Itinerary
Highlights
~ Explore the legendary Bronze Age civilization of the ancient Shu kingdom, Sanxingdui’s Ancient Mysteries, and marvel at artifacts unlike any other in the world.
~ a good 56-KM Ancient Shu Road hiking experience – walk the original thousand-year-old stone paths through towering cypress forests, villages, Jianmen Pass, Cuiyunlang, Chaoshoupu and Lanmaqiang.
~ hike with Three Kingdoms Legacy as you stand atop the dramatic Jianmen Pass and wander Zhaohua Ancient City by night, surrounded by epic history.
~ Marvel at cliffside Buddhist Art – thousands of years of stone carvings at Thousand Buddha Cliff and visit Huangze Temple, home of China’s only female emperor.
Day 1 Arrive Chengdu
Meet and Greet upon arrival. Transfer to accommodation for check in.
Meal: nil
Stay: 4* accommodation, Chengdu
Day 2 Chengdu – Pu’an
Late morning departure to Pu’an Town in Guangyuan City. Enroute, visit
Sanxingdui Museum (三星堆) – housed in a striking modern building that resembles a spaceship, sits on the actual archaeological site of the ancient Shu civilization. The artifacts date back 3,000 to 5,000 years – are unlike anything else found in China. Marvel at the 3.96-metre-tall bronze Sacred Tree, the largest bronze object of its kind ever unearthed in China, which is believed to represent an ancient cosmic tree connecting heaven, earth, and the underworld. The sheer strangeness and beauty of these relics at the museum will leave you wondering about the lost civilization that created them.
If time permits, make a stop at Jueyuan Temple (觉苑寺) – most famous for its Ming Dynasty murals depicting the life of Sakyamuni Buddha, considered the most complete and detailed set of such murals in China.
Arrive at Pu’an Town (普安镇) which is a historic settlement with over 1,700 years of history. Today, it retains a charming, slower-paced character that feels far from the bustle of Chengdu.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: 4* accommodation, Pu’an Town
Day 3 Ancient Shu Road – The 1,000 Year-Old Path
Transfer (around 1-1.5 hours) to the starting point for today’s hike.
Nestled at the foot of the mountains, Xiaoyazi (小垭子) is a small village, marking the northern entrance to a well-preserved section of the Ancient Shu Road (古蜀道).
The trail from Xiaoyazi to Duanbeiliang (断碑梁) is well-preserved, with original stone slabs worn smooth by centuries of footsteps, and in some sections, you can still see ancient cart ruts carved into the rock. Along the Way, see/walk
~ Ancient Cypress Trees (古柏): the most striking feature of this hike is the avenue of ancient cypress trees that line the path. Many of these trees are over 1,000 years old, their twisted trunks and sprawling canopies forming a natural tunnel of green. These trees were planted during the Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties to provide shade for travelers and to mark the official route.
~ Stone-Paved Paths: the trail itself is a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Large stone slabs, carefully fitted together, pave the way, with steps carved into steeper sections. Look closely, and you might spot inscriptions, markings, or chisel marks left by the original builders.
~ Historical Markers and Ruins: pass weathered stone steles, crumbling pavilions, and ancient waypoints that once served as rest stations for weary travellers. These remnants tell stories of official couriers delivering imperial dispatches, merchants transporting tea and salt, and armies marching to defend the empire’s borders.
~ Village Life & Scenery: pass through small rural villages where life moves at a gentle pace. You may see farmers working in terraced fields, old stone bridges crossing clear mountain streams, and traditional Sichuan farmhouses with their distinctive sloping roofs.
During Springtime, the hillsides are dotted with blooming azaleas; in autumn, the leaves turn vibrant shades of gold and red, making for spectacular photography opportunities.
Duanbeiliang (断碑梁), the endpoint of the hike – is named after a broken stone stele (断碑) that once stood there, inscribed with records of road repairs and local officials from centuries past. Though the original stele is now fragmented, its historical significance remains palpable.
Transfer (around 40 minutes) back to Pu’an Town.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: 4* accommodation, Pu’an Town
Hiking Distance: approx. 12 KM Hiking Hours: est. 5-6 hours
Accumulated Elevation: +300 M/-270 M
NOTE: should there be traffic management, capacity entry limits, or other unforeseen circumstances, the itinerary sequence may alter to optimise the experience for all hikers.
Day 4 The Ancient Shu Road – The Best-Preserved Section
This morning, you may wish to visit the Pu’an Morning Market (普安早市). This is not a tourist attraction. Like any traditional market day, it’s a genuine local “gan chang” (赶场) routine where villagers from surrounding villages gather to buy, sell, and socialise. It is a feast for the senses as the market is a vibrant whirlwind of sights, sounds, and smells. Savour local specialties and watch everyday life in action by the locals bustling around the markets.
A short drive to the trailhead at Lanma Wall (拦马墙), one of the most impressive and best-preserved sections of the entire Ancient Shu Road network. This portion is often considered the “essence” of the ancient road, and walking it is like stepping into a living museum. The name “Lanma Wall” literally means “Horse-Stopping Wall.” These stone barriers, built along the edge of the trail, were designed to prevent packhorses from slipping off the cliffside paths. They are a unique feature of this section and a testament to the sophisticated engineering of ancient road builders. The wall runs for several kilometres, often integrated with the natural rock formations, and is flanked by some of the oldest and most magnificent cypress trees along the entire Shu Road.
Exiting this lush corridor, arrive at Qingliang Temple (清凉寺), a quiet Buddhist sanctuary nestled in the forest. The temple is surrounded by dense vegetation and offers a cool, peaceful respite from the hike. It’s a perfect spot to pause, rest, and reflect on the journey.
After lunch, short transfer to Chaoshoupu (抄手铺) and walk to Hanyangpu (汉阳铺). Both are ancient postal stations and market towns that once served as important stops along the Shu Road. ‘Pu’ (铺) in their names means ‘post station’ or ‘shop’, indicating their historical role as places where travellers, couriers, and merchants could rest, exchange horses, and resupply. Relics hint at the bustling activity that once animated these places, when they were hubs of communication and commerce along one of ancient China’s most important highways. Today, they are small rural villages, but the old stone paths connecting them remain remarkably intact.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: 4* accommodation, Pu’an Town
Hiking Distance: approx. 15 KM Hiking Hours: est. 6-7 hours
Accumulated Elevation: +250 M/-200 M
Day 5 Pu’an – Jiange The Ancient Shu Road – Jianmen Pass & Cuiyun Corridor
One of China’s most celebrated mountain passes, the Jianmen Pass (剑门关) known as the No.1 Impregnable Pass in the World, has been a vital military stronghold for over 1,700 years. An old saying goes, “Conquering Jianmen Pass means conquering Sichuan,” highlighting its strategic importance as a natural defense for the region.
During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of Shu Han, recognized the steep and narrow terrain of Dajian Mountain as an ideal defensive position. He ordered his men to carve through the rock, build a stone gate, and establish the pass to protect Shu Han. As one of China’s four great ancient passes, Jianmen Pass became a fiercely contested battleground, with its pass tower repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt throughout history.
Hike up via the narrow Bird’s Path (鸟道) to the viewing platform, standing at 1,163 M on the main peak of Dajian Mountain for a panoramic view of the surrounding mountainous terrain, descend towards Guanlou (关楼).
Cuiyunlang (翠云廊) – is a historic section of the ancient Shu Road, a vast network of roads winding through rugged mountains and crossing swift streams to connect present-day Sichuan with the northern Guanzhong Plain, the heartland of ancient China. It stands as a remarkable testament to China’s road development and evolution.
Walk along a section of Cuiyunlang that lined with approximately thousands of ancient cypress trees—some over 1,000 years old, with the oldest dating back around 2,300 years. Cuiyunlang holds the record for the longest-standing and most extensive collection of ancient trees along a man-made pathway. The road was first constructed under Qin Shi Huang after he unified China, with rows of pine and cypress trees planted to symbolize imperial grandeur. A second large-scale planting took place during the governance of Zhang Fei in Baxi (now Langzhong City), further solidifying Cuiyunlang’s historical and cultural significance.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: 4* hot spring accommodation, Jiange Town
Hiking Distance: approx. 12 KM Hiking Hours: est. 6 hours
Accumulated Elevation: +400 M/-400 M
NOTE: should Jianmen Pass implement visitor flow controls, we may modify the sequence of the itinerary while ensuring that no parts of the hikes are omitted.
Day 6 Jiange – Zhaohua Ancient City The Heart of the Ancient Shu Road
A 40-minute drive to Zhaojiapo (赵家坡), a small hillside area named after the Zhao family, who once farmed and settled here.
Today’s hike is considered by many to be the ‘heart’ of the Ancient Shu Road – a section where the original stone paving is remarkably intact, the ancient cypress trees are thick and majestic, and the historical atmosphere is almost tangible.
The trail here is like a living museum of stone and tree, paved with massive stone slabs, many of which are original and have never been disturbed. Centuries of footsteps, cart wheels, and rain have polished the stones to a smooth, almost marble-like finish. Deep ruts, some as much as 20 cm deep – mark the path where countless wooden-wheeled carts and carriages once passed.
Cross several ancient stone arch bridges, some dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. These bridges, built without mortar, have survived centuries of floods and earthquakes – a testament to the skill of their builders. Encounter weathered stone pavilions that once served as rest stops for travellers. These structures offer perfect spots to pause, catch your breath, and take in the surrounding views.
Pass Gaomiaopu (高庙铺), a small village that once served as a post station and market town along the Shu Road. The name means ‘High Temple Post’, a reference to a temple that once stood on the hilltop here, offering prayers and shelter to passing travellers.
Continue the hike toward Dachao Post (大朝驿), one of the most historically significant post stations on the Ancient Shu Road. The name “Dachao” means “Great Court” or “Grand Dynasty,” reflecting its importance as a major administrative and military post during imperial times.
After the hike, transfer (around 1-1.5 hours) to Zhaohua Ancient City (昭化古城), one of the best-preserved ancient towns in Sichuan, with a history spanning over 2,000 years. It was founded during the Warring States period and became a key strategic location during the Three Kingdoms era. It was here that Liu Bei, the founding emperor of Shu Han, first established his foothold in Sichuan after entering through the Shu Road. The city is surrounded by mountains on three sides and rivers on two, giving it a naturally defensive position that made it the military and administrative center of the region for centuries. Today, Zhaohua retains its ancient city walls, gates, and grid-pattern streets, with buildings dating from the Ming, Qing, and even earlier periods. It’s a living town where history is woven into everyday life.
This evening, explore the ancient city. This is where it truly comes alive, and even more magical than the daytime with glowing lanterns. Walk along the restored city walls and pass through the massive gates – Victory Gate (临清门) and Zhanfeng Gate (瞻凤门), that have stood guard for centuries. When illuminated, their imposing silhouettes standing out against the dark sky.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: inn accommodation, Zhaohua Ancient City
Hiking Distance: approx. 12-15 KM Hiking Hours: est. 6-7 hours
Accumulated Elevation: +350 M/-400 M
Day 7 Zhaohua Ancient City – Chengdu
Make a stop at the Thousand Buddha Cliff (千佛崖), located along the banks of the Jialing River in Guangyuan City. Nestled against the eastern bank of the Jialing River, it is one of the most significant Buddhist rock-carving sites in Sichuan. The cliff face stretches for nearly 400 metres and reaches a height of over 45 metres, containing more than 7,000 statues carved over a span of nearly 1,000 years.
The Huangze Temple (皇泽寺), one of the most unique and historically significant temples in all of China which offers a deeply personal connection to one of the most fascinating figures in Chinese history. It is the only temple in China dedicated to Wu Zetian (武则天) , the country’s only female emperor. Wu Zetian was born in Guangyuan in 624 AD during the Tang Dynasty, and this temple was built on the site of her childhood home. The temple’s location is spectacular – carved into a cliffside overlooking the Jialing River. It has long been a site of pilgrimage for those seeking to understand the life and legacy of this remarkable woman, who rose from imperial concubine to empress regnant, ruling China from 690 to 705 AD.
Transfer to Chengdu.
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay: 4* accommodation, Chengdu
Day 8 Depart Chengdu
Simply rest and relax until it’s time for the transfer to the airport or check out (1100 hours) and the tour concludes.
Meal: Breakfast