Here, you can see the whole Sichuan at once

In Ya'an

You can see the whole Sichuan at once

It has thousands of miles of wilderness and is surrounded by clouds and mist.

The green leaves of thousands of new tea plants breathe out the natural beauty in the mist and rain

Giant pandas playing in the forest

This is the northern part of Ya'an

Just like the plain scenery of eastern Sichuan

In the north of Ya'an, thousands of acres of tea plantations and Gongga Snow Mountain are in the same frame in the mist | Photographer @5零2

It also has high mountains and clear air.

Colorful flowers and fruits bloom in the sun

This is the southern part of Ya'an

Just like the plateau scenery in western Sichuan

South of Ya’an, Hanyuan Orchard with snow-white pear blossoms in full bloom | Image source @Visual China

Located at the geometric center of Sichuan Province

Spanning the two typical Sichuan landforms: plateau and basin

Ya'an, Sichuan

It has become the epitome of Sichuan's mountains and rivers.

It has become a condensation of the most wonderful moments of Sichuan's scenery and culture.

Here you can find the most surging sea of ​​clouds and the most "autumn pond-swelling" night rain.

It is the earliest artificial tea-growing area and an important place in Han history .

It is also the "throat of western Sichuan" where the Southern Silk Road and the Ancient Tea-Horse Road meet.

If you want to see the whole Sichuan at once

Then come to Ya'an!

Distribution map of tourist attractions in Ya'an | Map by Gao Liqian/Planet Research Institute

01

Half of it is misty wilderness, and half of it is brilliant mountains.

If you fly into the clouds, you will see

The remaining branches of the Hengduan Mountains bend eastwards half a palm

Sichuan Basin extends westward

The two hold each other, that is Ya'an

Schematic diagram of Ya'an's topography and water system. Erlang Mountain and Jiajin Mountain are both extensions of the Qionglai Mountains, Shenxianliangzi and Xiaoxiangling are both part of the Daxue Mountains; Donghe River, Xihe River, Tianquan River, Yingjing River, etc. are all part of the Qingyi River system, and Hanyuan Lake is part of the Dadu River system. | Map by @Gao Liqian/Planet Research Institute

The snowy mountains hold up the southern end

Snow-capped peaks break through the clouds

It holds up the highest point in Ya'an - Shenxianliangzi, 5,793 meters above sea level.

The scenery of the Daxue Mountains, overlooking the Gongga Snow Mountain outside Ya'an from the Wanggangping Forest Sea in Ya'an | Photographer @Gu Hongbing

The Qionglai Mountains surround the west and north

It accounts for one third of the mountainous area in the territory and stretches for more than 100 kilometers.

Many branches extend to the plains

The mountains gradually fall

Until the lowest point in Ya'an - Caoba Town, about 516 meters above sea level

Qionglai Mountains scenery, Jiajin Mountain alpine pasture | Photographer @姜曦

Daxiangling is located in the middle of the

The north and south of Ya'an are divided here

The south is dominated by mountains.

In the north , the mountains extend, but they cannot block the infinite scenery of the wilderness.

Mountains occupy 94% of Ya'an's area.

The north-south height difference is about 5,277 meters

This makes Ya'an one of the cities with the largest geographical altitude difference in the world.

It also shaped the climate disparity between the north and the south.

North

The palm of the mountain surrounds the warm and humid air currents blowing from the ocean

Turn your hand and create a sea of ​​clouds

Or like a veil covering the whole field

Or pouring down like a white waterfall

Or like waves rolling over the mountains

Niubei Mountain Sea of ​​Clouds | Photographer @carefreeshi

Cover your hands and sprinkle drizzle

There are more than 200 days of rain in a year.

Annual precipitation in some areas can reach more than 2,200 mm

So much so that it is called China's " Rain City "

So much so that the ancients looked up at the sky and asked, was it because Nuwa missed this place when she patched the sky?

The mist and rain have become the elegant background of the wilderness.

Misty Ya'an, known as "Sky Leak" in ancient times. Source of the above data: "Ya'an City Chronicles" 2020 | Photographer @段炼

Rainwater mixed with meltwater from mountain ice and snow

A gurgling mountain stream forms along the valley

Suddenly falling to form a waterfall

Tianquan Labahe Scenic Area and Yingjing Longcanggou Scenic Area | Photographer @Wang Longhua & Tan Weixi

They have different shapes

But they all ran towards the wilderness together, constantly merging

Eventually, the Qingyi River system was formed, which runs through the north.

Rippling blue water, graceful and gentle

Isn’t this another kind of Jiangnan scenery?

The pulse of Qingyi River | Photographer @书是波

And the southern part - the high mountainous area outside the palm

Warm and humid air currents are difficult to reach, and rain and fog are difficult to form

So the sun is shining, the sky is clear and the wind is gentle

Compared with the North

Annual precipitation here could decrease by up to 60%

The sun is nearly twice as much

South of Ya'an, the sun shines on the wide river | Image source @Visual China

Although the southern water system is not as developed

But it has more majestic momentum

A Dadu River

It rushed from Qinghai, cutting through countless valleys

Raging Waves

The founding emperor Zhao Kuangyin and the fierce general Shi Dakai

I can't go any further even though I came here.

Dadu River cuts a deep canyon in the mountains | Photographer @杨建

that's all

North of Ya'an

The fertile fields, the winding rivers, and the misty rain make people feel intoxicated.

South of Ya'an

The towering mountains, the magnificent waves, and the bright sunlight make people dazzled

Contrasting natural conditions always have their own preferences

Giving birth to all living things with distinct personalities

02

Half is light and elegant, half is spicy and hot

More than 2,000 years ago

On the Mengding Mountain in the north of Ya'an

Wu Lizhen, a man from the Western Han Dynasty, planted seven fragrant tea trees in the mountain fields with his own hands.

It is said that this is the earliest recorded case of artificial tea cultivation.

"Statue of Ganlu Patriarch (Song Dynasty) Shaoxi Year 3... Appeared in the Western Han Dynasty... Seven tea trees planted in Mengshan"

(Compiled by Liu Xihai of the Qing Dynasty and edited by Kuang Zhouyi)

"In the past, there were Han Dao people... who built new soil inch by inch... and now it is all over the top of Mengding..."

(Song Dynasty, Sun Jian, "Inscription at Zhiju Temple")

Bai Juyi's words "Mengshan is the old friend among tea" also proves its profound heritage

Mengding Mountain Tea Garden | Photographer @杨涛

Perhaps the tea growers on Mount Mengding never expected

He started a tea drinking trend that was popular in Shu and then spread across the country.

"The drinking of tea began after the Qin people conquered Shu."

(Gu Yanwu's "Rizhilu" in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties)

Thanks to the long years of rain in northern Ya'an

Mengding Mountain has abundant water resources, is slightly cool and foggy, and has loose and slightly acidic soil.

Perfectly adapted to the growth needs of high-quality tea

Therefore, it became one of the earliest birthplaces of Chinese tea.

This gave rise to the opportunity to be picked, tasted and planted first.

The Mengshan School's "Eighteen Flying Dragon Styles" tea-brewing technique is said to have been created by the Northern Song Dynasty monk Chan Hui when he was practicing in seclusion on Mount Mengding | Photographer @郑素琼 (Sichuan)

One bud and one leaf

After three stir-fries and three kneadings, it can create a thousand flavors

Green tea is refreshing, yellow tea is sweet, black tea is warm, and dark tea is fragrant.

The fragrance of tea spread far and wide, stunning the royal family

From then on, it became the tribute tea from Tang Dynasty to Qing Dynasty.

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity - Traditional production techniques of Mengshan tea. In actual operation, the processes used for each variety are not exactly the same | Photographer @郝立艺

The rain not only moistened Mount Mengding

It also nourishes the surging forest sea in the north of Ya'an

The northern forest is the main

Ya'an's forest coverage rate has long remained above 69%.

It ranks first in Sichuan with the name of " Lungs of Heaven ".

The forests of Ya'an are surging in the rain and fog . Source of the above data: Ya'an Municipal People's Government Website | Image source @Visual China

This is a refuge for ancient plants that survived the brutal ice age.

Involucria

Extinct in most areas

But it miraculously thrives in Longcanggou

Forming the largest wild Davidia involucrata community in the world

More than 300,000 mu of Davidia involucrata bloom in spring

Like white doves flying in the sky

The joy of showing good fortune

The existing "living fossils" of plants in Ya'an include yew, ginkgo, and also tree, among which Davidia involucrata is the most representative one. The picture shows a flowering Davidia involucrata | Photographer @朱含雄

This is a paradise where towering ancient trees hide away from the world.

The nearly 200 ancient trees on Yunfeng Mountain are over 400 years old on average.

The two "golden nanmu" trees in front of Yunfeng Temple have stood for more than 1,700 years.

Maybe it's the blessing of gods and Buddhas

The ancient Phoebe was able to survive the royal logging craze of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The "Phoebe King" in front of the mountain gate of Yunfeng Temple is about 30 meters high, equivalent to a ten-story building . Together with other ancient Phoebe trees, it forms the " most beautiful Phoebe forest in China " | Image source @ Yingjing County Government

This is a paradise where all living things are free

Various rare animals appear and disappear from time to time

Playful yet elegant animals, including the red panda , Sichuan golden monkey, golden pheasant, and spotted swallowtail | Photographers @Song Xinqiang & Gao Huakang & Wu Yuchen & Zou Tao

More than 20 kinds of bamboo, including bamboo, white bamboo, and nan bamboo

Rapid growth in the rain

Giant pandas eat bamboo and like moisture.

I am very active here and never get tired of it.

Giant pandas in Bifeng Gorge, Ya'an, sleeping soundly on a tree | Photographer @陈捷

This strange black and white figure in Fengtongzhai Forest in 1869

Shocked the French who came here to investigate

Fr Jean Pierre Armand David

He thus created the world's first giant panda specimen.

After the exhibition, it immediately attracted strong attention from all over the world to China's giant pandas.

Dengchigou Catholic Church in Fengtongzhai National Nature Reserve, Baoxing County, where Armand David, the first person to "discover" giant pandas, settled and preached | Image source @Visual China

Rainwater renews the rivers, and the water remains clear

The unique cold-water fish "Yayu" was born

People harvest the gifts of nature

Cook the extremely delicious "Ya Fish in Clay Pot" in Yingjing Black Clay Pot

Paired with a cup of Mengding Mountain's rich

Elegant fragrance, intoxicating the world

Authentic "Ya Fish in Clay Pot" cooked in the national intangible cultural heritage product Yingjing Black Clay Pot | Photographer @Hao Liyi, Map @Zhang Qi/Planet Research Institute

In the river valley south of Ya'an

Facing the spicy red fruits growing everywhere

The ancestors of Hanyuan tried to transplant it into the fields

This is one of the earliest acts of artificial cultivation of pepper

As early as 4,000 years ago, the people of Hanyuan were already using wild peppercorns, and began to cultivate them artificially more than 2,000 years ago. Photo shows Hanyuan peppercorns | Photographer @杨涛

It turns out that the southern part of Ya'an has a climate with abundant sunshine and distinct rain and heat.

Accurately meet the growth needs of pepper

It thrives and awakens people's taste buds early

A red fruit

After being fried in oil and grilled, it can actually add the finishing touch to countless dishes.

It became one of the souls of Sichuan cuisine among the eight major cuisines in later generations.

Legend has it that at the beginning of the last century, the original store of the classic Sichuan dish "Mapo Tofu" suddenly stopped selling it because of a shortage of Hanyuan peppercorns. Pictured is the Sichuan dish "Mapo Tofu" | Photographer @李婕, Map @张琪/Planet Research Institute

The sun not only intensifies the spicy fragrance, but also intensifies the ink color

High mountains, lush meadows

The cattle, sheep and horses, either white or brown, are fat and strong in groups.

The valley is full of colorful flowers and fruits all year round

Loquats are sweet and juicy in spring, and cherries are pink and sweet in summer.

Apples are delicious in autumn, and citrus fruits are green in winter.

Hanyuan Alpine Pasture and Huahaiguoxiang Scenic Area with pear blossoms in full bloom | Image source @Visual China & Zou Tao

People gather natural delicacies

The bright flames and pepper spice

Stimulate the aroma of beef, mutton and other ingredients

With rich flavor of fresh fruit

Hot and spicy, boiling red dust

Shimian barbecue and Jiuxiang yellow beef | Photographer @Hao Liyi & Zui Hanyuan, Map @Zhang Qi/Planet Research Institute

The stark contrast between the north and south of Ya'an

The barrier caused by Daxiangling Mountains

But the Qingyi River and Dadu River, which are also divided by the Daxiang Mountains,

Finally they meet under the gaze of the Leshan Giant Buddha

The north and south of Ya'an will eventually meet across the mountains

A feast is better than countless feasts in the world

Sichuan peppercorns travel north and are sprinkled into northern delicacies such as tata noodles and shui mian.

Pepper and numbing taste makes it more refreshing

Yayu went south and hit it off with southern peppercorns

"Gongjiao Fish" explains the true "spicy" and "fresh" flavor

Ya'an cuisine combines the flavors of the north and south . The pictures show Tibetan hot pot, toast banquet, tata noodles, and water noodles. The "ta" in tata noodles should be pronounced [tà], but local people in Yingjing prefer to pronounce it [dá] | Photographer @Hao Liyi & Ding Junhao, map @Zhang Qi/Planet Research Institute

Ya'an's geography spans two types of Sichuan

The two Ya'an landscapes are also the epitome of the two Sichuan landscapes

Ya'an's blend of north and south

It is also the fusion of two Sichuan customs.

Traveling around Sichuan

Everywhere is the fragrance of tea not in the left hand

Use chopsticks in your right hand to taste the spicy flavor?

Sichuan City Life | Photographer @Qiu Tianhao

But crossing the vast Daxiang Mountains, the north and the south meet

It’s not an overnight success

03

Half of the ancient road is vicissitudes , and half of the new city is shining

Sichuan has always been a strategic location in the southwest.

Ya'an is the " throat " that spans two types of Sichuan

Destined to not be just a paradise

Travelers from all over the world come one after another

Explore the paths in the maze valley

People walking on the ancient road in Ya'an | Photographer @夏云

About 20,000 years ago

Fulin on the Dadu River was the first to ignite the spark of the Paleolithic Age

At the latest in the Shang Dynasty

Outward attempts have already begun

Warring States Period, in today's Yingjing area

The casting of the bronze spear with the inscription "Chengdu" reveals the close relationship between the two places

The establishment of the ancient city of "Yandao" further indicated that western Sichuan officially belonged to the Central Plains

The bronze spear with the inscription "Chengdu" unearthed from the Warring States Period in Yingjing pushed the history of the word "Chengdu" back about 200 years. Photo of the "Chengdu" spear | Photographer @张艳, map @张琪/Planet Research Institute

To Qin and Han

Qingyi Road, Xiayang Road, Elu Road, Lilu Road...

Countless ancient roads pass through Ya'an

Business opportunities, wealth and diverse cultures converge here

Beautifully carved Hanque

The round and majestic stone beasts of the Han Dynasty

Various Han Dynasty figurines

The elegance of the nobles and the various aspects of the market can still be seen

The Han Dynasty relics in Ya'an are a fusion of Shu Han culture, with both the etiquette and regulations of the Central Plains and the simplicity and romance of Shu. The picture shows the most exquisite Han Dynasty stone que in China - Gao Yi's tomb que and its stone beasts | Photographer @吴玮

Swordplay here

The three eaves of Pingxiang Tower soar into the sky

It is like the heroic figure of Jiang Wei, the great general of Shu Han, who sacrificed his life for his country.

Lushan Pingxiang Tower, built to commemorate Pingxiang Hou Jiang Wei | Photographer @风沉郁

The Daxiangling barrier was officially broken through at this time.

A small road starts from Chengdu in the east, reaches Yunnan in the south and then to South Asia

This is the famous " Southern Silk Road " in later generations.

An international trade route older than the Northern Silk Road and the Maritime Silk Road

Ya'an is its transit hub

The Hejun Pavilion Road Stele next to the ancient city of Yandao in Yingjing is a physical evidence of the Southern Silk Road | Image source @ Yingjing County Government, map @ Wang Shenwen/Planet Research Institute

In the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, Princess Wencheng entered Tibet

The Zhongyuan tea we carry is refreshing and nutritious

It immediately became a necessity for Tibetans’ lives

As the "Tea Ancestor Holy Land" at the foot of the mountain in the Tibetan area

Ya'an has an obligation to

Develop " Southern Roadside Tea " that is more suitable for the needs of Tibetan compatriots

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity - Nanluobian Tea Making Technique, tea makers are pressing fermented and mature tea leaves into shape | Photographer @张毅

Thousands of "Second Brothers"

Carrying a tall bag of tea, he crossed the Daxiang Mountains

The war horses that were in urgent need of Central Plains were exchanged for

Porters on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road | Photographer @Wang Jiang, Map @Wang Shenwen & Zhang Qi/Planet Research Institute

This ancient Tea-Horse Road was opened up by human flesh and blood.

Ya'an is its starting point

Schematic diagram of the Sichuan-Tibet line of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road and the Southern Silk Road route | Map by @Jun & Gao Liqian/Planet Research Institute

Ancient roads bring vitality along the way

The sparsely populated forests are also lit up with thousands of lights

Many ancient towns are still prosperous today.

Residential houses are gathered on both sides of the road

Mule and horse cargo parking downstairs

Businessmen meeting and rest upstairs

Along the ancient road, there are Shangli Ancient Town, Wangyu Ancient Town, Xintian Ancient Town, Qingxi Ancient Town, Jiuxiang Ancient Town, etc. The picture shows the street scene along the river in Shangli Ancient Town | Picture source @Visual China

Let the lights of hope fly at the Sky Lantern Festival

The fragrant nanmu wood and carved gold in Kaishan Temple

Protect travelers on their safe journey

Kaishan Temple is located in the town of Yandao in Yingjing, where ancient roads meet. It is supported by 16 precious nanmu pillars. The exquisite carvings on the ceiling are proof of people's respect for it. Pictured is the ceiling of the main hall of Kaishan Temple | Photographer @斯思

The ancient road brings together people of all ethnic groups

In June, the Yi people keep their torches burning all night long

Dressed in gorgeous clothes, full of joy

During the Shangjiu Festival in the first month of the lunar year, there is constant singing in the Qiāo qì Tibetan village.

Tibetan people danced the Guozhuang with great enthusiasm

The multi-part folk songs of Xieqi were rated as a national intangible cultural heritage | Photographer @郝立艺

The Ya'an Ancient Road has gone through many changes over the past thousand years, but the story is far from over.

The Long March of the Red Army

Fly over the Dadu River

Then completely escape the enemy's encirclement

Conquer the first snow mountain here - Jiajin Mountain

Laying the foundation for the successful meeting of the two main forces

The raging waves of the mountains are only the background for rebirth

Jiajinshan Monument, witnessing the red history of Ya'an | Image source @Visual China

Times have changed, but the road is always under your feet

Follow the route and direction indicated by the ancient trail

Modern roads and railways are emerging one after another

"Chinese Landscape Avenue" National Highway 318 and 108 intersect here

The Sichuan-Tibet Railway, a century-long project

It also makes Ya'an the most convenient place for people to enter and exit Tibet and even South Asia.

The most convenient and efficient transportation node

Ya'an is the hub from beginning to end

It is also a continuation of the ancient and modern

National Highway 318 on Erlang Mountain and " China Ya'an 318 Self-Driving Base Camp " | Photographer @杨洋&韩毅

A long history, but a long way to go

The seven tea trees of the past have now grown into a modern tea garden of one million mu.

The name of "Mengding Mountain Tea" is more famous

Ranked among the top ten "Chinese Tea Regional Public Brand Value" for many years

Please watch horizontally, Mingshan District Earth Fingerprint Modern Tea Garden | Photographer @CaoTie

A cold-water fish that once lived only in the wild in rivers

Now it has formed a large-scale artificial breeding

The emerging caviar industry

It has also leapt to 14% of the global market share

From the mountains to the world

Tianquan County Caviar Park and Caviar Products . Source of the above data: "Chuanguan News" website | Image source @刘国兴&Tianquan County Party Committee Propaganda Department

The natural barrier of the past

Now it has become a rare " high mountain viewing platform " in the country

Niubei Mountain, Jiaoding Mountain, Wanggangping...

You can see all the famous mountains in Sichuan, such as Gongga and Emei, at once when you reach the top.

Please watch in horizontal mode. On Niubei Mountain, the largest 360-degree viewing platform in Asia, you can see the peaks of Gongga Snow Mountain, the "King of Shu Mountains" | Photographer @逸思, annotation @温均浩, map @张琪/Planet Research Institute

The lush forest of the past

Today, it is still a " natural plant and animal gene bank " where all things are active

It just adds to the laughter of tourists

Please watch in horizontal mode, Bifengxia, a national 5A-level scenic spot. The scenic area is evergreen all year round, with clouds and mist surging. An aerial bridge connects the V-shaped canyon, forming a circular tour route | Photographer @顾镇华

Today, Ya'an has become the center of the Giant Panda National Park.

The city (state) with the largest area, the highest proportion, the most complete mountain system, and the most counties

The Qionglai Mountain-Daxiangling area

This is the area with the most widespread distribution of giant pandas in the world.

340 wild giant pandas live safely and happily here

Daxiangling Giant Panda Rewilding Base after the snow | Photographer @夏云

Different mountains and wilderness meet here

Different flavors are wonderfully intertwined here

The ancient road and the new city are of the same origin

Seemingly contradictory nature and humanity

Here, harmony blends in forever

Everything and life return to their original nature here

This is Ya'an

Sichuan spans two kinds of Sichuan

It condenses two kinds of Ya'an in Sichuan!

Please watch in horizontal mode. Ya'an is a city with a long history. The high-speed rail runs through the warm and misty tea town. | Photographer @杨信

This article was created by

Written by : Yuan Yuan

Editor : Sun Mingyue

Image : Pan Chenxia

Map : Gao Liqian & Jun

Design : Zhang Qi & Wang Shenwen

Proofreading : Zhou Tianxiu & Sun Shimeng & Jun

Cover Photographer : 502 & Chen Xianlin

【References】

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