Luzhou Travel Guide-The city of Liquor

Luzhou city is one of major prefecture level cities in Sichuan Province with more than 5 million citizens. The current city consists of 3 districts and 4 counties, covering an area of 12232 km2.

It sits on the southeast edge of Sichuan Province, neighbors Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces. It is 260km away from provincial capital Chengdu and 180km away from the mighty municipality of Chongqing. This is a city stands by the side of upper stream of Yangtze River. It is an important port on Yangtze River trading route and one major logistic centre. It boasts a history more than 2000 years. It is nick named Jiangcheng (the city of river) because of rich Yangtze river culture. It is also known as the city of wine (liquor) due to its vast distillery industry.

● Top things to do  in Luzhou

Luzhou has been a place rich in revolutionary heritage. It is a city where early day communists have fought over in early days of revolution. Battles and assaults were organized in and around Luzhou in 1920s-1930s. The Long March, conducted by then retreating Red Army, left many historic sites and buildings in cities like Luzhou and Chishui. Commanders in early days of red army such as Zhu De, Chen Yi, Liu Bocheng all resided in Luzhou. Memorial Museum of Red Army, Site of Chen Yi’s Residence were built to commemorate those revolutionary days.  

Taiping Old town in Gulin County is a popular attraction to visitors. It is at the confluence of Chishui River and Gulin River. It is a border town between Sichuan and Guizhou. It history dats back to Qin era, around 2nd century BC. The remaining buildings in this town are mostly built during Ming and Qing Dynasty. Unlike many old towns in China where modern day business take over, this town is largely untouched by modernity.

Explore the rich distillery history of Luzhou.

Luzhou is probably most known to Chinese as the birthplace of Luzhou lao jiao (Luzhou old cellar liquor) and Lang Liquor. They are among some of the most famous Chinese white wine brand. Distillery were first documented in this region dating back to Qin & Han dynasty around 2rd century BC. It boomed and developed during Tang dynasty. The scale and style of Luzhou lao jiao wine as we see today took form during Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasty (13-19th century). The famous cellar dates back to the year 1573 is on display to visitors. Visitors can explore Chunyang cave, a cave dedicated to store fine liquor. 

Anning Industrial Park is a modern complex to mass produce liquor up to modern day standards. Signs and symbols of Chinese liquor are everywhere in the city. There are more than 100 wine firms or distilleries, big or small, in Luzhou city and its townships. It is not pure coincidence that Luzhou and its neighboring cities like, Zunyi, Chishui and Yibin, are famous for liquor making. Almost all famous wines of China are produced in this region where three provinces meet. For example, the famous national wine Maotai, is from neighboring Zunyi City, and the famous Wuliangye, is from Yibin which is just 1.5 hour drive from Luzhou. Some argue that climate, soil content, moisture, and microorganism in local river system, all contributed to the making of fine wines in China.  

● Luzhou Food&Drinks

The famous mouth numbing Sichuan hot pot is said to be originated in Luzhou. In mid of 19th century in Qing Dynasty, boatmen in a place called Xiaomitan started having meals by the side of Yangtze River banks. Trying to keep warm and drive out the moist, they put generous amount of chilly in the broth to create a strong and pungent flavor to their meals. This type of cooking spread quickly to the neighboring Chongqing city which is also a busy trading hub on Yangtze river with lots of labors working on boats and docks. Boatmen in Chongqing added cow and chicken guts to the meal, those were the only few affordable sources of meal to these low paid jobs. Overtime, this type of cooking is maintained in most parts of Sichuan and Chongqing. Today, hot pot is probably most iconic of all Sichuan cooking. Ingredients like ox tripe and chicken/goose intestines are still popular on the table of hot pot, they are the reminders of its working class origin more than 100 years ago.

Hot pot is the kind of banquet like meal for socializing with friends and families. For more ordinary day to day delicacy, Luzhou has much to offer. One of the well known is the spicy chicken of Gulin County. Gulin County sits on a hilly terrain, a perfect place for chicken farming. The chicken is marinated with spice and herbs before boiled to chopped to pieces. It is then dressed with chilly oil. This dish is often served cold.        

● Luzhou Transportation

Luzhou is a busy trading hub on Yangtze river. Luzhou Port is the largest port in Sichuan Province, one of 28 key River Ports in China.

Luzhou Yunlong Airport (LZO) opens in 2018. It is the largest airport in south of Sichuan. The airport itself operates on domestic basis. Luzhou Airport connects Luzhou with many major cities in China.

Luzhou is a vital link on land transport for its proximity to neighboring Guizhou, Yunnan Province and Chongqing City. Driving from Luzhou to provincial capital takes about 3.5 hours.                                                     

● Luzhou Weather

Like many cities in Sichuan Province, Luzhou has a relatively mild subtropical climate with distinct four seasons. It has hot and humid summer with long frost free period, a mildly cold, wet and short winter. Spring and Autumn are the best time for visiting. Thunderstorms are not rare in summer days due to its unique geology in Sichuan basin. In winter days, foggy weather often occur due to its proximity to the river banks of Yangtze.