Xichang is a relatively small city in Sichuan.

Understand

The area's best-known feature is Xichang Satellite Launch Center or "Base 57", about 64 km (40 miles) northwest of the city. While the town itself may be of little interest, it is an excellent midpoint stop when traveling between Sichuan and Yunnan, Lugu Lake is 6 hours to the West.

Get in

The city is on both the main rail line and the main highway connecting Kunming and Chengdu, and it has an airport. The Chengdu–Kunming Railway (成昆铁路), while scenic, is extremely slow. By comparison, buses run on the newly constructed elevated G5 expressway.

See

• Xichang Ancient City (西昌古城). Not exactly one of the finest ancient cities in China. Most iconic building is the Ming era city gate (巍巍大通门). 
• 1 Liangshan Yi Slave Society Museum (凉山彝族奴隶社会博物馆), 6 Lushan Road (泸山路6号) (On Lushan hill), ☏ +86 834 3950099, +86 834 3223150. 09:00-16:00, closed on Mondays. Slavery remained in the Liangshan area until the 1960s. This is the only museum in China with exhibitions on the slavery system of the Yi people. Free. (updated Jan 2023)
• Xichang Satellite Launch Center (中国西昌卫星发射中心). one of the four space ports in China. Day tour cost 100 Yuan. (Must be Chinese national). 

Do

• Qionghai Lake and Lushan Mountain Scenic Area (邛海泸山风景区). Qionghai Lake and Lushan Mountain are south of the city center. There is a surrounding wetlands area with a bike path which is approximately 40km all around. There is a ticket fee of 55 RMB, but there are many sections of the lake which can be accessed without purchasing a ticket. (updated Jun 2015)

Go next

By Bus

• 6 hours to Chengdu
• 6 hours to Kunming
• Roughly 6 hours to Lugu Lake

By Train

• 10 hours to Chengdu
• 8 hours to Kunming