Meishan Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 眉山 (méi shān)
Population: 3,502,500
Area: 7,140 square kilometers (2,757 square miles)
Location: in the southeast of Sichuan Province, southwest China
Administrative Division: 2 districts (Dongpo, Pengshan); 4 counties (Renshou, Hongya, Danling, Qingshen)
Area Code: 028
Zip Code: 620010
GDP (2018): CNY 125.602 billion (USD 18.982 billion)

Situated centrally in Sichuan Province and southeast of the Chengdu Plain, Meishan, also called Meizhou, is halfway on the golden tourist route of Chengdu to Leshan. It is also bordered by Ziyang on the east and Ya’an to the west. It is the hometown of Su Shi, a great litterateur in the Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127) who made great achievements in poetry, ditty, prose, calligraphy and painting. His former residence where he lived with her father and younger brother is rebuilt into the Memorial Temple of Three Sus (San Su Ci) which is now the most famous cultural scenic spot in Meishan. A large number of cultural relics such as their handwriting, documents as well as various printed plates, poems, calligraphy and paintings are displayed and their lives are introduced.

Su Shi is also a true foodie as some local delicacies are either invented by Sushi or related to him, such as Braised Dongpo Pork Hock with Brown Sauce and Dongpo Fish. The two dishes are must-try food in Meishan. In addition, tourists can go to Wawushan National Forest Park to explore the original forests and Taoist culture.

 The Memorial Temple of Three Sus (San Su Ci) in the southwest section of Meishan city proper is the former residence of the three great poets in Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). Their residence was reconstructed as a memorial temple in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and was worshiped by numerous litterateurs as well as the masses. 

 Wawushan National Forest Park covers a total area of 1.04 million mu (268 square miles) in Hongya County. Wawu Mountain, the key scenic spot of the forest park, is a famous Taoist shrine. Together with Mt. Emei it is reputed to be one of the two wonders of Sichuan dating back to the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. 

 Other Scenic Spots: Pengzu Mountain, Black Dragon Pool (Heilong Tan)

Meishan is 63 kilometers (39 miles) from Chengdu and about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. Traveling the Chengdu-Leshan Expressway, Chengdu can be reached from Meishan in thirty minutes. Visitors can get the bus to Meishan from these stations in Chengdu: New South Gate Bus Station in 57, Linjiang Lu, Jinsha Bus Station outside the Second Ring Road next to the Metro Supermarket, and the Chengbei Bus Station in 19, Bei Er Duan, Second Ring Beilu near the North Railway Station of Chengdu. Regular buses to Wawu Mountain, Hongya County and Pengzu Mountain can also be found in these stations.

Meishan Central Bus Station: Dashiqiao, North section of Shishu Lu, Dongpo District

The city has four distinct seasons and is characterized by moderate weather that reflects a subtropical, humid climate.  There is an abundance of rainfall during the monsoon season accompanied by less sunlight. Due to the general terrain of the city, which is higher in the east and lower in the west, the annual temperature varies with the elevation changes. Meishan weather's annual average temperature falls around 16.6-17.4℃ (61.9-63.3℉). July and August are the hottest periods, and massive bursts of precipitation become more common from May to September. 

 History: An administrative organization was first established in Meishan in the year 496 during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. It was known then as Meishou, but today it is well known by all Chinese as the hometown of Su Dongpo (Su Shi) and his two sons, all of whom are great poets of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).     
 
 Physical Features: The Minjiang and Qingyi rivers flow through Meishan, creating broad alluvial plains along them. Most of its western and eastern regions geographically consist of low mountainous areas.     

 Special Local Products: Braised Dongpo Pork Hock with Brown Sauce, lonyan crispy cake, sesame cake, sweet roast duck, loquat, and mandarin oranges