Things to Do in Songpan: 8 Best Attractions & Experiences

1. Explore Songpan Ancient Town and the Historic City Walls

Exploring Songpan Ancient Town is one of the top things to do in Songpan. Also known as Songzhou Ancient Town, it has a history of more than 1,000 years and was once an important stop on the ancient Tea Horse Road. Today, you can walk through the old streets and city gates and see traces of its long history.

The Ming Dynasty city walls are one of the main highlights. Built with large gray bricks, parts of the walls have been restored and are open for visitors to walk along. From the top, you can enjoy views of the old town, the Minjiang River, and the surrounding mountains. The old city gates are also worth seeing, especially the West Gate with its impressive stone and brick structure.

Near the ancient town, you can also see the statues of Princess Wencheng and Songtsen Gampo, a reminder of Songpan's historical connection with Tibet. The statues are also a popular spot for visitors to take photos.

Travel Tips:

• Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours to explore Songpan Ancient Town and walk along the city walls.
• Late afternoon is a good time to visit, when the light is softer over the old town and surrounding mountains. If you stay until evening, you can also see the city walls lit up at night.

The statues of Princess Wencheng and Songtsen Gampo stand in front of the historic city walls of Songpan Ancient Town.

2. Take a Day Trip to the Spectacular Huanglong Scenic Area from Songpan

About an hour's drive from Songpan, Huanglong Scenic Area is one of the best day trips from Songpan. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its colorful travertine pools, snow-capped mountains, forests, and waterfalls.

The main highlight is the Five-Colored Ponds (Wucai Chi) at an altitude of about 3,576 meters. Hundreds of small limestone pools spread across the mountainside, with the water showing different shades of blue, green, and yellow. On a clear day, you can also enjoy views of the surrounding mountains.

A popular way to explore Huanglong is to take the cable car up and then walk along the wooden boardwalks to the main pools. You can then walk downhill through the valley to see more colorful pools, waterfalls, forests, and limestone formations along the way.

Travel Tips:

• Huanglong is over 3,500 meters above sea level. Walk slowly and take a break if you feel tired or short of breath.
• Taking the Huanglong cable car uphill can save energy and make the visit easier.
• Bring warm layers, as the weather can change quickly in the mountains.

Walk along Huanglong's boardwalks to see the colorful travertine pools surrounded by green mountain scenery.

3. Discover Waterfalls and Alpine Lakes in Munigou Valley

Visiting Munigou Valley is a great choice if you want to enjoy waterfalls, alpine lakes, and forests near Songpan. It is about a 30-minute drive from Songpan Ancient Town and is usually quieter than Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou.

There are two main places to explore in Munigou: Zhaga Waterfall and Erdaohai. At Zhaga Waterfall, you can follow the wooden walkway to see a large travertine waterfall dropping more than 100 meters over several levels. You can get quite close to the waterfall and enjoy different views as you walk.

At Erdaohai, the experience is more relaxed. You can walk through the forest and see clear alpine lakes surrounded by pine trees and mountains. If you enjoy nature and want somewhere quieter around Songpan, Munigou is well worth adding to your trip.

Travel Tips:

• Munigou Valley sits at a lower altitude, around 2,800 to 3,200 meters, than Huanglong. If you have just arrived in Songpan and want an easier first day, Munigou can be a more comfortable choice than Huanglong.

See the multi-level Zhaga Waterfall cascading over travertine formations in the forested Munigou Valley.

4. Go Horse Trekking through the Mountains of Songpan

Horse trekking is one of the most special outdoor experiences in Songpan. Horses were once an important way to travel and carry goods through the mountains along the ancient Tea Horse Road. Today, you can still explore the valleys and grasslands around Songpan on horseback with local guides.

Horse treks range from short half-day rides to multi-day trips into the mountains. On a longer trek, you can ride through valleys, forests, grasslands, and high mountain areas that are difficult to reach by car. The horses can also carry camping equipment, food, and other supplies for the journey.

For a multi-day horse trek, you will usually camp in the mountains and have simple meals with your local guides. It is a good choice if you want to spend more time outdoors and experience a quieter side of Songpan away from the main scenic areas.

Travel Tips:

• You don't need previous horse riding experience for most horse treks in Songpan. The local horses are used to mountain trails, and your guide will travel with you along the way.
• For a multi-day horse trek, bring warm and waterproof clothing, as mountain weather can change quickly.

Explore the valleys and grasslands around Songpan on horseback with local guides.

5 Days Songpan Horse Riding and Munigou Valley Tour

5 Days & 4 Nights
Chengdu - Songpan Ancient Town (1N) - Munigou Valley (2N) - Songpan Ancient Town (1N) - Chengdu

Price From: USD 689

5. Trek through the Hidden Qizanggou Valley

Trekking through Qizanggou Valley is one of the best outdoor adventures around Songpan. Unlike the well-developed Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou scenic areas, Qizanggou has few tourist facilities and is known for its natural alpine scenery.

A typical Qizanggou Valley trek takes about 3 to 4 days. Along the way, you will walk through forests, alpine meadows, mountain valleys, and past clear highland lakes. Some routes also cross mountain passes above 4,000 meters, with wide views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains.

The trek usually includes camping in the valley, making it a good choice if you enjoy hiking and want to spend several days away from the busy scenic areas. Horses can also be arranged to carry camping gear and other supplies, making the multi-day trek easier.

Travel Tips:

• Qizanggou is a multi-day trek with mountain passes above 4,000 meters. Good fitness and proper altitude acclimatization are important.
• Horses can be arranged to carry camping gear and other supplies if you prefer not to carry a heavy backpack.
• We recommend trekking with a local guide, as there are few tourist facilities along the route.

Trekking through past clear highland lakes in Qizanggou Valley.

5 Days Songpan Qizanggou Hidden Valley Trekking Adventure

5 Days & 4 Nights
Chengdu - Songpan Ancient Town (1N) - Qizanggou Valley Trekking & Camping (2N) - Songpan Ancient Town (1N) - Chengdu

Price From: USD 465

6. Visit Chuanzhusi and the Red Army Long March Memorial

Visiting Chuanzhusi is a good way to experience Tibetan Buddhist culture and learn about the Long March history of Songpan. The town is about a 20-minute drive north of Songpan Ancient Town and is easy to visit on the way to Huanglong or Jiuzhaigou.

At Chuanzhusi Temple, you can see traditional Tibetan Buddhist architecture, prayer wheels, murals, and a quiet temple courtyard. The temple has long been part of the religious life of the local Tibetan community and offers a closer look at Tibetan Buddhist culture around Songpan.

Another important place to visit is the Red Army Long March Memorial. During the Long March in the 1930s, the Red Army passed through Songpan and the surrounding high-altitude grasslands. At the memorial, you can see the large monument and learn more about this important part of the region's modern history.

Travel Tips:

• Allow about 1 to 2 hours to visit Chuanzhusi. It is easy to combine with a trip between Songpan and Huanglong or Jiuzhaigou.
• Dress respectfully when visiting the temple. Walk clockwise around prayer wheels and stupas, following the local custom.

Visit Chuanzhusi Temple to experience Tibetan Buddhist culture near Songpan.

7. Explore Ruo’ergai Grassland and Flower Lake

If you want to see the vast grassland scenery of northern Sichuan, Ruo’ergai Grassland is worth adding to your Songpan trip. Located about a 2 to 2.5-hour drive north of Songpan, it can be visited as a full-day trip. Along the drive from Songpan, the mountain valleys gradually open into wide high-altitude grasslands, where you can see grazing yaks and sheep and the pastoral landscapes of the Tibetan plateau.

One of the highlights of the trip is Flower Lake (Huahu Lake), a natural wetland lake surrounded by Ruo’ergai Grassland. Wooden boardwalks take you through the wetland, with open views of the lake, grasslands, and distant mountains. The area is also an important habitat for birds, including the protected black-necked crane.

If you visit Songpan in summer, Ruo’ergai is especially worth the extra journey. From June to August, the grasslands are green and seasonal wildflowers bloom around Flower Lake and the surrounding wetlands. It is a good way to add a completely different highland landscape to your Songpan trip after exploring the ancient town, mountains, and valleys around Songpan.

Travel Tips:

• Ruo’ergai is at a high altitude with little shade. Bring sun protection, a hat, and a light warm or windproof layer.
• With about 2 to 2.5 hours of driving each way, plan a full day if visiting Ruo’ergai and Flower Lake from Songpan.

See Ruo'ergai Grassland covered with wildflowers during a summer trip from Songpan.

8. Taste Authentic Tibetan and Hui Cuisine

Trying the local food is one of the best ways to experience everyday life and the mix of cultures in Songpan. Home to Tibetan, Hui, and Han communities, the town has developed a distinctive food scene that combines hearty Tibetan highland dishes with Hui-style halal beef, mutton, and noodles.

One of the most popular local dishes to try is yak meat hotpot. Thin slices of yak meat are cooked in a steaming broth with vegetables, making it a warming meal after a day of hiking or sightseeing in the mountains. You can also try traditional Tibetan foods such as butter tea and tsampa, a roasted barley flour that has long been an important part of the Tibetan diet.

Songpan is also a good place to try Hui-style halal food. Popular choices include hand-sliced mutton, grilled beef and mutton skewers, beef noodles, and freshly baked flatbreads. These dishes offer a different flavor from Tibetan food and are another part of Songpan's multi-ethnic food culture.

Travel Tips:

• The streets around Songpan Ancient Town are a convenient place to look for Tibetan restaurants, yak meat hotpot, and halal eateries. In the evening, sitting down for a hot meal is also a relaxing way to end a day of exploring Songpan.

Enjoy a warming yak meat hotpot with a variety of side dishes in Songpan.

How to Choose What to Do in Songpan

With ancient sites, mountain scenery, grasslands, and outdoor adventures, what you choose to do in Songpan mainly depends on how much time you have and what you enjoy most.

For a half-day visit, focus on Songpan Ancient Town and the historic city walls. There is enough time to see the main historical sights, walk around the old town, and try some local Tibetan or Hui food.

With 1–2 days in Songpan, you can combine the ancient town with Huanglong or Munigou Valley. Huanglong is the better choice for its famous colorful pools and mountain scenery, while Munigou offers waterfalls, alpine lakes, and a quieter experience.

A stay of 3 days or more gives you more time for outdoor activities and places farther from Songpan. You can visit Ruo’ergai Grassland and Flower Lake in summer, join a horse trek, or plan a multi-day trek through Qizanggou Valley.

You can also choose based on your interests. For history and culture, spend more time in Songpan Ancient Town and Chuanzhusi. For nature and photography, Huanglong, Munigou, and Ruo’ergai are the best choices. If you enjoy hiking and outdoor adventure, horse trekking and Qizanggou are more suitable.

Walk through Songpan Ancient Town to see its traditional streets and local life.

FAQs about Things to Do in Songpan

Is Songpan worth visiting?

Yes. Songpan is worth visiting if you enjoy history, mountain scenery, Tibetan and Hui culture, and outdoor activities. You can explore the ancient town and city walls, visit nearby Huanglong and Munigou, or spend more time horse trekking and hiking in the surrounding mountains. It is especially worth adding to a trip that already includes Huanglong or Jiuzhaigou.

What are the best things to do in Songpan?

The best things to do in Songpan include exploring Songpan Ancient Town and its historic city walls, visiting Huanglong and Munigou Valley, horse trekking, hiking in Qizanggou Valley, and trying local Tibetan and Hui food. With more time, you can also visit Chuanzhusi and take a day trip to Ruo’ergai Grassland and Flower Lake.

What can I do in Songpan besides visiting the ancient town?

There is plenty to do outside Songpan Ancient Town. Huanglong is the most famous nearby attraction, while Munigou Valley is a quieter choice for waterfalls and alpine lakes. For outdoor adventure, you can go horse trekking or hike through Qizanggou Valley. In summer, you can also take a full-day trip to Ruo’ergai Grassland and Flower Lake.

4 Days Songpan Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Tour with Mounigou Valley by High-Speed Train

4 Days & 3 Nights
Chengdu - Songpan Ancient Town (1N) - Huanglong National Park - Jiuzhaigou Valley (2N) - Mounigou Valley - Chengdu

Price From: USD 509

Conclusion

Songpan is much more than a stop on the way to Jiuzhaigou or Huanglong. Take some time to stay here, and you can walk along the ancient city walls, explore nearby mountain valleys and grasslands, go horse trekking or hiking, and experience the Tibetan and Hui cultures that make this part of northern Sichuan so interesting.

Whether you have half a day or several days, there are plenty of things to do in Songpan. You can keep your visit simple with the ancient town and local food, add a day trip to Huanglong or Munigou, or stay longer for Ruo’ergai and multi-day outdoor adventures.

If you would like to include Songpan in your Sichuan trip, our local travel team can help you plan a route based on your travel time and interests, including transportation, local guides, and outdoor activities.