Xichang to Zigong Drive: Routes, Stops, and Hidden Gems

The G5 Expressway connects Xichang, the 'Moon City' of Liangshan, with Zigong, the 'Dinosaur Capital' of Sichuan, over a 550-kilometer drive. The route crosses the Anning River Valley and the southern edge of the Chengdu Plain, passing through the transition zone between the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Sichuan Basin.

This corridor is historically significant as part of the Southern Silk Road, which once linked China to Southeast Asia. Today, the highway provides efficient access to Yunnan-Guizhou's karst landscapes, salt heritage, and regional cuisine.

Driving from Xichang to Zigong involves taking the G5 Expressway north through Mianning, Yuexi, and Leshan, then branching onto the S40 to Zigong. Tolls for a standard car cost around ¥250–300 per trip, with fuel expenses adding roughly ¥300–400 at current prices.

As of 2025, the G5 has been upgraded to a four-lane, dual-carriageway standard with a speed limit of 120 km/h in most sections, except through mountainous terrain where it drops to 80 km/h. Rest stops occur every 30–50 kilometers, offering fuel, food, and restrooms, but most are basic; only the Lushan and Rongxian service areas have full amenities.

The G5 is generally safe, but watch for heavy trucks and tunnel approaches in the mountainous stretches. Keep to speed limits and use headlights in tunnels – a local regulation. Emergency telephones are available every 2 km.

For families, the Xichang Qionghai Wetland Park offers an easy pre-drive stop, and the Mianning Nanshan Ecological Park breaks the journey. At Leshan, the Oriental Buddha Park entertains children, and restaurants often provide high chairs.

This route is pet-friendly: most service areas allow dogs on leashes, and several hotels in Xichang and Zigong are pet-welcoming. When fatigue mounts, take a 15-minute break every 2 hours at a service area; the Shaba and Luocheng rest stops are ideal for short naps with shaded parking.

The drive unfolds through diverse scenery: the semi-arid Anning River Valley around Xichang, with its olive groves and eucalyptus; the forested slopes of Xiaoxiang Ridge; and the lush hills near Leshan, where red sandstone cliffs emerge.

The Leshan Giant Buddha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies just west of Leshan city, adding a cultural detour for those with extra time.

Local commerce along the route thrives on distinctive products: Liangshan black goat, wild mushrooms, and Yi ethnic handicrafts; Hanyuan salt-baked chicken; and after Leshan, Zigong's famed rabbit dishes and salt-buckled beef. Roadside stalls appear near towns, but prices are often higher than in city markets.