Self-driving tours around Sichuan – The Three Kingdoms Culture Loop
Editor’s note:Self-driving tours have been gaining popularity among Chinese tourists in recent years. One of the popular places for self-driving tours in China is Sichuan, as the province boasts rich tourism resources. China.org.cn has compiled information about some of the best routes for self-driving tours in Sichuan. Here are one of them:
The Three Kingdoms Culture Loop
The route boasts both natural and cultural sights. The Jianmen section of the ancient Shu Roads, along which today’s Chengdu-Mianyang-Guangyuan Highway runs, was the only passage into and out of Sichuan and Shaanxi for hundreds of years. The Mingyue Gorge, the Cuiyun Corridor, the Jianmen Pass and the Langzhong Ancient City along the section are famous for breath-taking precipices, skyscraping ancient cypresses, ease of defense, and great cultural and historical importance respectively.
Best time for the tour：All year round
Day 1: Chengdu City-Luojiang County-Mianshan City
Temple of Marquis Wu
Itinerary:
It takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Chengdu to Luojiang and only half an hour from Luojiang to Mianyang.
Highlights:
Temple of Marquis Wu: Situated on the southern outskirts of Chengdu, the Temple of Marquis Wu is dedicated to Zhuge Liang, a chancellor of the State of Shu-Han during the Three Kingdoms period. First built in the sixth century, the temple was incorporated into Zhaolie Temple, the temple for Liu Bei, Emperor of the State of Shu-Han, at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty. Thus Zhaolie Temple is the only temple in China dedicated to both an emperor and his minister. It is also the most reputable memorial site for the history and culture of the Three Kingdoms period both in China and in the world.
Pang Tong Temple: Located in Luojiang county, Deyang City, the temple is the burial site of Pang Tong, a military counselor of Liu Bei, Emperor of the State of Shu-Han during the Three Kingdoms period.
Mount Fule: Mount Fule has been developed into a scenic area featuring a layout typical of classical Chinese gardens and culture of the Three Kingdoms period.
