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Why Every History Lover Must Visit Jiange Pass—And How to Do It in One Day from Chengdu

Updated: Oct 29

You love Chinese history.You’ve read about Three Kingdoms heroes like Zhuge Liang and Jiang Wei.

But you’ve never been to Jiange Pass (Jiàngé Guān, 剑门关)—the real battlefield where empires rose and fell.


Here’s the truth:

Jiange Pass is just 2 hours from Chengdu by high-speed train.You can go and return in one day.

And it’s not just history—it’s cliffs, chains, and heart-pounding trails like something from Game of Thrones.


I’ve sent hundreds of foreign travelers here.

Most say: “I didn’t know this existed!”

This guide shows you exactly how to get there, what to hike, and how to skip the crowds—so you get history + adrenaline, not just a photo at a gate.


Jiange Pass: Where History Meets Vertical Adventure

Jiange Pass isn’t just “a gate.”It’s a fortress carved into 300-meter cliffs.For 1,800 years, no army could break through—unless they had insider help (looking at you, Deng Ai).


A Canadian friend told me:“I thought it was like the Great Wall—flat and safe.”

Then he tried the Ape Trail (Yuán Náo Dào, 猿猱道).

He said: “My hands shook the whole time.

But the view? Worth every heartbeat.”


Trust me:

If you skip Jiange Pass, you’re missing the soul of Sichuan’s military past—and one of China’s most thrilling hikes.

（Jiange Pass day trip from Chengdu for foreign history lovers）


One-Day Itinerary: Chengdu → Jiange Pass → Back (Perfect for History Buffs)


Crowd ascends stone stairs to a traditional building amid lush autumn foliage. A waterfall and rocky landscape are visible. Calm atmosphere.
Jiange Pass Scenic Area

Morning: Chengdu to Guangyuan by Train

  • Train: Chengdu East Station (Chéngdū Dōng Zhàn, 成都东站) → Guangyuan Station (Guǎngyuán Zhàn, 广元站)

    • Best train: D1922

      • Departure: 7:08 a.m.

      • Arrival: 9:13 a.m.

      • Duration: 2h 5m

      • Price: ¥129 (2nd class)

  • At Guangyuan Station:

    • Take tourist bus #2 (¥10, 1 hour) directly to Jiange Pass Scenic Area (Jiàngé Guān Fēngjǐng Qū, 剑门关风景区)

    • Buses run every 30 mins from 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.


People in helmets scale a steep rock face with chains, overlooking a lush valley and scattered homes under a cloudy sky.
Hike the Legendary Trails
People climb a steep rock face secured with cables. They wear helmets and backpacks, surrounded by rugged cliffs and cloudy sky, evoking adventure.
Hike the Legendary Trails

Midday: Hike the Legendary Trails

  • Entry ticket: ¥105 (buy via “Zhiyou Jiange” mini-program on WeChat)

  • Must-do route:

    • North Gate → Cable Car (¥50 one-way) → Bird Path (Niǎo Dào, 鸟道)

      • Bird Path: Narrow cliff trail with iron chains.

      • Free. Less scary than Ape Trail.

      • OR Ape Trail (Yuán Náo Dào): Vertical climb on 90° rock face. ¥68 + ¥10 insurance. Book 3 days ahead!

    • Then: Liangshan Pavilion → Stone Bamboo Peak → Jiange Pass Gate → South Gate

  • Hiking time: 4–5 hours

  • Lunch: Try Jiange Tofu Banquet (Jiàngé Dòufu Yàn, 剑门豆腐宴) near South Gate—silky tofu steamed, fried, and spiced. Only ¥35!


Evening: Return to Chengdu

  • Last train: D1941

    • Departure: Guangyuan at 7:20 p.m.

    • Arrival: Chengdu East at 9:25 p.m.

  • Total cost: ~¥300 (train + entry + food + transport)

Pro Tip:Avoid Daughter’s Festival (late April)—queues for Ape Trail hit 2+ hours.

Best months: May, September, October—clear skies, cool temps.


Two-Day Guangyuan Itinerary: Add Ancient Temples & Grottoes


Aerial view of a traditional Asian building with intricate roof tiles in a village. Mountains and trees in the background under a blue sky.
Zhaohua Ancient Town

Day 1: Jiange Pass + Zhaohua Ancient Town (Zhāohuà Gǔchéng, 昭化古城)

  • After Jiange, take bus back to Guangyuan (¥10, 1 hour)

  • From Guangyuan, taxi to Zhaohua Ancient Town (¥60, 40 mins)

    • Walk Ming-Qing stone streets

    • Visit Jingman Temple (Jìngmén Sì, 敬侯祠)—honors Three Kingdoms general Fei Yi

  • Stay overnight at Zhaohua Guesthouse (¥180, courtyard rooms)


Stone cliff with intricate carvings and small caves, featuring people walking along narrow balconies. Vibrant greenery below enhances the scene.
Thousand-Buddha Cliff

Day 2: Thousand-Buddha Cliff + Huangze Temple

  • Thousand-Buddha Cliff (Qiānfó Yá, 千佛崖):

    • 7,000 Buddhist carvings from Tang Dynasty

    • Entry: ¥50

    • Just 5 km from Guangyuan city—take taxi (¥15)

Traditional red and gray Chinese temple amid lush green and yellow trees, with a rocky hill in the background. Peaceful atmosphere.
Huangze Temple

  • Huangze Temple (Huángzé Sì, 皇泽寺):

    • Birthplace of China’s only female emperor, Wu Zetian

    • Riverside temple with cliff statues

    • Entry: ¥55

  • Lunch: Eat Guangyuan cold noodles (Liángmiàn, 凉面)—spicy, chewy, topped with sesame paste. ¥12!

Transport: All sites reachable by taxi (<¥70 each way).


Three-Day Deep Dive: Add Golden Ox Road & Hidden Temples

Day 3: Golden Ox Ancient Road (Jīnniú Gǔ Dào, 金牛古道) + Jueyuan Temple


Hiker in red backpack walks on misty forest path surrounded by tall, twisted trees. The scene is tranquil and mysterious.
Golden Ox Road

  • Golden Ox Road:

    • 2,300-year-old stone path used by Qin army to invade Sichuan

    • Hike 5 km through forest + stone steps

    • Free entry. Start at Jiange County Museum


Ancient mural depicting figures in red and gold robes amidst clouds. Earthy tones dominate. The scene is calm with a historic ambiance.
Jueyuan Temple

  • Jueyuan Temple (Juéyuàn Sì, 觉苑寺):

    • Hidden Ming Dynasty temple with rare painted beams

    • 1-hour drive from Guangyuan (hire driver: ¥200 round-trip)

    • Entry: ¥20

  • Dinner: Sichuan hot pot with wild herbs at Laocheng Yihao (老城一号)—ask for “mild” if you’re new to spice!


Local Food You Can’t Miss in Guangyuan

A bowl of spicy tofu topped with chopped red and green chilis and cilantro, in rich red sauce. Colorful and appetizing presentation.
Jiange Tofu

  • Jiange Tofu (Jiàngé Dòufu, 剑门豆腐):

    • Made from mountain spring water

    • So soft it melts—try “stuffed tofu with minced pork”

A bowl of spicy noodles topped with green onions and peanuts, set on a table. The vibrant dish is set against a blurred background.
Guangyuan Cold Noodles

  • Guangyuan Cold Noodles (Guǎngyuán Liángmiàn, 广元凉面):

    • Served room-temp with chili oil, garlic, and vinegar

    • Perfect after hiking

Glazed sausages on a blue plate, set on a rustic table. Blurred plant and floral container in the background. Warm, inviting atmosphere.
Smoked Sausage

  • Smoked Sausage (Là Cháng, 腊肠):

    • Air-dried with Sichuan pepper

    • Buy as souvenir (¥50/kg at Zhaohua market)


Real Stories from Foreign Travelers

“I’m a history teacher from the UK. Standing at Jiange Pass Gate, I felt like Zhuge Liang was watching. Chills.”— David, UK
“The Ape Trail scared me—but I did it! My GoPro footage looks like a movie.”— Elisa, Spain
“I skipped Chengdu’s tea houses to come here. Zero regrets. This is real China.”— Michael, Italy

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