Mianyang Beichuan Yaowanggu

Mianyang Beichuan Yaowanggu

Mianyang Beichuan Yaowanggu is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Yaowanggu is located on Yaowang Mountain, which borders Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County and Jiangyou City in Mianyang. With an altitude of 1,400 to 2,000 meters, the resort covers a total area of about 10 square kilometers. Yaowanggu is adjacent to the Jiuhaun East Line (Jiangyou–Pingwu), 23 kilometers from Jiangyou City (the hometown of Li Bai), 64 kilometers from Mianyang City, and 166 kilometers from Chengdu.

The region where Yaowanggu is situated is rich in Chinese herbal medicine, with century-old medicinal trees growing throughout the mountains. Legend has it that Qibo, the founding father of traditional Chinese medicine, and Sun Simiao, the Medicine King, once lived here for extended periods to gather herbs and treat illnesses. The local residents have long maintained the custom of worshipping the Medicine Buddha, hence the name Yaowanggu (Medicine King Valley).

Yaowanggu produces over 160 types of Chinese herbal medicine. The local residents have made a living for years by cultivating and harvesting these plants, with main products being Gastrodia elata, Eucommia ulmoides, Magnolia officinalis, and magnolia flower buds. There is now nearly 10,000 acres of contiguous medicinal forests, making it one of the three largest magnolia flower cultivation areas in China. The resort features around 1,800 century-old magnolia trees, each with trunks thick enough to be encircled by two people and canopies spanning 20 to 30 meters. In April each year, the mountains burst into bloom with magnolia flowers in colors ranging from white to purple, creating a spectacular sight as they follow the contours of the hills.

Suggested duration: Half a day

Transportation: Yaowanggu is located on Yaowang Mountain, the eastern gateway to the snowy plateau wilderness, within Beichuan. It is close to the east route of the Jiuzhai Valley Tourist Loop, 64 kilometers from Mianyang (approx. 1-hour drive) and 166 kilometers from Chengdu (approx. 2.5-hour drive).

1. Chengdu

From Deyang, take the Chengdu–Mianyang Expressway (exit at Mianyang North Toll Station) → continue along the Mianjiang Scenic Boulevard to Jiangyou → then via the Jiuzhai Valley tourist highway (26 km) to Yaowanggu. About 2 hours. Each expressway exit has an advertising sign 200 meters prior.

2. Neijiang

Zigong

Luzhou: Take the Neijiang–Luzhou Expressway → Chengdu–Mianyang Expressway (exit at Mianyang North Toll Station) → Mianyang–Jiangyou Scenic Boulevard (25 km) to Jiangyou → then via the Jiuzhai Valley tourist highway (26 km) to Yaowanggu. About 5 hours. Each Chengdu–Mianyang Expressway exit has a scenic area sign.

3. Xi’an

Hanzhong

Guangyuan: Take the Sichuan–Shaanxi Highway (National Highway 108) → Hanzhong → Guangyuan → exit the Mianyang–Guangyuan Expressway at Mianyang North Toll Station to Jiangyou → then via the Jiuzhai Valley tourist highway (26 km) to Yaowanggu. About 8 hours from Xi’an.

About 5 hours from Hanzhong

About 2.5 hours from Guangyuan. Scenic signs available at Mianyang North Toll Station.

4. Mianzhu

Shifang: Take the county road via Anxiu Water (first-class highway) → Anchang Town (second-class highway) → Beichuan County → Yaowanggu. About 3 hours. After arriving in Beichuan County, follow the tourist road signs.

Langzhong: Langzhong (second-class highway) → Yanting (second-class highway) → Mianyang (Mianjiang Scenic Boulevard, 30 km) → Jiangyou (via Jiuzhai Valley tourist highway) → Yaowanggu. About 4 hours. Signs available after arriving in Mianyang.

5. Chongqing

Fuling: Chongqing (Chengyu Expressway) → Chengdu (Chengdu–Mianyang Expressway, exit at Mianyang North Toll Station) → Mianyang (Mianjiang Scenic Boulevard, 25 km) → Jiangyou (via Jiuzhai Valley tourist highway, 26 km) → Yaowanggu. About 6–7 hours from Chongqing. Scenic signs available on the Chengdu–Mianyang Expressway.

6. Jiuzhaigou: Jiuzhaigou → Jiuzhaigou County → Pingwu → Yaowanggu Scenic Area (total 240 km). About 5–6 hours. Road signs available on the Pingwu–Beichuan section.

7. Huanglong: Huanglong → Pingwu Shuijing Township → Pingwu County → via Nanba Town (Jiangyou Pass) → Yaowanggu. About 4 hours. Road signs available on the Pingwu–Beichuan section.

Self-driving Guide:

To drive from Chengdu to Yaowanggu, get on the Chengdu–Mianyang–Guangyuan Expressway at Zhaojue Temple. After about 110 km (approx. 1 hour), exit at Mianyang North (note: Mianyang has three exits—Mianyang South, Mianyang, and Mianyang North; Mianyang North is generally the most convenient route to Yaowanggu). After exiting, follow the Mianyang–Jiangyou Expressway for about half an…

Ticket: 58 RMB

Location: Guixi Township, Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County, Mianyang City, Sichuan Province