4-Day Tour in Tongchuan | Classic Combination of Zhaojin and Yuhuagong・Suitable for All Groups

Tongchuan, known as the "Coal City Gem" on the Weibei Plateau, offers the red memories of Zhaojin, the royal Zen charm of Yuhuagong, and the millennium-old ceramic fire of Chenlu Ancient Town. Listen to the bell in the ancient temple with the elderly, accompany children to learn crafts in the ceramic kiln, and here, every day you can touch the warmth of history and the gifts of nature. 🗓️Itinerary Overview D1: Arrive in Tongchuan → Zhaojin Red Tourism Area → Xuejiazai Village D2: Yuhuagong → Jinsuoguan Stone Forest D3: Chenlu Ancient Town → Yaozhou Kiln Museum D4: Yaowang Mountain → Tongchuan Museum → Return 🔴Day 1: Red History Remembrance・Mountain Village Adventure 📍Zhaojin Red Tourism Area (4A, free) Highlights: Former revolutionary base area on the Shaanxi-Gansu border, featuring the Zhaojin Memorial Hall (exhibiting Red Army artifacts), a monument, and free storytelling by descendants of veteran Red Army soldiers (10:00). Elderly can revisit the red era, children can wear military uniforms (30 RMB/set) and learn to blow the bugle in the "Little Red Army Experience Zone," receiving patriotic education. 🕙Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00, recommended 9:00-12:00 📸Photo Spot: In front of the monument (take photos with the party flag and monument together, solemn and dignified) 💡Tip: The memorial hall’s "Red Cultural Creations" (notebooks 20 RMB each, badges 10 RMB each) make great souvenirs. 📍Xuejiazai Village (4A, ticket 40 RMB + electric cart 20 RMB) Highlights: Military fortress of the Red Army with four mountain villages and Red Army caves, steep terrain with trails along cliffs. Elderly can take the electric cart to the village entrance to see the original site; children can play rock climbing in the "Children’s Climbing Area" (30 RMB per session) and listen to the "Battle of Xuejiazai" story to feel the hardships of the revolution. 🕙Recommended Time: 14:00-17:00 🍜Recommended Dining: Zhaojin Town "Red Canteen," must-try Wowo noodles (12 RMB/bowl) and Shaanbei stewed vegetables (38 RMB/portion), average 35 RMB per person, rich in local flavor. 🏨Recommended Accommodation: Zhaojin Town "Zhaojin Academy Hotel" (near attractions, family rooms available), priced 350-500 RMB/night, quiet and comfortable. 🏯Day 2: Royal Zen Charm・Stone Forest Exploration 📍Yuhuagong (4A, ticket 60 RMB) Highlights: Tang Dynasty royal summer palace, where Xuanzang translated scriptures, featuring the Su Cheng Courtyard ruins and Yuhua Lake; skiing available in winter (180 RMB/2 hours). Elderly can listen to Buddhist scripture stories in the "Xuanzang Memorial Hall" and enjoy lake views by boat (40 RMB/person); children can play snow tubing in the "Ice and Snow Park" (50 RMB/hour) or feed lambs in the "Parent-Child Ranch" in summer (10 RMB/portion), full of fun. 🕙Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00, recommended 9:00-13:00 📸Photo Spot: Beside Yuhua Lake (capture ancient buildings and lake reflections, especially beautiful with golden autumn leaves) 📍Jinsuoguan Stone Forest (4A, ticket 40 RMB) Highlights: Rare Danxia stone forest in Weibei, featuring a glass suspension bridge (60 RMB/person) and high-altitude zipline (50 RMB/ride). The stone forest looks like it was carved by knives and axes. Elderly can enjoy panoramic views from the viewing platform; children can play hide-and-seek in the "Maze Trail" and try the "Internet-famous Swing" (20 RMB/ride) to experience natural wonders. 🕙Recommended Time: 14:30-17:30 💡Tip: The glass suspension bridge is thrilling; elderly can choose the walking plank road; wear non-slip shoes as some sections are steep. 🏺Day 3: Ancient Town Ceramic Hunt・Kiln Fire Exploration 📍Chenlu Ancient Town (4A, free) Highlights: "Millennium Porcelain Capital," the only surviving living site of Yaozhou Kiln, with houses and roads paved with ceramic pieces, featuring the "Pot Wall" and "Ceramic Tile Road" wonders. Elderly can watch craftsmen throwing pottery in the "Old Porcelain Workshop," children can learn pottery making (50 RMB/item, take-home allowed), and buy "Celadon Tea Cups" (30 RMB each) as souvenirs. 🕙Open All Day, recommended 9:00-13:00 📸Photo Spot: In front of the Pot Wall (take photos standing next to the ceramic tile wall, wear plain-colored clothes for best effect) 💡Tip: The "Ceramic Culture Festival" in October features kiln firing ceremonies and grand kiln openings. 📍Yaozhou Kiln Museum (4A, ticket 40 RMB) Highlights: Exhibits Yaozhou Kiln ceramics from the Tang to Qing dynasties, including a "Song Dynasty Celadon" exhibition with exquisite carved craftsmanship; visitors can try "Ancient Clay Printing" (30 RMB/session). Elderly can reminisce with the "Ceramics Through the Ages" exhibit; children can piece together ceramic fragments in the "Children’s Interactive Area" (free) to learn ceramic history. 🕙Recommended Time: 14:30-16:30 🍜Recommended Dining: Ancient town "Porcelain Village Farmhouse," must-try dough dumplings (8 RMB/portion) and Yaozhou Wowo noodles (15 RMB/bowl), average 30 RMB per person, authentic home-style flavor. 🌿Day 4: Yaowang Tracing・Cultural Museum History 📍Yaowang Mountain (5A, ticket 80 RMB) Highlights: Secluded home of Tang Dynasty medical scholar Sun Simiao, featuring the Yaowang Temple, Stele Forest (housing the "Qianjin Yaofang" inscriptions), and medicinal herb washing pool; lively temple fairs in spring. Elderly can pray at the "Yaowang Hall" and attend health lectures (10:00, free); children can identify medicinal herbs in the "Herb Garden" (free booklet) and play the "Herb Picking Game," experiencing traditional Chinese medicine wisdom. 🕙Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00, recommended 9:00-12:00 📍Tongchuan Museum (free, reservation required) Highlights: Collections include "Yaozhou Kiln Celadon" and "Tang Dynasty Bronze Mirrors," with a clear exhibition of Tongchuan’s development from ancient to modern times, including a "Coal Mine Experience Area" simulating underground mining. Elderly can recall coal city memories in the "Industrial Memory Exhibition"; children can ride the "Coal Mine Mini Train" in the interactive area (20 RMB/ride), educational and fun. 🕙Recommended Time: 14:00-16:00 🍜Recommended Dining: City "Tongchuan Old Restaurant," must-try red-braised lamb (68 RMB/portion) and shredded potatoes (12 RMB/portion), average 45 RMB per person, Shaanbei flavor. ✨Tongchuan Survival Guide 1️⃣Transportation: City buses No. 6 and 9 to the museum (1 RMB); take the tourist shuttle to Zhaojin (15 RMB/person, 1 hour); for cross-district travel, car rental recommended (200 RMB/day), mountain roads are common, taxi starting fare 6 RMB. 2️⃣Clothing: Wear windproof jackets in spring and autumn (mountain winds are strong); summer wear short sleeves + sun protection clothing + long pants (to prevent insects); winter wear down jackets + non-slip shoes (Yuhuagong has snow); bring sports shoes (essential for hiking and ancient towns). 3️⃣Taboos: Maintain solemnity in red tourism areas, no playing or loud behavior; do not step on ceramic tile roads in ancient towns; no noise or photography inside temples. 4️⃣Accommodation: Stay in Zhaojin Town on Day 1; stay in Wangyi District (city center) on Days 2-3; choose elevator rooms for elderly, rooms near restaurants for children; book Yuhuagong accommodation in advance during winter (ski season is busy). 🛍️Must-Buy Souvenirs ① Yaozhou Kiln Celadon (tea cups 30-50 RMB each, exquisitely carved, practical and beautiful) ② Sun Simiao Health Tea (gift box 50 RMB/box, with goji berries, polygonatum, etc., suitable for elderly) ③ Chenlu Ancient Town Ceramic Tile Cultural Products (ceramic tile keychains 15 RMB each, pen holders 30 RMB each) ④ Tongchuan Apples (20 RMB/box, crisp, sweet, and juicy, local specialty) The soul of Tongchuan is the red flag of Zhaojin reflecting the original aspiration, the Zen sound of Yuhuagong surrounding ancient cypresses, and the ceramic fire of Chenlu Ancient Town continuing for a thousand years. Whether you learn a set of health exercises with your parents on Yaowang Mountain, accompany children to make pottery in the kiln, or walk the glass bridge in the stone forest with friends, here you will find unforgettable red memories and craftsmanship heritage. If you come to Tongchuan, would you first want to listen to red stories in Zhaojin or learn pottery making in Chenlu Ancient Town?