Yaan

Ya’an is rainy, so it is best to carry rain gear when you go out.

Set between mountains and rivers, Ya’an has panda bases, tea mountains, ancient towns, and quiet forest scenery, making it a good choice for a weekend or short-holiday leisure trip. Below is a suggested 3-day, 2-night itinerary covering the city area, pandas and gorges, tea mountains, and ancient towns.

Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Ya’an and explore the city on foot
  • Morning: Depart from Chengdu. The high-speed train takes about 1 hour, while driving takes about 1.5 hours. After arriving in Ya’an, check in at your hotel first.
  • Afternoon: Visit free attractions in the city. Start at Ya’an Nüwa Square to see the giant sculpture of Nüwa repairing the sky, then go for a walk in Ya’an Panda Green Island Park. In the evening, head to Ya’an Yazhou Covered Bridge for the night view, and be sure to notice the reflections on the river.

• Evening: Go to Ya’an Zhenghuang Night Market or Ya’an Sichuan Agricultural University Snack Street for dinner. You can try tatta noodles, barbecue, and other local snacks.

• Day 2: Panda base and gorge tour
  • Morning (8:00–11:00): Go to Bifengxia Panda Base. It is recommended to enter as early as possible. Pandas are usually more active between 8 and 9 a.m.; later in the day, they may already be resting.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Bifengxia Gorge scenic area and follow the boardwalk to enjoy waterfalls and streams. The walking path is generally fairly flat and not too demanding, making it suitable for a slow visit.
  • Evening: Return to the city area, or stay at a forest guesthouse around Bifengxia. For dinner, you can plan to have clay-pot Ya fish.

• Day 3: Tea mountain visit and ancient town walk
  • Morning: Go to Mengding Mountain to experience tea picking and tea making, and take photos in the tea gardens. If you are interested, you can also join a hiking activity where participants receive a medal.
  • Afternoon: Drive to Shangli Ancient Town. Walk along the stone-paved streets, visit Erxian Bridge, drink tea at a riverside teahouse, and enjoy the pastoral scenery before returning.

Must-Try Foods in Ya’an

Ya’an has a rich range of local flavors, so you can set aside time during the trip to try them.

Where to Stay

• Yucheng District (city area): Consider staying near Qingyi River Road, Zhenghuang Square, or Wanda Plaza. Hotels are concentrated in these areas, and dining and night markets are more convenient, making them suitable for the first night and the night before your return.
• Shangli Ancient Town: If you want to experience the ancient town at night, you can stay in one of its characterful guesthouses. Some rooms offer river views. At night, red lanterns add atmosphere, and the area is generally quiet.
• Near Bifengxia or Mengding Mountain: If you plan to enter the scenic area early to see pandas or pick tea, you can stay at a forest guesthouse nearby. The surroundings are lush and green, making this a good choice for families or parent-child trips.

Transport and Travel Tips

• Getting there: From Chengdu, the high-speed train to Ya’an Station takes about 1 hour, with many departures. If driving, you can take the Beijing-Kunming Expressway; the trip takes about 1.5 hours, and road conditions along the way are generally good.
• Getting around the city: If you are not driving, you can take Ya’an’s direct scenic-area shuttle buses, known as the small yellow buses. From the high-speed rail station, they go directly to Bifengxia, Shangli Ancient Town, and Mengding Mountain, with rolling departures.
• Weather and what to wear: Ya’an is known as the “Rain City,” and the weather changes quickly, so it is recommended to carry an umbrella. Mountain areas have a large temperature difference between morning and evening, so bring a light jacket. When visiting gorges and ancient towns, wear non-slip, comfortable sports shoes.
• Seeing pandas: When visiting Bifengxia Panda Base, it is best to enter before 9 a.m. Around noon, most pandas rest, making it harder to see them being active.