Shangli is an old town near Ya’an that has kept more of its original character than many of Sichuan’s rebuilt historic streets. It sits on a river, the buildings are weathered rather than restored to newness, and the pace is slow.
It is a half-day visit and it works well in combination with Ya’an and the surrounding area.
A river runs through the town, with old stone bridges and houses built down to the water. The water is the organising feature, and the best parts of the town are along it.
Wooden and stone structures in the local style, many of them still lived in. Unlike the more commercialised old towns, a good proportion of Shangli is not set up for visitors.
Quiet, particularly on weekdays and outside the holiday periods. It is the kind of place where the main activity is walking slowly and sitting down.
| Feature | What it is | Note |
|---|---|---|
| The stone bridges | Old crossings over the river | The town’s best photographs |
| The riverside streets | Houses and shops down to the water | Walk slowly |
| The old trees | Large established trees in and around the town | Shade in summer |
| Residential lanes | Ordinary life away from the main street | The quieter half of the visit |
Liujiang, also near Ya’an, is more developed and more obviously set up for tourism. Huanglongxi, near Chengdu, is busier and more commercial. Shangli sits between them: partly open to visitors, largely still a working town.
If you visit one old town in this area, Shangli is the one that feels least staged.
Considerably quieter. The difference between a Tuesday and a Saturday here is large.
The most comfortable weather for walking and for sitting outside. Summer is green but wet; winter is quiet and cold.
The best light on the river, and the least crowded time. Arriving before the day-trippers changes the place.
Allow half a day. The town is not large, and the point is to walk it slowly rather than to see everything.
Combine it with Ya’an, which is close, or with Liujiang if you want to compare two towns in a day. Doing both is possible but makes for a rushed impression of each.
Food is simple local cooking, and the riverside restaurants are the natural place to stop.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Time needed | Half a day |
| Best time | Weekday mornings |
| Combine with | Ya’an, or Liujiang |
| Character | Partly residential, less staged than its neighbours |
Less than the old towns near Chengdu. Parts of it are still ordinary residential streets.
Half a day is right.
Yes, though one town done slowly is usually better than two done quickly.
Partly – the arcades and covered sections help, but the riverside is the best part and it is outdoors.
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