Tongchuan Travel Guide

Tongchuan Facts

Tongchuan MapChinese Name: 铜川市 (tóng chuān shì)

Location: Located in middle Shaanxi Province, Tongchuan is to the northwest of Weinan, northeast of Xianyang and southeast of Yan'an.

Population: 860,000

Area: 3,882 square kilometers (1,498 square miles)

Administrative Division: 3 districts (Wangyi, Yintai, Yaozhou); 1 county (Yijun); 1 Economy and Technology Development Zone

Useful Telephone Numbers:

Tourist Consultant: 0919-3183123

Consumer Complaints: 0919-12315

Traffic Accident: 0919-3286115

First Aid Center: 0919-2159120

Tongchuan Attractions - Things to Do

Yuhua Mountain

It is where the great Buddhism Master Xuanzang in Tang Dynasty (618-907) passed away. Sceneries on the mountain vary in different seasons. Especially in winter, the skiing competition and ice sculpture shows attract thousands of tourists.

Yuhua Palace

Located on Yuhua Mountain, it is the largest temporary palace of the Tang Dynasty and also the place where Xuanzang translated parts of the Buddhism sutra. Together with its fairy landscape, it was once a holy place of Buddhism in the Tang Dynasty.

Chenlu Ancient Town

On the top of a mountain in Yintai District, Chenlu has been the most important porcelain production base of northwest China since the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). Actually its porcelain kilns can be traced back to more than 1,400 years ago before the Tang Dynasty. The special architecture styles and local customs add more interest to the town.

Yaozhou Kiln Museum

Located in Huangbu Town, it is by far the largest ancient porcelain kiln site theme museum in China, which shows the precious kiln relics and production tools more than 1,000 years ago. Many exquisite porcelain wares of the Tang and Song (960 - 1279) dynasties were made there, among which the Song Dynasty decorated celadon was honored as 'The Top Decorated Celadon of Northern China'.

Yaowang Mountain

Located east to Yaozhou District, it is where the famous medical scientist of Tang Dynasty Sun Simiao (also called 'Medicine King') lived in his late life in. Profound history, mysterious medical care culture, rock sculptures and stone tablets forest are highlights of the mountain.

Other Spots: Jinyang Lake, Jiangnv Memorial Temple, Xiangshan Mountain

Recommended Tour:

Yaozhou Kiln Tour: two day to Tongchuan Yaozhou Kiln - Yuhua Palace - Huangdi Mausoleum

How to Get to Tongchuan

Tongchuan is north to Xi’an and is the necessary pass from Xi’an to Huangdi Mausoleum in Yan’an. From Xi’an to Tongchuan, visitors can take a bus at Xi’an Chengbei Bus Station or Xi’an Bus Station beside the railway station. Middle sized buses or city buses can reach most of the tourist spots. Highways is the most important transportation infrastructure of Tongchuan. Nearly all counties and villages can be reached by bus from the city's bus stations such as Tongchuan Bus Station, Beiguan Bus Station and Yaozhou Bus Station.

Weather

Tongchuan belongs to the warm continental climate. The average annual temperature is from 8.9C (48F) to 12.3C (54F). Winter is cold and summer is hot. It's better to visit in spring or autumn when Tongchuan weather is pleasant. On February 2nd in Chinese lunar calendar, the locals hold temple fair on Yaowang Mountain. In March and April in Chinese lunar calendar, Buddhism culture activities are held in Yuhua Palace. From January to February, the skiing festival is held on Yuhua Mountain. Those special activities can be good reference for you to decide when to go.