The Poetic Stream of the Wine Capital: Yibin Liubeichi Park and the Legacy of the Orchid Pavilion

The "Orchid Pavilion" of Southern Sichuan

1.Located in Nanguang: Town, Cuiping District, Yibin City, Sichuan Province, Liubeichi Park (Flowing Cup Pool Park) is a unique cultural gem nestled near the confluence of the Minjiang and Jinsha rivers. Situated approximately 20 kilometers from the Yibin city center at an altitude of about 300 meters, this National 3A Tourist Attraction covers a core area of about 50 hectares. It is celebrated as the "Most Poetic Flowing Cup Site in Yibin" and a "Southern Sichuan Version of the Orchid Pavilion Gathering." Unlike typical scenic parks, Liubeichi is a living preservation of the ancient Chinese literati tradition known as "Qu Shui Liu Shang" (Curve Water Flowing Cup). Modeled after the famous Lanting (Orchid Pavilion) gathering of the Sage of Calligraphy, Wang Xizhi, in the Jin Dynasty, this park features a winding stone channel where poets and scholars once sat to compose verses while wine cups floated down the stream. Today, it stands as the most complete surviving garden of its kind in China, blending the elegance of classical poetry with the lush greenery of the Minjiang river valley.

The "Curve Water Flowing Cup" Experience

2.The soul of the park is the: Liubeichi (Flowing Cup Pool) itself. Carved into the natural rock, the winding channel spans about 500 meters, filled with clear, flowing water sourced from the Minjiang tributaries. The design allows a wine cup to drift gently along the current; where the cup stops, the person sitting nearest must drink the wine and compose a poem. This recreates the refined leisure of Wei and Jin dynasty scholars. Flanking the pool are towering cliffs adorned with the Lanting Tablet Forest, a collection of stone carvings featuring Wang Xizhi's Preface to the Poems Collected from the Orchid Pavilion and verses from historical figures like the Ming Dynasty scholar Yang Shen. Yang Shen, who was exiled to the region, praised the site in his poetry for its blend of wine scent and spring breeze. Walking along the channel, visitors can touch the ancient stone textures and imagine the laughter and rhymes of the past, creating a deep connection to China's literary history.

A Fusion of Wine and Song Culture

Yibin is known as the "Wine Capital of China," and Liubeichi Park is deeply intertwined with this heritage. In the Ming Dynasty, the Wen Family Winery operated here, using the site's natural spring water to brew liquor. It is said that local scholars frequented the pool, using the Wen family's wine for their "Flowing Cup" gatherings. This tradition cemented the bond between Yibin's famous liquor (the precursor to Wuliangye) and its poetic spirit. The park is dotted with structures like the Dongpo Pavilion, named after the Song Dynasty literary giant Su Shi (Su Dongpo). Su Shi's love for wine and poetry is commemorated here, with his famous lines carved into stone tables within the pavilion. Standing in the pavilion offers a breathtaking view of the winding channel below and the Minjiang River in the distance, capturing the essence of "river light and mountain color" that has inspired generations.

Living Traditions and Scenic Beauty

Today, Liubeichi Park is not just a relic but a vibrant space for cultural celebration. During the Spring Festival, the park hosts "Flowing Cup Poetry Gatherings," where visitors dressed in traditional Hanfu reenact the ancient rituals, composing couplets and praying for academic success. The Wenchang Pavilion, dedicated to the God of Culture and Literature, sits on high ground, offering panoramic views of the river and the city's checkerboard layout. Students often visit to pray for success in exams, keeping the spirit of the "Wenqu Star" alive. Surrounding the cultural sites are lush bamboo forests and fruit orchards, typical of the Southern Sichuan landscape. In spring, the park is filled with flowers; in summer, the river breeze provides a cool retreat. Whether you are tracing the steps of ancient poets, admiring the cliffside calligraphy, or simply enjoying a cup of tea by the water, Liubeichi Park offers a tranquil escape into the refined elegance of Chinese antiquity.