{"id":18955,"date":"2021-09-19T09:03:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-19T01:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/?p=18955"},"modified":"2021-09-19T21:40:57","modified_gmt":"2021-09-19T13:40:57","slug":"drive-from-hanzhong-to-yaan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/sichuan-travel\/chengdu-travel\/drive-from-hanzhong-to-yaan","title":{"rendered":"Drive from Hanzhong to Ya’an (Tips, Photos & Map)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

After simple breakfast at our lodging hotel, at 7:30 am in the wet autumn day,\u00a0\u00a0we leave the cozy and green city of Hanzhong (\u6c49\u4e2d), driving through the main street and\u00a0Han River Bridge\u00a0in\u00a0patchy fog and\u00a0drizzle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanzhong – Guangyuan – Chengdu – Ya’an 600km Road Trip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Today we spend most of our daytime driving on route, a 600km and 7-hour\u00a0long haul\u00a0G5 (Jingkun\u00a0Freeway ) from Hanzhong to Ya’an. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We enter Sichuan Province at Guangyuan (\u5e7f\u5143),\u00a0known as the northern gate to Sichuan and further going southwest, passing by Mianyang (\u7ef5\u9633), Deyang (\u5fb7\u9633)\u00a0, Chengdu (\u6210\u90fd) and getting to Ya’an (\u96c5\u5b89), our final destination today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The screenshot below gives you a rough idea of our traveling route today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Hanzhong Ya’an Travel Map (Google)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shudao (Roads to Shu) \u8700\u9053 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0roads between Xian and Chengdu which we\u00a0are 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” (\u8700\u9053) or “Hard Roads to Shu”. Chengdu is officially abbreviated as Shu (\u8700) and Shu\u00a0was an ancient state in modern Sichuan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ancient Shudao “Roads to Shu” were built connecting both north-south\u00a0sides of the mountainous barrier formed by the Qinling (\u79e6\u5cad). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Shu Roads” served as a\u00a0bridge linking Chang\u2019an (\u957f\u5b89), near present day Xi\u2019an in the north and Shu (\u8700) 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Shu Roads” also bridged the two most important historical “Highways” in China history\u00a0– the southern trade routes such as the Tea and Horse road to Tibet and northern routes such as the Silk Road to the west.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enter Guangyuan (Sichuan Province)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When we are passing through the Qipanguan Toll Gate at Guangyuan (\u5e7f\u5143),\u00a0formally entering Sichuan Province, we see the banner hanging above says “Welcome to Jianmen Shudao (literally Shu Roads ) at Mingyue Gorge Tourism Area”. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People haven’t forgot the Shudao (hard Shu Roads) and the local government has developed Shu Roads ecological and historical tourism routes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Guangyuan
Qipanguan Toll Gate at Guangyuan<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For an urban dweller, driving fast\u00a0through the mountainous\u00a0areas is definitley\u00a0a luxury rewinding experience!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Framed Chinese traditional Paintings<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Jianmen Pass Service Stop on Route<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We take a break at Jianmen Pass Service Area.\u00a0\u00a0Jianmen is a county under Guangyuan City.\u00a0 This county is well known for its Jianmen Pass, the strategically located pass and the endless Shudao (Shu Roads). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here you\u00a0can\u00a0view the magnificent scenery, but also\u00a0have the chance to look for\u00a0\u00a0the 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jianmen
We take a break at Jianmen Pass Service Area.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Arriving at Ya’an <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When We\u2019ve\u00a0reached\u00a0the city of Ya\u2019an (\u96c5\u5b89) driving all the way from Hanzhong (\u6c49\u4e2d) along the expressway G5 (Jingkun Expressway), it is getting darker. The city looks neat and bright with Qingyi River (\u9752\u8863\u6c5f) winding past cutting the city into two parts. Actually the city of Ya\u2019an is built on the two sides of the valley of Qingyi River. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are pleasantly surprised at the solemn beauty of the largest\u00a0covered bridge (Langqiao) I\u2019ve ever seen, which is just across our lodging hotel \u2013 ibis downtown Ya\u2019an.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ya\u2019an has long been well known for its \u201cthree most famous\u201d \u2013 Ya Fish, Ya Girls and Ya Rain. Tasting Ya fish is a must for tonight. Just forget Ya rain, as Ya\u2019an is noted for a city of rain, the most rainy city in Sichuan Province and hopefully we\u2019ll have a sunny and bright day tomorrow. The girls in Ya\u2019an are said to to be beautiful, so\u00a0we\u2019ll see!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ya Fish Dinner at Ya’an<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our growling\u00a0stomach reminds us of the need to have dinner first upon arrival at the pretty city.\u00a0 Ibis downtown Ya\u2019an suggests us have Ya fish at the\u00a0time-honored Ganlaosi Ya Fish Restaurant\u00a0(\u00a0\u5e72\u8001\u56db\u96c5\u9c7c\u996d\u5e97), a ten-minute drive from our hotel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a chain restautant and we go to its flagship restaurant \u2013 Ganlaosi Ya Fish at Sha Wan ( tel: 035-2821584 Add: No.236, Shawan Road, Yucheng District, Ya\u2019an \u96c5\u5b89\u5e02\u96e8\u57ce\u533a\u6c99\u6e7e\u8def236\u53f7).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ya fish caught alive and cooked freshly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ya
Ya Fish<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The cooked Ya fish tastes delicious and melts in our mouths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ya
Ya Fish in Soy Source<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Night Tour of Ya’an City<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a Chinese saying goes “One hundred steps of walking after dinner make you live to 99\u00a0 years old”, we take\u00a0\u00a0a short stroll after supper,which is said to be good for health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ya'an
The walkway along the river bank is partially made of synthetic tracks.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The concrete guardrails are lit outside with their reflections on the river, prettifying the river sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lit
The the concrete guardrails are lit outside with their reflections on the river<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The brightly lit Qingyi River Bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The largest covered bridge I\u2019ve ever seen spans Qingyi River in Ya\u2019an city, brightly lit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ya'an
The largest covered bridge I\u2019ve ever seen spans Qingyi River<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"a'an
Local people are seen singing and dancing<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

More bridges are built to connect the two sides of the river in Ya\u2019an city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The brightly lit bridge in Ya\u2019an<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you are planning Chengdu tour<\/a>,\u00a0 you are highly recommended to have a side trip to Ya\u2019an, a sharp contrast to the hustle and bustle of Chengdu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add-On<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Drive from Hanzhong to Ya\u2019an<\/a>
Ya\u2019an Night View<\/a>
Most Beautiful Sky Road in China<\/a>
Night View of Moxi Old Town<\/a>
Camp No.03 at Hailuogou Glacier<\/a>
Camp No.04 at Hailuogou Glacier<\/a>
Night View of Kangding<\/a>
Drive from Kangding to Xinduqiao<\/a>
Drive from Xinduqiao to Danba<\/a>
Jiarong Tibetan Blockhouses<\/a>
Jiarong Tibetan Ancient Watchtowers<\/a>
Drive from Xinduqiao to Yajiang<\/a>
Drive from Yajiang to Litang<\/a>
Drive from Litang to Daocheng<\/a>
Drive from Litang to Batang<\/a>
Drive from Batang to Mangkang<\/a>
Drive from Shangri-la to Daocheng<\/a>
Drive from Daocheng to Yading<\/a>
Yading Brings You Inner Peace<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hassle-free Chengdu & Sichuan Guided Tours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t 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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chengdu tour<\/a>
Chengdu Car Rental with Driver<\/a>
Create My Chengdu Trip<\/a>
Jiuzhaigou Tour<\/a>
Sichuan Tour<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further Readings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Attractions in Chengdu<\/a>
Best Time to Visit Chengdu<\/a>
Chengdu Airport<\/a>
Railway stations in Chengdu<\/a>
Chengdu Taxi<\/a>
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Tips, Photos <\/a>& Map)<\/a>
How to visit Wuhou Shrine<\/a>
How to visit Du Fu Thatched Cottage<\/a>
How to visit Jinsha Site Museum<\/a>
How to visit the tomb of Wang Jian in Chengdu<\/a>
How to Visit Wangjiang Pavilion Park in Chengdu<\/a>
How to visit Qingyang Palace in Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
How to Visit Jinli Street<\/a>
How to visit Kuan Alley and Zhai Alley<\/a>
Qintai Road, Qintai Gujing Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
Shaoling Road Bar Street Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
<\/a>Jiuyanqiao Bar Street in Chengdu (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
The Old Teahouse in Pengzhen Town, Chengdu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bipenggou is a fairyland in Autumn<\/a>
When is the best time to visit Jiuzhaigou?<\/a>
Best Places to Visit Autumn Leaves in Sichuan<\/a>
Top 10 Places to Visit in Sichuan<\/a>
Ruoergai Grassland, my first trip to Ruoergai Grassland<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any questions, just drop a line.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After simple breakfast at our lodging hotel, at 7:30 am in the wet autumn day,\u00a0\u00a0we leave the cozy and green city of Hanzhong (\u6c49\u4e2d), driving through the main street and\u00a0Han River Bridge\u00a0in\u00a0patchy fog and\u00a0drizzle. Hanzhong – Guangyuan – Chengdu – Ya’an 600km Road Trip Today we spend most of our daytime driving on route, a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[155,3155,3151],"tags":[3950,3162,3949,3953,3161,3951,3952],"class_list":["post-18955","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chengdu-travel","category-hanzhong","category-yaan","tag-hanzhong-chengdu-road-trip","tag-hanzhong-yaan-expressway","tag-hanzhong-yaan-road-trip","tag-roads-to-shu","tag-self-driving-from-hanzhong-to-yaan","tag-shu-roads","tag-shudao"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18955"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18955"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18955\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27648,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18955\/revisions\/27648"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18955"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18955"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18955"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}