Discover Neijiang: Art, Old Town and Riverside Landscapes

Neijiang brings together memorial sites for the painter Zhang Daqian, historic streets, a distinctive confectionery tradition and waterside landscapes within the city. When planning your trip, you can therefore combine different interests: art and architectural history, local food culture, or nature within the city. Which holiday apartment is right for your stay also depends on which of these sides of Neijiang you would like to focus on.

Daqianyuan: Zhang Daqian and his surroundings

The Daqianyuan Scenic Area is located within the city limits of Dongxing District in Neijiang. It was created in memory of the painter Zhang Daqian and holds the national 4A quality rating. Its grounds combine wooded areas and lotus-planted spaces with pavilions, terraces and covered walkways; from here, visitors can enjoy views of the Tuojiang River. The combination of greenery, waterside views and architectural features gives this memorial site a scenic character.

Zhang Daqian's former residence is also part of this picture. It was reconstructed at a 1:1 scale based on his former courtyard house and recreates the living conditions of his scholarly family. The Zhang Daqian Museum has five exhibition halls. Together, these sites offer different ways to learn about Zhang Daqian: the painter's legacy, the recreated home of his family, and a dedicated museum.

Historic streets and living traditions

Dongxing Street is 250 metres long and preserves architectural forms in the Qing style. Traditional uses include teahouses, taverns and seated Sichuan opera performances. Dongxing Old Street consists of three historic streets and forms a relatively well-preserved group of Qing-era buildings; its history stretches back more than 1,000 years. At the end of 2014, the Dongxing Old Street tourist area was awarded the national 3A tourism quality rating. It brings together street, temple, mountain and lake culture. These details give you several specific aspects to look out for as you explore the historic cityscape.

Neijiang mi-jian, a traditional speciality made from candied fruit and confectionery, is also part of the local culture. Its production is a long-standing local food tradition; in 2009, it was added to the Sichuan Province list of intangible cultural heritage. This adds a culinary connection to Neijiang's architectural and artistic history, without implying any particular itinerary.

Wetlands and historic sites nearby

Qingxi Wetland Park is located within urban Neijiang, by Sweet City Lake, and provides a habitat for migratory birds. It offers another perspective on the city's landscape alongside the historic streets and Daqianyuan.

Nearby, Shengshui Temple stands on the banks of the Tuojiang River. It was founded during the Xiantong era of the Tang Dynasty and is designated a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level in China. The complex includes Eastern Han cliff tombs, Buddhist cave sculptures from the Tang and Song dynasties, a Ming-era stone bridge, and a poetry stele inscribed by Zhao Zhenji. The Tang-Song stone carving group comprises 67 niches and more than 450 sculptures, extending over more than 60 metres. A spring in the rear cliff area is also notable for its design: it lies below a spring-shaped surround in the form of a dragon's head, with a frog sculpture beneath it.

Different priorities for your stay

In the adjoining Dongxing District, the first phase of construction for the Xiao Qinglong River Scenic Area included a 7.7-kilometre cycling and walking path along the Xiao Qinglong, as well as eight rest stops and toilets. If you plan to include this area in your trip, check current access in advance. This will help you choose between urban cultural sites, wetlands and a route in the district according to your own travel plans.

When looking for a holiday apartment, your travel companions' interests can be a helpful starting point: are Zhang Daqian and the historic streets your main focus, or would you also like to include landscapes and nearby sites?

Discover more destinations: Zigong, Chengdu, Liangshan, Ngawa, Meishan, Guang'an, Suining, Leshan.

See the main travel overview: Sichuan.