Hanzhong | Day 3

The day began with a wet, chilly morning, so we opted for breakfast at the hotel buffet once again. The cooler temperature and rain were a noticeable shift from yesterday’s weather.

Our first stop was the Hanzhong Museum. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Hanzhong’s long and storied history, with exhibits that cover everything from Han Dynasty relics to regional archaeological finds. Notable displays include ancient Han tomb artifacts, calligraphy, and pottery, alongside some fascinating models of old city layouts and cultural landmarks. The museum is relatively compact, but it does a good job of capturing the historical significance of Hanzhong, which played a strategic role in China’s history, especially during the Three Kingdoms period.

After spending the morning at the museum, we wandered around the nearby streets, hoping to find traditional food stalls. Along the way, we came across a Xinhua Bookshop, where we ducked inside to warm up and take a quick look at the collection of books and magazines. We grabbed a hot soy milk from a nearby food stall to keep warm as we continued our stroll.

Next, we visited Tianhan Cultural Park to take a look at the Hanshui River. The Hanshui River is central to Hanzhong’s identity, as the city is considered a cradle of Han culture. The river played a crucial role in the development of the Han Dynasty, and the cultural park pays tribute to this historical significance.

Afterwards, we returned to the vicinity of the hotel and explored a nearby shopping mall in search of a late lunch. However, the offerings there were somewhat underwhelming, so we ventured into the surrounding streets instead. We eventually found a small noodle shop called 肖氏面馆, which specialized in handmade noodles. The meal turned out to be excellent—simple but full of flavour, and the fresh, hand-pulled noodles had a wonderful texture. We’ll definitely try to return before leaving Hanzhong.

Before heading back to the hotel, we stopped by the supermarket in the mall to pick up a few supplies for tomorrow. We decided to call it a day and spent the rest of the evening at the hotel.