Situated 136 km to the southwest of Chengdu, Ya’an (雅安) is a jump-off point to further travel to Hailuogou Glacier, the West of Sichuan, Yunnan and Tibet since it is located at the intersection of Sichuan-Tibet Highway (G318) and Sichuan-Yunnan Expressway.
Ya’an City Layout
When We’ve reached the city of Ya’an driving all the way from Hanzhong (汉中) along the expressway G5 (Jingkun Expressway), it is getting darker.
The city looks neat and bright with Qingyi River (青衣江) winding past cutting the city into two parts. Actually the city of Ya’an is built on the two sides of the valley of Qingyi River. We are pleasantly surprised at the solemn beauty of the largest covered bridge (Langqiao) I’ve ever seen just across our lodging hotel – ibis downtown Ya’an.
Ya’an and its “three most famous”
Ya’an has long been well known for its “three most famous” – Ya Fish, Ya Girls and Ya Rain. Tasting Ya fish is a must for tonight. Just forget Ya rain, as Ya’an is noted for a city of rain, the most rainy city in Sichuan Province and hopefully we’ll have a sunny and bright day tomorrow. The girls in Ya’an are said to to be beautiful, so we’ll see!
Our growling stomach reminds us of the need to have dinner first upon arrival at the pretty city. Ibis downtown Ya’an suggests us have Ya fish at the time-honored Ganlaosi Ya Fish Restaurant ( 干老四雅鱼饭店), a ten-minute drive from our hotel.
This is a chain restautant and we go to its flagship restaurant – Ganlaosi Ya Fish at Sha Wan ( tel: 035-2821584 Add: No.236, Shawan Road, Yucheng District, Ya’an 雅安市雨城区沙湾路236号).
We order a Ya fish braised in soy source with red peppers. It tastes soft, delicious and melts in our mouths. The Ya fishes live in Zhou Gong River, a branch of Qingyi River.
Ya fish caught alive and cooked freshly
The cooked Ya fish tastes delicious and melts in our mouths.
Evening Tour of Ya’an City
As a Chinese saying goes “One hundred steps of walking after dinner make you live to 99 years old”, we take a short stroll after supper,which is said to be good for health.
The walk along the river bank turns out to be a joyful experience! The walkway along the river bank is partially made of synthetic tracks and paving stones. Sporadic river bank parks are set attached to the walkways, making a stroll along the banks pleasant and comfortable.
The walkway along the river bank is partially made of synthetic tracks.
The concrete guardrails are lit outside with their reflections on the river, prettifying the river sides.
The night views of the bridges straddling Qingyi River are astonishedly beautiful with coloful lights and shades. This is Qingyi River Bridge lit brightly with a fishing boat on the river.
The largest covered bridge I’ve ever seen spans Qingyi River in Ya’an city, brightly lit.
Local people are seen singing and dancing leisurely and happily at the riveside park, a pleasant city for slow life and a mecca for retirees.
More bridges are built to connect the two sides of the river in Ya’an city.
If you are planning Chengdu tour, you are highly recommended to have a side trip to Ya’an, a sharp contrast to the hustle and bustle of Chengdu.
Add-On
Drive from Hanzhong to Ya’an
Ya’an Night View
Most Beautiful Sky Road in China
Night View of Moxi Old Town
Camp No.03 at Hailuogou Glacier
Camp No.04 at Hailuogou Glacier
Night View of Kangding
Drive from Kangding to Xinduqiao
Drive from Xinduqiao to Danba
Jiarong Tibetan Blockhouses
Jiarong Tibetan Ancient Watchtowers
Drive from Xinduqiao to Yajiang
Drive from Yajiang to Litang
Drive from Litang to Daocheng
Drive from Litang to Batang
Drive from Batang to Mangkang
Drive from Shangri-la to Daocheng
Drive from Daocheng to Yading
Yading Brings You Inner Peace
Hassle-free Chengdu & Sichuan Guided Tours
If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Chengdu and Sichuan guided tours:
Chengdu tour
Chengdu Car Rental with Driver
Create My Chengdu Trip
Jiuzhaigou Tour
Sichuan Tour
Further Readings
Top 10 Attractions in Chengdu
Best Time to Visit Chengdu
Chengdu Airport
Railway stations in Chengdu
Chengdu Taxi
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Tips, Photos & Map)
How to visit Wuhou Shrine
How to visit Du Fu Thatched Cottage
How to visit Jinsha Site Museum
How to visit the tomb of Wang Jian in Chengdu
How to Visit Wangjiang Pavilion Park in Chengdu
How to visit Qingyang Palace in Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)
How to Visit Jinli Street
How to visit Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley
Qintai Road, Qintai Gujing Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)
Shaoling Road Bar Street Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)
Jiuyanqiao Bar Street in Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)
The Old Teahouse in Pengzhen Town, Chengdu
Bipenggou is a fairyland in Autumn
When is the best time to visit Jiuzhaigou?
Best Places to Visit Autumn Leaves in Sichuan
Top 10 Places to Visit in Sichuan
Ruoergai Grassland, my first trip to Ruoergai Grassland
Any questions, just drop a line.