Neijiang brings together memories of the painter Zhang Daqian, historic streets, temple culture and an urban wetland landscape. Daqianyuan and Dongxing Old Street offer different perspectives on the cultural heritage; Shengshui Temple is nearby. When choosing Neijiang as a destination, you can first consider whether art, historic architecture, archaeological remains or the river landscape is your main interest.
Daqianyuan and Zhang Daqian
Daqianyuan Scenic Area is located in Neijiang’s Dongxing District. It is a national scenic area rated 4A and was created in memory of the painter Zhang Daqian. Wooded areas, lotus-covered grounds, pavilions, terraces and covered walkways shape the site; it also offers views of the Tuojiang River. Both the artist’s legacy and the landscaped park are central here.
The former residence of Zhang Daqian is also a cultural highlight. Reconstructed at a 1:1 scale based on his former four-courtyard home, it recreates the living conditions of his scholar family. The Zhang Daqian Museum has five exhibition halls. Together, the residence and museum offer a glimpse into the family’s history and the artist’s life, while the pavilions, terraces and covered walkways define Daqianyuan’s landscape.
Historic Streets and Traditional Uses
Dongxing Old Street consists of three historic streets. Its relatively well-preserved group of Qing-era buildings is associated with a history of more than 1,000 years. Dongxing Old Street Scenic Area was awarded national 3A tourism status at the end of 2014 and combines street, temple, mountain and lake culture.
Dongxing Street is 250 metres long and retains Qing-style architecture. Traditional uses that have been preserved include teahouses, taverns and seated Sichuan opera performances. The street is therefore about more than the form of its buildings: traditional forms of commerce and performance culture are also part of its character. Those interested in historic architecture will find a different perspective in the street layout than in the artist’s story surrounding Daqianyuan.
Shengshui Temple: Stone Carvings and History
Nearby, Shengshui Temple stands on the banks of the Tuojiang River. It was founded during the Xiantong era of the Tang Dynasty and is designated a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level in China. The Tang-Song stone-carving group comprises 67 niches and more than 450 sculptures, and extends for more than 60 metres. These figures convey the scale of the stone carvings within the temple’s history.
Other architectural features and historical remains date from different periods: the temple contains cliff tombs from the Eastern Han period, Buddhist cave sculptures from the Tang and Song periods, a stone bridge from the Ming period, and a poetry stele inscribed by Zhao Zhenji. A spring in the rear cliff area is another noted feature. It lies beneath a spring-shaped enclosure in the form of a dragon’s head, with a frog sculpture below it.
Local Confectionery Traditions and Wetlands
Neijiang Mie-jian is a traditional candied fruit and confectionery specialty. Its production is part of a long-standing local food tradition; in 2009, it was included on Sichuan Province’s intangible cultural heritage list. This traditional food culture adds to the destination’s historic and artistic themes, without reducing the specialty to a single attraction.
Qingxi Wetland Park, in urban Neijiang, offers another perspective on the cityscape. It is a notable scenic spot on Sweet City Lake and provides a habitat for migratory birds. The park adds a landscape-focused element alongside the streets and temples. For travellers more interested in urban nature than historic architecture, this is a distinct facet of Neijiang.
Also within Dongxing District is Xiao Qinglong River Scenic Area. The first phase of construction included a 7.7-kilometre cycling and walking path along the Xiao Qinglong, as well as eight rest stations and toilets. When choosing a hotel in Neijiang, the different themes can help guide you: Zhang Daqian and park landscapes, historic streets and temple history, or urban wetlands.
Discover more destinations: Suining, Liangshan, Luzhou, Mianyang, Dazhou, GarzĂŞ, Ya'an, Zigong
For the broader travel overview: Sichuan.
