Nanchong Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 南充 (nán chōng)
Population: 7,282,500
Area: 12,479.96 square kilometers (4,818.54 square miles)
Location: in the northeast of Sichuan Province, southwest China
Administrative Division: 3 districts (Shunqing, Gaoping, Jialing); 5 counties (Nanbu, Yingshan, Peng'an, Yilong, Xichong); 1 county-level city (Langzhong)
Area Code: 0817
Zip Code: 637000
GDP (2019): CNY 232.222 billion (USD 33.660 billion)

Nanchong is an important central city in northeastern Sichuan and the middle reaches of the Jialing River. It neighbors Dazhou to the east, Suining to the west, Guang'an to the south, in the neighborhood of Guangyuan and Bazhong to the north. Nanchong is famed as the largest silk industrial center in Sichuan. Nanchong silk with various patterns and good quality has always been favored by consumers. Many tourists also go to the local silk market to choose silk as a travel gift.

Nanchong is also the cradle of Chinese Three Kingdoms Culture and home to Chen Shou, the author of History of the Three Kingdoms which first narrated the stories that happened during the Three Kingdoms (220 - 280). The famous General Zhang Fei of the Three Kingdoms also died in Langzhong of Nanchong, where you can still find his memorial in the Langzhong Ancient City, another highlight of Nanchong travel. In the ancient city, visitors can tour thousands of buildings of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368 - 1912) and historical relics such as Zhang Fei Temple and Yong'an Temple. Various special snack shops are scattered in the ancient city. Paper-cut, Shadow puppets, and other Sichuan folk culture can also be appreciated here.

 Langzhong Ancient City stands on the bank of Jialing River beside the new city district of Langzhong City. It was the capital of the Ba Kingdom in Warring States Period (476BC-221BC) until the Qin (221BC-206BC) wiped out the kingdom over twenty-three thousand years ago. In the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the start of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Langzhong has been the temporary capital of Sichuan for seventeen years. It was always spoken of as the political, military and culture center of northern Sichuan by feudal lords.

This ancient town is listed among the four famous old towns in China (the other three are the Lijiang Old Town inYunnan, the Pingyao Old City in Shanxi and Shexian County in Anhui). Along the bluestone pavement, there are residences like Beijing's Hutongs and Beijing's Courtyards, compounds of Ming and Qing Style and a few buildings of Tang and Song dynasties.
Scenic Spots in Langzhong: Big Buddha Temple, Tengwang Pavilion Scenic Area, Jinpingshan Scenic Area, Zhangfei Temple
 Langzhong Ancient City Transportation

 Other Scenic Spots: Yuping Park, Wanglong Lake

Nanchong Gaoping Airport is located about 7.5 kilometers (about 5 miles) east of downtown Nanchong. You can fly from domestic cities like Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Huizhou, Nanjing, Urumqi, Shanghai, Kunming, Lhasa... to Nanchong Airport. It provides airport shuttle bus and city bus to downtown.

Visitors can arrive at Langzhong Ancient City by passing through Deyang, Suining or Mianyang. Suining and Mianyang are suggested transfer stations because of the charming natural scenery on the ways. In addition, visitors can go to Guangyuan and then change buses to Langzhong. The Jianmen Shu Road of Guangyuan can also be visited.

To go to Nanchong direct there are express buses from Chengdu. It is about two hours' drive to the destination. From the city proper, Langzhong it will take about one and a half hours.

Bearing a subtropical humid monsoon climate, the area is characterized by warm winter, a long summer and short autumn, and spring usually comes early. It is seldom snowy and frosty. Precipitation is more common in summer. The annual average temperature of Nanchong weather falls around 17℃ (62.6℉). March to June and September to November are the best periods to pay a visit.    

 History: Nanchong is a provincial historical and cultural city whose administrative history can be traced back to the year of 179BC. A county was first established here in the Sui Dynasty (581-618) and its name originated from the Xichang Kingdom at that time. Nanchong has always been the locality of the administrative organizations since the Tang Dynasty (618-907).      

 Physical Features: Generally, the area can be divided into two physiographic regions: northern low mountainous area and southern hilly area. Hill is the main type of landform of the city, and its terrain declines from the north to the south.               

 Special Local Products: preserved mustard, orange, dried beef, bamboo scroll painting, satin with drawings, Shu Brocade