Ya'an is an unremarkable city located 2 hours southwest of Chengdu on the Sichuan-Tibet highway. Without any discernable attractions, travelers need not linger any longer than it takes them to find onward transport to the more inviting Shangli or Wangyu.
There is a wall-size map in the bus station so you can see all the other places in Sichuan more interesting than Ya’an. This includes Labahe Nature Reserve.
Ya'an's museum on the south bank of the river (one can enter from Wending Street (文定街)) is as modern as almost anything in China but this archaeological collection is understandably somewhat small. Open until 4 pm, admission is free.
If you went to BiFengXia you could have bought a hat made from a fern frond. Its not much good for keeping the sun off your face but you will fit in with the crowd.
Ya’an has never garnered favorable reviews for its culinary delights. The food, like the city, is cheap but unremarkable. Just pick any place and have some noodles or something.
- Chengdu bound buses (730-1900, every 35mins, 2 hrs, Y46) leave throughout the day from the tourist bus station.
- Shangli bound minivans (20mins, Y6.5) can be flagged down on the main road outside the Tourist bus station.
- Wangyu bound minivans (1hr, Y8.5) leave from a secret location known only to the local taxi drivers who park near the Tourist bus station (10mins, 5Y). The minivans leave when full but will continue to pick up passengers along the way. Hopefully the road has been repaired by the time you go.
Wangyu bound minivans (1hr, Y8.5) leave from a secret location known only to the local taxi drivers who park near the Tourist bus station (10mins, 5Y). The minivans leave when full but will continue to pick up passengers along the way. Hopefully the road has been repaired by the time you go.