Wenchuan Travel Guide
Location:Wenchuan is a small town in Sichuan’s Aba Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, which straddles the confluence of the Min and Zagunao Rivers. It is one of only 4 counties that are the main location of China’s Qiang ethnic group – the others being Lixian, Maoxian and Beichuan.
History:
Wenchuan has been a place for centuries where ethnic groups overlap. The remains of defensive walls from the Three Kingdoms period (220-265 AD) and from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) are still visible on the hills above the town.
Further back in the mists of history, legend has it that Yu the Great, one of China’s famous ancestors, was born in this area, and a temple in his honor is situated near the Three Kingdoms wall remains.
Other evidence of inter-ethnic encounters are the striking watchtowers and fortress-like style of some of the local Qiang villages, built high up on the mountain tops, e.g. the three towers of Buwa village which can be seen high above Wenchuan.
Transportation:
Wenchuan is easily accessible by bus from Chengdu. Buses coming down from Jiuzhaigou/Songpan and from Hongyuan/Ma’erkang to Chengdu also stop in Wenchuan. All Chengdu buses depart from/arrive in Chadianzi bus station in the west of Chengdu. There are also buses going between Wenchuan and the main bus station in Dujiangyan.
Taxis out to the tourist villages of Taoping and Luobozhai should be about 40-60Y. Minivans can be hired for around the same price unless you find one with locals already heading to your destination, then the price should be about 10Y per person.
Hotels:
There are at several hotels in Wenchuan.
The International Travel Hotel: turn left out of the bus station area and keep walking until you reach a 3-way broad junction. The hotel is across the junction on your left. Twin rooms with shower and western toilet are about 240 RMB (with breakfast).
The Kaiyi Hotel: go up the main shopping street and cross the river via the traffic bridge in the centre of town, continue straight ahead and the Kaiyi Hotel is on the left at the T-junction. Twin rooms with shower and western toilet are around 240 RMB (no breakfast).
The Sang Ping Hotel: not far from the Kaiyi Hotel. Cross the river via the footbridge and keep walking straight. The Sang Ping Hotel is on the left at the T-junction. Twin rooms with shower and squat toilet are around 100 RMB (no breakfast).
Dining:
The Qiang are famous for collecting wild vegetables and also for their cured ham so it’s well worth having a Qiang meal – very healthy and full of flavor.
Another simple but good traditional food is small potatoes cooked in their skins and dipped in a chilli and salt mix. At the junction of the two main shopping streets there is a tiny cafe selling 'ciba' - Qiang potato dumplings in a wonderful soup.
Weather:
With an elevation of 1326 metres, Wenchuan County is located at the northwest of Sichuan Province.
The temperature of Wenchuan falls from southeast to northwest with the increase of the elevation. The Plateau area in northwestern area has a cold but long winter and a cool and wet summer, and the annual average temperature is 0.8℃～4.3℃.
The Plain area has a distinct wet and dry season. The annual average temperature is 0.8℃～4.3℃.
Attractions:
Wenchuan Sanjiang Ecologic Area
Wenchuan Ecological Scenic Area is located in the Sanjiang Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Aba Wenchuan County in the southern Sanjiang township territory tributary of Minjiang River upper reaches of river life, the river, the Blackstone River.
Wenchuan Ecological Scenic Area has a mild climate, neither too cold in winter nor to hot in summer. The annual average temperature here is 12.9℃.
But it is ruined by the earthquake in 2008. Wenchuan Ecological Scenic Area is not as beautiful as before.
Wolong National Nature Reserve
Wolong National Nature Reserve is a protected area located in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China.
Established in 1963, the reserve covers an area of about 200,000 hectares in the Qionglai Mountains region. There are over 4,000 different species recorded in the reserve Wolong National Nature Reserve houses more than 150 highly endangered giant pandas.
The reserve is also a home to many other endangered species including: red pandas, golden monkeys, white-lipped deer and many precious plants. Wolong gets up to 100,000 visitors every year.
Jionglan Tower
Jionglan Tower is located at the confluence of the Xuankou Town, Wenchuan County. There are nine floors in this tower, with a small window on every side of floor. The total height of the Jionglan Tower is 21 meters.
The Jionglan Tower belongs to geomantic omen tower.
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