Encounter Western Sichuan – Classic Cars in the Mountains of China

Text: Song Luo

Images: Chengdu Sanhe Classic Car Museum

The roads of Western Sichuan rank among the most spectacular driving routes anywhere in China. Winding through dramatic mountain scenery, high grasslands and remote Tibetan settlements, they offer an ever-changing landscape of snow-capped peaks, deep valleys and open plateaus. In recent years, they have also become the setting for one of the country’s most unusual motoring events: the “Encounter Western Sichuan” classic car tour organised by the Chengdu Sanhe Classic Car Museum.

Based in Chengdu, the Sanhe Museum is widely regarded as one of China’s foremost centres for automotive heritage. The collection traces its origins to the 1990s, when entrepreneur Huang Zongmin began acquiring significant historic automobiles. Over more than three decades, the collection has grown to include over 300 vehicles representing more than 70 domestic and international marques.

Among the highlights are a replica of the pioneering Benz Patent-Motorwagen, a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, an Aston Martin DB4, a Packard Super Eight and one of the early Hongqi models that helped establish China’s domestic automotive industry. The museum has also developed extensive restoration facilities, enabling many of its vehicles to remain in running condition rather than simply being displayed as static exhibits.

It is perhaps unsurprising that a museum dedicated to preserving automotive history should seek ways of demonstrating these cars in motion. The result was the creation of the “Encounter Western Sichuan” rally, an event that combines classic motoring with some of China’s most impressive scenery.

The inaugural edition took place in October 2025. Starting from Chengdu, a convoy of museum vehicles and privately owned classics set out on a multi-day journey through the mountains of Western Sichuan. The route passed through several of the region’s best-known destinations, including Dujiangyan, Yingxiu, Wolong, Siguniang Mountain, Danba, the Tagong Grasslands, Xinduqiao and Kangding.

For many participants, the attraction lay not only in the cars but also in the extraordinary landscapes through which they travelled. As the convoy climbed away from the Sichuan basin, modern urban surroundings gave way to mountain roads, traditional Tibetan settlements and sweeping high-altitude grasslands. The contrast between historic automobiles and dramatic natural scenery created countless memorable photographic opportunities.

The event brought together more than a dozen classic vehicles spanning over half a century of automotive development. Models from marques such as Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin and Hongqi participated, attracting considerable attention wherever they stopped. Residents and visitors alike gathered to admire the convoy as it passed through towns and villages along the route.

One of the most distinctive aspects of the rally was its integration with local culture. Western Sichuan occupies a unique position within China, combining Han Chinese influences with strong Tibetan traditions. Participants were therefore able to experience not only remarkable scenery, but also local customs, architecture and cultural practices.

Professional photographers accompanied the convoy throughout the journey, documenting the cars against some of the region’s most spectacular backdrops. Images of classic automobiles framed by landmarks such as Siguniang Mountain and Yala Snow Mountain quickly attracted attention among enthusiasts and helped establish the rally’s reputation within China’s growing historic vehicle community.

The success of the inaugural event encouraged the organisers to expand the concept further. In April 2026, the Sanhe Museum returned with a second edition that introduced an important new dimension through cooperation with the HK Classic Car Club.

One of Hong Kong’s leading organisations for historic vehicle enthusiasts, the HK Classic Car Club brings together collectors and owners representing a wide variety of marques and eras. The collaboration marked a significant milestone, bringing together participants from mainland China and Hong Kong for a shared automotive adventure through Western Sichuan.

The second rally was larger in every respect. More vehicles participated, the variety of machinery increased, and additional routes were introduced to broaden the driving experience. Members of the Hong Kong club transported their treasured automobiles to Chengdu before joining museum vehicles and mainland participants for the journey westward.

The resulting convoy created a fascinating spectacle. Right-hand-drive classics from Hong Kong travelled alongside left-hand-drive vehicles from mainland China, reflecting two distinct motoring traditions united by a common enthusiasm for historic automobiles.

The range of vehicles was equally impressive. Pre-war machinery shared the road with sports cars from the 1980s and 1990s, creating what was effectively a moving classic car exhibition. The variety ensured that enthusiasts encountered everything from elegant luxury automobiles to sporting machinery, all set against the dramatic landscapes of Western China.

Beyond the driving itself, the event also encouraged the exchange of knowledge and experience. Owners from Hong Kong and mainland China shared stories of restoration projects, discussed sourcing parts for rare vehicles and exchanged ideas on preserving automotive heritage for future generations.

Perhaps most importantly, the rally highlights an aspect of classic car ownership that is sometimes overlooked. Historic automobiles were built to be driven, and few settings could be more rewarding than the mountain roads and open landscapes of Western Sichuan. Seeing these vehicles in motion, rather than confined to museum displays, provides a far greater appreciation of their character and engineering.

Judging by the success of its first two editions, Encounter Western Sichuan has established itself as one of the most distinctive automotive events in China. By combining historic vehicles, spectacular scenery and genuine cultural exchange, it offers something far richer than a conventional rally.