Qinba Pearl Ankang, full of healing power!

【From Chengdu】Explore the secret southern Shaanxi paradise Ankang with 5,000 yuan! A 3-day, 2-night couple’s hidden gem guide, both niche and romantic! Hello sisters! My partner and I just returned from Ankang, this treasure city hidden by the Qinling Mountains along the Han River is truly amazing! As a professional travel blogger who has traveled all over the country, I guarantee that Ankang is definitely the most underrated travel destination at the Sichuan-Shaanxi border! Today, I’m sharing a freshly prepared, nanny-level guide to help you enjoy a 10,000-yuan quality trip for just 5,000 yuan! First impression of Ankang—open the window to see the river, look up to see the mountains Located in southern Shaanxi, Ankang is like a mountain and water spirit, with the Han River flowing through the city, Qinling Mountains to the north, and Bashan Mountains to the south. It is the "Pearl of Qinba," and the Yizhou mentioned in Zhuge Liang’s "Memorial on the Expedition" includes this land! The small city is filled with the scent of osmanthus flowers, old stone-paved streets with red lanterns hanging on ancient houses, and the sound of Han tune Erhuang opera drifting from teahouses, instantly transporting you back a thousand years! 1. Trip Overview (3 days 2 nights) “Budget”: 4,920 yuan (including flexible funds) Transportation 1,400 + Accommodation 1,200 + Food 1,050 + Attractions 700 + Others 570 Day 1: Han River Romance · Slow Life in the Ancient City “Schedule”: Chengdu → Ankang → Han River Cruise → Xichengfang “Transportation Options (Detailed Comparison)” ✅ “Best choice”: Chengdu East - Ankang High-speed Rail (3.5h | Second class seat 244 yuan/person) - The 7:30-11:00 train is the most suitable, passing through the spectacular Qinling tunnel group ❌ **Avoid**: Don’t take the regular fast train! It seems cheaper but takes 7 hours, cramped seats waste time Afternoon plan 13:00 After arrival, take a taxi for 20 yuan to the “guesthouse beside the ancient city wall” (choose a river view room! We stayed at one with a terrace, perfect for drinking and watching the river at night) 15:00 “Han River Cruise” (30 yuan/person | a must-do!) - Choose the open-air second floor! At sunset, golden light spills on the river, perfect for silhouette photos - Photo tip: Stand sideways at the bow railing, have your boyfriend shoot from the diagonal rear, with Han River Bridge as the background for a story-rich shot 18:30 Dinner at “Xichengfang Food Street” - Must-try list: - **Steamed noodles** (6 yuan): softer and stickier than cold noodles, paired with secret spicy oil that’s fragrant but not overpowering - **Sour cabbage mixed dough** (15 yuan): made from cornmeal, sour and spicy, perfect for couples to share one bowl - **Kangkang bread** (8 yuan): crispy sesame crust + soft inside, buy two for breakfast the next day Day 2: Qinling Secret Realm · "Cloud Wonderland" “Schedule”: Ying Lake → Nangong Mountain (group tour for convenience) “Key Avoidances” ❌ Don’t rent a car at the scenic spot entrance! Hidden fees will make you cry ✅ Book the "Ying Lake + Nangong Mountain One-day Tour" on a platform a day in advance (268 yuan/person including transport and guide) - Choose the package including round-trip cable car! Otherwise, climbing Nangong Mountain will be exhausting “Photo tips” 7:00 Group departure, at “Ying Lake” be sure to climb “Cuiping Island” - Best shot: from the top, shoot towards Jinluo Island, the archipelago scattered like jade in the lake - Couple must-shoot: holding hands crossing the swaying suspension bridge, capturing natural interaction moments 13:00 “Nangong Mountain” Amazing! At 2,300 meters altitude, there are ancient glacier relics “Suspended glass walkway”: walk side by side and capture back shots, clouds drifting below create a fairyland vibe “Centennial incorruptible monk statue”: on the south line of Nangong Mountain, a very magical spot - 17:30 “Hongyi Pavilion for sunset”! The golden sea of clouds rolling is even more stunning than sunrise “Dinner tips” Group meals are a rip-off! We secretly brought self-heating hotpot to eat on the mountain, then had the guide drop us off at **Drum Tower Night Market** - Recommended "Spicy Chicken" (48 yuan): free-range chicken from Qinling, firm meat texture - Must drink **Sugarcane juice** (5 yuan): sweet and refreshing, freshly squeezed by the auntie Day 3: Tea Mountain Stroll · Artistic Finale Schedule: Ziyang Tea Mountain → Return trip “Niche experience” 8:00 Taxi to **Ziyang County Tea Mountain** (about 150 yuan, remember to keep the driver’s number) At the mid-mountain “viewing platform,” shoot terraced tea fields, wearing a white long dress is especially photogenic Experience tea picking (20 yuan to rent a small basket): tea farmers will teach how to pick one bud and one leaf 11:00 Drink **Pre-Qingming Maojian tea** at a tea farmer’s home (50 yuan/pot) - Fragrant and sweet aftertaste, buy 200g to take home (120 yuan/jin, don’t buy at the scenic spot entrance!) 15:00 Take the high-speed train back (remember to buy **Spicy konjac snacks** as souvenirs, 10 yuan/package) 2. Accommodation Guide ✅ “First night river view guesthouse”: choose inside the ancient city wall, super romantic for evening strolls ✅ “Second night mountain view room”: recommended "Jianshan" series guesthouse at the foot of Nangong Mountain, wake up to birdsong in the morning ❌ Avoid: So-called "sea view rooms" near the train station are fake! Ankang has rivers, no sea 3. Hard-earned Experience 1. Don’t go to the "specialty stores" recommended by taxi drivers! Commissions can be as high as 50% 2. Nangong Mountain is high altitude, bring a thin down jacket! Renting clothes on the mountain costs 50 yuan/time, a big rip-off 3. When buying tea, taste it first! Check the soup color is bright green and smell the aroma; some old teas are passed off as new This trip, we spent money wisely on comfortable high-speed rail, unique accommodation, and fresh food tasting. The final actual cost was 4,780 yuan, and we even bought tea for our parents at the tea mountain! Ankang’s slow pace is especially suitable for couples; holding hands walking on the ancient city wall, embracing in the sea of clouds, your relationship will truly warm up. Take this guide and set off! If you have any questions, see you in the comments, I’ll reply to all.