Guangyuan

Understand

History Guangyuan is one of the important birthplaces of the Ba Shu civilization and created the Neutronic Fine Stoneware Culture more than 7000 years ago. It has a history of more than 2,300 years since the founding of the city, and is the centralized exhibition place of the pre-Qin ancient palisade culture and Shu Road culture, and the core corridor of the Three Kingdoms' history and culture. It is the birthplace of Wu Zetian, the only female emperor in Chinese history.

Topography Guangyuan City is in the northern edge of Sichuan, the mountains to the basin transition zone, Motianling, Micangshan east-west across the city north, respectively, for the Sichuan-Gansu, Sichuan-Shaanxi border mountain; Longmen Mountain north-east of a south-south-west slanting inserted into the city's west; the city south of the north by the Jianshenshan, Dabanshan and other northern arc of the Sichuan mountain range covers a wide range. Terrain from north to southeast tilt, the ridge relative height difference of more than 3,200 meters. Motianling ridge elevation from the western end of the highest point of 3837 meters to the east down to 2784 meters, to the south is a sharp drop to 800 meters. Longmen Mountain receives Motianling resides in the whole Qingchuan and the western part of Lizhou District.

Climate

Guangyuan City belongs to the subtropical humid monsoon climate; located in the southern foothills of the Qinling Mountains, is the transition zone between the north and the south, both the south of the humid climate characteristics, but also the north of the sky high clouds, bright sunshine characteristics. In the low mountains in the south, it is cold in winter and hot in summer; in the middle mountains in the north, it is cold in winter and cool in summer, and cools down rapidly in fall. The average annual temperature is 16.1℃, 26.1℃ in July and 4.9℃ in January. The annual rainfall is 800-1000 millimeters, the number of sunshine is 1300-1400 hours, the frost-free period is 220-260 days, and the four seasons are clear, which is suitable for the biological prosperity. However, natural disasters, especially droughts and floods, are frequent.

Getting there

The Chengdu to Xi'an high-speed rail has a stop in Guangyuan. The standard sleeper trains also stop here. The long distance bus stop is underneath the plaza directly in front of the train station. Same-day tickets are available to regional centers.

1 Guangyuan Railway Station (广元站), Jinlun North Road, Lizhou District, ☏ +86 0839 12306. (updated Oct 2023) 2 Guangyuannan Railway Station (广元南站), West Lizhou Road, Hexi Street, Lizhou District, ☏ +86 0839 12306. (updated Oct 2023)

Getting around

Guangyuan is a compact and relatively easy city to navigate, and most daily travel can be done by public bus, taxi, shared bike, or on foot. The city center is concentrated around Lizhou District and the Jialing River area, so moving between major commercial streets, riverside areas, and residential neighborhoods usually does not take long. For destinations outside the urban core, such as nearby scenic or rural areas, taxis or long-distance buses are usually needed.

By bus Guangyuan has an extensive public bus system that connects the main urban districts, the railway station, riverside areas and residential neighborhoods. Bus fares are inexpensive, usually ¥1–2 per ride, making it the most economical way to move around the city. Most routes operate from early morning until around 21:00. During morning and evening rush hours, buses can be crowded, but outside peak times they are generally reliable and easy to use even for visitors.

By shared bike Shared bicycles are available in parts of Lizhou District and along the Jialing River riverside promenade. They are mainly used for short-distance trips, leisure riding, and evening riverside cycling. Due to Guangyuan’s hilly terrain, cycling is most practical in flatter central areas and is not ideal for traveling between distant neighborhoods or heading into mountainous suburbs.

By taxi and ride-hailing Taxis are widely available throughout Guangyuan, and ride-hailing services such as Didi are commonly used by both locals and visitors. The starting fare is usually around ¥8–10, while most cross-district trips within the urban area cost about ¥15–30. Taxis and ride-hailing are especially convenient for traveling in the evening, carrying luggage, or heading to destinations outside the main city center.

On foot The central parts of Guangyuan, especially areas along the Jialing River, commercial streets in Lizhou District, and riverside squares, are pleasant and walkable. Walking is a good way to explore local life, night markets, and small shops, particularly in the early evening when the weather is cooler and the riverside lights come on.

See

1 Ancient Town of Zhaohua (昭化古城), Zhaohua District, ☏ +86 839 8310270, [email protected]. Claimed to be the best preserved ancient town from the Three Kingdoms period. ¥52. (updated Dec 2017) 2 Jueyuan Temple (觉苑寺), Jueyuan street Jiange County Xiwulian Township. Jueyuan Temple was first built in the Tang Dynasty during the reign of Zhenguan, named Hongji Temple, and was given the name Jueyuan Temple during the reign of Yuanfeng in the Song Dynasty. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, part of the temple was destroyed. In 1457, the monk Jingzhi and his disciple Daofang came here to rebuild the temple, remodel the statue of Buddha, and paint the Buddhist scriptures on the four walls of the Maharajah's Hall, renaming it as the Puji Temple; and the temple was repaired and renamed the Jueyuan Temple in 1662. ¥10. (updated Nov 2023) 3 Huangze Temple Cliff Statue (皇泽寺摩崖造像), No.97, Huangze Road, Lizhou District. Huangze temple cliff statue was first chiseled in the late Northern Wei Dynasty, through the Northern Zhou, Sui, the early Tang Dynasty, the Sheng Tang Dynasty continued to carve, to the middle Tang Dynasty tended to decline, lasted more than 300 years. The highest place of Huangze Temple is the Big Buddha Building, under which is the Zetian Hall, and there are also Xiao Nanhai, Wangjiang Pavilion, Five Buddha Pavilion, Lvzu Pavilion and other buildings. ¥50. (updated Nov 2023) 4 Thousand-Buddha cliff statue (千佛崖摩崖造像), National Highway 108. Thousand-Buddha cliff statue, the total length of 388.8 meters, the cliff top height of 84 meters, the highest niche from the ground 45.5 meters, niches for multi-level arrangement, up to 13 layers, the existing 54 caves, 819 niches, the size of the statue of more than 7,000 carcasses. Covering an area of 7800 square meters, building area of 480 square meters. ¥50. (updated Nov 2023) 5 Jianmen Pass Scenic Area (剑门关风景区), No. 64, Hedong Street, Jiange County, ☏ +86 839 6750978. 8:00~16:30. Jianmen Pass resides in the interruption of the Great Sword Mountain, both sides of the cliffs, straight into the clouds, the peaks leaning sky like a sword, the cliffs break away from the two walls relative to each other, the shape of the door like, so it is called "Jianmen", "the world's most majestic pass," the name. Jianmen Pass Scenic Area consists of two neighboring scenic spots, Jianmen Pass and Cuiyun Lang. ¥105. (updated Dec 2023) 6 Guangyuan Museum (广元市博物馆), No. 586, Wenhua Road, Lizhou District, ☏ +86 839 3315559. 9:00~16:30. Guangyuan Museum display content set three exhibition halls 11 units, each exhibition hall highlights a

Do

Guangyuan offers a mix of Buddhist culture, mountain hiking, riverside leisure, and historical sightseeing, suitable for both short city walks and full-day excursions into nature.

Hot springs and relaxation 1 Zengjia Mountain Hot Spring (曾家山温泉), Zengjia Mountain Resort Area, Chaotian District (朝天区曾家山), ☏ +86 0839-2389886. 10:00–22:00. A highland hot spring resort featuring outdoor pools, forest views, and cool mountain air. Popular for relaxation, muscle recovery, and summer retreats. Best experienced in the evening. ¥98–168. (updated Dec 2025)

Buy

1 Wanda piazza (广元万达广场), Wan Yuan No. 3 Road, Lizhou District. 09:00-21:00. (updated Dec 2023) 2 Huangze Temple Feng Street Night Market (（广元皇泽寺凤街夜市）), Feng Street, near Huangze Temple Scenic Area, Lizhou District. Daily: 18:00 – 22:30. Huangze Temple Feng Street Night Market is one of the most popular evening leisure and night-market areas in Guangyuan City. Located next to the historic Huangze Temple, the street combines local culture, street food, night shopping, and tourism into one lively destination.In the evening, Feng Street comes alive with street food stalls, local snacks, handmade crafts, cultural souvenirs, cafés, and small bars. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of Sichuan-style snacks, grilled food, desserts, and drinks while experiencing the relaxed nightlife atmosphere of the city.With decorative lighting and a strong cultural theme inspired by Wu Zetian (Empress Wu) and local history, the night market is also a popular spot for night walks, photography, and social gatherings, making it especially attractive to tourists and young visitors. (updated Dec 2025)

Eat

1 Tengji Vegetable Market Old Hot Pot (誊记菜市场老火锅), Wanda Plaza Guangyuan Lizhou Store, ☏ +86 839 3380777. 10:00-24:00. (updated Nov 2023) 2 Yingkesong Fresh Fish Restaurant (迎客松鲜鱼庄), NO.54 Lizhou east Road, ☏ +86 839 3363999. 10:00-22:00. (updated Nov 2023) 3 Nan Hotpot (楠火锅), Fazhi Plaza, Yinguo Road, Lizhou District, ☏ +86 18090268899. 10:30-02:00. (updated Dec 2023) 4 Zhao Xiao Chu Jianghu Cuisine (（曌小厨江湖菜）), Dahua Food City, Lizhou District, ☏ +86 0839 - 5579999, toll-free: +86 15183963737. Lunch 10:30 – 14:00, dinner 17:00 – 21:30 / 22:00. Zhao Xiao Chu Jianghu Cuisine is a highly regarded local restaurant in Lizhou District (利州区) of Guangyuan (广元市), selected as one of the Top 10 Restaurants in the First Guangyuan “Four Top Ten” Culinary Awards — a regional initiative to highlight outstanding dining venues.The restaurant specializes in “Jianghu cuisine” (江湖菜) — a style of Sichuan cooking known for its bold, robust flavors and creative twists on traditional local dishes. Its menu typically features spicy, savory, labor-intensive dishes with deep Sichuan character, often incorporating grilled items and fresh ingredients.“Jianghu cuisine” evokes a sense of street-style culinary culture and hearty, adventurous flavors — designed to be bold and memorable, reflecting Sichuan’s rich spice profiles and diverse local ingredients. (updated Dec 2025)

Drink & nightlife

Tea and milk tea 1 Heytea (广元万达广场店), Wanda Plaza, Lizhou District (利州区万达广场). A popular modern tea brand offering fresh fruit tea and cheese foam milk tea. Drinks like grapefruit green tea and cheese oolong are lightly sweet with a creamy finish and refreshing citrus aroma. (updated Dec 2025) 2 Gong Cha (贡茶 广元步行街店), Central Pedestrian Street, Lizhou District (利州区步行街). Serves classic pearl milk tea, roasted oolong milk tea, and brown sugar boba drinks. The flavor is rich and sweet with a strong tea base and chewy tapioca pearls. (updated Dec 2025) 3 Mixue Ice Cream & Tea (蜜雪冰城), Multiple locations in Lizhou District. Serves classic pearl milk tea, roasted oolong milk tea, and brown sugar boba drinks. The flavor is rich and sweet with a strong tea base and chewy tapioca pearls. (updated Dec 2025)

Local tea houses 4 Shudao Tea House (蜀道茶馆), Near Phoenix Mountain Park, Lizhou District (利州区凤凰山公园附近). A traditional Chinese tea house serving green tea, jasmine tea, and covered-bowl tea (盖碗茶). Tea has a slightly bitter start with a smooth, sweet aftertaste. Popular with local elderly residents. (updated Dec 2025) 5 Jialing River Tea House (嘉陵江茶馆), Along Jialing River Riverside, Lizhou District (嘉陵江江边). Offers simple loose-leaf tea and sunflower seeds in an open riverside setting. Tea tastes light and clean, ideal for slow afternoons and people-watching. (updated Dec 2025)

Beer and night drinks 6 Riverside Beer Street (滨江夜啤酒街), Near Jialing River, Lizhou District (利州区嘉陵江沿岸). A popular evening area with outdoor tables serving draft beer, bottled Snow Beer, barbecue, and spicy Sichuan snacks. Beer is crisp and cold, perfect with grilled skewers and spicy crayfish. (updated Dec 2025) 7 Local BBQ & Beer Stalls (烧烤啤酒摊), Near Central Night Market, Lizhou District (利州区夜市周边). Simple roadside stalls offering cold draft beer and bottled local beer. The beer is light and mildly bitter, best paired with cumin lamb skewers and grilled tofu. (updated Dec 2025)

Coffee and casual drinks 8 Luckin Coffee (瑞幸咖啡 广元万达店), Wanda Plaza, Lizhou District (利州区万达广场). A modern takeaway coffee chain offering Americanos, lattes, and fruit cold brew. Coffee is clean, mildly bitter, and suitable for quick breaks. (updated Dec 2025)

Sleep

1 Paibaiyun Hotel (派柏芸酒店), 1F, No.18, Building B, Section 1, Lizhou West Road, Lizhou District, ☏ +86 839 3508666. Check-in: After 12:00, check-out: Before 12:00. (updated Nov 2023) 2 Guangyuan Queen Hot Spring Hotel (广元女皇温泉酒店), 500 meters southeast of Gongnong Township People's Government on National Highway 108, ☏ +86 839 5571999. Check-in: After 14:00, check-out: Before 13:00. (updated Dec 2023) 3 Lavande Hotel (麗枫酒店), 416, Section 3, East Li Zhou Road, ☏ +86 839 3219555. Check-in: After 14:00, check-out: Before 12:00. (updated Dec 2023)

Go next

Chengdu is about 3 hours away on high speed rail Langzhong is two railway stops to the south If you are heading north, Hanzhong is a scenic bus trip about 2 hours away