Songpan Ancient Town 松潘古城Sōngpān Gǔchéng

Why go to Songpan Ancient Town

Songpan is a walled market town at about 2,850 m in the upper Min River valley, where Tibetan, Qiang, Hui and Han communities share the streets. Its restored ramparts and stone gateways make an easy stroll, and the town is a relaxed base for Huanglong and for horse treks into the surrounding hills.

The story

A garrison town since the Tang dynasty, Songpan was rebuilt with walls from 1379 under the Ming, eventually stretching about 6 km, and for centuries traders met here to exchange Sichuan tea for horses from the high grasslands. Much of today's wall is a modern rebuild, but look for cranes and deer carved into the stone bases of the old gateways.

What to see at Songpan Ancient Town

• East Gate 东门（觐阳门）: One of four gates that survive from the old Ming defences. Its tower was rebuilt in the 2000s, and a restored stretch of wall runs on towards the north gate. Look at the large stones at the gate base, carved with clouds and galloping horses.
• South Gate and Barbican 南门（延薰门）与瓮城: The south gate still has its barbican, the walled enclosure in front of the gate, which survived when most of the other barbicans were lost. The Min River flows through the town and out past this gate.
• North Gate 北门（镇羌门）: A gate tower rebuilt in recent decades, beside a stretch of restored wall. It is the town's northern entrance.
• Tea-and-Horse Trade Sculptures 茶马互市雕塑: Statues in the town's squares that show traders swapping tea for horses, and the Tang-Tibetan marriage alliance. They tell the story that made Songpan a market town.

How to visit Songpan Ancient Town

The old town is compact. Start at one of the gates and follow the restored wall between the north and east gates, then loop back through the main streets. The squares with the sculptures are worth a stop. About two hours covers it, and longer if you stop for a meal.

How to get to Songpan Ancient Town

Trains from Chengdu East reach Songpan station in about 1.5–2 hours; the old town is 6 km away, 10–15 minutes by bus or taxi. Huanglong is about an hour's drive further on.

Where to stay

Stay in the old town or just outside it, where the gates, the main streets and the horse-trek offices are all within walking distance. At around 2,850 metres, one night here is a good way to adjust before heading higher.

What to eat

• Yak meat soup pot 牦牛肉汤锅: A hot pot of yak meat in broth, a menu staple in the old town's restaurants, sometimes with wild mushrooms.
• Highland barley bread 青稞饼: A flatbread baked from highland barley flour, the local staple grain, often served with yak yoghurt.

Tips for visiting Songpan Ancient Town

• Horse treks of one to several days, with tents and local guides, can be arranged in town; agree on the route, gear and price before you set off.
• At about 2,850 m, Songpan is a good place to spend a night acclimatising before Huanglong or the higher grasslands to the north.
• Nights are cool even in summer, and most of the year's rain falls between May and September, so pack a warm, waterproof layer.

Nearby

• Huanglong Scenic Area 黄龙 20 km
  Thousands of terraced travertine pools spill down a mountain valley like a golden dragon
• Jiuzhaigou Valley 九寨沟 80 km
  Lakes so clear you can count the fallen trees lying on their beds

Also within 30 km: Long March Memorial Monument, Songpan 红军长征纪念总碑 (20 km).

Trips with Songpan Ancient Town

• Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong: a week in the Aba mountains 6 days · Chengdu, Songpan and Jiuzhaigou

On the map

Open Songpan Ancient Town on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.

Learn more

• Wikipedia: Jin'an Town, Sichuan