Ancient Town of Songpan
The Long March of the Red Army The Monument Park
On the Long March - a heroic undertaking in human history, the CPC Political Bureau held five important meetings, two in Songpan territory (i.e., the Shawo Meeting and the Mao'ergai Meeting). The Monument Park of the Long March erects on the Yuanbao Hill to the east of Chuanzhusi Town. Works started in April 1988 and was completed on August 25, 1990 with an epigraph inscribed by Deng Xiaoping. The park is composed of the Monument, group sculptures, embossment wall, and the Exhibition Hall, which are reputed as the General Monument of the Chinese Red Army of Workers and Peasants. The main monument, in a shape of a triangle prism, symbolizes impregnable unity of the three main forces of the Red Army. At the 24m top of the Monument is a 15m statue of the Red Army soldier. Both of his hands stretch upwards in a shape of "V", one holding a flower and the other a rifle, signifying the victory of the Long March. The foundation made of white marble means "the golden monument on Snow Mountain and grassland." At sunset, the monument is wrapped in a coat of golden color, with pine and cypress trees as a background, solemn and respectful. The Monument is a symbolic sight on way to the Jiuhuan Tour Route.
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Ancient Town on plateau
Located in Northwest Sichuan, Songpan is 320 km from Chengdu, covering an area of 8,323.4 km2 (149 km by 113 km) and at an average elevation of over 3,000m. The Ancient Town of Songpan serves as a hub connecting Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou - the two World Natural Heritages. In 1992, it was listed as the Historical and Cultural City of Sichuan. Its local culture and customs accumulated over hundreds of years are attracting large numbers of domestic and foreign visitors every year.
City Wall Ruins
Built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the city wall is made of bricks each of which is 50 cm long and 12 cm thick and weighs 30 kg. The brick was made of mortar boiled together with sticky rice, limestone and tung oil. The city wall, 10 m high, 30 m wide and 6,200 m long, is one of the best preserved ruins of city walls in China. The east, south and north city gates take a semi-lunar shape, on which are embossments of antique flavors, that remain unchanged for centuries.
Ancient Battle Fields
Historically, Songpan was a locality of military importance. Today, along the Minjiang River and Fujiang River valleys, tourists will see a large number of military watchtoweres, stations, stands and beacon towers.
Eight Sights of Songzhou (Songpan) Prefecture
Spring on the Ancient Bridge
It is a bridge with boom-shaped wood veranda structure. As spring floods come, apricot blossoms, revolving water mills and singing birds make up such a serene, prosperous, rustic drawing.
Jinpeng (Golden Abode) at Sunset
To the southeast of the county seat, the Jinpeng Hill was once inhabited by Qiang ethnic people, and there are still Qiang families there. When the sun sets, the Jinpeng Hill is bathed in a poetic and picturesque golden color.
Moon-Reflecting Pool
Located in west suburbs of the county seat, the West Gate Valley mirrors the water of the nearby Minjiang River. Below the bridge is a whirling pool distinctly reflecting the moon at the tranquil night.
Kitchen Smoke
On the bank of the Shihe Bridge to the southeast of the county seat, are peaks that look like incense burners, in early morning, cooking smoke rises from kitchen chimneys, activating the rural life in a poetic manner.
Buddhist Bell at the Dabei Monastery
It is said that this ancient bell was cast by a revered monk - the incarnation of an immortal. Upon its completion, he said to his disciple monks, You can not beat the bell only after 10 days of my departure. The monks did not understand him and beat the bell in the afternoon of his departing day. The revered monk, now at the Xueshan Ridge, heard the bell and sighed, "the bell can only travel as far as within this territory." It is said that, if that did not happen, the bell could travel as far as to the Imperial Court, informing the officials of battle events.
Red Pine Ruins
It is said that, a disciple of the Divine Dragon came afar to Songpan to ensure good weather for crops. Local folks were very grateful and built an alchemy platform in his honor.
Windy Cave in Autumn
On way to the core Scenery of Huanglong are the Wind Cave Pass set up in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), which, unfathomable, gives sweet sound in autumn winds.
Xuelan Sky
Xuelan Pass sits by the road to Huanglong Valley. In a fine day, forests seem to have been washed, and the ancient castle is wrapped in a thin mist under the rainbow.
Chuanzhusi Town
About 17 km to the north of Songpan County, it is an important location in Northwest Sichuan Plateau as it connects tourist attractions like Huanglong, Jiuzhaigou, Hongyuan and Nuo'ergai. The only way that must be passed on the Huanglong-Jiuzhaigou Tour Route, it is 337 km from Chengdu in south, 88 km from Jiuzhaigou in north, 39 km from Huanglong in east, and 43 km from the Prairie in west.
In the town are a number of star-grade hotels, shopping centers, bus terminals, as well as many restaurants, souvenir shops, stores, and trade centers. Tourists will also pay their respect at the Monument and Museum in commemoration of the Long March of the Red Army.
Prairie
From the west of Chuanzhusi, tourists arrive at the Prairie via the Huangsheng Pass and Duoni Platform. Here, grassland stretches to horizon, with vast pastures and lush grass, making possible a thriving local animal agriculture, and unique West Sichuan pastoral sights. The prairie is inhabited by Anduo (pasturing) Tibetans, and monasteries and temples are found everywhere, attracting many devout Buddhist believers and creating a strong atmosphere of Tibetan culture. Furthermore, it is where the Red Army passed by, and now an educational base for the Chinese revolutionary tradition.
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