Songpan Ancient Town Travel Guide

With the resources of sincere history and culture, Songpan has been named as “strategic choke point” for centuries. As a door of northwestern Sichuan, Songpan was known as a town of military importance in Tang dynasty, while today, Songpan still remains its importance as a pivot connecting Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong, Hongyuan-Ruoergai grassland and others spots.

Songpan has the resources of sincere history and culture

Is it Worthwhile to Visit Songpan Ancient Town?

Yes. The old history and rich culture would be attractive for tourists. With convenient transportation and accommodation, the travel of Songpan County would be enjoyable. Rich in both culture and views, Songpan is a good choice from June to November.

Songpan's old history and rich culture are extremely attractive

Where is Songpan Ancient Town

Located in northwest of Sichuan province and northeast of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Songpan bordered by Jiuzhaigou county and Pingwu county to the east, Mao county to the south, and Hongyuan and Heishui county to the west. Songpan is 335 kilometers far away from provincial capital Chengdu, and 431 kilometers from state capital Maerkang. Thanks to the complex terrain and high altitude, which is around 2849.5 meters, there is no notable variation with the seasons in Songpan.

Songpan Location Map

History of Songpan Ancient Town

The history of Sonpan ancient town could date back to Qin dynasty. Living at the bordered area of Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai, people had suffered a great deal from disorder and turmoil. Then, the city, named “Songzhou” by the king of Tang dynasty in 618, shortly after a war caused by Tubo, boasted as a military station at that time. In 1379, the king of Ming dynasty set up two stations to protect border security, which in known as Songzhou and Panzhou. In 1387, these two stations were combined, hence its name “Songpan”. In addition, Songpan is revolutionary historical monument. During long march, among the five important meetings held by the Communist Party of China, two were took place here. As an ancient and weathered town, Songpan has seen the great changes over past centuries.

Songpan was named Songzhou

Culture of Songpan Ancient Town

Songpan is just like a melting pot of several kinds of culture. In 1387 of Tang dynasty, the leader of Tubo, Songtsen Gampo, sent messengers to Chang’an to make an offer of marriage between two countries. However, the messengers were detained when they arrived in Songzhou (Songpan). In his fury, Songtsen Gampoled soldiers personally and invaded Songzhou. After being defeated in Chuanzhusi Temple, he proposed to Tang dynasty again, and finally married princess Wencheng. With marring into Tibet, princess Wencheng introduced tea to Tibetans, and tea, after years of spread, has been a kind of necessity of Tibetan. Songpan plays an important role in it. As the Tea-Horse trade center, Songpan is deeply influenced by the culture of Tea and Horse Road, and emerged grand scale of business after Tang dynasty. Tibetan tea culture and business culture have been a special represent of Songpan.

The drama of“Princess Wencheng”in songpan

Besides, a variety of regions also reflect the feature of “melting pot”. As the carrier of regions, several kinds of temples meet the eye everywhere, such as Tibetan Buddhism temple, Taoist temple and Mosque. All kinds of religious culture exert a subtle influence on each other, and make Songpan more and more comprehensive.

Tibetan Buddhist Activities in Songpan

With the development of tourism, many culture activities are arranged to attract tourists. The opening ceremony of Songpan ancient city hold in September is one of them. The great rally will bring the tourists back to that ancient age, with warriors wearing armors, commanding war horses, and ancient military equipment displayed on the wall. The lantern show may be ordered days after the opening ceremony, but you’d better to ask for this before your travel.

Festivals in Songpan Ancient Town

The most direct manifestations of Tibetan culture is Tibetan festivals. Among those various festivals, most of them are concentrated in Tibetan January. Deeply influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, the festivals have strong religious color. To experience the culture of Tibetans, visiting Songpan in Tibetan January would be a good choice.

People celebrate the Tibetan New Year in Songpan

Top Attractions in Songpan

1. Songpan Ancient Wall

Songpan is famous for its ruins of ancient city wall. The wall was started to build at Ming dynasty, and divided the city into two parts, outside and inside. Aimed at defending foreign enemy, the wall has the height of 10 meters, wide of 30 meters and length of 6200 meter. In its thickness, Songpan ancient wall is second to no one in China. It is free to get into the ancient city, but you need to pay 150 RMB per person for getting on the wall. Getting on the wall is certainly worth it, because it affords a fine view of the Old City.

Songpan Ancient Wall

2. Songpan Ancient City

Generally speaking, if you want to get to the city, you got to swim the moat. However, the Min River keeps running through the ancient city from east to west for centuries. Inside the city, wondering lanes connect those low houses. The four wide and distinct main streets lead to all directions in the city. Teahouses beside the river, bridge of old age, mountain outside the wall……Being here for tourism is as if you walked into history.

Songpan Ancient City

To visit here, the summer and autumn are suggested. You’d better to calm down to enjoy the view from ancient time, so staying here for 2 or 3 days is a good choice. The city of day is totally different from the one of night. You will not be charged to enter the city.

3. Jiuzhaigou

143km away from Songpan County, Jiuzhaigou Valley is one of the most famous spots in Sichuan province. Endowed with colorful forests, crystal lakes and continuous mountains, this picturesque scenery is famous for its marvelous beauty of the world. 50km long in total, the channel appears “Y” shape. Although the changeable scenery varies from season, visiting there in September and October is suggested especially. A typical busy season ticket including bus fare costs about 310 RMB, while an off-season ticket only costs about 160 RMB. With convenient transportation, only 3 hours and 20 minutes’ drive is needed from Songpan to Jiuzhaigou.

Marvelous beauty in Jiuzhaigou

4. Huanglong

The four kinds of stunning beauty of Huanglong National Park is snow-capped mountain, colorful lakes, endless forests and wonderful canyons. Step by step, the colorful lakes just like a piece of marvelous terrace and a rich mosaic of banks, lakes and forests. September and October would be the best time to visit Huanglong spot. Due to its high altitude and cold weather, Huanglong will be closed in winter. The ticket is 200 RMB in busy season, which is from the beginning of April to the middle of November, and 60 RMB in off season. The opening time is from 8:00am to 17:00pm. Make sure that you are equipped with enough clothes, because the high altitude may give you an illness.

Five colored ponds in Huanglong

5. Munigou Valley

With the highest altitude of 4070 meters and the lowest altitude of 2800 meters, this place is famous for its virgin forest, ring falls, hot spring and alpine lake. Munigou Valley, or Mounigou, offers a subtle combine of mountains, water and forests. The Munigou Valley Scenic Area is consists of two parts, Erdaohai Lake and Zhaga Waterfall. The busy season is from April to November, and the ticket will be 100 RMB, while the off season will cost you 60 RMB. It is noteworthy is that the spot will be closed from the beginning December to the ending of March.

Erdaohai Lake in Munigou Valley

6. Chuanzhusi Temple

17km from Songpan, Chuanzhusi Temple is also full of atmosphere and well worth visiting.As a transit station, Chuanzhusi Temple is at the fork to Jiuzhaigou, Huanglong and airport. The temple will be opened all day and free-charged.

Chuanzhusi Temple

How to Get to Songpan

Songpan County could be arrived by taking bus in Chengdu Chadianzi bus station and West Gate bus station. The destination in Songpan is Chuanzhusi bus station. Located in gold position of western Sichuan province, Songpan is only 17 kilometers far away from Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport. What’s more the high speed railway station of Songpan is being built now.

Chengdu Chadianzi bus station

Where to Live in Songpan

Inside the town, there are many choices for you to settle. You would not have other choice to experience the ancient culture better than inns. 0837 theme inn is one of the most famous inns in Songpan. Compared to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong, it is easier to find a suitable restaurant in Songpan. In addition, if you want to visit Huanglong or other spot which has a high altitude, it is inadvisable to extravagant eating and drinking before the trip.

0837 theme inn is one of the most famous inns in Songpan