Shangli Ancient Town
Shangli Ancient Town
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
60 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
25
Average
11
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Rachel H
liverpool264 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
The existence of this historical continues only due to the large numbers of tourists who fill the streets and local shops. Without tourists there would be little to it, yet it caters well for visitors by having salespeople speaking varying languages, easy to spot prices and food ready to grab and go. The town is great for photos and you can get into the river, crossing the stepping stones or bridge for best shots. Getting to and from here is hard, as you must use the taxi vans,which rely on being full and having unknowing foreigners pay out more than they should for the short journey to Ya'an or Bifengxia base (around 30mins) If you're going in a taxi or bus route, make sure you only pay to 5yuan fee and state clearly where you want to get off (even write it down or get a local to do so) Also tell the driver to leave as soon as possible otherwise they wait for every seat to be full so you may be waiting up to an hour, or you can threaten to get in another vehicle, so hold on to your cash until the engine has started.
The shops all sell similar souvenirs, many of which have pandas on or are traditionally Chinese. The prices are good in comparison to other tourist sites such as the Bifengxia base, but wander into neighboring shops you may find them cheaper so have a look around first and perhaps barter with the shopkeepers before you buy, especially on more expensive items.This is best place to stock up on snacks, drinks etc as there are many convenience stores and much cheaper than on site or small stall prices.
If you go from 5pm onwards, the streets fill with bbq grills which serve all sorts of meat/fish/veg on sticks and the smells are mouth watering so hard not to stop and taste some interesting bbq food, and very low prices. Chicken foot may not be your favourite but if done on the bbq it's probably the best it's going to taste and a cultural experience for sure!
The shops all sell similar souvenirs, many of which have pandas on or are traditionally Chinese. The prices are good in comparison to other tourist sites such as the Bifengxia base, but wander into neighboring shops you may find them cheaper so have a look around first and perhaps barter with the shopkeepers before you buy, especially on more expensive items.This is best place to stock up on snacks, drinks etc as there are many convenience stores and much cheaper than on site or small stall prices.
If you go from 5pm onwards, the streets fill with bbq grills which serve all sorts of meat/fish/veg on sticks and the smells are mouth watering so hard not to stop and taste some interesting bbq food, and very low prices. Chicken foot may not be your favourite but if done on the bbq it's probably the best it's going to taste and a cultural experience for sure!
Written September 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack M
Brighton and Hove, UK9 contributions
Oct 2014 • Couples
Our first stop in China was Chengdu, which we did enjoy, but it was too high market and didn't really have the feel of China that we wanted.
I had did some research and found this little gem of a town.
It was easy to get to Ya'an from chengdu, via bus and then we tracked down a little minibus that took us to the ancient city, through the meandering lanes, along the mountainside. Overall spending about £6 for the 4hr journey.
We found a guesthouse that we stayed in for £5 for the 2 of us and set about looking around the town.
There is so much history in this place and every way you turn is a perfect photograph. I loved getting lost down the little alleyways and behind the shops.
I would recommend this to anyone who would like to see a traditional chinese town.
I had did some research and found this little gem of a town.
It was easy to get to Ya'an from chengdu, via bus and then we tracked down a little minibus that took us to the ancient city, through the meandering lanes, along the mountainside. Overall spending about £6 for the 4hr journey.
We found a guesthouse that we stayed in for £5 for the 2 of us and set about looking around the town.
There is so much history in this place and every way you turn is a perfect photograph. I loved getting lost down the little alleyways and behind the shops.
I would recommend this to anyone who would like to see a traditional chinese town.
Written November 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dom21076
Thailand299 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
You will need a car to get to this very charming traditional village. You will see the town’s old bridges, houses, traditional opera stage; lots of shops where local artists sell their craft; small local, good restaurants. The day we visited, many students from a nearby arts school were spread all over town to sketch its many lovely spots - the fact that there were not so many tourists also made the visit all the more enjoyable! Overnight stays in traditional guesthouses possible.
Written November 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
btah08
Canberra8 contributions
Visited Shangli with a group of 32 Australian students as part of a China tour and it provided the perfect contrast to chengdu city: old v New China. It was safe, friendly and full of alleyways and riversides to explore. Beautiful in autumn. We will go back in 2014.
Written January 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymond W
Townsville, Australia4,532 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
Shangli prides itself as being one of Sichuan's best ancient towns, but somehow this place was very unconvincing. There are only a small number of truly ancient structures. Most noteworthy of these are the Qing Dynasty Han's Complex and the stone arch of the Erxian Bridge.
Much of the rest is a tacky collection of identikit restaurants with modern interiors and timber facades which are glossily new. Yes, you will see some old stonework here and there, but this ancient town, as a whole, does not convince.
Perhaps the best feature is the setting in a cool, green valley with mountain streams running through the area everywhere. However, while the air is fresher than in Chengdu, you won't be captivated by this touristic village.
Much of the rest is a tacky collection of identikit restaurants with modern interiors and timber facades which are glossily new. Yes, you will see some old stonework here and there, but this ancient town, as a whole, does not convince.
Perhaps the best feature is the setting in a cool, green valley with mountain streams running through the area everywhere. However, while the air is fresher than in Chengdu, you won't be captivated by this touristic village.
Written February 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DonCesar
Nuremberg, Germany1,992 contributions
We didn't expect anything from the place even seeing the photos, just to see a bridge and an old town to kill time while waiting to start with the volunteering jn the Panda base, but it was a very good day and photogenic.
The street food was great and I think we tried all the stalls or kinds of food. The shopping had decent prices, that much that I didn't feel like bargaining for the prices.
Even thou you might have seen a lots of old towns this one is charming and with many old wooden houses, so it had its own thing. Very good for a day trip. We took the van there from the tourist bus station for 6.5 rmb, then a 8 yuan (fix price) rickshaw back to the hotel.
The street food was great and I think we tried all the stalls or kinds of food. The shopping had decent prices, that much that I didn't feel like bargaining for the prices.
Even thou you might have seen a lots of old towns this one is charming and with many old wooden houses, so it had its own thing. Very good for a day trip. We took the van there from the tourist bus station for 6.5 rmb, then a 8 yuan (fix price) rickshaw back to the hotel.
Written August 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annie V
Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom61 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
Never been to a Chinese ancient town before, and because I've heard Lijiang and Zhongdian are overran with tourists now, I thought we should try this still relatively less well known ancient town. Took a bus from Ya'an, which is about 40 minutes and cost 6Y, ended up stayed there for 3 days since we wanted to go to Bifengxia Panda center too and rather stayed here than in Ya'an. It's quite pretty, but can be very kitschy as well, full of hotels built in old Chinese style. At night this town center turned into loud noisy karaoke streets and sadly most of them could not sing, or should not be allowed to sing! Quite clean for Chinese standards, a lot of nice restaurants but not much to do at night.
Written November 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nellielim
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia4,011 contributions
Dec 2012 • Family
This ancient town lies below a mountain and near a river. We had a delicious lunch in a small shop where our noodles were made right before our eyes. This picturesque town has numerous wooden small frame houses preserved in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Numerous bridges in different styles are seen here with the beautiful and famous Erxian Bridge of the two immortals fame forming a backdrop for a picture perfect scenery. There are ducks swimming in the
stream and children playing. This town takes us back a step in time. Walk through every street and back roads and enjoy the charm of this town.
stream and children playing. This town takes us back a step in time. Walk through every street and back roads and enjoy the charm of this town.
Written January 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lukas v
Ghent, Belgium16 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
When entering China you will be overwhelmed with the huge cities full of starbucks, skyscrapers and cars. But when you want to have a glimps of the more traditional way of this strange country going to Ya'an's old town (Shangli town) is the way to go. the small wooden buildings used as shops, noodle bars and souvenir stalls may seem touristic instead of authentic, but during summer the atmoshpere in this place is a nice change from the city. With the river, the close forests and the long drive uphill you feel like in a different place. the people are friendly and even without knowing Chinese you can learn about the buildings (most of them have english information signs when entering) and enjoy the nature (further into town there is a small track to a lake). try some roast duck and noodles on the small town plaza during sunset, real nice.
Written October 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon J
106 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
Lovely old town, very pretty and a peak into past times. Lots of places to eat and buy souvenirs. A couple of hours is more than enough time required here
Written July 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it possible if we take bus from Chengdu east railway station (5pm) to Shangli ancient town and stay a night there?
Then tomorrow morning around 10am, from Shangli ancient town we will go to Giant panda base and spend some time there from 12pm to 6pm before we heading to Chengdu Airport for our return flight to Malaysia.
Tq
Written January 12, 2018
How can you get to shangli from the bifengxia panda base without going all the way back down into main yaan?
Written April 29, 2016
How I get to Shangli Ancient Town by bus from Chengdu city? Is there a direct bus from Xinnanmen bus station? Please advice.
Written September 9, 2015
Hey there! You won't find any direct buses to Shangli, you need to take a bus to Ya'an (should be one every 30min from Xinanmen bus station), once in Ya'an at the front of the bus station you will find mini-buses going to Bifengxia, Shangli, etc, just ask Shangli and climb in.
Written October 5, 2015
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