Hanzhong

prefecture-level city in Shaanxi, China

Hanzhong (汉中; Hànzhōng) is a city in Shaanxi Province，nestled between the Qinling and Bashan mountain ranges, and situated in the Han River basin. It has a long history and was an important military and political center during the Western Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period. Hanzhong enjoys a mild climate and beautiful environment, earning it the nickname "Little Jiangnan of the Northwest." Rich in natural resources, the region has a prosperous agricultural sector, known for producing rice, tea, and other crops. Hanzhong is also a popular tourist destination, with famous attractions such as the Wuhou Shrine, Dingjun Mountain, and the South Lake Scenic Area. With the development of transportation, Hanzhong has strengthened its connections with cities like Xi'an and Chengdu, becoming a major transportation hub in southern Shaanxi.

Get in

By plane

Hanzhong has an airport—Hanzhong Chenggu Airport, which offers flights to major cities in China. You can fly directly to Hanzhong from cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

By rail

Hanzhong is connected by the Xi’an-Chengdu High-Speed Railway (Xi-Cheng HSR), which significantly reduces travel time between Hanzhong, Xi’an, and Chengdu.

  • From Xi’an: It takes about 1.5 hours by high-speed train to reach Hanzhong.
  • From Chengdu: The train ride is around 2 hours.

In addition to high-speed rail, Hanzhong is also served by regular train lines, such as the Yang’an Railway and the Baocheng Railway. These lines connect Hanzhong to nearby provinces and are suitable for travelers with more flexible schedules.

By bus

There are long-distance buses from other cities in Shaanxi Province (like Xi’an and Baoji) as well as from neighboring provinces like Sichuan. Hanzhong has several long-distance bus stations that provide convenient road transportation.

By car

If you prefer to drive, you can take the G5 Beijing-Kunming Expressway or the G7011 Shiyan-Tianshui Expressway, both of which connect Hanzhong to cities like Xi’an and Chengdu. The roads are in good condition and offer scenic views, making it a pleasant option for those who enjoy sightseeing along the way.

Get around

See

In late April or early May the canola (rapeseed) fields around Hanzhong burst into bloom, covering the countryside in a blanket of yellow flowers. Going into the fields and taking photos is a popular activity and people from throughout the region visit Hanzhong for this very purpose.

  • Wuhou Temple (武侯祠) (in Mianxian County near the 108 National Highway). Wuhou Temple is the focus of heritage conservation units, the national 3A scenic spot. 
  • Cai Lun Paper Culture Museum (蔡伦纸文化博物馆) (in the Yangxian County Dragon Town). Cai Lun paper culture museum and papermaking inventor Cai Lun fiefs and Cemetery Mausoleum only wall -- Cai Lun. 

Do

Buy

Eat

Hanzhong is famous throughout China for its "Liang Pi," cold rice noodles served with a spicy and sour sauce and usually served with vegetables such as cucumbers, carrots or sprouts.

There is a hot version of Liang Pi, which although not as good is also readily available.

Worth trying are "Rou Jia Muo" which are essentially Chinese hamburgers and "Niu Rou Mian," wheat noodles with beef. Both items are readily available from street vendors.

Culinarily, Hanzhong is part of Sichuan and sa such the food in the city is generally spicy.

Drink

Sleep

Connect

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