A national 4A scenic area, known as the 'No.1 Ancient Town in Western Sichuan,' with over 2,000 years of history. Surrounded by Leshan Bridge, Baimo River stilted houses, and Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea, it is part of the 'Pingle Ancient Town–Tiantai Mountain' tourism area along with Tiantai Mountain.
One of the most exquisite water towns in Western Sichuan. You can combine visits to the ancient town, Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea, and Tiantai Mountain for a varied itinerary.
Pingle Ancient Town is a Western Sichuan water town near Chengdu worth visiting. It is rustic and tranquil, surrounded by bamboo sea, ideal for a relaxing weekend. Although it's a bit far from the city center, the slow travel experience is great and it's good value for money.
Tickets & Transport
Tickets
- Adult ticket
- ¥0
- Free
- Yes
- Reservation required
- No
- Ticket notes
- Ancient town is free; on-site attractions: Fengqing Garden ¥10, Jinji Gully ¥30, Lugou Natural Scenic Area ¥15.
Opening Hours
- Opening notes
- Ancient town is open all day; internal attractions approximately 09:00-17:00/17:30.
Best Time to Visit
- Best time of day
- Early morning and late afternoon: soft light, fewer visitors, and the riverside views are at their best.
- Best day of week
- Weekdays (Monday to Thursday) have fewer visitors and a better experience.
- Best season
- Spring, summer, and autumn are best.
- Avoid times
- During public holidays and weekend afternoons, there are many visitors and the riverside is crowded.
- Avoid days
- Golden Week holidays like National Day and May Day.
- Crowd level
- High
- Crowd peak time
- 10:00-16:00 on weekends and public holidays.
Getting There
In Detail
The Baimo River runs through Pingle Ancient Town, spanned by the Qing-dynasty Leshan Bridge. Stilted houses on both banks contrast with thousand-year-old banyan trees. Water is the soul of the town, with bamboo rafts, kayaks, and riverside teahouses forming a laid-back Western Sichuan water-town scene. Just outside the town lies the Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea.
What to expect
Visitors can stroll through the ancient streets, see attractions such as Leshan Bridge, the old stage, and the paper-making workshop; take bamboo rafts or kayaks on the Baimo River; relax with tea and cards at riverside teahouses; sample local snacks like Naitang noodles and Bobo chicken; and also hike in the Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea and walk on the glass skywalk.
How to visit
It is recommended to drive or take a tourist bus. The journey from Chengdu takes about 1.5 hours. A one-day trip works well: visit the ancient town in the morning and head to the Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea in the afternoon. If you have more time, stay overnight to enjoy the town's night views.
Pros
Free entry to the ancient town, with modest commercialization and well-preserved old-world charm. It combines nature and culture, with the bamboo sea nearby. Suitable for families, couples, and photography enthusiasts.
Cons
Crowded on holidays, a bit bustling; some activities (bamboo rafting, glass skywalk) require extra fees; relatively far from downtown Chengdu, and public transport is not very convenient.
Highlights
- Leshan Bridge: A Qing-dynasty seven-arch stone bridge with moss-covered ancient stones and reflections on the river; the symbol of the ancient town.
- Baimo River Bamboo Rafting: Drift downstream on a bamboo raft, accompanied by stilted houses and thousand-year-old banyan trees on both banks.
- Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea: Ten thousand mu of bamboo forest outside the town, offering a high-altitude glass skywalk and a natural oxygen bar.
- Ancient streets and alleys: Ming and Qing architecture and cobblestone paths, where you can experience the folk customs of western Sichuan.
- Riverside teahouses: sit by the river, sip tea, and soak in the slow pace of western Sichuan life.
FAQ
Is there an admission fee for Pingle Ancient Town?
The ancient town itself is free to enter, but some attractions and activities (such as bamboo rafting and the glass walkway in the Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea) require separate tickets.
How do I get from Chengdu to Pingle Ancient Town?
You can take a direct bus to Qionglai from Chadianzi Coach Station or Chengdu East Coach Station, then transfer to a bus or taxi to Pingle Ancient Town. If driving, take the Chengdu-Wenjiang-Qionglai Expressway or the Qionglai-Mingshan Expressway; it takes about 1.5 hours.
How long should I spend in Pingle Ancient Town?
A half-day to one-day visit is recommended. If you want to experience the bamboo sea and the ancient town's night scenery, consider extending to a two-day trip.
Field Tips
Best photo spot
1. Leshan Bridge (ancient seven-arch stone bridge): mossy ancient stones and reflections on the river; best light at dawn or dusk.
2. Stilted buildings along Baimo River: the river, stilted houses, and thousand-year-old banyan trees set each other off, great for cultural/landscape shots.
3. Glass plank road in Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea: overlook the bamboo sea with a wide view, ideal for panoramas.
4. Ancient streets and alleys: bluestone paths and Ming/Qing architecture, perfect for retro portraits.
Best entrance Main entrance of the ancient town (near the visitor center)
Best exit Main entrance of the ancient town
Location & Nearby
Nearby attractions
- Western Sichuan Bamboo Sea Scenic Area (2 km)
- Sichuan Qionglai Chalan Scenic Area (5.9 km)
- Qionglai Zhuxi Lake Scenic Area (14.1 km)
- China Wine Village – Qionglai Liquor Cultural Tourism Village Scenic Area (14.9 km)
- Chengdu Yili Dairy Park (17.3 km)