Ya'an

Understand

This prefecture-level city in Sichuan Province is located in a mountainous area on the western edge of the Sichuan Basin. At the end of 2022, the city had a population of 1.433 million.

History Ya'an has a long history, and has been under the jurisdiction of the Central Plains since the pre-Qin Dynasty. The history of human activities in the area can be traced back to the Paleolithic period, and the "Fulin Culture" is an important cultural site of the late Paleolithic period in southern China. Ya'an City is located in Sichuan-Tibet, Sichuan-Yunnan highway junction, 120 km from Chengdu. It was the gateway to the ancient Southern Silk Road and was the capital of Xikang Province.

Climate

Ya'an is located on the southwest edge of the Sichuan Basin and has a subtropical monsoon climate zone with abundant rainfall. The annual rainfall is about 1,180 mm. Most rainy days are concentrated from June to August, accounting for more than 60% of the total annual rainfall. Heavy rainfall is one of the characteristics of Ya'an's climate.

Getting there

Fast buses from Chengdu’s Xinnanmen bus station (07:30-19:00, every 35 min, 2 hr, ¥46) leave throughout the day. Even though your ticket says Ya’an, there is a possibility you may be directed onto a bus bound for the inane Bifengxia Nature Park near Ya’an. If you are the discerning type and forgo the park's dancing tigers, the driver will drop you off at the first intersection inside Ya’an. From here you can flag down a Shangli-bound minivan or get a taxi to the Wangyu minivan depot.

1 Simon Motor Station (西门汽车站), No.17, Ximen North Road, Yucheng District, ☏ +86 8352612327. (updated Sep 2023) 2 Ya'an Bus Terminal (雅安汽车客运站), Beihuan East Road, Yucheng District, ☏ +86 835 2632702. 10:00—22:00. (updated Oct 2023) 3 Ya'an High-speed Railway Station (雅安高铁站), ☏ +86 835 12306. 10:00—22:00. (updated Oct 2023)

Getting around

By bike. There are communal shared bikes everywhere, so if you'd like, you can try to take a ride, using WeChat to scan the code, which is basically $2. (updated Dec 2023) By bus. As of 2020, there are more than 10 bus routes in Ya'an, covering basically all urban areas, and bus drivers stop at every stop to pick up and drop off passengers. (updated Dec 2023)

By taxis Various forms of transport ply the street willing to take you to your destination at maximum speed for a minimum cost. Taxis charge around ¥5 to anywhere.

See

There is a wall-size map in the bus station; this includes Labahe Nature Reserve.

Parks and nature 1 Menghuo Castle (孟获城), In Liziping Township, Asbestos County (adjacent to the Ya Xi section of the G5 Jingkun Expressway, it is about 4 hours' drive from the provincial capital of Chengdu and 2 hours' drive from Xichang, with a special high-speed exit for Mengwu City Scenic Spot), toll-free: +0835 8859025. 24 hr. There is the largest alpine ecological meadows in Southwest China, the meadows are golden in autumn, the scenery is rich in levels, everywhere you can see the free-range cattle and sheep, you can camp in the meadows, horse galloping, like a Chinese version of Tanzania, Africa, is the photography enthusiasts to play cards destination! free. (updated Oct 2023) 2 ShenMuLei (神木垒), Stony Township, Baoxing County,. 08:30-18:30. It is called "the place where the immortals live". Forests, snow-capped mountains, streams, alpine meadows, and alpine caliche pools are the main scenery. You can visit the Sequoia Forest, Natural Bonsai Garden, Natural Root Carving Garden, Peak Meadow, and Colourful Pools, which offer a variety of sceneries throughout the year. ¥60. (updated Oct 2023) 3 Mountain Jiaoding (轿顶山自然景区（汉源轿顶山）), Hanyuan County Huangmu Township. With an average altitude of more than 3,000 metres, you can look out over the king of Shushan Mountains - Gongga Snow Mountain, see the sunrise and sunset, the sea of clouds and the starry sky. ¥30. (updated Oct 2023) 4 Dawagengza (通天路--达瓦更扎), Baoxing County, stony soil Tibetan Township, Gari Village territory. 08:00-17:30. It is famous for its sea of clouds, sunrise, Buddha's light, fog and song, meadows, alpine azaleas and other landscapes, and is regarded as "Asia's best access to the 360 ° viewing platform". ¥60. (updated Oct 2023) 5 Erlangshan Horn River Scenic Area (二郎山喇叭河风景区), In Tianquan County. Rich in wildlife and known as "Noah's Ark of Quaternary Glacial Species", it is full of wildlife. ¥70. (updated Oct 2023) 6 Niubeishan (牛背山). Formerly known as Big Mine Mountain and Bison Mountain. The top of the mountain is 3666 metres above sea level. Because one side of the cliff at the top of the mountain has a boulder protruding like a bull's head, the ridge is long and thin like a bull's back and so named. This place is very suitable for photography. ¥160. (updated Oct 2023) 7 Huanglong Lake-Red Bean Valley (黄龙湖-红豆相思谷), In the territory of Houyan Village, Bifengxia Town, northern Yucheng District. There is a famous thousand-year-old red bean tree here. Tree height of about 31 metres, chest diameter of 2

Do

1 Picking tea and enjoying the scenery (采茶). If you come to Ya'an in April or May, the most important thing you can't miss is picking tea, admiring the scenery and smelling the fragrance.You can carry a small backpack and tea-picking clothes, go into the tea fields and pick new tea leaves. You can also observe the traditional production techniques of Mengshan tea, which is also a national intangible cultural heritage project. Recommended destinations: Mengding Mountain. (updated Oct 2023) Fishing (垂钓). Fuyunhaizi is a good place for fishing. You can also take a popular transparent glass boat to row to the center of Haizi. From a distance, people seem to be floating on the water, which is fantastic and beautiful. You can not only play in the water freely on the boat, but also be the protagonist of eye-catching photos. ¥100. (updated Oct 2023) 2 Hot springs (泡温泉), Zhougong River in Zhougongshan Town. 1400-2400. Soaking in hot springs in winter is probably the most comfortable way to relax. There are many good hot springs in Ya'an, but the hot springs in Zhougong Mountain are the most famous. Dip into the warm hot soup. ¥98. (updated Oct 2023) 3 Escape Rabbit Room Escape (Ya'an Wanda Store) (逃亡兔密室逃脱(雅安万达店)), Room 4065, 4th Floor, Wanda Plaza, Panda Avenue, ☏ +86 13330607438. 10:00-22:00. There are secret rooms with puzzles and multiple themes to choose from. ¥98. (updated Oct 2023) 4 Fun DIY (趣玩DIY), No. 404, Hanque Road, 2nd Floor, First Jiangan Jin Street, ☏ +86 15508291196. Tu-F 13:00-19:00, Sa Su 13:00-20:00. There are many handmade items, thousands of small accessories, and more than 30 kinds of cream glue. Suitable for DIY in free time. (updated Nov 2023) 5 Moonlight Tavern·Immersive Board Game Script Killer (Concord Square Store) (月光酒馆·沉浸式桌游剧本杀(协和广场店)), No. 13, 4th Floor, Building 2, Xiehe Plaza, No. 2 Zheng Street, Hebei, ☏ +86 17602844080. Daily. The name of this store reflects the fun, and there are many scripts to choose from, making it a famous local place for young people to play. ¥95. (updated Nov 2023) 6 Wanda Cinema(Wanda Plaza ) (万达影城(万达广场店)), F4, Wanda Plaza, No.645 Yazhou Avenue, Yucheng District, toll-free: +86 835 5899030. The environment is good, in the Ya'an Wanda upstairs, belongs to the new cinema, the door has a self-service clothing storage cabinet, of course, is free. (updated Nov 2023)

Buy

If you go to BiFengXia, you can buy a hat made from a fern frond. It's not much good for keeping the sun off your face, but you will fit in with the crowd.

Mengshan tea (蒙山茶). Mengshan tea, a specialty product of Ya'an City, Sichuan Province, is a national geographical indication product of China. The planting of "Mengshan Tea" began in the Western Han Dynasty. It has a history of more than 2,000 years of tea cultivation and rich cultural heritage. It is known as "the water in the Yangtze River, the tea on the top of Mengshan Mountain". (updated Oct 2023) Hanyuan Sydney (汉源雪梨). Hanyuan Sydney, a specialty product of Ya'an City, is a national geographical indication of agricultural products. Hanyuan Sydney pears are large, and the flesh is fine and crispy. (updated Oct 2023) Hanyuan Zanthoxylum bungeanum (汉源花椒). The Hanyuan Zanthoxylum bungeanum origin located at the foot of Niba Mountain has very suitable soil and climate conditions for the growth of Zanthoxylum bungeanum. The flowers have been cultivated for more than 2,100 years. It was listed as a tribute in the Tang Dynasty, so it was also called "tribute pepper". Hanyuan was also called the "hometown of tribute pepper". (updated Oct 2023) Shimian loquat (石棉枇杷). Shimian loquat is a famous specialty of Shimian County, Ya'an City, and is known as the top quality loquat in China. Shimian County is located in the southwest of Sichuan Province, the southernmost tip of Ya'an City, close to Hanyuan County and Ganluo County, connected to Yuexi County and Mianning County, to the west Jiulong County and Kangding County, and to the north Luding County. Shimian loquat is characterized by its large fruit, sweet taste, soft and juicy flesh, and extremely high edible rate. It has the advantages of early production and late maturity (harvested and marketed from April to July), and it is also resistant to storage and transportation. (updated Oct 2023) Lushan bacon (芦山腊肉). Lushan bacon is a specialty of Lushan County. It is famous both at home and abroad for its bright red meat, tender texture and pure aroma. Lushan Bacon's pigs adopt a fully ecological feeding model, with a feeding cycle of 1-3 years. The main feed is locally produced corn, radish and other green vegetables. (updated Oct 2023) Baoxing Sichuan Achyranthes (宝兴川牛膝). Baoxing Sichuan Achyranthes is one of the origins of Sichuan Achyranthes in China. It began to be cultivated spontaneously as early as the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It enjoys a high reputation in domestic and foreign markets for its excellent quality and regional characteristics. In ad

Eat

1 Mudba Xiaoyuan City Hot Pot (Han Que Road) (泥巴小院市井火锅(汉阙路店)), No.161, Hanque Road, Yucheng District, ☏ +86 18981635552. 10:00—01:00. Environment: ancient Chengdu hot pot restaurant, pot bottom bottom flavour is just right, cooked with eagle tea. ¥100. (updated Oct 2023) 2 Hibachi Grill (日白烧烤), No.151, Yucheng District, Yancheng District, ☏ +86 835 2873649. 14:00—03:00. Various kinds of kebabs, and spicy flower nail. ¥70. (updated Oct 2023) 3 Hung Ping Blood Wanted Chicken & Pepper Fish Restaurant (Founding Store) (洪平血旺椒麻鸡雅鱼饭店(创始店)), No.8, Dazhong Road, Xicheng Street, Yucheng District, ☏ +86 15984537668. Daily 10:00-21:00. ¥89. (updated Oct 2023) 4 Yipin Soya Bean Pudding - Yafu - Local Delicacies (Xiao Bei Jie Shop) (一品豆花·雅鱼·地方美食(小北街店)), No.63 Xiaobei Street, Yucheng District, ☏ +86 13551558243. 10:00-21:30. The signature casserole fish soup tastes good, made with the most authentic Rongjing casserole and traditional methods of simmering, the soup is fresh and flavourful. ¥100. (updated Oct 2023) 5 Marinated Skewers (鹵班長卤串串), No. 11, Jiefang Road, Yucheng District, ☏ +86 18599994739. 12:00-22:00. Traditional Sichuan hot pot with marinated food. ¥100. (updated Oct 2023) 6 A handful of fire tart noodles (一把火挞挞面), Next door to Feitian Graphic Printing on Yazhou Avenue (opposite to Wanda Plaza), ☏ +86 15181205651. Daily 06:00-21:00. The signatures are chicken noodles and beef noodles, which have a unique taste and strong noodles. ¥17. (updated Oct 2023) 7 Wei Zhi Xuan Claypot Ya Fish Soup·Ya Fish Specialty (Head Office) (味之轩土砂锅雅鱼汤·雅鱼专卖(总店)), No. 311-313, Middle Section of Xikang Road, ☏ +86 18783564220. Daily 11:00-22:30. Special fish, fresh and tender taste. per person ¥72. (updated Oct 2023) 8 Aunt Yuan Plateau Specialty Yak Meat Asbestos BBQ (袁大妈高原特色牦牛肉石棉烧烤), No. 20 Yingmo Road, ☏ +86 15284788106. Daily 13:00-01:00. The ingredients are fresh, the specialty is the asbestos iron plate barbecue, and yak meat is a popular dish. per clperson ¥69. (updated Oct 2023) 9 Fat Brother Egg Baked Cake (胖哥蛋烘糕), Inside Sichuan Agricultural University, ☏ +86 18683580051. 11:00-21:00. The egg skin is sweet and soft, and there are about 40 flavors to choose from. ¥7. (updated Oct 2023) 10 Tianquan County Three Toast Pepper Chicken Restaurant (天全县三土司椒麻鸡餐厅), No. 52, Guangjian South Road, ☏ +86 15378683916. 06:30-23:00. The Chicken Soup Shou and Spicy Chicken Nuggets are the most outstanding dishes, and the prices are quite reasonable. ¥44. (updated Oct 2023) 11 Qingxi Gongjiao Fish (Old Restaurant) (清溪贡椒鱼(老店)), 1/F, Building 4, Hantu Huafu II, No.2, Hanque Road, Yucheng D

Drink & nightlife

1 Jinghe Teahouse (Xiao Bei Jie) (竟和茶馆(小北街店)), 4 Xiaobei Street, Yucheng District, toll-free: +18683425599. 10:00-23:00. The environment is very beautiful, you can slowly drink tea and feel the city.Minimum spend from ¥20. (updated Oct 2023) 2 Cassava Coffee (袈蓝咖啡), Xinxing Village Store, Mingshan District, ☏ +86 18283502161. Daily 09:00-18:00. The coffee shop is located on a hillside surrounded by tea mountains. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers and has an excellent 360° viewing position. You can drink coffee in the shop, and there is also a cultural and creative exhibition and a spiral staircase with a high space. ¥35 per person. (updated Oct 2023) 3 Square inch teahouse (方寸茶舍), Next to the lobby of Yadu Holiday Hotel on Yazhou Avenue, toll-free: +86 835-2886588. 09:00-23:30. The environment is comfortable, suitable for chatting and drinking tea alone or with two or three friends. ¥100. (updated Oct 2023) 4 Not Late Camping Tavern (不晚露营酒馆), 4th Floor, Xikang Commercial Plaza, No. 383 Panda Avenue, Qingjiang Street, ☏ +86 18383561625. Daily. The rooms set up with tents where you can drink are unique and very suitable for young people to gather. ¥150. (updated Oct 2023) 5 Erma Tavern (贰麻酒馆), No.50 Place de la Concorde, toll-free: +0835-2627666. 18:30-02:00. Plenty of drinks, good service, and a good bar atmosphere. ¥163. (updated Oct 2023) 6 Le Zai Ice Shop (樂崽冰铺), No. 1, Zhenshui Alley, Shangli (opposite the ancient stage), ☏ +86 15692886016. 10:00-22:00. A delicious ice noodle shop, recommend the iced bean curd and hand-made ice noodle. Very popular. ¥16. (updated Oct 2023)

Sleep

About a block due south of the museum on the south side of West St (Xidàjiē), a family-run establishment has satisfactory rooms and WiFi for ¥90/night, but the proprietor will want to escort you to the local police station about a block or two away some time after you've checked in for registration purposes.

Budget 1 Holiday Inn Express Ya'An City Center (智选假日酒店), No. 38 Wenhua Rd, toll-free: +86 8352626666. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. The hotel has family rooms. Guests at this hotel can enjoy a continental breakfast. The accommodation provides ironing facilities, a business centre and a 24-hour front desk. ¥200-400. (updated Oct 2023) 2 Juyuan Colour Hotel (聚源色彩酒店), No.33 Cheng Hou Road, Yucheng District (Taxi or drive), ☏ +86 835 3667000. Check-in: After 14:00, check-out: By 12:00. A European decorated hotel with a nice ambience at an affordable price. Comes with free breakfast.There is a free car park offering free breakfast. King Room $129, Twin Room $153, Theme King Room $142-218, Theme Bed Room $192. ¥153-219. (updated Dec 2023)

Mid-range 3 Atour Hotel Ya an Era Street (时代天街亚朵酒店), No. 6, Middle Heping Road, Zhenghuang Commercial Plaza, toll-free: +86 8358508888. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. All rooms at this hotel are equipped with a seating area and a TV. Rooms all offer air conditioning and a desk. The front desk at this accommodation can provide information to help guests explore the area. Twin Room ¥343, King Room ¥343R, Executive King Room ¥386, Several Woods King Room ¥429, Several Woods View Family Room ¥670, Several Woods View Suite ¥1015. ¥343-1050. (updated Oct 2023) 4 Doubletree By Hilton Ya'An (正黄希尔顿逸林酒店), No.385 Panda Avenue, Yucheng District (30-minute walk from the high-speed railway station and an 8-minute drive), toll-free: +18004458667. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. ¥600. (updated Oct 2023) 5 Xikang Hotel (西康大酒店), No. 132, Xikang Road East (taxi), ☏ +86 835-2239333. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. The hotel has a special tea house. They make use of antiquities and historical materials for decoration. Hundreds of metres of "Xikang Tea Language Promenade", the world's "Xikang Tea Language House" and the "Tea Culture Health and Wellness Room" focus on the strong regional culture and tea culture and tea history, effectively promoting the charm of tea. ¥400. (updated Oct 2023) 6 Ibis Hotel (Langqiao) (宜必思酒店（连锁）), No.158, Xikang Road, Yucheng District (taxi), ☏ +86 835 2225555, toll-free: +86 835-2225555. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. ¥400. (updated Oct 2023) 7 Ya'an Helen Light Residence Hotel (Lan

Go next

Chengdu bound buses (07:30-19;00, every 35 min, 2 hr, ¥46) leave throughout the day from the tourist bus station. Shangli bound minivans (20 min, ¥6.5) can be flagged down on the main road outside the tourist bus station. Wangyu bound minivans (1 hr, ¥8.5) leave from a secret location known only to the local taxi drivers who park near the Tourist bus station (10 min, ¥5). The minivans leave when full but will continue to pick up passengers along the way. Hopefully the road has been repaired by the time you go.