Healing Sanctuary: A Journey to Hechuan and Tongliang in Chongqing, Where Ancient and Modern Landscapes Meet

My first encounter with Hechuan began with 'Taopian' (peach slice pastry). They say to conquer someone's heart, you must first conquer their stomach. When that half-sweet slice entered my mouth, I realized I had discovered Hechuan too late. This place is not only filled with poetic food, but it is also a paradise on earth. Following the fragrance of Taopian, I decided to go on a date with Hechuan...

'Leisurely Native Land, Scenic Waters of Three Rivers' - Hechuan + Tongliang Exquisite 2-Day Tour

This itinerary combines natural countryside and cultural history, taking you on a leisurely ride along the Western Suburbs Greenway to enjoy pastoral relaxation; explore the best-preserved ancient battlefield site in China, and experience a poetic and dynamic city of mountains and waters.

Day 1: Fishing Town Scenic Area - Laitan Ancient Town - Three Rivers Cruise

Day 2: Xuantian Lake - Qicai Mengyuan (Colorful Dream Garden) - Rose Island - Main City

If water is the symbol of Venice, then mountains are the symbol of Chongqing. On May 20th, people are full of warmth and passion, and the joy of visiting mountains and waters naturally arises. The mountain city is not only a majestic palace but also an eternal back garden for lovers, making you infatuated and drunk... The mountain city is built along the mountains; mountains are the root of the city, and people are the soul of the mountains. The mountain city of Chongqing has a long history. During the War of Resistance against Japan, it served as the provisional capital of China, mastering the key to victory. When it comes to the smoke-filled battlefields of war, it is hard to associate them with this beautiful mountain city, but that is exactly the case.

The sound of war drums sends chills. In a corner of Chongqing's urban area, even at the beginning of summer, I couldn't help but feel awe and fear. That is Fishing Town in Hechuan, an ancient battlefield saturated with decisive battles from past to present. Fishing Town is located on Fishing Mountain on the Dongcheng Peninsula of Hechuan. It is a national AAAA-level scenic spot and a key national cultural relic protection unit. Where the three rivers converge, a land of outstanding people, this place stands as an eternal strategic fortress, and it also nurtures the warm and generous people of Hechuan.

Entering the mountain, everything is not as quiet as imagined. The ancient roads are lined with lush trees, the blue stone slabs show their age, birds circle the branches, chirping three long cries and five short ones, as if the soldiers on the battlefield are majestic on the cliffs. Flags flutter, touching the heartstrings. The empty wilderness seems to be full of hidden troops, presenting a scene ready for war, inevitably reminding people of the bloody scenes that occurred here year after year. From 1243 to 1279 AD, the people of Hezhou in the Southern Song dynasty, led by generals Wang Jian and Zhang Jue, defended Fishing Town against the Yuan and Mongol armies for 36 years, fighting about two hundred battles. This feat had an immeasurable impact on battlefields in Europe and North Africa, fully demonstrating the extraordinary nature of the 'Key to Bashu.' Mountain mist spread, slightly swaying. We were all curious to know what surprises this 'Sky City' would bring us and what mysterious stories it would tell...

In the mountain mist, a solemn temple came into view. This was the Martial Arts Yamen (government office) originally set up in Fishing Town. Through artificial restoration, the original scenes were presented to modern people, allowing us to forever remember the achievements of our predecessors and learn a lot. Above the temple, the imperial officials showed an impartial and incorruptible demeanor. The plaque 'Bright Mirror Hung High' (meaning clear justice) fully demonstrated strict discipline, filling our hearts with deep respect for the soldiers who defended the country.

Besides the Martial Arts Yamen, the scenic area also restored and preserved the city gates, artillery platforms, barracks, training grounds, and plank roads of the ancient battlefield. Looking across the country, it is truly the best-preserved ancient battlefield site.

The mountain not only has solemnity but also provides forest walks. Fishing Mountain, with its lush trees, is a natural oxygen bar. Walking along the forest paths, each breath is the most primitive taste. The mountain is full of ancient sites and stunning views, and we unconsciously lingered with joy...

This day did not stop there. Arriving at Laitan Ancient Town, we experienced a migration from the mountains to the town. The scenery outside the window changed continuously, from a few people to groups of tourists, from green stones and trees to streets and trinkets.

As soon as we entered the ancient town, I felt the warmth of the townspeople and their love for life. The streets were lined with shops, various goods and specialties were dazzling, and the slightly old buildings exuded an ancient charm that made people feel at ease and comfortable.

Laitan Ancient Town is located on Jiufeng Mountain on the west bank of the Qu River in Hechuan District. It is a secluded place surrounded by mountains and rivers. Since its initial construction, the town has passed 1,051 years in the river of time, making it a truly ancient town.

The town's distinctive feature is its ancient streets and alleys. The crisscrossing streets record the daily life and activities of the townspeople. We walked along the paths, and the people on the roadside were simple and amiable, without any worldly airs. This journey allowed us to deeply immerse ourselves in the local atmosphere of everyday life.

Along the street, we saw the cured meats that residents had hung out to dry. In Chongqing, this is a great sight. The burnt yellow and black cured pork ribs reminded us of the taste of childhood.

Laitan Ancient Town played a huge role in ancient military affairs. To win wars, ancient people liked to occupy strategically advantageous locations as military strongholds. From the edge of the ancient town's architecture, it played a similar role in ancient times. Although the former defensive structures are now ruins, they cannot erase their past glory. The most distinctive feature here is its Zen culture. It is also a rare ancient historical town with mountain fortress style from the Ming and Qing dynasties in China. The Erfo Temple (Second Buddha Temple) in the town is famous far and wide. According to a stone tablet in the temple, 'There are three great Buddhas in Shu (Sichuan), and the one on Jiufeng Mountain in Laitan Town of Dangliang is the second Buddha.' Thus, the temple got its name.

Chongqing is not only a mountain city but more accurately a city of mountains and waters. The Yangtze River stretches continuously, leaving a beautiful curve in Chongqing, forming the world's largest 'Mandarin Duck Pot' at Chaotianmen. The surprises Hechuan gave us were no less than this world-famous 'Mandarin Duck Pot.' The breathtaking view of the confluence of three rivers is even more stunning.

Which three rivers converge? Many friends unfamiliar with Chongqing have this question. The three rivers in Hechuan are the Qu River, Fu River, and Jialing River. Among them, the Jialing River is an indispensable tributary of the Yangtze River.

For rivers and lakes, the most respectful way to tour is by boat. Walking along the lakeside, you feel the vastness of the river; from the river looking back at the shore, you only feel the grandeur of the earth. Boarding the 'Fishing Town' cruise ship, we personally set foot on the Three Rivers area to behold its unparalleled beauty. The rippling water slowly spread out, as if offering this jade-like green river to the boundless sky. The few ripples, accompanied by the breeze and evening glow, faded away with the passing day. After today, tomorrow will surely be even more beautiful~

The morning light shone on the earth. Before going out, I already felt everything was beautiful~ Chongqing is a romantic place, and its romance comes from its outskirts, which have a charm that the main city lacks. The Flower Dam in Qijiang gave us endless splendor. What would the western outskirts of Tongliang bring us this time...

Here, a 60-kilometer greenway stretches, with blooming flowers and forests embracing the green mountains and blue lakes. This green thread embraces not only that but also the peaceful life of the people along the line. This is not just a sightseeing line but also a transportation line connecting surrounding rural cooperatives and a development line. Along this line, eight themed reception halls built along it will be presented to us.

August Osmanthus Fragrance: Hedong Village Reception Hall; Rose Appointment: Xilai Village Reception Hall; On the Tall Haystack, Listen to Mom Tell Stories of the Past: Matan Village Reception Hall; Mao Comes to Our Farm: Heshui Village Reception Hall; In the Field of Hope: Yuhuang Village Reception Hall; Dreamy Water Town: Liuying Village Reception Hall; Many Hands Water the Happiness Flower: Qinglin Village Reception Hall; Who Doesn't Praise Their Homeland: Huanlou Village Reception Hall.

There are also many agricultural bases built among them. The picture shows one of them, the Xuantian Lake Dongyu Colorful Landscape Seedling Base. The base covers an area of 4,000 mu (about 267 hectares). The scenery and ecology are like a fairyland on earth. Waterbirds wander in the heavenly lake, fish frolic in the lake, and passing visitors are reluctant to break the peace and tranquility.

A trestle bridge is built in the lake. The best way to tour is to walk on the fairy bridge. The lakeside is full of green grass and shrub paradise. In summer, such a place is definitely a treasure for most people.

Of course, the way of touring varies from person to person. The stunning scenery makes people want to take it all in at once. Cycling around the lake is also an excellent way.

Like Xuantian Lake, Qicai Mengyuan (Colorful Dream Garden) is also an agricultural industry base. However, its scenery is not inferior to that of Xuantian Lake. The best comment is that each has its own characteristics.

In Qicai Mengyuan, flowers are in full bloom. The myriad forms of the world cannot compare to a glimpse of this dream garden. The fragrant flowers in red, yellow, purple, and green allow people to roam freely in a world of colors. The boundless sea of flowers covers the entire park, filling the windows of the soul with various shapes, round or square, rows upon rows like celestial products, detached from worldly affairs.

The park has ancient buildings and paths, presenting a pastoral atmosphere that makes one yearn for seclusion.

During the blooming season, tourists come and go, picking and admiring flowers, as if enveloped in a hazy hue, making the people among the flowers even more dreamlike.

The paths among the flowers are faintly visible. Anywhere you can take great photos. Roses, peonies, lavender... Each flower has its own flower language. The entire park is like a huge fairy tale, echoing in our ears over and over again.

A long main road runs through the park, appearing ancient but grand. Colorful flags fly, small bridges cross over running water, people laugh, and a glimpse of a smile is sweeter than a rose~

Rose Island is an important part of the greenway industry development in the western suburbs. The Rose Island area covers 16 mu (about 1.07 hectares), planted with varieties such as Pink Fan, Wonderland, Golden Phoenix, and Colorful Clouds. The flowering period is long, from April to October, making it a paradise of roses.

Rose Island takes beauty, romance, and love as its theme, expressing its deep affection through passionate roses.

In the area, small wooden houses appear among the graceful rose bushes, like a fairyland, intoxicating. Looking at the roses from a distance, some are clustered together like shy girls, endearing; others are scattered like a phoenix bathing in fire. A few soft rays of light shine down from the sky, sprinkling the look of love, expressing the 'heart' of love only in this ocean of roses. The park here is far from the town, with fresh air and the beauty of flowers. It is both a man-made oxygen bar and an embrace that nurtures love.

The two-day itinerary was unhurried. The mountain city everyone talks about has a water-like appearance. It has a long history, weathered storms, and the simple and unpretentious streets show the taste of childhood. The two-day trip made me remember the solemn ancient battlefield, left me with the image of the confluence of three rivers, and allowed me to experience that love is as wonderful as a rose.