Yibin Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 宜宾 (yí bīn)
Population: 5,520,000
Area: 13,300 square kilometers (5,135 square miles)
Location: in the southeast of Sichuan Province, southwest China
Administrative Division: 3 districts (Cuiping, Nanxi, Xuzhou); 7 counties (Jiang'an, Changning, Gaoxian, Junlian, Gongxian, Xingwen, Pingshan)
Area Code: 0831
Zip Code: 644000
GDP (2019): CNY 260.189 billion (USD 37.714 billion)

Situated in the south region of Sichuan Province, Yibin City neighbors Luzhou to the east, Liangshan to the west and Zigong to the north within the province. It is located at the junction of Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces and the intersection of Jinsha River, Min River and Yangtze River. With many expressways and high-speed railways passing through, Yibin plays an important role in transportation in West China. By 2021, the transport network of Yibin will link Chengdu, Chongqing and Guiyang in one-hour traffic circle. Yibin is also a shipping and logistics center in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River due to Yibin Port.

Besides, Yibin is the main production area of tea and liquor in Sichuan. One of the most famous and representative Chinese liquor brands, Wu Liang Ye Liquor was born here. A Yibin trip is mainly composed of bamboo seas, stone forests, underground caves and ancient towns. Having a bowl of Burning Noodles is one of the must things to do in Yibin.

 Shihai Dongxiang: It literally means Stone Sea and Land of Caves. The scenic area covers an area of 121 square kilometers (47 square miles) combining spectacular stone forest on the surface and karst caves underground. Tianqian Cave, Stone Sea and the 'Number One Earth Pit' in the world are the main spectacles of the scenic areas. Xingwen County where the Shihai Dongxiang is located is an important Miao residential area in Sichuan full of historic and cultural relics as well as full-bodied Miao flavors. 

 Shunan Bamboo Sea: Located in Southern Sichuan is a well known national tourist area in Jiang'an and Changning counties. The bamboo forests contribute to the humid and favorable microclimate of the bamboo sea, and the air is fresh and rich in oxygen anions. Apart from the far-reaching green bamboo forests, deep and quiet valleys, babbling brooks, pretty waterfalls and emerald lakes are all the inevitable components of the natural beauty of the Bamboo Sea in Southern Sichuan. 

 Other Scenic Spots: Old Town of Lizhuang, Old Town of Longhua, Shicheng Mountain, Xijiashan Folk House

1. Yibin Caiba Airport is about 8 kilometers (about 5 miles) from downtown Yibin. It  has connected to more than 20 domestic destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Xi’an, Xiamen, Qingdao, Kunming, Lhasa, Guiyang, Lijiang, Wuhan, Nanjing, Changsha, Nanning, Sanya, Guilin…There also are airport shuttle bus and city bus line for visitors better travelling between airport and downtown.

2. Yibin Wuliangye Airport is about 11 kilometers (7 miles) from downtown Yibin. Flights to domestic cities like Zhuhai and Tianjin and international destinations such as Los Angeles, Paris, Bangkok, Vancouver, Sydney, Munich and Dubai will be added step by step. The airport will benefit people who want to visit Shunan Bamboo Sea, Shihai Dongxiang, Old Town of Lizhuang, Qidonggou and other scenic areas a lot.

3. Shihai Dongxiang is about four hours' drive from Chengdu and Chongqing, circa two hours from Luzhou and twenty minutes from the county seat of Wenxing. The Bamboo Sea in Southern Sichuan is about 328 kilometers and 318 kilometers (204 miles and 198 miles) from Chengdu and Chongqing respectively and 64 kilometers (40 miles) from the city proper of Yibin. Buses can be easily found in the south bus station of the city. Shihai Dongxiang and the Bamboo Sea are not far away from each other, and about one hour is needed by bus.

4. The bamboo banquet in the Bamboo Sea scenic area is real dainty. Dishes are made of bamboo shoots or other parts of bamboo. Visitors might taste it as well.

5. Yinbin Railway Station is situated in the west suburb.

6. There are four main bus stations serving in the city proper.
The New Bus Station: Yingbin Lu, Cuiping District
Beimen (North Gate) Bus Station: No.89, Cuiping Lu, Cuiping District
Ximen (West Gate) Bus Station: Beicaochang, Zhenwu Lu, Cuiping District
Nan'an Bus Station: Niumachang, Hangtian Zhong Lu, Cuiping District

7. With downtown Yibin as the center, visitors can take ships northwestward to the Leshan Giant Buddha along the Minjiang River, or eastward to Luzhou and Chongqing along the Yangtze River.

Located in the subtropical monsoon climatic zone, Yibin weather enjoys an annual average temperature of around 18 ℃ (64.4℉). Bursts of precipitation are common at night during the summer. Relatively, it is a little bit warmer in winter. Each year as the spring turns into summer and summer into autumn, it is favorable for visitors to make their trip to this area, that is to say the periods during May and June, August and September.   

 History: A county was first built here during the Qin (221BC-206BC) and Han (206BC-220AD) dynasties. It had been the centre of administration for several dynasties, and it was a town of great military importance and was the scene of an old battle field in history.

 Physical Features: The terrain of the city slopes downward from the southwest to the northeast. Low mountains and hills are the main components of the area's landform. Valleys are dotted among the mountains and hills, with occasional areas of flat plain, which only occupies eight per cent of its total land area.

 Special Local Products: Wuliangye Liquor, black tea, shredded beef, Xufu Yacai (bean sprout), bamboo crafts
Xingwen, Gongxian and Junlian counties are the main areas of Sichuan where the Miao ethnic minority lives in compact communities. Visitors can pick and buy their favorite batik articles and embroidery made by the Miao people while traveling through Miao villages.