Luzhou

Luzhou lies where the Yangtze and Tuo Rivers meet. It is a southern Sichuan city known for both its deep baijiu culture and its relaxed riverside atmosphere. A trip can center on baijiu culture, ancient towns, mountain scenery and river views.

• Luzhou Laojiao Tourist Area: This site preserves the 1573 National Treasure Cellar complex, with more than 400 years of history. Visitors can learn about traditional distilling techniques and baijiu culture, and the admission ticket includes a tasting of unblended baijiu.

• Zhangba Longan Grove: The grove is home to many century-old longan trees. Shaded paths run along the river, making it a good place for a stroll and photos. Admission is free.

• Jinlong Temple: Built on a mountainside, the temple features a huge gilded dragon among the hills. The surroundings are peaceful, making it suitable for taking in the views from above and for traditional Chinese-style photography.

• Yaoba Ancient Town: Once a filming location for *The Rice Seller*, the town has a well-preserved kilometer-long street paved with bluestone and Ming- and Qing-era timber residences. It is not overly commercialized and still retains the feel of everyday life.

• Xianshi Soy Sauce Chishui River Estate: As a national-level site for the traditional craft of soy sauce brewing, the estate has more than a thousand pottery jars lined up along the river. The grounds are spacious, and you can smell the rich aroma of soy sauce on site.

• Guanyizui Square: The square sits on a pointed peninsula at the confluence of the Yangtze and Tuo Rivers. It is also known as “Luzhou’s Chaotianmen.” Evening is a good time to take in the views of both rivers and watch the sunset.

• Luzhou Museum: The museum is free to visit, but reservations are required. Its collection includes national-treasure-level artifacts such as a Ming dynasty bronze qilin wine warmer. The exhibitions are simply designed, and the museum is generally quiet.

• Fangshan Scenic Area: Known as the “Little Emei of Southern Sichuan,” Fangshan offers distant views of the Yangtze and seas of clouds after the climb. It is a good choice for visitors who enjoy mountain scenery and want a relaxing break.

Suggested Itinerary

• Day 1 (Baijiu culture and river views in the city): Visit the Luzhou Laojiao Tourist Area in the morning to learn about its 400-year distilling history. In the afternoon, take a walk in Zhangba Longan Grove or Zhongshan Park. In the evening, head to Guanyizui Square or the old city wall at Dongmenkou to watch the sunset over the confluence of the two rivers. In the evening, visit Zhuzijie or the Shuijinggou night market for local snacks.
• Day 2 (A leisurely ancient-town visit and intangible cultural heritage): Drive or hire a car to the Xianshi Soy Sauce Estate to learn about its traditional brewing techniques. Then continue to Yaoba Ancient Town and explore its old bluestone-paved streets while trying red-broth mutton and huangba, a traditional sticky-rice cake. Return to the city in the afternoon and visit Jinlong Temple to pray and look around. Have Luzhou-style clear-oil hot pot for dinner.

Local Food Recommendations

Besides baijiu, Luzhou has plenty of glutinous-rice snacks and flavorful local dishes. Choose a few to try along the way.

Accommodation and Transportation Guide

• Where to stay: Consider staying around Shuijinggou or Bao’enta first. These areas are in the city center, close to Binjiang Road, and convenient for dining, shopping and visiting urban attractions. Visitors who prefer a quieter setting can stay near Zhangba Longan Grove, where there is more greenery and the air is fresher.
• High-speed rail: When booking tickets, Luzhou Station is generally the better choice because it is closer to the main urban area. Luzhou East Station is farther from the city, so allow extra time for transfers.
• Getting around the city: The main attractions are relatively close together, and taxis and buses are convenient. Shared bicycles are available in parts of the old city. For nearby attractions such as Yaoba Ancient Town and Fangshan, driving or hiring a car is more suitable.

Travel Tips

• Museum reservations: Luzhou Museum is free, but you need your ID card to enter. It is closed on Mondays, so make a reservation in advance.
• Ancient-town combo ticket: If you plan to visit exhibition sites inside Yaoba Ancient Town, such as the Wang Chaowen Former Residence and *The Rice Seller*, a combo ticket is usually better value than buying separate tickets.
• Less commercialized route: Yaoba Post Town is a highly commercialized recreated old-style street, so there is no need to make a special trip there. The original Yaoba Old Street, which retains more of its everyday atmosphere, is a better choice.
• Longan picking: Longans ripen from September to October. Staff patrol Zhangba Longan Grove during this period, so do not pick the fruit yourself.
• Luzhou Laojiao visiting time: It is best to visit the Luzhou Laojiao Tourist Area in the morning. It is busier in the afternoon, and you may have to wait longer to see the National Treasure Cellars.