Major city · China
Maoxian茂县
One night is enough: walk the old town, visit a Qiang village, and use it as a stop between Chengdu and Jiuzhaigou or Songpan.
Maoxian is a small county town in Aba prefecture, known for its Qiang culture and as a gateway to the 2008 earthquake memorial at Beichuan. The town itself is walkable in a few hours; most travellers stay one night en route to Jiuzhaigou or Songpan.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Nov–Mar (cold, some mountain roads may be icy)
- Airports
- CTU · TFU
- Nights
- 1
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 Maoxian110 ▾
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 Maoxian, 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
- SafetyMaoxian is safe for tourists.
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.
- AirportcheckCTU Chengdu Shuangliu International (About 4–5 h by bus or car to Maoxian; check road conditions.).
- Getting aroundMaoxian is compact and walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at San Bu Cafe¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealLocal meal (noodles or stir-fry)¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedBasic double room (walking street area), a night, per roomCN¥200 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedBasic double room (walking street area), a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥150 (≈ US$25) · Mid CN¥300 (≈ US$45) · High CN¥500 (≈ US$70)
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
- CTU Chengdu Shuangliu International (About 4–5 h by bus or car to Maoxian; check road conditions.) · TFU Chengdu Tianfu International (About 5–6 h by bus or car; less convenient than Shuangliu.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
May
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jun (15 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Maoxian: 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
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
3 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Apr
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
11 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
13 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
15 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
14 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
13 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
5 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
3 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
Maoxian is compact and walkable. For Beichuan or Qiang villages, hire a local driver or take a bus from the station; check road conditions before setting out.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Beichuan earthquake memorial
goDoor to door: About 3–4 h including visit
Bus or hired car from Maoxian, about 1 h each way
Road conditions vary; check locally before setting out.
Qiang villages (e.g. Taoping Qiang Village)
goDoor to door: About 2–3 h
Hired car or local bus, about 30–40 min
Taoping is a well-preserved Qiang fortress village with watchtowers.
Songpan
goDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Bus or car, about 2 h
Gateway to Jiuzhaigou; can continue from there.
Jiuzhaigou
overnightDoor to door: About 4–5 h
Bus or car, about 3–4 h
Too far for a day trip; plan to stay at least one night.
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.
Walking street area
Bustling in the morning, close to shops and food. Best for a one-night stop.
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
| Basic double room (walking street area)1 × 1 night × CN¥200 | CN¥200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CN¥300 | CN¥600 |
| Bus from Chengdu to Maoxian, one way2 × CN¥80 · check | CN¥160 |
| Hired car to Beichuan, round trip1 × CN¥300 · check | CN¥300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥126 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥693 per person per day, bed included | CN¥1,386≈ US$200 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at San Bu Cafe | ¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Local meal (noodles or stir-fry) | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Bus Maoxian → Chengducheck | ¥80–100 (≈ US$12–14) |
| Hired car to Beichuan (round trip)check | ¥250–350 (≈ US$35–50) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Road to Beichuan can be rough or closed after rain; check locally.
- Winter temperatures drop below freezing; pack layers.
- Few English speakers; have your destination written in Chinese.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Maoxian茂县
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请带我去这个地址Take me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
The nearest foreign consulates are in Chengdu; most nationalities need a visa for China.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Chengdu → Maoxian: about ¥80–100 (≈ US$12–14), 4–5 h (check)
- Hired car Maoxian → Beichuan: about ¥250–350 (≈ US$35–50) round trip (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duō shǎo qián?)
- 汽车站在哪里？ — Where is the bus station? (qì chē zhàn zài nǎ lǐ?)
- 我不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ bù dǒng)
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 Maoxian. 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: Apr–Oct · avoid Nov–Mar (cold, some mountain roads may be icy) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Qiang villages and Beichuan memorial with verified opening hours and road status.
- Eat pages for San Bu Cafe and local restaurants with last orders.
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for bus station and main road junctions.
Sources
Ask about Maoxian
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