Yibin

Yibin brings together Yangtze River scenery, liquor culture, and bamboo forests. It is about 1.5 hours by high-speed train from Chengdu or Chongqing, making it suitable for a weekend or short holiday trip.

• Lizhuang Ancient Town: This ancient town sits along the Yangtze River and preserves traditional southern Sichuan residences and former wartime sites. In the evening, head to the Yueliangtian Scenic Area to enjoy the night views and try the local specialty, Lizhuang white-sliced pork.

• Shunan Bamboo Sea: Covering more than 70,000 mu of continuous bamboo forest, the Emerald Corridor and Wangyou Valley are among its most representative sights. It is a good place to walk among the bamboo and enjoy the fresh air.

• Wuliangye Scenic Area: Learn about Yibin’s liquor culture, see the giant liquor-bottle building and the Liquor History Museum, and climb Jiusheng Mountain for views of the surrounding landscape.

• Hejiangmen: This is where three rivers meet and the starting point of the Yangtze River’s 0-kilometer marker. At night, you can watch the 3D light show and enjoy views of the river. The Big Earth is also located in this area, making it a good place for an evening outing.

• Cuiping Mountain: Close to the city center, Cuiping Mountain can be reached by cable car. The route passes Nezha Palace and the Zhao Yiman Memorial Hall. From the summit, you can look out over Yibin from above.

• Xingwen Stone Sea: This UNESCO Global Geopark is known for its karst landforms, sinkholes, and caves. It is a good choice for visitors interested in outdoor activities and geological sites.

3-Day, 2-Night Highlights Itinerary

• Day 1: City Walk and Riverside Night Views: After arriving in Yibin in the morning, start with a cable-car ride at Cuiping Mountain. In the afternoon, visit Guanying Ancient Street to see the traditional residential style of southern Sichuan. In the evening, watch the three rivers converge at Hejiangmen Square, enjoy the light show and river views, and have Yibin barbecue for dinner.
• Day 2: A Thousand-Year-Old Town and a White-Sliced Pork Feast: Head to Lizhuang Ancient Town in the morning, about a 40-minute drive away, and explore its old lanes and former wartime sites. At noon, try Lizhuang white-sliced pork, cut into slices as thin as cicada wings. In the afternoon, take a boat at the Yueliangtian Scenic Area and wait for the evening lights. Stay at a guesthouse in the ancient town or return to the city.
• Day 3: Liquor Culture or Bamboo-Forest Escape: If time is limited, visit the Wuliangye Scenic Area in the morning, see the giant liquor bottle and museum, learn about local liquor culture, and then begin your return journey. With a more flexible schedule, drive yourself or hire a car to Shunan Bamboo Sea, visit the Emerald Corridor, try an all-bamboo feast, and relax among the bamboo.

Must-Try Local Foods

• Yibin Ran Noodles: Made with a generous amount of oil and no water, these noodles are chewy and tossed with chili oil, preserved mustard greens, and crushed peanuts. They are fragrant, dry, and spicy, and are a common local breakfast choice.

• Lizhuang White-Sliced Pork: Pork leg is sliced extremely thin and served with minced garlic and chili oil. It is tender, rich without being greasy, and delicate in texture.

• Yibin Baba Barbecue: These small charcoal-grilled skewers are common in southern Sichuan. Grilled pork belly, pork tendon, and potatoes are among the typical choices. They pair well with local Weiyi soy milk and are ideal for an evening meal.

• All-Bamboo Feast: Made with bamboo products from Shunan Bamboo Sea, this meal may include bamboo shoots, bamboo fungus, bamboo-tube rice, and bamboo fungus tripe. Bamboo is featured throughout the meal.

• Shuanghe Cold Cake: Made with water from Puta井 Spring, this dessert is soft and tender with a slight chew. It is served with brown sugar syrup and is especially refreshing when chilled, helping to balance spicy and rich foods.

• Hongqiao Zhu'erba: These sticky rice cakes have a soft, glutinous outer layer and either a savory or sweet filling. The savory version usually contains preserved mustard greens and minced meat, with a light herbal fragrance.

Accommodation and Transportation Tips

• Where to Stay: Staying near Hejiangmen or Guanying Ancient Street makes it convenient to enjoy the river views, night scenery, and local restaurants. If you plan to spend more time exploring Lizhuang, you can also stay at a guesthouse near the ancient town; some rooms offer river views.
• Getting There: High-speed trains from Chengdu and Chongqing to Yibin West Railway Station take about 1.5 hours. Visitors from farther away can also fly to Wuliangye Airport.
• Getting Around the City: Taxis and buses are convenient within the city. Bus 45 or a taxi can take you to Lizhuang Ancient Town. For Shunan Bamboo Sea and Xingwen Stone Sea, hiring a car, driving yourself, or taking a direct shuttle to the scenic area is recommended.

Travel Tips

• Book in Advance: Although admission to the Wuliangye Scenic Area is free, advance online booking is required. Visitors without a reservation cannot enter.
• Lizhuang White-Sliced Pork: Many restaurants in the ancient town serve white-sliced pork. Consider choosing an established restaurant popular with local residents, such as Yingqiu Restaurant or He San White-Sliced Pork, and confirm the prices before ordering.
• Bamboo Sea Sightseeing Bus: Shunan Bamboo Sea is extensive, so buying a sightseeing-bus ticket is recommended to avoid having the walking distances disrupt your itinerary. The scenic area has many winding mountain roads, so travelers prone to motion sickness should prepare appropriate medicine in advance.
• Night View Schedule: The light show at Hejiangmen’s “Big Earth” and the boat performance at Yueliangtian usually take place between around 7 and 9 p.m. Check the exact schedule for the day before setting out.
• Mosquito and Sun Protection: Mosquitoes are common in the bamboo forest and riverside parks, so bring insect repellent. UV rays can be strong during the day, so sunscreen and a hat are recommended.