Moxi Ancient Town Honest Review: No Hype, No Bashing, Is This Place Worth Visiting?

Just got back from Moxi Ancient Town, didn’t do much planning but ended up having a pretty relaxing trip. As someone who’s been to quite a few ancient towns, I’m here to give you some straight talk to help friends planning to visit avoid pitfalls and find their way.

Here’s the conclusion upfront: Moxi isn’t the kind of “stunning” ancient town, but it’s definitely a “hidden gem transit stop” in Western Sichuan travel. Its biggest advantage is “scenery right before your eyes, and prices not high” — you can look up and see the shadow of Mount Gongga’s snow-capped peaks, underfoot are the bluestone slabs of the Ancient Tea Horse Road, and best of all, the ancient town itself is free to enter.

You don’t need to search hard for places to visit, just follow your instincts. A must-see is the Catholic Church, a rare French-style old building in the Tibetan area. Sunlight streams through the stained glass, so photos don’t even need filters. Right next to it is the former residence of Chairman Mao, with red walls and wooden buildings full of historic charm — perfect for shooting vintage-style photos with your phone. The ancient town has only one main street, not very long, you can stroll through it in half an hour, but taking your time is more enjoyable: by the roadside, grandmas make fresh barley cakes for 5 yuan each, filling enough; Tibetan-style guesthouses hang prayer flags at their doors, and the owners will warmly invite you to drink butter tea.

Food-wise, few risks—just blindly pick local eateries. Highly recommend the yak meat soup pot at the old “Ancient Road Restaurant,” about 50 yuan per person, with so much meat you can’t finish it; also try the Tibetan-style clay hot pot, with wild mushrooms and cured ribs simmering in a copper pot, the broth is so delicious you’ll want three bowls. If you want snacks, definitely try the charcoal-grilled potatoes—peel them, sprinkle chili powder, and the aroma will make you stomp your feet. Also, the 10-yuan packs of barley crisps are crunchy and great as snacks. But don’t buy the “plateau medicinal herbs” sold by vendors at the scenic area entrance; the town’s pharmacies sell them cheaper.

Choosing the right accommodation can save you a lot. For a bit of luxury, stay at the Long March Hotel, with hot spring rooms for just over 200 yuan a night, and you can see the snow mountains right from your window; for cost-effectiveness, pick a Tibetan-style guesthouse in the town, 80 to 150 yuan will do, some even have cats to pet and owners who play guitar. A special mention for hot springs: besides the hotel’s own, the wild hot springs in Wandong Village, 15 minutes from the town, are even better—30 yuan per person, you can soak at the foot of the snow mountains, relaxing and refreshing.

A few real tips to avoid pitfalls. First, the town’s night view isn’t as amazing as hyped; the red lanterns do create atmosphere, but don’t expect too much—better to rest early and catch the sunrise on the next day. Remember to get to the viewing platform before 7 a.m. Second, after October, the temperature difference between morning and night is huge; a sweatshirt is fine at noon, but you’ll need a thin down jacket at night, plus a hat and scarf. Third, Hailuogou Scenic Area is temporarily closed; if you want to see natural scenery, combine your trip with Yanzi Valley or Yajiageng, and carpool with guesthouse owners for about 20 yuan per person, which is half the price of a taxi. Fourth, don’t expect it to be very lively here; it’s more suited for a slow pace. If you want bars and clubs, it might feel quiet, but if you want peace and quiet, you’ll love it.

Overall, Moxi Ancient Town isn’t a place that will make you shout “Wow!” but its comfort lies in the details: at 1600 meters altitude, altitude sickness is unlikely; 80 yuan can get you a solid place to stay; 50 yuan can satisfy your appetite; soaking in hot springs while watching snow mountains is an experience hard to find elsewhere. If you plan to travel in Western Sichuan, using this as a base is definitely worth it. The affordable comfort you can enjoy here—that’s what makes travel truly enjoyable!

Post by AAD. Sarah 3547 | Nov 4, 2025