This is Xiaoyu's travel diary, stop and go, and look at Shaanxi with me.
Before the May Day holiday, at the invitation of a friend, I came on a trip. The destination of this trip, I went there once a few years ago. At that time, this secret town at the junction of Shaanxi, Gansu and Sichuan provinces did not have a high-speed railway, and it took several hours to drive from Xi'an. Even though the journey is tiring, the beautiful scenery and delicious food here have always made me forget it.
This time, it is much easier to travel by high-speed rail. We played for 3 days and 2 nights, and I was once again amazed by this small city in southern Shaanxi!
Here it is - Ning Qiang.
Located in the southwest corner of Shaanxi Province, Hanzhong Ningqiang County borders Sichuan and Gansu, and has been the "golden channel" connecting the northwest and the southwest since ancient times. Ningqiang's mountain water resources are very abundant, here in the north of the Qinling Mountains, south of the Ba Mountain, is the birthplace of the Han River, known as the "Pearl of Shu Road" and "the first city of the Han River in three thousand miles" reputation.
Ningqiang hides a lot of "god-level" scenery, such as the legendary ancient town of Aoki River in the three provinces of Jiming, the Chanjiayan Tiankeng rated as the most beautiful sinkhole by National Geographic, as well as the source of the Han River, Caochuanzi, Xixigou Hanging Wall Highway and so on.
In addition to the mature scenic spots that have been developed, Ningqiang also has many "wild" attractions suitable for exploration, and there are many ways to play. Today, I would like to recommend to you a 3-day and 2-night route suitable for most ordinary tourists, which can be used by self-drive or high-speed rail, focusing on a shopping and leisure tour.
The specific routes are:
DAY1: Xi'an - Ningqiang County - Qiangzhou Impression Night Market (Special Food) - Hanshuiyuan Village (Pastoral Village), overnight stay at Hanshui Song Homestay
DAY2: Visit Hanshuiyuan (the source of the Han River) - Yangpingguan Town (thousand-year-old town) - Aokichuan Ancient Town (enjoy the night view, eat barrel fish), and stay overnight in Aoki River
DAY3: Visit Aoki River (Wei's Residence, Huilongchang Old Street, Dayanguan, Rongshengkui, etc.) - Guangyuan, Sichuan - Return
Transportation
Ningqiang is about 400 kilometers from Xi'an, and it takes about 4 and a half hours to travel by car. In addition to self-driving tours, Lainingqiang can also easily achieve independent travel. Xi'an to Ningqiang has opened a high-speed rail (1 and a half hours by car, the fare is 127 yuan), which is also quite convenient.
Qingmuchuan Ancient Town is still 110 kilometers away from Ningqiang, from Ningqiang County, you can take a bus directly to Qingmuchuan (only 2 times a day), you can also take a bus (Ningqiang South Station take bus No. 11 to Yangpingguan Town, transfer to Bus No. 12 at the same station to Qingmuchuan Town, the whole journey takes about 3 hours).
Note that if you arrive in Aokigawa Town, you don't have to turn back to Ningqiang County on the way back. The best route is to Yaodu Town Railway Station from Guzhen (8 kilometers, taxi 10~15 yuan), take a train to Guangyuan (fare 6 yuan), and then take a high-speed train from Guangyuan back to Xi'an (2 hours, the lowest fare is 152 yuan).
We are taking a bus to Aoki River, the No. 11 bus from Ningqiang South Station is about half an hour, and the latest bus schedule of No. 12 from Yangping Guanzhen to Aoki River is here (above), you can collect it.
Gameplay
DAY 1
When you arrive in Ningqiang, you can first walk around the county town and see the charm of this small mountain and water city. Then go directly to the county food street "Qiangzhou Impression", this food street is only 3 kilometers away from Ningqiang South High-speed Railway Station, and it is also very convenient for tourists to come.
The "Qiangzhou Impression" food street is close to the Yudai River, bringing together a variety of Ningqiang special snacks with many patterns. If you are visiting Ningqiang for the first time, spicy chicken, root corner noodles and walnut buns are must-try delicacies.
I ate spicy chicken last time I came to Ningqiang, and later I bought a vacuum to take home, which was well received by my family. It's the first time I've eaten it, and I don't think I've seen it anywhere else.
The root corner noodles are a bit similar to the method of dumplings, the outer skin is made of wild fern root powder, and the inside is filled with tofu and bean sprouts, and then steamed to adjust the sauce, the taste is sour, spicy and spicy, quite delicious.
Once you've had your fill of food and drink, you can go straight to the hotel. The Han Shui Song B&B we booked is in Hanshuiyuan Village, the birthplace of the Han River.
The location of the B&B is excellent, with three courtyards and ten rooms, which is very suitable for a family or three or five friends.
I was tired of shopping during the day, and when we arrived at the homestay, we completely started the life of "retreating to the countryside", sitting and chatting, reading books, and taking pictures, which can be regarded as stealing half a day of leisure.
Eat a small hot pot in the B&B for dinner, sit in the yard blowing the wind, listen to the birdsong, talk about "wine", and live a geometric life.
DAY 2
The next day, we were woken up by the sound of birdsong, and after eating breakfast prepared by the housekeeper aunt, we began to wander around casually.
The mist-shrouded village resembles an ink painting, gently hanging a veil on the mountainside.
At the end of April, the Qinling Mountains are so thick that they can't be melted green. In the midst of it, we can only continue to sigh at the beauty of nature.
Deep in the valley of Hanshuiyuan Village, there is a canyon waterfall, and the local villagers tell us that this is the real source of the Han River.
This canyon is not far from the guesthouse, and we finally found the source of the crystal clear Han River water according to the guidance of our fellow villagers.
After lunch at the guesthouse, we set off for the Aoki River. To get from Ningqiang to Aokichuan, you need to transfer to Yangpingguan Town, which is a place with a lot of history just by hearing the name. There is an old street in Yangpingguan Town, and you can also walk around it if you have time.
When you arrive at Aokigawa Ancient Town, go to the hotel to drop off your luggage and rest for a while, and then start shopping. The night view of the ancient town is also quite beautiful.
DAY 3
Starting from Xi'an, it is still relatively far to come to the Aoki River. However, I personally think that this legendary ancient town in the three provinces of Jiming is still worth visiting.
The Aoki River is one of the best-preserved ancient towns in Shaanxi, probably not. There was a legendary character named Wei Futang here, and he was later put on the screen, which was the TV series "A Generation of Heroes" starring Sun Honglei.
Because of the distance of the road, the overall layout of the Aoki River and most of the residential buildings are relatively intact, and there are many places to visit. Among them, Wei's house (Wei Futang's house), Yanguan, and Rongshengkui need to buy tickets to visit, and the joint ticket is 60 yuan (a few dollars cheaper when buying tickets online), which is still worth visiting.
If you have time, come to this secret town at the junction of three provinces~
If you want to know more about the unpopular and interesting tourist destinations, you are welcome to pay attention to Xiaoyu's travel diary. Discover more of the world with Xiaoyu!