Mianyang Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 绵阳 (mián yáng)
Population: 5,312,000
Area: 20,249 square kilometers (7,818 square miles)
Location: in the northwest of Sichuan Province, southwest China
Administrative Division: 3 districts (Fucheng, Youxian, Anzhou); 4 counties (Santai, Yanting, Zitong, Pingwu); 1 autonomous county (Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County); 1 county-level city (Jiangyou)
Area Code: 0816
Zip Code: 621000
GDP (2019): CNY 285.62 billion (USD 41.400 billion)
Nationalities: Han, Zang, Qiang, Hui

Mianyang is located in the northwest of Sichuan Province on the middle and upper reaches of the Fujiang River. It neighbors Nanchong, Suining, Deyang and Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture within the province, and is bordered by Gansu Province to the north. It is about 131 kilometers (81 miles) from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan. Mianyang functions as China's important military industry and scientific research production base with 18 national research institutes. Another reason people are familiar with Mianyang is that famous Chinese romantic poet Li Bai of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) was born here. There are various buildings, sculptures, and monument forests related to Li Bai in the Libai Monument Forest.

Besides, Visitors can go here to experience the strong Qiang folk customs and culture, look for the footprints of wild animals while enjoying the beautiful scenery in the natural reserve, shuttle through the streets and alleys to experience the local leisure and comfortable living atmosphere, and taste various delicious Sichuan cuisines.

Mianyang Attractions - Things to Do

 Beichuan Qiang Tourism Zone: There are ruins and the biggest memorial museum of 5·12 Earthquake. A Qiang custom museum and Qiang village also lie here, through which you can know more about the Qiang nationality.
 

Baoen Temple, Mianyang

 Wanglang National Nature Reserve: Located around 94 km (58mi)) northwest from Pingwu County, the Wanglang National Nature Reserve is about 265 km (164.7 mi) away. It is adjacent to the Baiba Tibetan Area in the southeast, the Yellow Dragon Temple of Songpan County in the southwest, and the Jiuzhaigou Valley in the northeast. This nature reserve was built in 1965 for the conservation of giant pandas and other rare wild animals.

As the nature reserve is situated in the intersecting mountain area of the Himalayas, a variety of creatures live there. It is one of the best ecological environments of the country. This area is not only a paradise for giant pandas, but also the home of golden monkeys, gnus, macaques, cheetahs, lesser pandas and sambars. Other lovely animals also live a happy life here, such as takins, zibets, lynxes, hares and weasels. There are birds of first-grade state protection, including Chinese goosanders, monal pheasants with blue tails and sea eagles with jade belts.

Wanglang Nature Reserve is abundant in plants and has virgin forest at a high altitude. Bulky firs, spruces, deodar cedars and redwoods rise skyward in an elegant shape, which have grown for about 500 years. Tourists can find rare trees here, for example, Chinese dove trees, katsura trees, gingkoes, liriodendrons and eucommia barks.

The rippling streams, powerful waterfalls, jokul and meadow in the mountain area are as beautiful as a painting. In addition, the ancient and unique Baima Tibetan nationality preserves the original cultural tradition whose language, customs and history are totally unique.

Admission Fee	CNY50
Opening Hours	The whole day
Best Travel Time	All the year round (rainfall is dense during May and July)
Transportation	There are regular direct buses from Mianyang Central Bus Station and Pingzheng Bus Station to Pingwu County and it takes 3.5-4 hours. Upon arrival at Pingwu, there are two ways to the nature reserve: 1. Transfer to another bus to Baima, where take a taxi to reach; 2. At Pingwu, it is a good idea to rent a car to the natural reserve directly. (Note: Buses from Mianyang to Pingwu are scheduled from 06:20 to 17:00 every half an hour.)

 Other Scenic Spots: Xiaozhaigou Nature Reserve, Doutuan Mountain, Yuanwang (Ape King) Cave

How to Get to Mianyang

Mianyang Nanjiao Airport is located in the southern outskirts of the city proper, 10 kilometers (6 miles) away from downtown Mianyang. Flights destinations include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing and Hangzhou... Bus No.48/ 75/ 79/ 601 and shuttle bus 301/ 302/ 304 will take you to the downtown from airport .

Mianyang Railway Station is about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) to downtown Mianyang, which operates both normal speed and high speed trains to Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai, Beijing and more cities.

The Central Bus Station is located in the West Gate of the city, at the juncture of Mianyang Railway Station and Jichang Da Dao. Apart from this bus station, Pingzheng, Nanfu and Fule are all principal stations of the city. Buses to Jiuzhaigou can be found in Pingzheng bus station.

See more Chengdu - Mianyang Train

The area features a subtropical monsoon climate, and the weather is relatively moderate with an annual average temperature of 19-21℃ (66.2-69.8℉). Mianyang weather also has four distinct seasons, but winter is comparatively warmer. The area is favorable for visiting all the year round but, especially in May and October.

 History: Mianyang, called Fujun in ancient times, had advanced in agriculture during the Qin (221BC-206BC) and Han (206BC-220AD) dynasties. It has a history of over 2,200 thousand years since the Emperor Gaozu of Han established the first county in this area in 201BC. Due to its advantageous geographic location, it had always been a town of great military importance and formed a natural defense for Chengdu.

 Physical Features: It is situated in the northwestern edge of Sichuan Basin. The terrain of the city slopes downward from northwest to southeast. The northwestern mountainous area occupies over sixty percent of the city’s territory, and the ratio of plains to hills is respectively 22 percent to 16 percent.          

 Local Highlights: Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County and Pingwu County are closely connected with Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous County. Within the two counties, there are many Tibetan and Qiang towns with strong local ethnic content..    

 Special Local Delicacies: Guoguodian steamed stuffed bun, Xi Liang Fen (cold jelly), Guan Guan Tang (pot soup), Cai Dou Hua (tender bean curd with special sauce), Pian Fen (noodles made of mung bean) and crisp cake of Zitong County