Tongnan (潼南) is a district of Chongqing Municipality. The main tourist attractions in Tongnan are the Dafo (Big Buddha) Temple and the old town of Shuangjiang.
Understand
[edit]History
[edit]The area was originally a county under Chongqing Municipality but was later redesignated as a district and administratively affiliated with Chongqing Municipality.
The region boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous ancient towns and temples, such as the Dafo Temple, built during the Song and Yuan dynasties, which stands as a representative example of local history and religious art.
It has long been an important center for agriculture and trade in eastern Sichuan, serving as a hub along the Min and Jinsha rivers. Many of its towns retain traditional architecture from the Ming and Qing periods, reflecting the area's historical prosperity and strategic significance. Local festivals and traditional rituals, including temple fairs and agricultural celebrations, continue to be observed, offering insight into the cultural life of past and present residents.
In recent decades, the district has experienced rapid urbanization and modernization while preserving much of its historical charm. Efforts have been made to restore cultural heritage sites and promote eco-tourism, combining traditional culture with new industries such as modern agriculture and green technology. The integration of old and new makes it a vivid example of Chongqing’s evolving urban and cultural landscape.
Geography
[edit]Hilly and mountainous terrain predominates, making up the majority of the district (approximately 79.4% is hilly), with a small area of plains.
People
[edit]Tongnan's population is primarily Han. Its cultural customs incorporate characteristics typical of the Sichuan-Chongqing region, such as the culinary preferences, folk festivals, and dialects of Chongqing and Sichuan. (Specific data on the proportion of ethnic minorities is unavailable.)
Agriculture is well-developed in the area, with many villages and towns relying on crops such as rice, vegetables, and lemons. Agriculture and the rural economy play a vital role in people's lives.
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Climate
[edit]Tongnan has a subtropical monsoon climate. It has distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, and high humidity.
The average annual temperature is generally around 16°C–18°C. Winter (the coldest month) is cooler, but extreme low temperatures are rare.
Annual precipitation is approximately 1,000–1,200 mm, concentrated between May and September. It has a distinct humid and rainy season.
Demographics
[edit]In 2020, it had a population of about 690,000.
Administrative divisions include subdistricts and towns. Examples include Guilin Subdistrict, Zitong Subdistrict, Shanghe Town, Longxing Town, Guxi Town, and Shouqiao Town. The population and area of each subdistrict or town vary significantly.
Get in
[edit]It lies about 108 km northwest of central Chongqing.
By train
[edit]- 1 Tongnan Railway Station (潼南站), Zhanqian Avenue (站前大道) (bus nos. 202, 203 and 310). Tongnan’s only railway station has frequent train services from central Chongqing.
By bus
[edit]Tongnan can be reached by bus in 1½-2 hours from Chen Jiaping Bus Station and other long-distance bus stations in Chongqing.
Bus stations:
- 2 Tongnan Bus Terminal (潼南汽车客运总站), 369 Qiaonan Avenue (桥南大道369号) (bus nos. 101, 106, 107, 108 and 109), ☏ +86 23 44551374. Tongnan’s main bus station.
Get around
[edit]
Most places of interest in Tongnan are accessible by public bus. Taxis are also available.
See
[edit]
- 1 Dafo Temple (Big Buddha Temple of Tongnan, 潼南大佛寺), Zitong Subdistrict (梓潼街道) (take bus no. 101 or 107), ☏ +86 23 4455296. 08:30-17:30. Just north of the downtown area on the Fuijiang River is the Dafo Temple. It is 30 min outside the downtown area along the winding river banks. The highlight is a large 18-m high Buddha carved into the rock and covered in gold. More Buddhist carvings can be seen on the cliffs outside the temple. Tourists are a rare occurrence at the temple and you will be greeted with great interest and excitement on the part of the locals. Free.
- 2 Tongnan Museum (潼南博物馆), 13 Dafo Road, Dafo Subdistrict (大佛街道大佛路13号) (a short distance south of the Dafo Temple), ☏ +86 23 44779001. 09:00-17:00, no entry after 16:30, closed on Mondays. Museum with exhibitions on the natural and human history of Tongnan. The star attraction is a 5-meter-high, 28-meter-long Mamenchisaurus skeleton, which is said to be the biggest sauropod dinosaur skeleton discovered in Asia. Free.
- 3 Chongkan Flower Field (崇龛花海), Chongkan Town (You can get there by driving yourself or taking the flower sea tourist bus.). 08:00–18:00. A renowned ecotourism destination in Tongnan, famous for its seasonal flowers such as rapeseed, geraniums, and sunflowers. The Tongnan Rapeseed Flower Festival is held every spring, attracting large numbers of tourists and photography enthusiasts. 30¥.
Shuangjiang
[edit]Shuangjiang is a historic town about 10 km west of Tongnan’s downtown area. It is best known for being the hometown of two prominent Communist Party leaders, namely Yang Angong, who was the leader of the 1926 Lushun Uprising, and his brother Yang Shangkun, who was the president of the People's Republic of China from 1988 to 1993. Shuangjiang can be reached by taking Tongnan Bus 108 (潼南108路), Sichuan-Chongqing Bus No. 1 (川渝1路) or the Tongnan-Suining Intercity Bus (潼遂城际公交).
- 4 Former residence of Comrade Yang Angong (杨闇公同志旧居), 48 Zheng Street, Shuangjiang (双江镇正街48号), ☏ +86 23 44860569. 09:00-17:00. Free.
- 5 Former residence of Yang Shangkun (杨尚昆旧居), Jinlong Village, Shuangjiang (双江镇金龙村), ☏ +86 23 44860569. 09:00-17:00. This is the birthplace of Yang Shangkun, the fourth President of the People's Republic of China. Construction began in 1862, the first year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty, by Yang Shangkun's great-grandfather, Yang Shisui, according to the standards of a third-rank official residence. The courtyard, arranged in a herringbone pattern, covers approximately 2,800 m², with a building area of 2,400 m² and 39 rooms. Carvings of cabbages, lotus flowers, and other symbols of integrity can be found throughout the courtyard, reflecting the Yang Shangkun family's tradition of "passing down integrity from generation to generation." Free.
Do
[edit]- 1 Dongsheng Tea Mountain Agricultural Tourism Park (东升茶山农业观光园), Tea Tree Bay, Litai Village, Zitong Sub-district Office. 24 hours. There are over 5,000 mu (approximately 1,000 acres) of tea plantations and over 300 mu (approximately 1,000 acres) of jasmine bases. Dongsheng Tea Mountain boasts distinct seasons, with neither extreme summer heat nor severe winter cold, making it a rare summer retreat and leisure destination. After years of development, the scenic park has become a green, ecological agricultural tourism system integrating tea production, sightseeing, and leisure vacations. Free.
- 2 Wofo Town (卧佛镇), About 20 km northwest of the city. 24 hours. Wofo Town used to be named Taipingchang. It was burned down in the late Ming Dynasty and rebuilt in the early Qing Dynasty and named Fuxing. Fuxing Township was established in 1951 and renamed Wofo in 1985. Wofo Town is a small town with a very modern atmosphere. Free.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Wanda Plaza (万达广场), Jiangbei Jinfu Island (You can take a taxi or drive there yourself.). 10:00 - 22:00. There are clothing stores, restaurants, supermarkets and cinemas inside. It is a good choice for shopping. Free.
- 2 Longxin Central Street (隆鑫中央大街), Longxin Avenue, Guilin Street (From Tongnan Railway Station, it's about a 10-minute bus ride or taxi ride to the hotel, or a 20-minute walk. Alternatively, you can drive along Longxin Avenue, where underground parking is available.). 09:00–22:00. A commercial pedestrian street integrating shopping, dining and entertainment. Free.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Liji Chuanchuanxiang (李记串串香), About 190 meters west of the Bund Central Plaza, Binjiang Road (There are many bus stops nearby, including the Bund Square, Riverside Garden, Riverside Park, and the Agricultural Committee, where you can transfer to Tongnan No. 305, Tongnan No. 107, Tongnan No. 101, Tongnan No. 202 and other bus lines.). 11:00–22:30. The soup base is fragrant but not greasy, and the price is affordable, making it a popular choice for young people's gatherings. ¥50–100.
- 2 Guilin Alley Snack Street (潼南夜市小吃街), Guilin Lane Pedestrian Street (About 10 minutes walk from the bus station). 17:00–23:30. It brings together local specialties such as tofu pudding, skewers, ice jelly, grilled fish, hot and sour noodles, etc. It is very lively at night and is a popular place for locals to have a late-night snack and for tourists to experience authentic food. 10–30¥.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Tree Hole Tavern Bar (树洞酒馆Bar), Area A, No. 299 Jintian Road (Take bus No. 102 (Tongnan Railway Station → Jinfu Road Intersection Station), the whole journey takes about 10 minutes; walk 300 meters after getting off the bus to arrive). 10:00-22:00. Young people gather here and can check in at night. 100 per person.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Tongnan Konglead Hotel (重庆潼南劲力酒店), Area C, Longxin Zhongyang Street, 299 Jintian Road, Guilin Subdistrict (桂林街道办事处金田路299号隆鑫中央大街C区) (bus no. 206), ☏ +86 23 64489999. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. A four-star hotel in Tongnan’s central business district. From about ¥300 per night.
- 2 Tongnan Hotel (潼南大酒店), No. 38 Shiyuan Street, ☏ +86 23 4455 0988. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Due to its early construction age, some facilities may be a bit old, but it has a prime location and is relatively affordable.
Connect
[edit]- 1 Tourist Information Center (旅游信息中心), Address: Building 7, Zone C, Longxin Business District, No. 288 Bayu Avenue, Guilin Street) (After arriving at the bus station, take a taxi for about 5–10 minutes to your destination.), ☏ +86-023-44559773. 9:00 AM–5:00 PM. Services include tourist maps, itinerary suggestions, and accommodation reservations. Free.
- 2 District Post Office (邮局), No. 25, Shouqiao Middle Street, Shouqiao Town (It takes about 15-20 minutes by car from the city center, driving northeast along G319 National Highway or Shougui Avenue.), ☏ +86-023-44278137. 09:00–17:00. Located in the center of the town northeast of Tongnan city, it is surrounded by shops, restaurants and town markets. Free.
Go next
[edit]- Hechuan – Visit the ancient battlefield site of Diyu City.
- Suining – Explore Guanyin Lake and Lingquan Temple.
- Chongqing – Experience the skyline and spicy hotpot in the main city.