Wenchuan Special Tourist Area is located in Wenchuan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It is a commemorative and cultural theme scenic area specially developed after the reconstruction of the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area is composed of Dream Sanjiang, Tiandi Yingxiu, and Shuimo Ancient Town, covering Sanjiang Township, Yingxiu Town, and Shuimo Town in southern Wenchuan. Here, the landscape is beautiful, biodiversity is rich, historical and cultural heritage is profound, ethnic cultures are colorful, ecological and geological cultures are broad and profound. Natural scenery and local customs, ethnic cultures, cultural landscapes, and pastoral customs complement each other, showing unique charm. The scenic area covers 100 hectares.
History and Culture
Wenchuan is one of the four major Qiang-inhabited counties in China, known as the "Hometown of Dayu, Home of Pandas, and Hometown of Qiang Embroidery". At 14:28:04 on May 12, 2008, an 8.0-magnitude earthquake (Richter scale) occurred about 11 kilometers south of Yingxiu Town, Wenchuan County, with a focal depth of 14 kilometers. The beautiful and prosperous Yingxiu was almost leveled. After the disaster, it was reconstructed and specially developed into a commemorative and cultural theme scenic area to remember that history and show the miracle of post-disaster reconstruction and the tenacious spirit. Shuimo Ancient Town has enjoyed the reputation of "Hometown of Longevity" since the Shang Dynasty, then called Laorencun (Old Man Village), and later renamed Shuimo, which has been used up to now. It is a blending area of Han and ethnic minorities, where inland customs and Tibetan-Qiang cultures complement each other, and Western Sichuan humanities and Buddhist cultures bloom together.
It was rated as a national 5A-level tourist attraction in 2013.
Main Attractions
Waterfront Tibetan Village
After the "5.12" Wenchuan Earthquake, Sanjiang Township built a waterfront Tibetan village with national characteristics centered on the unique natural water system, including archways, waterwheel landscapes, Mingyue Pavilion, Tibetan Style Garden, shopping promenades, tourist centers, etc.
Chanshou Old Street
Chanshou Old Street is 1,300 meters long, with a "U"-shaped layout. The Chunfeng Pavilion, Dafudi, Wannian Stage, Ziku, White Pagoda and other buildings distributed on both sides integrate the essence of traditional Chinese architectural systems. They are typical Ming and Qing style buildings combining Qiang, Tibetan and Han characteristics, with clear outlines, profound layouts, and clear multi-axes, reflecting the ancient "harmony between man and nature" architectural thought and design concept.
Lama Temple
Lama Temple was built during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty as the ancestral temple of the Wasi Tusi, worshiping the statue of Wasi Tusi and the Third Buddha. It was demolished in 1958, and the current temple was rebuilt in recent years. It is located on a hill at the confluence of the Zhonghe River and Heishi River, where the Tomb of Wang Bao is also built.
Xuankou Middle School Ruins
During the "5.12" Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008, all school buildings of Xuankou Middle School sank and collapsed. The building had 5 floors before the earthquake, and only 3 floors remained after the earthquake. The 3rd floor became the 1st floor, and the original 1st and 2nd floors became debris. It is the only large-scale site that was relatively completely preserved during the "5.12" Wenchuan Earthquake, and also the venue for the first anniversary memorial ceremony of the "5.12" Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008.
Baihua Bridge Ruins
Baihua Bridge is located at the junction of Xuankou Town and Yingxiu Town, Wenchuan County. It was the only way for National Highway 213 to reach Aba Prefecture and 13 counties under its jurisdiction, and an important node connecting the transportation hub of Aba Prefecture. During the "5.12" Wenchuan Earthquake, Baihua Bridge was completely destroyed and could no longer be used.
Yingxiuwan Park
Yingxiuwan Park was once the site of Yingxiu Primary School, which collapsed in the 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake. 260 compatriots died here. Located on a fault zone, it is not suitable for building permanent structures, and was later built into Yingxiuwan Park integrating ecological sightseeing and tourist distribution.
Chunfeng Pavilion
Chunfeng Pavilion is a landscape building constructed based on the historical culture of Shuimo Ancient Town, combining the architectural characteristics of Tibetan, Qiang and Han nationalities. The main building adheres to the traditional Chinese architectural construction method, and the detailed decorations have rich religious and Tibetan-Qiang cultural colors. It is an organic integration of multi-ethnic cultures, reflecting the tenacity and cohesion of people of all ethnic groups in the face of disasters. It is a powerful witness to national unity and an excellent place for climbing and sightseeing.
Xi Qiang Hui
Xi Qiang Hui is located at the foot of Chunfeng Pavilion in Shuimo Town, adjacent to Shouxi Lake in the east, and is one of the landmark landscapes of Shuimo. Its architectural plane evolves from a square, and the building facade combines the characteristics of Qiang blockhouses, integrating modern architectural and decorative art with traditional Western Qiang culture, and incorporating Foshan ceramic art elements. It has multiple service functions such as exhibition, performance, conference, and reception, showing the spiritual outlook of people rebuilding their homes with self-improvement after the Wenchuan Earthquake, implying the continuation of life and the inheritance of culture, and containing the deep natural bond between Foshan and Shuimo.
Shuimo Pavilion
Shuimo Qiang City covers a total area of 61,117 square meters. It is a people's livelihood project reconstructed after the disaster. The building structure is designed for 9-degree earthquake resistance, comprehensively using Qiang stockade construction methods such as stone structure, mud structure, stone-wood structure, and wood structure, inheriting and carrying forward Qiang architectural culture, and embodying the new Qiang city concept from simple and rough traditional building clusters to modern towns.
Food
Potato Ciba
A characteristic snack of the Qiang people in Wenchuan, a highlight of street food. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Dipped in white sugar or chili powder, it's hard to stop eating.
Banfang Chicken
Authentic free-range chicken in Wenchuan, slowly stewed with angelica, yam and medicinal herbs. The chicken soup is clear and fragrant, with rich layers of taste, delicious and not greasy.
Pickled Vegetable Jiaotuan
A characteristic breakfast, a golden combination of corn Jiaotuan and pickled vegetable soup. The simple taste is unforgettable after one bite.
Stone Pot Fish
Caoji Stone Pot Fish is an old store that has been open for 12 years, cooked with Tibetan characteristic stone pots. The fish is fresh and juicy. Whether it is the firm meat of silver carp or the tender meat of Zunyu with few thorns, it is memorable.
Weizhou Baozi
White and plump Weizhou Baozi, large in size and sufficient in quantity. Bite down, full of fillings, very satisfying.
Handmade Buckwheat Noodles
Each strand is chewy, full of wheat fragrance, and can be eaten hot or cold. Hot buckwheat noodles are warm and mellow; cold buckwheat noodles are more refreshing and delicious.
Miansi Tofu Feast
Miansi tofu can be used as the main dish for braising, steaming, frying, and stewing, and can also be used as a ingredient for various meat dishes. It is a good product for both meat and vegetarian banquets.
Tickets
The ancient town and memorial hall are free. The ticket for Sanjiang Scenic Area is 50 yuan/person. Subject to the actual price of the scenic area.
As of May 25, 2025, the official public account of the scenic area has not been found.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of Sanjiang Scenic Area are 08:00 - 18:00. The opening hours of the Earthquake Epicenter Memorial Hall are 08:30 - 16:30 (closed on Mondays). Shuimo Ancient Town is open all day. Subject to the actual opening hours of the scenic area.
Tour Routes
It is recommended to play for at least 3 days. Day 1: Depart from Chengdu, drive about 2 hours to reach the Yingxiu Earthquake Epicenter Ruins, visit the earthquake memorial wall, earthquake museum, Xuankou Middle School ruins, etc. Day 2: Go to Shuimo Ancient Town, walk along the river, visit historical sites such as the Confucian Temple and Shouxing Bridge, taste characteristic foods, and in the afternoon, go to surrounding tea gardens to experience tea picking or take a bamboo raft downstream. Day 3: Go to Sanjiang Ecological Scenic Area, hike through the virgin forest, climb the peak to overlook the panorama, visit the waterfall group, or fish by the lake.
Transportation
- Airplane: You can fly to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, then take an airport bus to Chengdu urban area, and transfer to a long-distance bus to Wenchuan; or take a taxi or use car-hailing services directly to Wenchuan.
- Train: Take the train to Chengdu Railway Station, then transfer to a long-distance bus to Wenchuan.
- Long-distance Bus: There are long-distance buses from major bus stations in Chengdu to Wenchuan. Take the long-distance bus to Wenchuan at Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station, with multiple shifts every day, and the fare is about 100 yuan.
- Self-driving: Depart from Chengdu, go directly to Wenchuan along the Chengdu-Wenchuan Expressway (Chengwen Expressway), passing through Dujiangyan, Yingxiu and other places, with a journey of about 3 - 4 hours.
- Bus: Take Bus No. 1 in Wenchuan County to reach the earthquake ruins; take Bus No. 2 to reach Wenchuan Special Tourist Area.
- Taxi: Take a taxi in Wenchuan County to the earthquake ruins, the fare is about 20 - 30 yuan; to the special tourist area, the fare is about 30 - 40 yuan.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Yingxiu Earthquake Epicenter Ruins: The site of the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake, now an important patriotic education base. There is a huge earthquake memorial wall engraved with the names of the victims, as well as the earthquake museum and Xuankou Middle School ruins, which retain the original appearance of the earthquake, shocking people's hearts.
- Shuimo Ancient Town: Backed by mountains and facing water, the antique buildings contrast with the clear river. There are historical sites such as the Confucian Temple and Shouxing Bridge, allowing people to feel the profound cultural heritage. You can also taste characteristic foods and experience activities such as tea picking or taking a bamboo raft.
- Sanjiang Ecological Scenic Area: One of the core areas of Wenchuan Special Tourist Area, with multiple natural landscapes such as virgin forests, alpine meadows, and waterfall groups. You can hike through the virgin forest, climb peaks, watch waterfalls, or fish by the lake to get close to nature.
Tour Tips
- Understand the opening hours of each attraction and performance arrangements in advance, and plan the itinerary reasonably.
- Some sections in the scenic area may be rough, so it is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes.
- The mountain climate changes greatly, and the temperature difference between morning and evening is large. Even in summer, it is recommended to carry a coat.
- If you want to experience activities such as tea picking, prepare corresponding tools or clothing in advance.
- Respect local customs and religious beliefs.
Notes
- Pay attention to weather changes, carry rain gear and warm clothes to prevent colds.
- Although Wenchuan has undergone post-disaster reconstruction, it is still necessary to be alert to geological disasters such as aftershocks and landslides, especially during the rainy season. Be extra careful and avoid staying in dangerous areas.
- During outdoor activities, pay attention to sun protection and insect prevention, and carry necessary first-aid medicines with you.
- Protect the environment, do not litter, and try to reduce damage to the natural environment.
- Abide by the regulations of the scenic area, do not touch cultural relics or damage public facilities at will.