The Living Fossil of Chinese Baijiu: Luzhou Laojiao 1573 National Treasure Cellar Pool Group and the Aroma of History

The "Living Museum" of Chinese Spirits

1.Located in Laojiao: Town, Jiangyang District, Luzhou City, Sichuan Province, the Luzhou Laojiao 1573 National Treasure Cellar Pool Group rests on the southern bank of the Yangtze River. Situated approximately 15 to 20 kilometers from the Luzhou city center, this National 4A Tourist Attraction covers a core cellar area of about 10 hectares. It is celebrated globally as the "Living Fossil of Chinese Baijiu Brewing" and a "National Industrial Heritage" site. Unlike static museums, this site features the world's oldest and most complete group of brewing pits that have been in continuous use since their construction in the first year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1573 AD). These cellars have been fermenting grains without interruption for over 450 years, creating a unique "living" ecological system where the mud is rich in thousands of beneficial microorganisms.

A Legacy of "Thousand-Year Cellars"

The history of this site is the history of the "Strong Aroma" (Nongxiang) style of Chinese Baijiu. In 1573, the winery owner Shu Chengzong established the "Shu's Wine Workshop" and built these cellars using local clay. The unique layout and construction techniques allowed the microorganisms in the cellar mud to thrive and evolve over centuries, giving birth to the saying, "The older the cellar, the more fragrant the wine". Today, the site preserves 99 authentic Ming Dynasty cellars and hundreds of Qing Dynasty cellars, totaling over a thousand active pits. Visitors can witness the traditional solid-state fermentation process firsthand, watching master brewers perform ancient techniques such as "steaming grain" and "sealing cellars" with mud. This uninterrupted heritage was recognized with a Gold Medal at the Panama Pacific International Exposition in 1915 and was listed as a National Key Cultural Relic in 1996.

The Art of Brewing and Tasting

Walking through the production area, the air is thick with the sweet, rich aroma of fermenting grain. The site seamlessly blends industrial production with cultural tourism. A highlight is the Luzhou Laojiao Wine Culture Museum, which displays a vast collection of artifacts, ancient wine vessels, and historical documents that trace the lineage of Chinese spirits from the Qin and Han dynasties to the present day. Visitors can explore the Pure Yang Cave (Chunyang Dong) and the Dragon Spring Well (Longquan Jing), legendary water sources believed to possess spiritual qualities that enhance the wine's flavor. The "Wine Dao" Experience Hall offers interactive opportunities where guests can learn the etiquette of "smelling, observing, and tasting," and even try their hand at blending their own liquor, experiencing the distinct "sweet, crisp, and harmonious" taste of the National Cellar 1573.

A Fusion of Industry and Ecology

The scenic area is designed as a garden-style factory, surrounded by the lush greenery of longan and lychee trees—Luzhou's other two famous "treasures" alongside its wine. The production workshops are set against the backdrop of the rolling Yangtze River, offering breathtaking views from the River Viewing Platform. During the Autumn Brewing season (September to November), the site is a hive of activity, and the aroma of wine is at its peak. The preservation of these "living artifacts" allows visitors to understand the profound wisdom of the ancient "One Hundred and Sixty Character Formula" of brewing. Whether you are a connoisseur of spirits or a history buff, the Luzhou Laojiao 1573 Cellar Pool Group offers a deep, sensory immersion into the heart of Chinese civilization.