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Yaxi Expressway: Most Beautiful Sky Road in China

Monday, September 20th, 2021

Ya’an (雅安) is our transit springboard to further explore the West Sichuan. Our today’s destination is Hailuogou Glacier Park( 海螺沟冰川森林公园). We are supposed to reach Moxi Town (磨西镇) from Ya’an by noon, an approx. 300 km drive and then start up our visit to Hailuogou Glacier on the same day.

Moxi Old Town is the gateway to Hailuogou Glacier and Mount Gongga (贡嘎山). Moxi is a town in Luding County in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan.

Ya’an Covered Bridge

Before setting off for Moxi Town, I stride to a viewing spot protruding a bit into the wide Qingyi River (青衣江) where I snap a clear picture of the huge covered bridge not far from our ibis downtown hotel Ya’an.

It is a wide bridge topped by 2-3 storey buildings with typical roof tile eaves of Chinese traditional architectural style, a seemingly busy city hub for dining, shopping and recreation.

Ya'an Covered Bridge — Ya’an Covered Bridge

Still intoxicated by the beauty of the bridge and the layers of buildings cascading down the hillsides on both sides of the river valley, I hear Mr. Chen calling my name urging me to get on and go.

Yaxi Expressway

Mr. Chen takes most of the driving on our West Sichuan trip. He tells me that today we”ll drive along Yaxi Expressway (雅西高速) which is lauded as the most beautiful “Sky Road” in China! Really? Why “Sky Road”? Feeling I’m still skeptical of the “Sky Road”, he suggests me searching online for Yaxi Expressway.

Oh, my God! A good amount of information on “China Sky Road” instantly appears before eyes. Yaxi Expressway starts from Ya’an and ends at Xichang (西昌), a section of Beijing-Kunming highway, 240km long and a ladderlike road “leading to the sky”.

Ya’an Xichang Expressway ( via Shimian County )

For more information on the scenic drive in China, check out my another article “The Top 10 Scenic Road Trips in China”.

The “leading to the sky” here has two meanings – 1) The 240km expressway is made of 270 viaducts, an elevated roadway that stretches 240 kilometers, designed to minimize impact on the environment and driving on the numerous viaducts makes people feel like driving in the air; 2) For driving each kilometer, we ascends by 7.5 meters along the expressway. There are also 25 spiral tunnels used to reduce the effect on mountains. The construction of Yaxi Expressway took 5 years and opened to traffic in April 2012.

Ya’an to Shimian Freeway ( Part of Yaxi Expressway)

The “Sky Road” is really a boon on a seemingly monotonous drive from Ya’an to Moxi Old Town. We don’t drive the whole Yaxi Expressway and we will get off Yaxi expressway at Shimian (石棉县), then turn to the north along the provincial highway S211 to the direction of Moxi Town.

While still overjoyed at the timely blessing, I’m kindly advised by Mr. Chen to the effect that among the 200km drive, for the first 130km, we have the luck to experience the so-called most beautiful “Sky Road” in China, but for the rest of the 70km (off the expressway), we”ll face the tough challenge driving past narrow mountainous roads sided by risky and steep cliffs with the possible falling stones and rocks. It looks like both a gift and ordeal from God to test us. So let’s go!

Ya Xi Expressway Driving Experience

Overcast, we have a gloomy morning, without white clouds and azure sky, but not too bad, it allows us to have the effect of viewing Chinese paintings in black and white framed on route.

viewing Chinese paintings in black and white framed on route. — Viewing Chinese paintings in black and white framed on route.

Driving along the elevated highways high above the valleys and through the tunnels, we are excited and thrilled at the pristine beauty of the scenes flying past. The famous Dadu River (大渡河) accompanies us snaking parallel to the highway for most of the drive trip.

Yaxi Highway — Drive on the elevated highway

Nearly all Chinese know about Dadu River due to the famous heroic legend “Seizing of the Luding Bridge” in the course of the Long March in May 1935 and we will talk about it later.

Dadu River is 1062 km long, the large tributary of Min River (岷江) which is in turn the largest tributary of Yangzte River. Within Dadu River basin, there are rich tourist resources including the historical site of “Seizing of the Luding Bridge”, Mt. Emei, Hailuogou Glacier and Mount Gongga.

The 25 tunnels on Yaxi Expressway have greatly shortned the drive distance in the mountainous areas. The tunnels are deep and long.

For example, Nibashan tunnel has a depth of 1,650 meters and a length of 9,962 meters on the left line and 10,007 on the right line, lit brightly and driving safe.

Yaxi Expressway Tunnels — The 25 tunnels on Yaxi Expressway have greatly shortned the drive distance

The relaxing and leisure 2-hour drive ends at Shimian Service Area (石棉服务区). We take a short break in the service stop, relaxed and recharged, ready for next leg of the mountainous trip – Driving along S211 and getting to our destination today – Moxi Old Town ( Hailuogou Glacier ).

So we get off Yaxi Expressway at Shimian and enter S211 ( a provincial road ) leading to Moxi Old Town.

Shimian to Moxi S211 ( a provincial highway)

The provincial highway from Shimian off the Yaxi Expressway to Moxi Town is tough, a zigzag mountain road with the risk of falling stones on one higher side.

The Shimian to Moxi Town road trip turns out one of the most tiring and dangerous on our West Sichuan self-drive tour. But anyhow, we made it and got to Moxi Old Town safe and sound.

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

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 the concrete guardrails are lit outside with their reflections on the river

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.

The light bridge in Ya'an — The light bridge in Ya’an

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

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

Hanzhong – Guangyuan – Chengdu – Ya’an 600km Road Trip

Today we spend most of our daytime driving on route, a 600km and 7-hour long haul G5 (Jingkun Freeway ) from Hanzhong to Ya’an.

We enter Sichuan Province at Guangyuan (广元), known as the northern gate to Sichuan and further going southwest, passing by Mianyang (绵阳), Deyang (德阳) , Chengdu (成都) and getting to Ya’an (雅安), our final destination today.

The screenshot below gives you a rough idea of our traveling route today.

Shudao (Roads to Shu) 蜀道

The roads between Xian and Chengdu which we are driving past so quickly, dating back to in the Warring States (481-221 BC) period, the Qin (221-206 BC) and Han (206 BC to 220 AD) dynasties, were collectively known as Shudao “Roads to Shu” (蜀道) or “Hard Roads to Shu”. Chengdu is officially abbreviated as Shu (蜀) and Shu was an ancient state in modern Sichuan.

The ancient Shudao “Roads to Shu” were built connecting both north-south sides of the mountainous barrier formed by the Qinling (秦岭).

“Shu Roads” served as a bridge linking Chang’an (长安), near present day Xi’an in the north and Shu (蜀) in the south, the present day Chengdu in the Sichuan plain. Some of the roads have been preserved and maintained, even consolidated up till today while others have faded away.

“Shu Roads” also bridged the two most important historical “Highways” in China history – the southern trade routes such as the Tea and Horse road to Tibet and northern routes such as the Silk Road to the west.

Enter Guangyuan (Sichuan Province)

When we are passing through the Qipanguan Toll Gate at Guangyuan (广元), formally entering Sichuan Province, we see the banner hanging above says “Welcome to Jianmen Shudao (literally Shu Roads ) at Mingyue Gorge Tourism Area”.

People haven’t forgot the Shudao (hard Shu Roads) and the local government has developed Shu Roads ecological and historical tourism routes.

Guangyuan Toll Gate — Qipanguan Toll Gate at Guangyuan

In the course of driving, we are still amazed by the high-quality construction of the flat and wide freeway framed with charming Chinese traditional paintings of the clouds and mountains.

For an urban dweller, driving fast through the mountainous areas is definitley a luxury rewinding experience!

A framed Chinese traditional Paintings — Framed Chinese traditional Paintings

Jianmen Pass Service Stop on Route

We take a break at Jianmen Pass Service Area. Jianmen is a county under Guangyuan City. This county is well known for its Jianmen Pass, the strategically located pass and the endless Shudao (Shu Roads).

Here you can view the magnificent scenery, but also have the chance to look for the traces of the historical site of the Three Kingdoms and more. But we have to say goodbye to the intriguing Jianmen Pass and Shu Roads and go on with our dream focused on the West Sichuan.

Arriving at Ya’an

When We’ve reached the city of Ya’an (雅安) 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, which is just across our lodging hotel – ibis downtown Ya’an.

Ya Fish Dinner at Ya’an

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.

Ya Fish in Sioy Source — Ya Fish in Soy Source

Night 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.

Ya'an River Bank Walkway — 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.

Lit Ya'an River bank — The the concrete guardrails are lit outside with their reflections on the river

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.

a'an Evening Dancing — Local people are seen singing and dancing

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

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

Archive for the ‘Ya’an’ Category

Yaxi Expressway: Most Beautiful Sky Road in China

Ya’an Covered Bridge

Yaxi Expressway

Ya’an to Shimian Freeway ( Part of Yaxi Expressway)

Ya Xi Expressway Driving Experience

Shimian to Moxi S211 ( a provincial highway)

Add-On

Hassle-free Chengdu & Sichuan Guided Tours

Further Readings

Ya’an Night View (Tips, Photos & Map)

Ya’an City Layout

Ya’an and its “three most famous”

Evening Tour of Ya’an City

Add-On

Hassle-free Chengdu & Sichuan Guided Tours

Further Readings

Drive from Hanzhong to Ya’an (Tips, Photos & Map)

Hanzhong – Guangyuan – Chengdu – Ya’an 600km Road Trip

Shudao (Roads to Shu) 蜀道

Enter Guangyuan (Sichuan Province)

Jianmen Pass Service Stop on Route

Arriving at Ya’an

Ya Fish Dinner at Ya’an

Night Tour of Ya’an City

Add-On

Hassle-free Chengdu & Sichuan Guided Tours

Further Readings

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