The narrow gauge railway at Shibanxi, as long as 76.2cm, is on its way to becoming China's first 'preserved' steam railway, a fate far preferable to death, but which indicated the need for urgent action to document its many special qualities while it was still mainly real. Since the hordes of Chinese tourists now starting to descend on it will inflict far more damage on its unique character than a relatively few misguided foreign gricers (either independent or in groups).

Shixi station has been completely rebuilt, Yuejin station has a car park and the other stations have been tidied up and given name boards and prominently displayed timetables.

How to get:
Drive for 2hrs from Chengdu to Leshan, and drive another half an hour to Shixi Town, opposite Minjiang River.  The town used to be called "Shibanxi", coming from the huge stone in the river flowing into Minjiang River through the town.