'''Songpan''' (___N) is a small town in northern Sichuan. The city is mostly used as a base-camp for exploring the nearby national parks and Tibetan Villages, and is aditionally visited for its existant remnants of the old city.
Get in
By bus
There's a bus station at the North end of town, a few blocks north of the North gate of the wall.
The bus station serves major locations in Sichuan, as well as locations in Qinghai, and can also connect to Xiahe in Gansu, via Tongren and Hezuo. There are also buses to/from Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve and Huanglong National Park.
Get around
You can easily visit the town on foot, but there are a plethora of tricycle taxis if you get tired. Motor cycles and horses can take you for longer trips.
See
The old city walls are still standing and can be climbed.
'''Guanyin Pavilion''', southwest of town on a hill. Offers a good view of the town and surrounding mountains. The shrine itself is currently closed.
Do
'''Horse Treks''' are offered by several guest houses and agencies around town but are serviced by one horse trekking company. Treks can be from one day to as long as a week, and frequently visit Tibetan villages and famous mountains. Prices are usually around 100 RMB a day, and include food and camping/village stay. Some of the guides do not get along so well with the local Tibetans, however.
Currently either a 3 or 4 day trip to Ice Mountain both cost the same amount, 450 RMB. The second day of the 4 day trip is a filler day, where you camp in an extra place, but don't travel very far.
Internet
There is an internet bar located just across the southern most bridge. If your heading south the internet bar is immediately on the right after crossing the bridge down a few steps along the river. It's 6 rmb for one hour.
Supposedly SongPan horse trekking now has a small internet bar. Emma's Kitchen has a computer with internet.
Buy
There are dozens of shops in Songpan that sell locally made crafts including colorful textiles, silver jewelry, Tibetan hats, and fake antiques. Bargaining is a must. To get the best price on silver products go to the far southern end of the main street where a number of silver smiths are located. You might get the opportunity to see a silver smith hammering away on a new piece. The prices in these shops are dramatically cheapers than stores just up the block. One product you '''should not''' buy are the many '''furs''' for sale. The skins for sale have been '''poached''' in China or in neighboring countries. Asia's wildlife is quickly dissapeering as China's appetite for illegal animal products increases. Please don't contribute to this crisis.
Eat
No shortage of small restaurants, Tibetan and Chinese, in town.
'''Emmas kitchen''' Very good food (western and chinese)and coffee! They provide Internet, Tour information, book swap, laundry service, car rental and booking tickets from Songpan. Ca 30 m south of the bus station. Turn left on the main road.
Drink
There is not much nightlife in town. To have a beer, simply visit a restaurant.
Sleep
Budget
'''Good Luck Guesthouse''' is near the bus station. Dorm rooms should go for about 12 to 20 RMB, though the owner, Huang Xin, may be reluctant to rent them. Beware of his homemade Bai Jiu. Telephone (0837) 7231556.
'''Jiaotong Bingguang''' (____??), attached to the bus station, has single rooms without a bathroom for 25 rmb.
'''Ice mountain hostel''' The yard left of Emmas kitchen. Very friendly staff, internet, electric blankets, clean rooms, laundry service. Prices 20-30 per bed. If you can_Lt find it just ask at Emmas kitchen and she will help you. Tel 13111805096, 0837-7233050, 13678372990
Mid-range
Splurge
There are a couple of (relatively) upscale hotels in town and one or two just north of the Bus station. They are mostly aimed at Chinese tourists, but word on the street is that they're pretty nice.
Stay safe
Beware of altitude sickness if travelling here straight from the Sichuan Province lowlands.
Get out
From the bus station located in the north of the town there are buses to Chengdu (8 hours), north to Zoige and Langmusi on the border of Gansu province, and to Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve (2 hours) and Huanglong National Park.