Songpan Ancient Town: Where Sichuan Meets the Tibetan Plateau

 Songpan Ancient Town also known historically as Songzhou, is a walled town in northern Sichuan, China, on the route to Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huanglong Scenic Area. Established as a frontier stronghold during the Tang Dynasty and fortified during the Ming Dynasty, Songpan guarded an important passage between inland China and the Tibetan Plateau. It also became a trading stop on the ancient Tea Horse Road, where Tibetan, Qiang, Hui and Han communities exchanged goods and traditions. Today, its old city gates, stone walls and streets reveal layers of history within an active mountain town. For travelers visiting Jiuzhaigou or Huanglong, Songpan offers a closer look at the region’s cultural past.

 The stone city gate of Songpan, still bearing the historic name Songzhou, stands beneath a bright September sky.

Songpan Ancient Town in Sichuan, China, was one of the stops on my way to Jiuzhaigou Valley. It was a very short stop, just 30 minutes. Yet, this little visit was far from forgettable. Instead, it left me with many beautiful images in my mind. I wanted to remember this place, so I took a few photographs during the limited time I had to explore.

Visitors passing through the old city gate, where Songpan's long history meets the everyday life of a mountain town.

A Glimpse of Tibetan Culture in Songpan

I have always been interested in Tibetan culture, and Songpan Ancient Town gave me a small glimpse of it. Although parts of the town have been restored for tourism, there is still something about the place that feels connected to Tibetan culture and the Tibetan Plateau, a region I have long dreamed of visiting one day.

 An open square beside the old city wall, surrounded by traditional-style buildings and the green mountains of northern Sichuan.

Low rooftops, wooden façades and mountains in the distance give Songpan a character shaped by its highland surroundings.

In early September, the weather in Songpan was already quite cold. The town was filled with warm sunshine, and the clear, dry sunlight made the air feel a little warmer. But as soon as I stepped into the shade, I could immediately feel the cold. The wind was also quite strong, making me want to wrap myself more tightly in a warm scarf.

Wooden doors, decorative panels and colorful shop signs are small architectural details worth noticing along Songpan's streets.

A quiet stretch of the old town, where sunlight falls between rows of wooden buildings and only a few people pass by.

From the shade of a shopfront, the sunlit square opens toward the hills, a reminder of Songpan's mountain setting.

Architecture and Everyday Life in Songpan Ancient Town

Around me were buildings that did not follow a purely Tibetan architectural style. Instead, they reflected a mixture of traditional Chinese walled-town architecture and mountain houses influenced by the Tibetan Plateau. This blend of architectural styles gave the town a colorful appearance. Most buildings were low-rise, but they looked spacious and well-maintained, with many serving visitors and tourists. I noticed a few local people wearing long traditional Tibetan robes called 'chuba' to keep warm, although most people were dressed in ordinary modern clothes.

Sunshine on one side, cool shadows on the other. This contrast was one of the things I remember most about Songpan in September.

 A few visitors wander between the old-style buildings, while the wide blue sky makes the street feel open and unhurried.

The streets were not too crowded, but there were still quite a few people walking along the road facing the old city gate. I did not have enough time to explore the smaller streets inside Songpan Ancient Town, so I chose to walk around the ancient city wall and take photographs instead. Even this short walk was enough for me to feel the atmosphere of the highlands on my skin. There was the gentle warmth of the dry sunshine, the open air, and the refreshing cold. However, at an altitude of nearly 3,000 meters, I wondered whether staying overnight might make me feel uncomfortable because of the high altitude.

 Another view of Songpan's open streets, where timber-framed buildings, passing visitors and mountain sunshine come together.

Trying Yak Meat Skewers and Yak Milk Yogurt

After that, I tried some grilled yak meat skewers, which cost just 1 yuan each. They were tiny but so delicious that I felt I could easily eat 20 or 30 skewers in one sitting. I also decided to try the local yogurt because I had heard so many people say how good it was. And they were right! The yak milk yogurt was smooth, creamy, rich, and pleasantly sweet. I think I could have eaten three or four cups at once, but by then it was already time to get back on the bus and continue my journey.

Beyond the older streets, everyday life continues with shops, passing vehicles and people going about their day in Songpan.

A little taste of Songpan before leaving. The local yak milk yogurt was wonderfully smooth, creamy and sweet.

Although I spent only half an hour in Songpan Ancient Town, the place left me with many lovely memories: the cold mountain air, the delicious local food, the beautiful architecture captured in my photographs, and, above all, another memorable experience along my journey.