Yibin: Where the Great River Begins and the Bamboo Sea Whispers
Yibin, known as the "First City of the Yangtze River," is situated where the Min and Jinsha rivers join to form the mighty Yangtze. Famous for the Shunan Bamboo Sea, the Xingwen Stone Sea, and as the home of Wuliangye liquor, it offers a rich blend of natural wonders and spirited culture.
About Yibin - City Guide & Travel Information
Yibin is a city defined by water, bamboo, and history. Located in the southern part of Sichuan Province, it holds a strategic and spiritual significance in Chinese geography. It is here that the rough and tumble Jinsha River (the upper reaches of the Yangtze) meets the gentle and clear Min River.
This confluence marks the official beginning of the Yangtze River (Changjiang), earning Yibin the prestigious title of "The First City of the Yangtze River. " The city center is built around this junction, with a vibrant waterfront that comes alive at night with lights reflecting off the merging waters.
1.The Capital of Liquor: You cannot speak of Yibin without mentioning its aroma. Yibin is world-renowned as the "Liquor Capital of China" (Jiu Du). It is the home of Wuliangye, one of China's most prestigious and expensive Baijiu brands. The city is often permeated with the faint, sweet scent of fermenting grains.
The Wuliangye factory itself is a massive industrial tourism site, featuring a museum dedicated to the history of Chinese spirits and a giant bottle-shaped building that holds a Guinness World Record. The local liquor culture is deep-rooted, representing the hospitality and passion of the Yibin people.
2.Shunan Bamboo: Sea (Shunan Zhuhai) Just outside the city lies one of China's most beautiful natural landscapes: the Shunan Bamboo Sea. Covering over 120 square kilometers, this vast forest features millions of bamboo plants covering 27 majestic peaks and over 500 hills. It is a sea of green waves that creates a natural oxygen bar.
Visitors can walk on paths paved with jade-green bamboo, take cable cars over the canopy to see the "green ocean," or drift on bamboo rafts on the tranquil lakes nestled within the forest. The area is famous for being a filming location for the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
The interplay of mist, waterfalls, and endless green bamboo creates an ethereal, martial-arts-fantasy atmosphere.
3.Xingwen Stone Sea and Bo Culture: To the southeast of Yibin lies the Xingwen Stone Sea, a Global Geopark. It is a stunning karst landscape featuring massive stone forests, deep sinkholes (Tiankeng), and extensive underground caves. The most famous is the "Big Funnel," a colossal sinkhole that leaves visitors in awe of nature's power.
Beyond geology, this area is the historical heartland of the ancient Bo People (Bo Zu). The Bo people were famous for their burial custom of "Hanging Coffins. " Today, visitors can still see these mysterious wooden coffins suspended high on sheer cliffs, a silent testament to a vanished civilization and their baffling engineering skills.
4.Lizhuang Ancient Town: For history buffs, Lizhuang Ancient Town, located on the bank of the Yangtze River, offers a glimpse into the past. Unlike many commercialized old towns, Lizhuang retains a scholarly atmosphere. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, many of China's top universities and research institutions, including Tongji University, evacuated here to escape the conflict.
For six years, this small town became a center of Chinese culture and academia. Today, well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, ancient temples, and spiral streets tell the story of its glorious past.
Local Cuisine in Yibin - Food & Dining Guide
Yibin's cuisine is a fiery sub-branch of Sichuan food, known for its bold flavors and unique ingredients, particularly bamboo and river fish.
1.Yibin Burning: Noodles (Yibin Ranmian) This is the most iconic dish of the city. "Ran" means burn or ignite. The noodles are boiled, drained completely dry, and then vigorously mixed with sesame oil, chili oil, ground peanuts, chopped walnuts, sprouts (Yibin Yacai), and green onions. The name comes from the fact that the noodles are so dry and rich in oil that they could theoretically be ignited. They are savory, spicy, nutty, and incredibly fragrant—a must-try breakfast for locals.
2.Lizhuang White: Meat (Lizhuang Bairou) Originating from Lizhuang Ancient Town, this dish showcases knife skills. A large piece of pork belly is boiled with ginger and spices, then sliced into paper-thin, large translucent sheets. The meat is served cold with a dipping sauce made from crushed garlic, chili oil, and soy sauce. Despite being fatty pork, the thin slicing and the sauce make it taste refreshing and melt-in-the-mouth, not greasy.
All-Bamboo Feast (Quan Zhu Yan) Given the abundance of bamboo in the Shunan Bamboo Sea, locals utilize every part of the plant. A bamboo feast includes bamboo shoots (sun-dried, fresh, or pickled), bamboo mushrooms (Zhu Sun), bamboo eggs (a type of fungus), and even bamboo rat meat. The star is often the Bamboo Fungus Soup, which is delicate, nutritious, and clears the palate.
3.Nanxi Dried Tofu: This is a famous snack from the Nanxi district. The tofu is marinated in a blend of spices and dried to create a chewy, flavorful treat that pairs perfectly with tea or alcohol.
Accommodation Tips in Yibin - Hotels & Lodging Guide
1.Yibin City: Center (Cuiping District) For those who want to see the confluence of the rivers and visit the Wuliangye factory, staying in the city center is best.
- 2.Daguanlou Area: The commercial heart of the city, offering plenty of shopping and food options.
- 3.Riverside Hotels: Choose a hotel along the Binjiang Road (Riverside Road) to get a room with a view of the Yangtze River and the night lights. Crowne Plaza and other high-end hotels are available here.
Shunan Bamboo Sea Area
- 4.Inside the Park: To experience the morning mist and the sunrise over the bamboo ocean, stay within the scenic area. There are numerous guesthouses and resorts, ranging from basic to luxury. The air quality here is superb.
- 5.Wanling Town: Located at the west gate of the park, this town offers cheaper accommodation and easy access to the park entrance.
Lizhuang Ancient Town
- 6.Heritage Inns: For a nostalgic experience, stay in one of the boutique inns converted from old courtyards in Lizhuang. It allows you to walk the quiet ancient streets early in the morning before the tour buses arrive.