan dance, and taste honey barley wine and Tibetan-style hot pot. Day 3: Nature Exploration · Wanglang Nature Reserve · All day: Explore the Wanglang National Nature Reserve. This is a habitat for giant pandas, featuring primeval forests and alpine lakes. · Activities: The scenic area requires sightseeing bus tours. It is cool and pleasant in summer and colorful with autumn foliage in fall. You can take light hikes along the boardwalks, breathe pure air, and observe rare flora and fauna. Day 4: Leisurely Return · Slow Life in the County Town · Morning: Sleep in naturally, and if time allows, take a relaxed visit to Longchiping Forest Park or buy local specialties such as cured bacon and tea in the county town. · Afternoon: Pack up, end the trip, and return. 💰 4000 RMB Budget Allocation Plan Your total budget is quite sufficient for a comfortable trip. Here is a reference allocation: 1. Accommodation Costs (about 1050 RMB) · Standard: Estimated based on comfortable hotels in the county town and characteristic guesthouses in the village. · Details: · County town hotel: 2 nights × 200 RMB/night = 400 RMB · Baima Tibetan village guesthouse: 1 night × 250 RMB/night = 250 RMB · Total: About 650 RMB (estimate; actual prices vary by season and choice) 2. Food and Beverage Costs (about 800 RMB) · Standard: About 150-200 RMB per person per day to enjoy local specialties. · Details: 4 days × 200 RMB/day = 800 RMB 3. Tickets and Activities (about 390 RMB) · Details: · Bao'en Temple ticket: 40 RMB · Wanglang Nature Reserve: ticket + sightseeing bus about 200 RMB · Baima Tibetan village: possible maintenance or activity fee, about 50-100 RMB · Others: scripture copying, tea tasting, and other experiences · Total: About 390 RMB 4. Transportation Costs (about 1560 RMB) This is the biggest variable, depending on your departure location and mode of travel. · Long-distance transport (round trip to Pingwu): · Self-driving: highway tolls (some sections of the Jiumian Expressway may be free) + fuel, about 500-700 RMB round trip from Chengdu. · Public transport: bus from Chengdu/Mianyang to Pingwu, about 60-100 RMB one way. · Local travel: · County town to Baima Township and Wanglang: recommended to charter a car, about 800-1000 RMB for two days (can be shared). Or take local buses, which are cheaper but time-consuming and inconvenient. · Total: About 1560 RMB (estimated for chartered car) Total Budget: About 3400 RMB (reserve about 600 RMB as contingency for unexpected expenses) ⚠️ Travel Tips and Practical Advice 1. Best time to visit: Spring, summer, and autumn (May to October) are ideal. Summer is cool (average temperature around 20°C), and autumn features colorful forests. Some mountain roads may be icy in winter. 2. Bao'en Temple visit tips: Try to visit in the morning for better lighting for photos; strongly recommend a guided tour (hire a guide or check for free guided times) to avoid missing the essence of the "Six Wonders"; photography is prohibited inside the halls. 3. Respect Baima Tibetan customs: When visiting Baima Tibetan village, respect local customs and beliefs, and ask for permission before taking photos. 4. Plateau and mountain area reminders: Wanglang Reserve is at a high altitude (above 2000 meters), so move slowly and keep warm and protected from the sun. Mountain weather is changeable; bring rain gear and warm jackets. 5. Discounts: Follow official information; some guesthouses offer discounts for high school and college graduates, and the Jiumian Expressway may have temporary free toll policies. Overall, a 4000 RMB budget gives you ample room to comfortably experience the culture and nature of Pingwu.