Six Off-the-Beaten-Path Cities Within 1-2 Hours from Sichuan for a Perfect Getaway

**1. Pengzhou (1h from Chengdu)** - **Highlights**: Hidden ancient towns + glacial waterfalls - **Things to Do**: - **Haiwozi Ancient Town**: Authentic Western Sichuan-style houses, must-try oil-braised goose! - **Zhongba Forest**: Hike through the misty forest reminiscent of *Twilight*. - **Panlong Valley**: Trek along streams to see wild waterfalls, perfect for summer escapes. --- **2. Hongya County, Meishan (1.5h from Chengdu)** - **Highlights**: Secluded forests + millennia-old towns - **Things to Do**: - **Liujiang Ancient Town**: Stroll under rainy corridors and ancient banyan trees, stepping into an ink painting. - **Gaomiao Ancient Town**: Zero commercialization! Cobblestone paths lead to Ming-Qing era wineries. - **Caoyutan**: A free "mini Cambodia" with pagodas and cycad valleys. --- **3. Qianwei County, Leshan (1.5h from Chengdu)** - **Highlights**: Steam trains + mysterious mines - **Things to Do**: - **Jiayang Steam Train**: Ride the world’s only narrow-gauge steam train through rapeseed fields (best in March). - **Bagou Ancient Town**: Retro industrial-style slogan walls from the 1960s, great for photos. - **Huangcunjing Mine**: Descend 46 meters underground to experience a miner’s life. --- **4. Mianzhu City, Deyang (1h from Chengdu)** - **Highlights**: New Year painting village + alpine pastures - **Things to Do**: - **New Year Painting Village**: Paint Mianzhu New Year paintings by hand and savor firewood chicken. - **Qiyue Lushan**: Climb the bamboo sea ladder and visit red maple forests (vibrant in October). - **Yunhu Forest Park**: Alpine lakes + wild monkeys, feeling like Switzerland. --- **5. Rong County, Zigong (2h from Chengdu)** - **Highlights**: Grotto treasures + pottery workshops - **Things to Do**: - **Rongxian Giant Buddha**: Tang Dynasty cliff carvings, quieter than Leshan’s Giant Buddha. - **Pottery Creative Park**: Mold clay and fire kilns, experiencing intangible cultural heritage. - **Shuangxi Lake**: Boat at sunset to see Buddha reflections on the water. --- **6. Longchang City, Neijiang (1.5h from Chengdu/Chongqing)** - **Highlights**: Land of stone archways + ancient fortress secrets - **Things to Do**: - **Nanguan Stone Archway Cluster**: Ming-Qing stone carvings, "3D history books," stunning at night. - **Yunding Ancient Fortress**: A military castle on cliffs, explore landlord manors. - **Guyu Lake**: A winter birdwatching paradise, cycling around the lake is pure therapy. --- **💡 Key Tips** - **Transport**: All destinations are accessible by high-speed rail or car, perfect for weekend trips. - **Accommodation**: Prioritize ancient town homestays (Liujiang, Bagou) or county hotels (~$15 per person). - **Hidden Food Gems**: Pengzhou’s *Junton Guokui*, Hongya’s peppercorn duck, Longchang’s mutton soup! **Escape the crowds and uncover these hidden gems—bookmark this list and hit the road this weekend!** 🌿