7 Days in Mianyang

The Tang tower of about 656-660 now tops out at 99 m over the Fu River; Fule Hill marks the 211 Liu Bei-Liu Zhang meeting. Night views from the riverbanks.

1. mianyang yuewang tower
2. mianyang fule hill

Two Bombs, One Satellite in the science museum; a nearly 2-m Eastern Han bronze money tree in the city museum.

1. mianyang science museum
2. mianyang city museum

Qinglian town, Jiangyou — where Li Bai (701-762) grew up. Memorial halls and shrine courtyards; overnight north to split the county.

1. mianyang libai memorial
2. mianyang qinglian town

The three sheer peaks, the rope-walk between two of them, the Tang Yunyan temple on top; a limestone cave stop on the way back to Mianyang.

1. mianyang douyuan mountain
2. mianyang foye cave

The Wenchang ancestral temple, begun in the Jin era, rebuilt through Yuan, Ming and Qing — a national protected complex behind rows of ancient cypress along the old Shu road.

1. mianyang qiqu temple

An honest, factual visit — the 2008 earthquake destroyed the old county seat at Qushan, now preserved as a ruins site, with the memorial museum beside it; the rebuilt county town keeps the Banbaqiang pedestrian street of Qiang crafts. Respectful quiet throughout.

1. mianyang beichuan memorial
2. mianyang banba qiang street

Karst tors and spring resorts in Anzhou district for a slow final day, then the HSR from Mianyang Station.

1. mianyang luofu mountain