Yibin

Yibin is humid, hot, and rainy in summer, while spring and autumn are more comfortable for travel.

Yibin combines the river scenery of the “First City on the Yangtze River,” the quiet landscapes of the Shunan Bamboo Sea, and the distinctive food flavors of southern Sichuan. It is well suited to a short weekend trip or a brief holiday getaway.

Classic 3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1 (Urban culture and local atmosphere): After arriving in Yibin in the morning, first go to Cuiping Mountain and take the cable car for a bird’s-eye view of the city layout. In the afternoon, visit Guanying Ancient Street and Daguan Pavilion to see the streets and lanes of the old city. At dusk, head to Hejiangmen to enjoy the confluence of the three rivers and the sunset. In the evening, try Yibin barbecue and babashao skewers.

• Day 2 (Fresh air in nature or geological wonders): You can choose to visit the Shunan Bamboo Sea, including areas connected with the filming locations of *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*, with a focus on the Emerald Corridor and Haizhonghai. Alternatively, visit Xingwen Stone Sea to see karst landscapes such as the giant sinkhole and underground caves.

• Day 3 (Slow visit to an ancient town and return trip): In the morning, go to Lizhuang Ancient Town, visit the Yuéliàngtián Scenic Area and the old Ming- and Qing-dynasty streets, and try Lizhuang sliced pork. In the afternoon, buy local specialties before returning.

Key Attractions

• Shunan Bamboo Sea: This area has 70,000 mu of bamboo forest, with very high forest coverage and vast stretches of bamboo. The Emerald Corridor, Haizhonghai, and Guanyuntai are among the most representative spots. It is best to enter before 8 a.m. to avoid the main crowds and increase your chances of seeing morning mist.

• Lizhuang Ancient Town: Known as the “First Town on the Yangtze River,” its visitor areas include the old town and the Yuéliàngtián Scenic Area. During the day, you can visit the former site of Tongji University and learn about its history during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. At night, you can see the town’s illuminated scenery and water performances. Lizhuang sliced pork is a signature local dish.

• Hejiangmen: The Jinsha River and Minjiang River meet here to form the Yangtze River, making it an important landmark in Yibin. The Yangtze River Zero Kilometer Stone Monument is also located here. During the day, you can observe the changing colors where the three rivers merge; at night, it is a good place to enjoy the light show. This was also a branch venue for the Spring Festival Gala.

• Wuliangye Scenic Area: Suitable for visitors interested in liquor culture. The scenic area is free to visit, but advance reservation is required. Inside the park, you can see the 74.8-meter-tall giant liquor bottle and Jiusheng Mountain, try Wuliangye ice cream and coffee, and learn about the culture of strong-aroma baijiu.

• Xingwen Stone Sea: A relatively less crowded geological scenic area, featuring a 650-meter giant sinkhole and Tianquan Cave. Its karst landforms are distinctive, making it suitable for visitors who enjoy outdoor sightseeing and geological learning.

Local Food Guide

• Yibin ranmian noodles: These are mainly dry-mixed noodles with a red chili oil flavor. Crushed peanuts and yacai pickled vegetables are key toppings. You can try them at Yibin Ranmian on Daguanlou Street or Liuchen Street Ranmian. A bowl costs 8–12 yuan, and it is even better with a bowl of mushroom soup.

• Lizhuang sliced pork: The pork is sliced very thin, with a rich but not greasy texture, and is usually eaten with a special dipping sauce. He San Bairou and Yingqiu Restaurant are good options. During peak dining hours, allow time for queuing.

• Yibin barbecue: Local Yibin barbecue includes styles such as babashao skewers and charcoal grilling. Pangmei Babashao and Jingjing Barbecue are often mentioned. Raw beef, grilled pork intestine, and grilled eggplant are worth trying, and vegetable skewers are relatively affordable.

• Puta井 lianggao: This sweet chilled rice jelly is good for cooling down in summer. It has a lightly sweet, soft, and glutinous texture, and costs 5–8 yuan per bowl. Old street-side shops also offer a reliable version.

• All-bamboo banquet: A specialty meal around the Shunan Bamboo Sea, including bamboo fungus stewed with free-range chicken, bamboo-tube rice, and cold mixed young bamboo shoots. Around 60 yuan per person is enough for a fairly generous meal.

Accommodation and Transport Tips

• Where to stay: In the city, consider staying near Daguan Pavilion or Hejiangmen, where dining and transport are convenient, at about 150–450 yuan per night. For river views, choose a hotel near Sanjiangkou. If your main focus is the Bamboo Sea, you can also stay in a guesthouse inside the scenic area, at about 200–350 yuan per night.

• Long-distance transport: High-speed trains go directly to Yibin West Station, which is 5 km from the city center. Flights arrive at Yibin Wuliangye Airport, about 10 km from the city center. From Chengdu or Chongqing, the journey takes about 1–2 hours.
• Local transport: City attractions are easy to reach by bus or taxi. For cross-district attractions, taxis or car rental are recommended. For the Shunan Bamboo Sea, a chartered round trip is more convenient.

Practical Tips

• Tickets: Most city attractions are free. Tickets for the Shunan Bamboo Sea are about 110 yuan, including the sightseeing bus. Buying a package ticket through the official WeChat account is usually better value.
• Transport: Do not take unlicensed taxis at the high-speed railway station; choose the direct scenic-area shuttle instead. Cars are not allowed inside Lizhuang Ancient Town, so walk or take the sightseeing vehicle, which costs 30 yuan per day.
• Shopping: For local specialties on the main tourist streets, compare prices in the side lanes. Wuliangye liquor, ranmian noodle seasoning, and bamboo products are common souvenirs.
• Clothing: The Bamboo Sea has many mountain paths, so wear sports shoes. For ancient town and forest visits, comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for walking are best.