Luzhou

The "Liquor City": the national-treasure 1573 fermentation pits of Luzhou Laojiao, the old towns of Yaoba and Fubao, the Huangjing Old Forest, and the confluence of the Yangtze and Tuo rivers.

Luzhou sits on the southern edge of the Sichuan Basin where the Yangtze and Tuo rivers meet, bordering Chishui and Xishui in Guizhou to the south. A transport hub where Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou and Chongqing meet, it is known as the "Liquor City" and is home to both Luzhou Laojiao and Lang liquor. The climate is warm and humid; spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the best times to visit. Summers are hot and humid, so head to mountain areas in the south such as the Huangjing Old Forest to cool off; winters are often overcast and rainy. The area divides into four parts: first, the city center, with the national-treasure fermentation pits, Bao'en Pagoda and Longtou Pass, snacks around Zhongulou and Shuijinggou, and evening views of the river confluence from Baizitu Square; second, Hejiang to the east, with the historic towns of Yaoba and Fubao and the Han Dynasty Stone Coffin Museum; third, Lu County to the north, with Longnao Bridge, the cliff carvings of Yuchan Mountain and the Qu Family Manor; and fourth, Gulin and Xuyong in the south, with the old-growth Huangjing Old Forest, Taiping Ancient Town on the Chishui River and the Chunqiu Shrine. Getting there: Luzhou Yunlong Airport connects to major cities across China, and high-speed trains run to Chengdu, Chongqing and Yibin. Taxis are easy to find downtown, but for the old towns and southern mountains a car or hired driver is recommended. Allow 3–4 days: one day for the city and distilleries, one for the old towns of Hejiang, and one each for Lu County or Gulin. Tips: distillery workshop tours usually require advance booking; roads in the southern mountains are winding, so watch for rockfalls in the rainy season; Chishui and Maotai are not far away and can be combined into a Chishui River liquor country route.

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