3-Day Slow Travel Guide to Xichang: Chasing Sunsets by Qionghai Lake, Turning Days into Poetry

Xichang's sunshine always carries just the right warmth, while Qionghai's breeze holds the fragrance of jacaranda blossoms. This city, known as "Little Spring City," offers countless reasons to slow down. Here's a curated 3-day in-depth travel guide covering transportation, food, must-visit spots, and hidden gems to help you experience the most authentic Xichang. Day 1: Head to Qionghai Lake, Starting with a Fiery BBQ Feast 🚗 Transportation Guide Take a 3-hour high-speed train from Chengdu East Station to Xichang West Station. During holidays, prioritize buses over taxis—the comprehensive bus routes from the station's transit hub are more reliable. We stayed at a hotel near Qionghai 17°, conveniently catching the "BBQ Festival Express" straight to our destination—a true blessing for lazy travelers! 🌞 Afternoon Stroll After dropping our bags, we rushed to Xiaoyu Village but missed the last boat at 17:30 (key tip: come in the morning for calmer waves and sparkling lake views). Though boatless, the village's lively atmosphere was healing—we dined at "Xiao Xu BBQ," a local favorite. Their crispy-yet-tender grilled small intestines and sauce-soaked stuffed tofu were unforgettable. Friendly reminder: ask for "mild spice" if needed—Xichang's chili packs a Sichuan-Yunnan border punch! ✨ Pro Tip Xiaoyu Village's dock at dusk is perfect for walks. The sunset paints the lake orange, while reeds sway in the wind—every photo turns into a therapeutic masterpiece. Day 2: Lakeside Meandering, Wasting Time on Beautiful Things 🌅 Morning Cruise We took an early taxi to Xiaoyu Village dock for a 20-minute boat ride to Moonlight Town. Mist still clung to the lake, with Lu Mountain faintly visible—like stepping into an ink painting. Post-cruise, we ambled along the lakeside path, sunlight dappling through leaves onto stone slabs, stumbling upon a vendor selling finger-licking-good roasted potatoes for ¥5. 🍉 Afternoon Leisure Lunch at Moonlight Town featured local "drunken shrimp"—spicy with a boozy aroma. Lakeside fruit carts abound; don’t miss the honey-sweet local sugarcane, bursting with juice. We retreated to "Black Swan Coffee" for Yirgacheffe by the window, watching fishing boats glide as time slowed. 🌇 Chasing a Romantic Sunset The highlight was Golden Scale Beach’s sunset! Arrive by 18:30 (check the hourly shuttle schedule). Around 18:50, the sky turns lavender, casting long shadows for "California-style" photos. Post-sunset, packed shuttle buses return visitors—a communal, romantic chaos. Dinner at "Hu Sige BBQ" amazed with value: sizzling pork belly and wild mushroom skewers. Portions are huge—order half-servings if needed! Day 3: Market Flavors & Smoke-Kissed Farewells 🛒 Local Life Immersion Morning at Nantan Market revealed Xichang’s soul: pomegranate pyramids, golden mangoes, and earthy peanuts. Though prices weren’t steals, the haggling energy was infectious. We grabbed perfectly tart blueberries. Breakfast at "Xiongshi Beef & Lamb Offal Noodles" was mandatory—spicy broth with local pickled peppers revived our taste buds instantly. 🚄 Return Trip A 500m walk to catch the K1 bus delivered us to Xichang West Station in 40 minutes—flawlessly timed. 💰 Trip Takeaways & Pitfall Avoidance 1. Transport: Taxis are pricey (¥30+ for 10km). For groups, self-driving offers flexibility and spontaneous stops. 2. Essentials: Bring a power bank—shared ones often run empty during peak times. 3. Food Wisdom: Order BBQ in small batches; roadside fruit carts offer fresher samples. 4. Budget: Mid-to-high costs, but every penny spent on views and experiences felt worth it. Xichang’s romance lingers in Qionghai’s breezes, BBQ smoke, and strangers’ shared sunset gazes. Three days sufficed to leave our hearts in this sunlit city—next time, we’ll await dawn atop Lu Mountain and snack on grilled sausages under jacaranda blooms.