Must-See! A Complete Guide to Tongchuan's Hidden Gems

A treasure guide to Tongchuan, enjoy a 3-day and 2-night trip! Tongchuan, a small and underrated city in central Shaanxi, is a blend of history and nature. Its ceramic culture, revolutionary relics, and landscape complement each other, making it perfect for a short trip. Must-Visit Attractions - Yaowang Mountain: The place where Sun Simiao, the "Medicine King" of the Tang Dynasty, lived in seclusion. It combines Taoist charm with stone carving art. The Yaowang Hall is solemn, the cliff stone carvings are simple and unsophisticated, and there are also scenic spots such as the ancient cypress forest. The temple fair on the second day of the second lunar month is very lively. You can take bus No. 18 to get there. - Chenlu Ancient Town: A "living fossil of ceramics" with a thousand-year history, the jar walls and porcelain roads are very distinctive. You can visit traditional kilns, make pottery by hand, and taste "Longbai Bud" tea. It is about 30 kilometers away from the city. It is recommended to drive or charter a car. Remember to wear non-slip shoes on rainy days. - Yuhua Palace Scenic Area: Once the summer palace of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, the forest coverage rate is 95%, making it cool in summer. The Xuanzang Memorial Hall and the Sucheng Temple ruins are worth seeing, and you can also enjoy the red leaves in autumn. You can take a tourist bus or drive there. There is an ice sculpture exhibition in winter, but the accommodation in the scenic area is average, so it is best to return on the same day. - Zhaojin Xiangshan: The site of the Shaanxi-Gansu Border Revolutionary Base, with mountains of red leaves in autumn. The Danxia landform of Xuejiazhai, the old site of the Red Army barracks, and the Zhaojin Memorial Hall are must-sees. You can drive there, or take a direct bus from the North Passenger Station in Xi'an. It is easier to climb the mountain if you travel light. - Yaozhou Kiln Museum: The largest ancient porcelain kiln site museum in China, where you can admire Tang and Song Dynasty Yaozhou celadon, visit the kiln restoration, and experience pottery DIY. Take bus No. 6 from the city to Huangbao Town. Featured Food - Salty Soup Noodles: Bone broth with alkaline noodles, don't miss the Lao Zhang's. - Wowo Noodles: Shaped like cornbread, served with Saozi soup, it has a unique taste. - Snowflake Candy: A traditional sweet snack that is crispy and not sticky. You can buy it in Chenlu Ancient Town. - Beiguan Heluo: Made of buckwheat noodles, it is sour and spicy and appetizing, and is commonly found in night markets. - Longbai Bud Vegetables: A special wild vegetable in Chenlu Ancient Town, refreshing and not greasy. Transportation Guide - External Transportation: It is about 1.5 hours drive from Xi'an. It only takes 1 hour to take a bus from the North Passenger Station to Tongchuan New District. The high-speed railway from Xi'an North Station to Tongchuan East Station is under construction. - City Transportation: Buses can reach the scenic spots, but there are few buses. It is more convenient to take a taxi or charter a car. A one-way trip from the city to the scenic spot costs 30 - 80 yuan. Accommodation Recommendations - City Area: Tongchuan Building and Zhengyang International Hotel in Wangyi District or Yaozhou District are mid- to high-end choices. - Ancient Town/Scenic Area: Chenlu Ancient Town Farmhouse Inn, Zhaojin Town Red Theme Homestay, affordable price. Itinerary - 2-Day Tour: On Day 1, visit Yaowang Mountain and Yaozhou Kiln Museum, and stay overnight in Chenlu Ancient Town; on Day 2, go to Zhaojin Xiangshan, and then return. - 3-Day Tour: Add Yuhua Palace Scenic Area, or spend more time experiencing the pottery culture in Chenlu Ancient Town. Precautions - Climate: Bring rain gear in the rainy summer, and wear down jackets in the cold winter (-5℃~5℃). - Culture: Respect the local ceramic craftsmanship and do not touch unfired pottery blanks. - Consumption: Prices are not high, the average cost of food and beverage is 30 - 50 yuan/meal. Tongchuan, a small and charming city, is full of unique charm. Come and start your exclusive trip!