Major city · China
Beichuan北川
Half a day from Mianyang or Chengdu: see the earthquake memorial and ruins, then leave. Not a place to sleep.
Beichuan's old county seat was destroyed in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and left as a memorial. The 5/12 Wenchuan Earthquake Memorial Museum and the sealed-off ruins of Qushan Town are the reason to come. Most visitors spend 3–5 hours here as a day trip from Mianyang or a longer stop between Chengdu and northern Sichuan.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold)
- Airports
- MIG · CTU
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Beichuan110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Beichuan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetySafe for tourists; the main risk is emotional impact from the memorial.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMIG Mianyang Nanjiao Airport (About 40 km (25 mi) from Beichuan; taxi or bus to Mianyang bus station, then bus to Beichuan).MIG Mianyang Nanjiao Airport (About 25 mi (40 km) from Beichuan; taxi or bus to Mianyang bus station, then bus to Beichuan).
- Getting aroundBus from Mianyang bus station (across from the train station) to Beichuan.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealBowl of noodles¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Mianyang–Beichuan one waycheck¥150–200 (≈ US$25–30)
- Metro or bus rideBus Mianyang–Beichuan one waycheck¥20–25 (≈ US$3–4)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryFree
- Budget bedHostel bed in Mianyang, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel double room in new Beichuan, a night, per roomCN¥180 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedBudget hotel double room in new Beichuan, a night, per roomCN¥300 (≈ US$45)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥150 (≈ US$25) · Mid CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · High CN¥400 (≈ US$60)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MIG Mianyang Nanjiao Airport (About 40 km (25 mi) from Beichuan; taxi or bus to Mianyang bus station, then bus to Beichuan) · CTU Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (About 160 km (99 mi); high-speed rail to Mianyang then bus)MIG Mianyang Nanjiao Airport (About 25 mi (40 km) from Beichuan; taxi or bus to Mianyang bus station, then bus to Beichuan) · CTU Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (About 99 mi (160 km); high-speed rail to Mianyang then bus)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jun (14 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Beichuan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
10 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
13 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
7 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Bus from Mianyang bus station (across from the train station) to Beichuan. Within the memorial area, walking. A taxi from Mianyang costs about ¥150–200 one way (check).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mianyang
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus from Beichuan, about 1 h
Base for Beichuan; also has the Mianyang Science and Technology Museum and the Yuewang Tower.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Bus to Mianyang, then high-speed rail to Chengdu, about 2 h total
Pandas, teahouses and Sichuan food; a full day.
Door to door: About 3.5 h
Bus to Mianyang, then rail to Ya'an, about 3 h
Panda base and Bifengxia; better as a separate trip.
Door to door: About 3 h
Bus to Mianyang, then rail to Dujiangyan, about 2.5 h
Ancient irrigation system and Mount Qingcheng; a long day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
New Beichuan county seat (Yongchang Town)
Basic hotels; convenient for the memorial but limited options.
Mianyang city
More choice and better transport links; 1 h by bus.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥250–400 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ¥400 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel bed in Mianyang1 × 1 night × CN¥60 | CN¥60 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥150 | CN¥150 |
| Bus Mianyang–Beichuan return1 × CN¥40 · check | CN¥40 |
| Taxi Mianyang–Beichuan one way1 × CN¥180 · check | CN¥180 |
| eSIM, about a week of data1 × CN¥50 | CN¥50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥48 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥528 per person per day, bed included | CN¥528≈ US$75 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus Mianyang–Beichuan one waycheck | ¥20–25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Taxi Mianyang–Beichuan one waycheck | ¥150–200 (≈ US$25–30) |
| Bowl of noodles | ¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bottled water | ¥2–3 (≈ under US$1) |
| Museum entry | Free |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The old town ruins are sealed off; viewing is from designated points only.
- The museum is closed on Mondays; plan around that.
- No accommodation in the old town; sleep in the new county seat or Mianyang.
- The site is a memorial; behave respectfully.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Beichuan北川
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
Most foreign embassies are in Beijing; consulates in Chengdu. Check your country's consular services before travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Mianyang–Beichuan: about ¥20–25 (≈ US$3–4), about 1 h (check)
- Taxi Mianyang–Beichuan: ¥150–200 (≈ US$25–30) (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duō shǎo qián)
- 博物馆在哪里？ — Where is the museum? (bó wù guǎn zài nǎ lǐ)
- 我不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ bù dǒng)
The museum is closed on Mondays.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Beichuan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the museum and the viewing points with verified hours and access rules.
- Eat pages in the new county seat with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for Mianyang bus station and the museum gate.
Sources
Ask about Beichuan
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