Meishan, Sichuan: As Laid-back as Chengdu, As Delicious as Leshan

Category: attractions

Tags:

Meishan Sichuan hidden gem ancient towns bamboo art

Image related to Meishan, Sichuan: As Laid-back as Chengdu, As Delicious as Leshan

This often-forgotten small town,

is Sichuan's most underrated hidden gem!

We always think of laid-back Chengdu,

the breathtaking scenery of Daocheng Yading, Jiuzhaigou...

But overshadowed by their fame,

countless other treasure towns in Sichuan remain overlooked.

Just a 30-minute high-speed train from Chengdu,

it offers mountains, rivers, ancient towns, and a leisurely, comfortable life.

It even hides a mini "Cambodia,"

yet rarely makes it onto our travel lists.

Only when mentioned alongside Su Dongpo

does it briefly shine.

The "unassuming master" among Sichuan's cities,

seemingly a "background player" sandwiched between Chengdu and Leshan.

But those who truly explore Meishan will tell you:

It's the most rewarding hidden gem near Chengdu, worth revisiting.

Join Qilv to uncover

，

。

Meishan, Sichuan's low-key "unassuming master"!

A hometown unforgettable for a lifetime.

He wrote over a hundred poems to soothe his homesickness,

He couldn't help but wonder, "Is this a fortunate shift to Western Shu?"

But beyond its deep connection with Su Shi,

The place boasts many illustrious titles:

International Bamboo Art City, China's Pickle City,

China's Cherry Blossom City, Asia-Pacific's Premier Tourist Destination...

Meishan was once hailed as the "Pearl of Western Sichuan,"

Some even likened it to a refined lady hidden away in seclusion.

A pure land of culture and a paradise for living.

During the two Song dynasties, it produced "Eight Hundred Imperial Scholars,"

Including the renowned Southern Song historian Li Tao,

And the celebrated Qing dynasty literary figure Peng Duanshu was born here.

It is praised as the "Millennium-Old City of Poetry and Literature, the Foremost Cultural Prefecture."

It harbors countless breathtaking landscapes.

The "First Lake of Western Sichuan," Heilongtan,

And the Gao Family Buddha, older than the Leshan Giant Buddha,

The ginkgo trees of Huayan Temple in autumn...

Spring, summer, autumn, and winter each offer distinct scenery to admire.

Its culinary excellence is no less than that of Leshan,

yet it's a frequent feature in top-tier food documentaries

like "Once Upon a Bite" and "A Bite of China."

The city is brimming with time-honored eateries praised by word of mouth.

From morning till night, three meals a day,

you can enjoy a different menu every day of the week,

ranging from street snacks to Chinese cuisine, hotpot, fruits...

But if you're willing to spend two or three days here,

you'll experience the true essence of "slow living."

It lacks网红 (internet-famous) flair but offers all kinds of fun,

plus a laid-back life filled with delicious food—absolute bliss.

Visit Meishan before it gets popular—add it to your travel plans now!

It leaves such an unforgettable impression,

with leisure, vacation, dining...

delivering surprises beyond your expectations.

Embark on an exploration journey in Meishan,

I'll take you to...

There's a commercial street named Dongpo, a park named Dongpo...

They might as well rename the city Dongpo.

The former residence of the three Su family members: Su Xun, Su Shi, and Su Zhe.

Here, the handwritten works, calligraphy, paintings, artifacts, and literature of the three Su masters are preserved and displayed.

A vast collection of their manuscripts, artworks, relics, and documents.

After centuries of repairs and expansions,

The courtyards here are embraced by red walls and surrounded by green waters,

Every scene is full of charm and beauty.

Scoop a handful of ancient well water to absorb the literary genius' aura;

Pick up a bamboo leaf to feel Dongpo's nostalgia.

Zhongyan Temple, the place where Dongpo's first love blossomed!

It was here that Su Dongpo once studied,

And where his romantic tales with his first love unfolded.

You can also witness the limited-time "sea of fireflies,"

With thousands of fireflies surrounding you, offering a free trip to a fairy-tale world.

Let's take a walk in Dongpo Urban Wetland Park!

It's the largest urban wetland park in Southwest China,

offering picturesque views at every step—known as Dongpo Island on land and Dongpo Lake on water.

Take a "time-traveling" trip to Dongpo Water Street!

Experience the charm of Sichuan's version of the "Great Tang Never-Sleeping City."

When night falls, lanterns light up the pavilions and towers,

combined with the misty vapor over the river,

creating a dreamy effect that transports you back a thousand years.

The entire city is filled with "Dongpo flavor,"

from the household-famous Dongpo pork,

to Meishan's river fish paired with salted vegetables,

and pork knuckles stewed until 80% done then steamed—

resulting in the spicy and savory Dongpo sausage,

along with Dongpo pickles, Dongpo cakes...

People have long grown accustomed to living alongside Dongpo's legacy.

So niche it has zero guides, yet brimming with laid-back charm!

A place 99% of visitors to Sichuan miss,

featuring snow-capped mountains, sea of clouds, waterfalls, flower fields, lakes, canyons...

Here, you absolutely cannot miss

If you come at this time, you’ll正好赶上

600,000 acres of alpine rhododendrons in full bloom.

Here, you absolutely cannot miss

but few know its sister mountain—Lao’e Mountain.

Dense forests and misty clouds envelop the mountain,

creating an ethereal atmosphere perfect for families to breathe fresh air and cleanse their lungs.

Here, you absolutely cannot miss

Pengzu Mountain, the hometown of China’s longevity legend, Pengzu.

999 steps flanked by enchanting flowers and plants;

you can also visit the world-rare Qishan Twin Buddhas,

one seated as Tathagata and the other as Sakyamuni,

standing and sitting for a thousand years of history.

Here, you absolutely cannot miss

Qiliping, Chengdu locals’ summer retreat.

Forests, birds singing in villages, flowing streams...

every element brims with the essence of summer~

Here, you absolutely cannot miss

Yanü Lake, a hidden gem reminiscent of Jiangnan.

When the wind is calm and the sky is clear,

It looks just like Lugu Lake, where you can boat and watch the ripples spread;

When tired, pitch a tent and gaze at the dazzling galaxy at night,

As if all worries are instantly healed.

Here, you absolutely cannot miss

The usual tranquility with few visitors,

Only the 6-kilometer-long Alsophila Gorge,

And the Alsophila trees that coexisted with dinosaurs.

From afar, it resembles the scenery of Jiangnan water towns,

But arriving at the Thousand-Pagoda Buddha Kingdom perched on the mountainside,

It feels like stepping into Southeast Asia in an instant.

Visit the ancient villages and towns praised by National Geographic,

And live a secluded, fairy-tale life in a hidden paradise.

Unlike the famed Zhouzhuang of Jiangnan,

It retains the original charm of human life,

And the undisturbed serenity.

Seek out the hidden Peach Blossom Valley beneath Mount Wawu!

You can admire the green tea terraces across vast tea plantations,

And overlook Mount Wawu from the summit with a 360° breathtaking view,

Evoking the sentiment of "seeing all other mountains appear small."

Head to Danling Happy Ancient Village in Meishan,

Experience the leisurely life as depicted in "Back to Field"!

Brew tea and read books in the village bookstore,

or take a short stay at a flower-surrounded guesthouse,

with the creaking sound of an old waterwheel in your ears,

this is the tranquil rural life akin to Li Ziqi's.

Enjoy the delight of immersing yourself in the mountains and rivers!

Walking through the town, the brick-red stone steps,

the gray-blue roof tiles, the clear blue river, the towering ancient trees...

This is not Jiangnan, yet surpasses Jiangnan.

Leaning against the ancient banyan tree with intertwined roots,

a long stone-paved street stands wordless,

standing on the stone bridge over the river, feeling the gentle breeze;

no commercialization, only the warmth of everyday life.

In the fairy-tale world depicted by Hayao Miyazaki,

it boasts a history of 700 years to this day,

with well-preserved Qing Dynasty houses and ancient streets everywhere,

leisurely elderly people wandering through,

always giving the illusion of traveling back to the last century.

Passing through the narrow ancient street, a turn ahead,

Step into the comic corners of Hayao Miyazaki's world.

Vermilion stilted houses stand quietly as if detached from the world.

Find a leisurely tranquility where time stands still.

Once an important port in Sichuan's waterways,

now its bustle has faded, leaving only the serenity of time's沉淀.

Stroll along the cobblestone paths,

browsing handmade crafts, feeling a growing inner peace.

The city's old shops are utterly captivating.

Some say it's Sichuan's most delicious small town,

filled with time-honored eateries passed down by word of mouth.

Ask any local on the street,

and they'll eagerly recommend must-try dishes,

making it worth a trip for the food alone.

A restaurant that has captivated foodies nationwide,

featured in "Once Upon a Bite" and "Travel Across China."

If you visit, don’t miss their signature crispy steamed pork belly,

or the must-order family feast dish.

As a native of Meishan, you must be very familiar with this.

The pickled pepper rabbit, dry-fried rabbit, and boiled rabbit here

are incredibly chewy and absolutely satisfying.

Qu Dan’s ancestral dry-mixed chicken is a must-try—skipping it is almost like not coming at all!

The dry-mixed chicken offers two flavors in one dish—Sichuan pepper and dry-mixed.

The skin is crispy and springy, while the lean meat is tender yet firm.

Paired with the special seasoning, it leaves a lingering delicious taste.

A representative of the pancake that Meishan locals have grown up eating.

People in Sichuan and Chongqing love pancakes as much as hot pot.

Almost everyone orders the spicy beef pancake at this shop.

Besides restaurants, the local snacks here,

like Renshou sesame cakes, Heilongtan whole fish banquet,

dried beef, Sichuan pepper cold chicken, Pengshan sweet-skinned duck,

stone-ground tofu, wood ginger mixed with green wave,

bowl-style mutton, sweet steamed pork, crispy fish soup, ice jelly...

Just hearing the names makes your mouth water.

But these are just a drop in the ocean of Meishan’s culinary world.

It has developed its own unique charm and character.

This May Day, if you’re unsure where to go,

Why not take a stroll through the small city of Meishan.

What other fun activities and delicious foods are there in Meishan,

Feel free to share them with us in the comments section~

By air: You can fly to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport, then transfer to a high-speed train to Meishan East Station. It’s very convenient.

By high-speed rail: Currently, there are many high-speed rail routes to Meishan. You can check the schedule on 12306.

Greater Meishan route: Chengdu - Meishan - Hongya - Liujiang Ancient Town - Wawu Mountain - Chengdu;

Within Meishan city: Meishan East Station → Three Su Temple → Mawangzi → Dongpo Wetland Park → Yuanjing Tower → Water Street.

Transportation guide: It might be less convenient at night, so driving is recommended;

Best viewing time: 18:00-22:30;

Ideal travel season: Mid-March to late April is the firefly viewing period.

Your personal hidden gems for food and fun,

Might be featured in the next Qilv guide with an on-site visit and tips~

Meishan, Sichuan: As Laid-back as Chengdu, As Delicious as Leshan

🔍 Explore More

China's Bacon Capital: Where Every Household Masters the Art of Cured Meat

China's Fruit Lovers' Ultimate Year-End Ranking: Which Tops the List?

China's Heartiest Breakfast Starts with a Morning Drink!