Luzhou

Luzhou is a hidden gem wrapped in the aroma of liquor and river breezes. It has both a deep-rooted baijiu culture and a lively, everyday street atmosphere, making it perfect for a slow-paced food-and-wandering trip over a weekend or short holiday. Here is a 3-day, 2-night travel guide you can follow directly!

3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Strong-Aroma Laojiao and a Slow City Stroll
  • Morning: Head to the Luzhou Laojiao Tourist Area to visit the 1573 National Treasure Cellar Cluster and the Baijiu Culture Museum. With your ticket, you can also enjoy a free tasting of one cup of 68-proof original liquor.
  • Afternoon: Take a walk in Zhongshan Park, have a 5-yuan cup of tea at a tea stall under the thousand-year-old camphor grove, and experience the slow life of old Luzhou.
  • Evening: Browse Shuijinggou Night Market, slurp a bowl of beef noodles in original broth, then have a serving of spicy cha potatoes. Afterward, walk over to check in at the night views of Bao’en Pagoda and the Bell and Drum Tower.
• Day 2: Intangible Cultural Heritage and Riverside Street Life
  • Morning: Wander around Lantian Old Street, eat Sansan ran noodles and time-honored Zhuo white cake, and feel the living, everyday atmosphere of old Luzhou. Then head to Jinlong Temple, a quiet temple built against the mountain where you can also overlook the whole city.
  • Afternoon: Try making intangible-cultural-heritage oil-paper umbrellas in Fenshuiling Town, or go to Uncle Cat Coffee for a distinctive baijiu-flavored coffee paired with the must-try congcong bao.
  • Evening: Go to Guanyizui Square to see where the Tuojiang River and Yangtze River meet. The river breeze at dusk is incredibly pleasant. For dinner, Jiang’s Special Scallion Crucian Carp is recommended; the fish is tender and the portions are generous.
• Day 3: Ancient-Town Charm and Nearby Exploring
  • Morning: Drive yourself or carpool to Yaoba Ancient Town, eat a bowl of red-broth lamb, stroll along its unspoiled Ming- and Qing-era streets, and buy some Yaoba huangba as souvenirs.
  • Afternoon: Head to Xianshi Soy Sauce Manor to try its signature soy sauce ice cream, or go hiking on Bijia Mountain and, after descending, taste authentic Hejiang douhua.
  • Evening: Have a meal of douhua grilled fish in Hejiang, paired with a bowl of lychee ice jelly, to bring the trip to a perfect close.

Must-Visit Sights

In addition to the places mentioned in the itinerary, Luzhou also has these worthwhile spots:

• Zhangba Longan Grove: Free to enter, this century-old longan grove along the river is especially pleasant in summer and autumn, and is great for cycling and walking.
• Taiping Ancient Town: A red-tourism destination with Ming- and Qing-era buildings built along the mountain. It is free to visit and has a strong historical atmosphere.
• Langjiu Manor: Advance reservation is required. You can visit the Tianbao Cave and Dibao Cave liquor-storage caverns, take in canyon panoramas from Jinzun Fortress, and taste Qinghualang.
• Fubao Ancient Town: An unspoiled Ming- and Qing-era ancient town. Its stilted buildings and flagstone lanes are extremely photogenic, making it ideal for those who enjoy quiet places and photography.

Local Food Guide

When you come to Luzhou, these foods are absolutely not to be missed:

Transportation and Accommodation Suggestions

• Transportation: The urban terrain is similar to Chongqing’s. There are no shared bikes, so taking taxis or buses is recommended when going out. Blue taxis allow ride-sharing and are reasonably priced. For nearby ancient towns, driving yourself or carpooling is recommended.
• Accommodation: If you like lively areas, stay near MixC or the Shuijinggou commercial district, where eating, wandering, and getting around are all convenient. If you are going to a music festival or prefer somewhere quiet, you can choose Xinchengxi.

Helpful Tips

• Both the Luzhou Laojiao Scenic Area and Langjiu Manor require advance reservations. Langjiu Manor in particular has a stricter review process, so be sure to arrange it several days ahead.
• Luzhou is quite hot in summer. Remember to use sun protection when visiting parks or ancient towns, and bring a light jacket when there is a large temperature difference between morning and evening.
• For souvenirs, you can choose mini bottles of Luzhou Laojiao or Langjiu, Fenshui oil-paper umbrellas, dried Hejiang lychees, and Yaoba huangba.