A tourist hub in the hills

The Songpan Ancient Town, located in Songpan County, Sichuan Province, sits on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau at an elevation of approximately 2,850 meters. First established in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the town became a major hub on the Tea Horse Road, a network of ancient routes for the exchange of tea and horses. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction steeped in culture.

Tourists visit the Gusong Bridge in the center of the Songpan Ancient Town on July 10. [Photo/Beijing Review]