Tongnan

Tongnan is comfortable to visit in spring and autumn; in summer, take precautions against the heat.

Located on the border between Sichuan and Chongqing, Tongnan has relatively low visitor density, with its scenic and cultural resources fairly concentrated. Many attractions can be visited for free. From Chengdu or Chongqing, it takes about 1.5 hours to reach Tongnan by either car or high-speed rail, making it a good choice for a slow-paced weekend getaway.

• Shuangjiang Ancient Town: One of China’s first ten Famous Historic and Cultural Towns, with well-preserved flagstone streets and lanes. You can visit the Yang Family Residence, Yang Angong’s Former Residence, and Yuwang Palace to understand the town’s history through Qing-dynasty residential layouts and revolutionary heritage sites. Admission is free.

• Tongnan Great Buddha Temple: A national 4A-rated scenic area. The temple houses an 18.43-meter-tall gilded indoor Buddha, said to be the world’s largest of its kind. The “Music of the Stone Steps” is one of China’s four great echo wonders, and the cliff-carved Chinese character “佛” is 8.85 meters tall. It is currently open for free.

• Tongnan Museum: Converted from an old granary, the museum displays the Tongnan Mamenchisaurus, Asia’s largest sauropod dinosaur fossil, as well as a 35-meter-long group of thousand-year-old buried wood. It is a good place to gain a systematic understanding of Tongnan’s history and local culture. Admission is free, but advance reservation is required.

• Chen Tuan Hometown Scenic Area: Located in Chongkan Town, this scenic area is known from March to April for its vast sea of rapeseed flowers. The giant Taiji diagram in the flower fields has a diameter of 236 meters and creates a striking visual effect. Visitors can also ride a sightseeing mini train or take a painted pleasure boat through the area. It is open for free during the spring season only.

• Malong Mountain Reclining Buddha: Located in southern Tongnan, this site features a 36-meter-long outdoor cliff-carved reclining Buddha, one of the larger stone-carved reclining Buddhas in China. Nearby is Fowan Temple, an ancient temple from the Ming dynasty. The quiet surroundings suit travelers who enjoy hiking and exploring historic sites. Admission is free.

Transportation Guide

• By car: From Chengdu or central Chongqing, it takes about 1.5 hours by expressway to reach Tongnan. Round-trip tolls are about 100 yuan, and parking near the scenic areas is relatively convenient.
• High-speed rail: Chengdu East Railway Station to Tongnan Station takes about 1 hour, while Chongqing North Railway Station to Tongnan Station takes about 40–50 minutes. After arrival, you can take a taxi or public bus to the main attractions.

Recommended Itineraries

• One-day trip (classic highlights): Visit Shuangjiang Ancient Town in the morning, tour the old residences, and try liangfen cold jelly noodles ➡️ In the afternoon, head to Tongnan Museum and Tongnan Great Buddha Temple to experience local history and the temple atmosphere ➡️ In the evening, take a walk along the Fujiang River, have Tai’an fish, and then return.
• Two-day trip (in-depth slow travel):
  • Day 1: Arrive in the morning and visit Shuangjiang Ancient Town. At noon, try the town’s local snacks. In the afternoon, visit Tongnan Great Buddha Temple and the museum. In the evening, take a Fujiang River night cruise, enjoy the lights along the riverbanks, and have a late-night snack at Fujiang Tianjie.
  • Day 2: In spring, go to Chen Tuan Hometown to enjoy the flower fields. In other seasons, you can choose a hike at Longduo Mountain or go to Malong Mountain to see the reclining Buddha. At noon, try Tongnan small-pan fried chicken or a vegetable banquet in the urban area, then return.

Must-Try Food

Tongnan’s food is often found tucked away in its streets and lanes, with spicy, numbing, fresh flavors and hearty Jianghu-style cooking as its main features.

Practical Tips

• Admission policy: Tongnan Great Buddha Temple, Shuangjiang Ancient Town, Tongnan Museum, and other core attractions are currently open for free. However, some former residences or old houses, such as the Yang Family Residence, may charge an admission fee of around 20 yuan. Please refer to the attraction’s same-day notice for details.
• Parking guide: For Shuangjiang Ancient Town, navigate to parking near the north gate of “Yang Family Residence” to avoid parking at the visitor center and then walking another 1.6 km. The west gate of the Great Buddha Temple has a large parking lot with low fees and a convenient location.
• Avoiding crowds: On weekends and holidays, the ancient town and flower fields can be busy. It is recommended to enter before 8 a.m. to reduce queuing and crowding, and to take photos in better light.
• Souvenirs: Consider buying Tongnan canned yellow peaches, layered mahua twists, and handmade dried tofu. When choosing canned yellow peaches, check the production date and place of origin, and try to choose established local brands.