# Southern Shaanxi travel guide (陕南)

Shaanxi Province · Northwest, China · 7 places
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/destinations/shaanxi/southern-shaanxi

## Quick itinerary

- **Day 1:** Hanzhong Museum → Guhan Terrace → Shimen Plank Road

## The feel of the place

- **Like Sichuan in Southern Shaanxi:** In Hanzhong you can hear Shaanxi dialect laced with a strong Sichuan flavour. The area has lush green mountains, clean Han River water and authentic Sichuan snacks. Beyond Shaanxi's profound history, culture and the generous spirit of its people, it feels more like a southern city (in China's geographical division, it has indeed entered the South).

## The feel of the place

- tip: Scenic spots such as Foping Panda Valley, Qingmuchuan Ancient Town and Liping Scenic Area are quite far from Hanzhong city centre. A round trip usually takes a full day, so plan your itinerary according to your interests.

### Preparation and Enquiries

### Climate and Best Travel Season

The annual average temperature is around 13°C. Both temperature and rainfall are higher than in Xi'an, as the area has a subtropical monsoon climate. Coming to southern Shaanxi in summer makes for a wonderfully cool trip.


## Getting there & around

### Getting In and Out

### By Air

Hanzhong Airport is 2 km from the city centre, and a taxi costs no more than ¥5. There are flights to Xi'an.

### By Rail

Hanzhong Railway Station is located on the north section of Renmin Road in Hanzhong and can be reached by bus routes 1, 19 and 24. Trains originating in Hanzhong run to Xi'an, Ankang, Guangzhou and Beijing West, and through trains serve Wuhan (Hankou), Chengdu, Shanghai, Fuzhou and other cities.

Ankang Railway Station is located in Jiangbei (north of the river) district and can be reached by bus route 31. Trains serve Beijing, Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, Wuhan, Fuzhou, Qingdao and other cities.

### By Road

Roads are mostly mountainous, and road conditions are fair.

Hanzhong Bus Station is located at the city centre square, with daily buses to Xi'an, Xianyang, Baoji and other places.

Ankang Expressway Passenger Bus Station is located at the rerouted road junction in Jianmin Town, with direct buses to Xi'an.

### Local Transport

Taxis start at ¥6 during the day and ¥7 at night, but taxis at the railway station may ask non-locals for ¥10, which happens in most places. Local tourist shuttle buses run in good order. Hanzhong's urban area is divided into New and Old towns, and the Han River flows along the southern side of the city.

- **Airport Customer Service** — 

## Things to see

- **Hanzhong Million-Mu Rapeseed Flower Sea** (★★★): Time needed 1 day — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/hanzhong-million-mu-rapeseed-flower-sea
- **Hanzhong Museum (Guhantai Branch)** (★★★★): Admission Free; Opening hours Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays); Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/hanzhong-museum-guhantai-branch
- **Shimen Plank Road Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission ¥70 (peak season), ¥50 (off-season); Opening hours 8:15–17:45 (peak season) 8:40–16:50 (off-season); Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/shimen-plank-road-scenic-area
- **Foping Panda Valley Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission ¥50 (April–October); ¥35 (November–March); Opening hours 8:00–18:00 (April–October); 8:30–19:30 (November–March); Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/foping-panda-valley-scenic-area
- **Zhang Liang Temple** (★★★): Admission ¥60 (March–December); ¥30 (December–February); Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/zhang-liang-temple
- **Qingmuchuan Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission Full-access ticket ¥60; individual attraction tickets ¥30; Time needed 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/qingmuchuan-scenic-area
- **Liping Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission Off-season ¥45; peak season ¥75; sightseeing bus ¥40; Time needed 4–6 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/liping-scenic-area

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 681–687. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.