Luzhou

Luzhou is humid and hot in summer, so spring and autumn are more comfortable times to visit. Luzhou combines liquor culture, scenery along its two rivers, and a lively everyday street atmosphere. It is well suited to a relaxed food-and-strolling trip over a weekend or short holiday. Below is a 3-day, 2-night city itinerary for reference.

3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Luzhou Laojiao and a Slow City Stroll
  • Morning: Go to the Luzhou Laojiao Tourist Area to visit the 1573 National Treasure Cellar Group and the Liquor Culture Museum. With an admission ticket, you can sample one free cup of 68-proof original liquor.
  • Afternoon: Take a walk in Zhongshan Park, sit for a while at a tea stall beneath the thousand-year-old camphor trees, have a 5-yuan cup of tea, and experience the everyday pace of old Luzhou.
  • Evening: Head to Shuijinggou Night Market for a bowl of beef noodles in original broth, then try a serving of spicy cha potatoes. Afterward, walk around to enjoy the night views of Bao’en Pagoda and the Bell and Drum Tower.
• Day 2: Intangible Heritage and Riverside Life
  • Morning: Stroll along Lantian Old Street, try Sansan ran noodles and the time-honored Zhuo white cake, and get a feel for old-city life that is still continuing today. Then visit Jinlong Temple, a quiet temple built against the hillside, where you can also overlook the cityscape.
  • Afternoon: Go to Fenshuiling Town to experience the making of intangible cultural heritage oil-paper umbrellas. You can also visit Uncle Cat Coffee for a specialty coffee with a baijiu flavor, paired with congcong bao.
  • Evening: Head to Guanyizui Square to see the river scenery where the Tuojiang and Yangtze rivers meet. The river breeze is quite pleasant in the evening. For dinner, you can choose Jiang’s Special Scallion Crucian Carp, with tender fish and generous portions.
• Day 3: Ancient-Town Charm and Nearby Exploration
  • Morning: Drive yourself or carpool to Yaoba Ancient Town, have a bowl of red-broth mutton, wander through its authentic Ming- and Qing-style streets, and buy Yaoba huangba as a souvenir.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Xianshi Soy Sauce Manor and try its specialty soy sauce ice cream. Alternatively, climb Bijia Mountain, then have authentic Hejiang douhua after coming back down.
  • Evening: In Hejiang, finish the trip with a meal of douhua grilled fish, paired with a bowl of lychee ice jelly.

Worthwhile Attractions to Consider

In addition to the places included in the itinerary above, Luzhou has several other spots that can be added to your plans:

• Zhangba Longan Grove: Free to enter, with century-old longan groves spread along the river. Summer and autumn are relatively comfortable times to visit, and it is suitable for cycling and walking.
• Taiping Ancient Town: A red tourism destination. Its Ming- and Qing-era buildings spread along the hillside can be visited for free, and the town has a strong historical atmosphere.
• Langjiu Manor: Advance reservation is required. You can visit the Tianbao Cave and Dibao Cave liquor-storage caves, overlook the canyon panorama from Jinzun Fort, and taste Qinghualang.
• Fubao Ancient Town: A Ming- and Qing-era ancient town that retains its original character, with stilted buildings and bluestone lanes. It is suitable for people who prefer quiet settings and photography.

Local Food Guide

When traveling in Luzhou, keep an eye out for these local flavors:

Transportation and Accommodation Tips

• Transportation: Luzhou’s urban terrain is somewhat similar to Chongqing’s, and there are no shared bicycles. For getting around the city, taking a taxi or bus is recommended. Blue taxis can take shared passengers, making the fare relatively affordable. For nearby ancient towns, driving yourself or carpooling is recommended.
• Accommodation: If you want convenient access to dining and shopping, stay near the MixC or Shuijinggou commercial areas. If you plan to attend a music festival, or prefer a relatively quiet environment, you can choose the western part of the new city.

Practical Tips

• Both the Luzhou Laojiao scenic area and Langjiu Manor require advance reservations. Langjiu Manor has a relatively strict review process, so it is best to complete the required steps a few days in advance.
• Luzhou is quite hot in summer, so take sun protection when visiting parks or ancient towns. If there is a large temperature difference between morning and evening, bring a light jacket.
• For souvenirs, consider small bottles of Laojiao or Langjiu, Fenshui oil-paper umbrellas, dried Hejiang lychees, and Yaoba huangba.