Things to do in Tianquan

No. 12 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Sichuan

Erlang Mountain National Forest Park

Erlang Mountain Diaohe Scenic Area is located at the southeast foot of Jiajin Mountain, at the southern edge of the rolling Longmen Mountain and Qionglai Mountains. It is a high mountain and deep valley area transitioning from the Sichuan Basin to the Western Sichuan Plateau. The tourism resources of the entire scenic spot can be divided into eight major scenic spots, including Angzhou River, Xuanxuangou, Fengzi River and the Grand Gorge. The scenic area has a good ecological environment, rich species of animals and plants, and many rare and protected species. It is a national forest park nature reserve. There are about 46 species of mammals, about 160 species of birds, about 7 species of fish, and about 14 species of reptiles known in the reserve, including giant pandas, takin, golden monkeys, red pandas, sambar deer, leopards, Sichuan-Shaanxi Salmon and other key protected wild animals. An Ice and Snow Festival is held here every year. Popular activities with themes such as "Christmas Market", "Ice and Snow Light Show", and "Romantic Warm Winter" have been popular among tourists. In late winter, the scenic area is covered with white snow, showing vitality and snowy interest in the severe cold winter. Looking at the rime-covered branches and the wonders and beautiful scenery, the scenery is like a snow country, which is intoxicating. At that time, you can take the cable car on the Jiaoshan Cableway and have a panoramic view of this beautiful scenery. Mountaineering route Recommendation 1: Erlang Mountain Diaohe River Scenic Area Walnut Ping - Shuangshixi - Lianxiang Slope - Jade Corridor - Luchi Distance: 3 kilometers. Road surface: Gravel road, going up slowly and not too steep. Special points of interest: The hiking trail goes up the stream, with green trees on both sides, birds singing and flowers fragrant. The river is gurgling and crystal clear, so you can play and walk at the same time. If you are tired from walking and don't want to walk back, you can also take a ride on the alpine waterslide in the scenic area to “drift down”. Recommendation 2: Wucai Valley - Ski Resort - Arrow Bamboo Forest - Niujingou - Primitive Forest Distance: 7-8 kilometers. Road surface: 3 kilometers of wooden plank roads and 4 kilometers of mountainous roads. Special points of interest: Climbing the original forest wooden plank road is easier and cooler. The altitude is higher and you can overlook the scenic spot. Wild animals can often be seen in the mountain forest. Red leaf viewing period: the end of October to the end of November (the best time to enjoy red leaves is only ten days, so it is recommended to consult the scenic spot before traveling. In addition, the weather is also very important, try to choose sunny days when traveling).

No. 17 of Family-friendly Attractions in Sichuan

Bifeng Gorge Scenic Area

Bifeng Gorge Scenic Area is located in Xiali Township, Yucheng District, Ya'an City. It takes about 4 hours to walk through the entire canyon, and you can take the scenic shuttle bus directly to the Panda Garden. When strolling through areas such as Bifengxia Scenic Area - White Bear Flat, Panda Kindergarten, and Leopard Hill in the garden, you can see semi-free-range giant pandas. Looking at the cute giant pandas will instantly lift your mood. The wildlife park there is also well worth a visit. To fully explore the Bifeng Gorge Scenic Area, it may take up to 6 hours or even a full day. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, you might consider staying overnight near the scenic area. There are dozens of farm stays offering accommodation and meals at the farm stay center just outside the scenic area gate. Additionally, there are numerous food stalls inside the scenic area where you can take a break to eat and drink when you get tired. A popular choice among visitors is the homemade cured pork ribs, which are spicy and flavorful—definitely worth a try if you're interested.

Fall Foliage Sightseeing in Ya'an

Ya'an, a city in western Sichuan that is known as the "Rainy City", creates another beautiful picture with red leaves all over the mountains every autumn and winter. Thanks to the unique landform of the transition zone between the basin and the plateau, the mountains in Ya'an are undulating, and the rich vertical climate zones have bred a variety of red-leaf tree species such as cotinus, maple, and liquidambar form a natural fertile soil for the growth of red leaf landscapes. As the temperature gradually cools, the mountains and forests in Ya'an are like a palette overturned by a painter. From light orange to dark red, different tree species change color in sequence according to the altitude difference. The red leaves in the low mountains are the first to be dyed, and then they are layered towards the high-altitude areas. The red leaves may cover the continuous ridges in patches, contrasting with the green mountains shrouded in clouds and mist; or they may be dotted on both sides of the streams, reflected in the clear water, forming a poetic picture of "tree shadows dancing in the water". There are occasional houses with blue tiles and white walls hidden in the mountains, with smoke rising from the chimneys, which together with the red leaves and mountains and waters paint a vivid long scroll of western Sichuan scenery. Here, just strolling in the mountains, you can immerse yourself in the autumn feast given by nature, appreciate the artistic conception of "stopping the car and sitting to enjoy the maple forest in the evening", and encounter the unique tranquility and romance of Ya'an in the flying red leaves.

The Bifengxia Base of China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in Ya'an

This is a separate park in Bifengxia. The ticket is included in the scenic area, but separate tickets are required for entry and exit. This park also has its own sightseeing bus.

No. 3 of Family-friendly Attractions in Ya'an

Bifengxia Wildlife Park

Located within the Bifengxia Scenic Area, the Bifengxia Wildlife Park offers clean air and beautiful scenery. You can see all kinds of wild animals at the park, which is a great place to learn about animals and get close to nature. It's a great place to bring kids for a wildlife adventure. Most of the animals here roam free, and guests can ride the feeding trucks and feed lions, tigers, and bears. It's very exciting to watch these large, ferocious animals carry off their prey.

No. 6 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Sichuan

Mengding Mountain

Mengding Mountain, also known as Mengshan, is located on the northwest side of Mingshan Town. The tea culture of Mengding Mountain has a long history, as it is the birthplace of the world's tea culture. The main activity in Mengding Mountain is hiking. It takes about forty minutes to hike to Tiangai Temple. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, Mengshan tea was listed as a tribute to the Emperor and it was used as a special sacrifice for the ancestors of the heavens and earth. This tradition continued until the Qing Dynasty. The historic Mengding tea is called “Immortals' Tea” and Mengding Mountain is known as the hometown of Immortals' Tea.

Tianquan Road Trip Hub

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is home to many adorable giant pandas, and you can observe these charming national treasures up close. Located in the northern suburbs of Chengdu, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is approx. 10 km from the city center, and its construction fully simulates the wild living environment of giant pandas, with lakes, streams, bamboo forests, lawns, and more. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding has many "panda villas", which are enclosed leisure areas for pandas. Each features an outdoor yard and an indoor rest room. When the weather is cool, the giant pandas play in the yard, and visitors can watch the adorable pandas through the railings; when the weather is hot, the giant pandas hide in the air-conditioned rest rooms, and visitors can only watch them through the glass. You can also see pandas in the new area of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, and they are our hero pandas. The pandas' home is bigger, and their activity range is wider. Seeing pandas is the main draw, but there is plenty more to do and see. A must-visit is our landmark building — the internet-famous Panda Tower. As a new landmark of Chengdu, it stands at the highest point of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The tower is 69.8 m tall with 11 floors. Its exterior resembles a giant bamboo shoot, while the interior is shaped like a blooming hibiscus flower. Inside, 81 platforms are distributed throughout, allowing visitors to enjoy the views of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding from multiple angles. There is also the Art Museum (New Building) located in the dense forest area of the new district, which uses emerging exhibition methods such as multi-sensory interaction, lighting installations, interactive installations, and thermal sensing to create immersive exhibition scenes for visitors. The new area of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding plans to set up science popularization display boards and interactive facilities with rich content and diverse forms in four major zones, so that visitors can learn about giant pandas while watching them and enhance their interactive experience. On festivals related to animal and environmental protection, themed science popularization activities will also be carried out for visitors of different age groups, such as interactive lectures, family-friendly science popularization, mystery exploration games, and other activities that combine education with entertainment. When you're tired from playing, you can also go enjoy a musical — "Panda": it vividly presents to the audience the scene of magical animals, with the giant panda as their representative, coexisting harmoniously, sharing nature, and loving life on the beautiful and fertile land of Chengdu, Sichuan. Through the form of a musical, it reflects the livable landscape of Chengdu, Sichuan, and the simple and leisurely life of the local people. In terms of total area, it has increased from the original 1,035 mu to 3,570 mu, expanding by 2.5 times. During the expansion, the original topography and landforms were fully followed and preserved, and the multi-level landscape belts of mountain valleys formed by mountain gullies and streams were utilized to create 11 giant panda venues, multiple science popularization venues, and visitor pedestrian streets and other sightseeing locations. After the expansion project is completed, it can accommodate no fewer than 180 giant pandas and companion animals such as red pandas and golden snub-nosed monkeys. As of now, multiple giant pandas and red pandas have moved into the "new homes" in the expansion area, and rare animals such as golden snub-nosed monkeys will also be waiting to welcome everyone in the future. In terms of design, the new area is equipped with ample visitor facilities in accordance with 5A attraction standards. It not only provides basic facilities such as sightseeing vehicles and tourist restrooms, but also equips the hill commercial street, the exit commercial street, and scattered commercial complexes in various zones with a large number of tourism service facilities. The planned business formats include dining, souvenir sales, postal services, cinemas, theaters, and experiential education, among others, and the quantity is sufficient to meet visitor demand. After nearly a year of operation, in response to the practical issues of the new area's large size and uneven distribution of supporting facilities, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding has added multiple beverage vending machines, direct drinking water dispensers, and shared convenience facilities throughout the new area to improve the visitor experience. Next, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding will further supplement and improve visitor rest facilities, inquiry service facilities, and guide and navigation facilities to meet visitor needs. The expanded Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding will help Chengdu build a demonstration site of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, improve conditions for giant panda research and conservation, protect biodiversity, fully demonstrate the brand value, cultural value, and economic value of giant pandas, and build the cultural tourism brand of "Sanxingdui, Jiuzhaigou, and Giant Pandas: A Leisurely Journey Through Sichuan." New businesses and projects such as the Panda Art Museum, IMAX Theater, and Panda Theater are now open, meeting visitors' needs for dining, entertainment, sightseeing, shopping, and leisure while they watch giant pandas.

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Dujiangyan Scenic Area

The Dujiangyan Irrigation System is located along the main branch of the Lancang River, west of Dujiangyan City. It was constructed in the Qin dynasty around 256 BC by Li Bing, Prefecture Chief of Shu County, and his son. It is one of the few ancient Chinese water conservancy projects that has remained preserved and intact. The project consists of three primary works—Yuzui Diverting Embankment, the Feishayan Spillway, and the Baopingkou Water Inlet, and two secondary works which include the Baizhangdi (the thousand-feet dam) and Renzidi (the y-shaped dam). They divide the Yongjiang River into an outer and an inner branch, the former of which is used to divert floods and the latter for irrigation. This has allowed the Western Sichuan plateau to become "the land of abundance" as we now know it.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Mount Emei

Mount Emei is one of the four famous mountains of Chinese Buddhism, and it is also the temple of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. There are numerous Buddhist monasteries in the mountains that combine to give this place a holy and serene atmosphere. The scenery in the mountains are beautiful. The four seasons each have their own characteristics. If you are lucky, you can see the sunrise and sea of clouds. Do note that the monkeys in Mount Emei are notoriously naughty. They are not afraid of people, and even take the initiative to ask tourists for food.