Xichang
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.
Get around
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).
- 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 (邛海). Qionghai Lake is southwest 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.