How to Get from Chengdu to Xichang Without a Car—A Local’s 2-Day Guide for Foreign Travelers
- DolphinUnion
- Oct 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 29
Most travelers skip Xichang (Xīchāng, 西昌).
They rush straight to Lugu Lake—and miss one of Sichuan’s best-kept secrets.
Here’s the truth:You don’t need a private car to reach Xichang from Chengdu.
Just a 3-hour high-speed train—and you’re in a city of sunshine, lakes, and ancient Yi culture.
Last spring, a Canadian backpacker followed my advice.He texted me a photo: “Blue sky. Qionghai Lake (Qióng Hǎi, 邛海). Zero crowds. Why isn’t this on every blog?”
This guide gives you:
✅ Exact train times & prices
✅ A realistic 2-day itinerary (no fluff, no closed attractions)
✅ Where to eat, stay, and skip
So you can decide: Is Xichang worth a stop?
(Short answer: Yes—if you love lakes, history, and slow travel.)
Why Xichang Deserves 2 Days (Not Just a Transit Stop)
Xichang (Xīchāng, 西昌) is the capital of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture.
It’s nicknamed “The City of Eternal Spring”—with 300+ sunny days a year.
Unlike Chengdu’s fog, Xichang air is crisp and clear.And at 1,500m altitude, it’s cooler in summer—perfect for hiking or lakeside walks.
（How to get from Chengdu to Xichang without private car for foreign travelers）
A Brazilian friend told me:“I came for one night. Stayed three. The Yi people’s embroidery, the lake at dawn… it felt like Tibet meets Yunnan.”
Top reasons to stay:
Qionghai Lake (Qióng Hǎi, 邛海): 31 km² freshwater lake—bigger than Hangzhou’s West Lake!
Lushan Mountain (Lú Shān, 泸山): Forested hill with temples and panoramic views
Yi Minority Culture: Bright costumes, fire dances, and silver jewelry
Local markets & street food: Fresh grapes, buckwheat pancakes, smoked pork
Skip if: You only want nightlife or shopping.Xichang is quiet, green, and deeply local.
Day 1: Chengdu → Xichang by High-Speed Train
Train details:
Departure: Chengdu East Station (Chéngdū Dōng Zhàn, 成都东站)
Arrival: Xichang West Station (Xīchāng Xī Zhàn, 西昌西站)
Duration: 2h 40min – 3h 10min
Price: ¥138–152 (second class)
Frequency: 8+ trains daily (first at 6:50 a.m., last at 6:30 p.m.)
Booking tip:
Use Trip.com or China Railway app.
Enter your passport number—it’s required.
Arrival hack:
Xichang West Station is 8 km from downtown.
Take Bus 17 or 21 (¥2, 30 mins) or Didi taxi (¥25–30).
Don’t take unlicensed taxis—they charge ¥60+.
Day 1 Afternoon: Explore Qionghai Lake & Lushan Mountain
Start at Qionghai Lake (Qióng Hǎi, 邛海):
Free entry to lakeside paths
Rent a bike (¥15/hour) or paddle boat (¥40/30 mins)
Walk the Moon Bay (Yuè Liàng Wān, 月亮湾) boardwalk—best at sunset
Then hike Lushan Mountain (Lú Shān, 泸山):
Entrance fee: ¥30
Trail time: 1.5 hours up, 1 hour down
Views: Panoramic lake + city skyline
Temples: Guanyin Temple, Luding Temple—both open to all visitors
Story:
A UK teacher got lost on the trail.A Yi elder guided him down—and invited him for buckwheat tea.
“No English. Just kindness,” he said.
Dinner tip:
Eat at Hai Bin Lu (Hǎibīn Lù, 海滨路)—lakeside street with grilled fish (¥50) and Yi-style potatoes.
Day 2: Yi Culture, Local Markets & Hidden Trails
Morning: Yi Nationality Museum (Yízú Bówùguǎn, 彝族博物馆)
Location: Downtown, near Minzu Square (Mínzú Guǎngchǎng, 民族广场)
Entry: Free (show passport)
Highlights: Traditional wedding dresses, bronze drums, shaman tools
Open: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (closed Mondays)
Then: Dongfeng Market (Dōngfēng Shìchǎng, 东风市场)
What to buy: Xichang grapes (¥10/kg), dried plums, handmade Yi embroidery
Eat there: Try buckwheat pancakes (Kǔqiáo Bǐng, 苦荞饼)—¥3 each
Afternoon: Hiking the Back Trail of Lushan (Optional)
Ask your guesthouse for the “back path”—less crowded, more forest
Or rent a shared electric scooter (¥20/hour) to circle the lake’s quieter east side
Skip the “Yi Cultural Show” near the lake—overpriced (¥180) and staged.Real culture is in markets, homes, and trails—not stages.
Where to Stay & Eat
Best area: Near Qionghai Lake
Homestays: ¥100–180/night (e.g., Lakeside Garden Inn)
Hotels: Xichang Mingzhu Hotel (¥220, clean, English-speaking staff)
Must-try food:
Yi-style roasted pork (Xiāng Zhū Ròu, 香猪肉) – smoky, tender
Buckwheat noodles (Kǔqiáo Miàn, 苦荞面) – nutty flavor, gluten-free
Xichang grapes – sweet, sold at Dongfeng Market (Dōngfēng Shìchǎng, 东风市场)
Avoid:
Restaurants with picture menus only—often tourist traps
“Free” fruit samples—some sellers demand payment after
Transport Tips & Common Mistakes
✅ Do:
Use Wechat and Alipay to pay (many places don’t take cards)
Download Didi app (works with foreign numbers)
Bring sunscreen—UV is strong at altitude
❌ Don’t:
Assume all attractions are open to foreigners (some military zones aren’t)
Visit on Mondays—museums are closed
Expect English signs (learn 3 phrases: “How much?” “Where is…?” “Thank you”)
Real talk:
Xichang isn’t “easy.”
But that’s why it’s real.
Foreign Travelers Say…
“I watched fishermen row at 6 a.m. Mist on the lake. No one else around. Pure magic.”— Ethan, Canada
“The Yi grandma taught me to weave. We laughed the whole time—even though we couldn’t understand each other.”— Clara, Austria
“After Chengdu’s chaos, Xichang felt like a deep breath.”— Aisha, UAE
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