Huanglongxi Ancient Town Travel Guide for May
I. Pre-trip Preparation
1. Transportation Guide
* Self-driving: Navigate to "Huanglongxi Ancient Town Parking Lot." The core area of the ancient town requires walking. Parking fee is approx. CNY 10–20/time.
* Public Transportation: Take Chengdu Metro Line 5 to "Huilong Station," then transfer to a bus or taxi (approx. 10 minutes) to reach the ancient town directly.
* Chengdu Surrounding Tour: Can be combined with Leshan Giant Buddha, Anren Ancient Town, and other attractions for a 1–2 day tour route.
2. Tickets and Opening Hours
* The ancient town is open for free. Internal attractions (such as Gulong Temple and Sanxian Yamen) charge separate fees. It is recommended to purchase a combo ticket (approx. CNY 30).
* Best time to visit: Morning (8:00–10:00) or evening (after 16:00) to avoid the midday peak crowds.
II. Core Attractions and Route Planning
* Route Recommendation
Day 1: Enter from the East Gate → West Sichuan Residential Street → Gulong Temple → Longtan Square → Ancient Wharf → Lang Bridge → Dafosi Temple → Return Trip
Day 2 (In-depth Tour): Huanglongxi Happy Farmland (family-friendly/photography) → Return Trip
* Must-see Attractions
1. Ancient Wharf and Lang Bridge
* Ancient Wharf: Located at the intersection of the Fu River and the Lu River. When taking photos, combine the awning boats and red lanterns for a simple and elegant picture.
* Lang Bridge: The iconic building of the ancient town. It is an excellent spot for taking photos in Hanfu. The lights at dusk make for even better photos.
2. Gulong Temple and Dafosi Temple
* Gulong Temple: An ancient temple from the Ming Dynasty. The temple preserves exquisite murals and Buddha statues. Climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of the ancient town.
* Dafosi Temple: A niche Zen attraction, suitable for sitting quietly and listening to the bell, and experiencing the slow life.
3. Longtan Square and Ancient Trees
* Millennial Banyan Tree: Lush foliage. Enjoy the cool shade and tea under the tree, and experience the leisurely Chengdu lifestyle of "chatting under the tree."
* Longtan Water Feature: The stream is clear. In summer, you can experience stream tracing and playing in the water (safe in the shallows).
III. Food Recommendations
* Must-eat in the Ancient Town
1. Qiaotou Restaurant (next to Lang Bridge): The signature "Yi Gen Mian" (a type of noodle) is strong and chewy, served with pork loin soup or sweet and sour pork ribs.
2. Zhang Xuewang: Authentic Sichuan flavor. The Xuewang (blood curd) is fresh and tender, and the red oil chili is fragrant but not spicy. It is a perfect match with Guo Bian Mo (pancake).
3. Fuxing Old Teahouse: CNY 10/person for Gaiwan tea (lidded cup of tea), served with sesame cake or Ye Er Ba (glutinous rice cake), to experience the old Chengdu tea culture.
* Featured Snacks
* Firewood Chicken/Frog: Firewood Chicken at Huaguoshan Farm (reservation required), dry pot bullfrog at General Frog (spice level optional).
* Intangible Cultural Heritage Snacks: Huang Laozhao (fermented glutinous rice), stone-ground Douhua (tofu pudding), sesame cake (sold by handmade vendors in the ancient streets).
IV. Cultural Experience Activities
1. Intangible Cultural Heritage Appreciation
* Fire Dragon Dance: A national intangible cultural heritage. Night performances (check performance times in advance). The giant dragon dances in the firelight, which is amazing.
* Fu River Boatman's Song: A provincial intangible cultural heritage. Listen to the boatman's song by the wharf and feel the culture of the Sichuan River.
2. Interactive Experience
* Datiehua/Sichuan Opera Face-Changing: Folk performances may be available during festivals. You can participate in interactive activities or learn simple face-changing techniques.
* Handmade Workshops: There are experience stores for bamboo weaving, sugar painting, and paper cutting in the ancient streets, which are suitable for parent-child activities.
3. Slow Life Experience
* Drinking Tea by the Stream: Order a cup of jasmine tea at a teahouse by the ancient wharf, watch the boats come and go, and listen to the gurgling water.
* Hanfu Rental: There are Hanfu stores at the entrance of the ancient town (approx. CNY 100/day). Walking in the ancient streets after wearing Hanfu is more immersive.
V. Accommodation Recommendations
1. In the Ancient Town:
* High-end: Jiaojiaxiang Inn (antique courtyard, average price CNY 500–800/night).
* Cost-effective: Courtyard Hotel (riverfront room, average price CNY 200–400/night).
2. Surrounding Area: Huanglongxi Happy Farmland Resort (family-friendly, including hot springs/park, average price CNY 300–600/night).
VI. Precautions
1. Avoid Pitfalls
* Reject the "low-price day tour" routine. Some tour groups may compress the tour time.
* Pay attention to safety when playing in the water by the stream, and do not step on cultural relics and historic sites (such as the stone steps of the ancient wharf).
2. Seasonal Tips
* It rains a lot in May, so prepare a folding umbrella or raincoat; do a good job of sun protection on sunny days (hat + sunscreen).
* There are large crowds on weekends, so it is recommended to travel during off-peak hours or arrive early and return late.
VII. Surrounding Linkage Gameplay
* Leshan Giant Buddha + Huanglongxi: Classic two-day tour route. Day 1: Leshan Giant Buddha in the morning, Huanglongxi in the afternoon; Day 2: Visit Pengzhen Centennial Old Teahouse on the way back.
* Anren Ancient Town: About a 40-minute drive from Huanglongxi, you can visit Liu's Manor and the Republic of China-style block.
In May, Huanglongxi has both the poetry of "small bridges, flowing water, and homes" and the authentic Sichuan cuisine and intangible cultural heritage. Follow this guide to deeply experience the charm of the "No. 1 Town in Tianfu"!