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Yibin Attractions

Xingwen Stone Forest and Caves

I'm now going to introduce you a extremely beautiful and unique scenic spot .Yes ,it is Xingwen Stone Forest(and caves) .

it may has been a boring site for the locals ,nevertheless ,maybe ,a blockbuster for you curious tourists ,especially those who want to find something fresh and brand-new ,which seldom be described in those travel books .caves

 

 

1,Geographic Location

The Xingwen Stone Forest and caves is located in Xingwen county of Yibin ,with Luzhou to the east and Yibin to the west .It is adjacent to the Shunan Bamboo Forest and covers an area of 126.4square kilometers .

2, status and reputation

It was ratified as a China national key tourist resort by the state council in 2002

It was ratified as a global geopark by the UNESCO in 2004

It has the biggest funnel on earth ,the longest sightseeing cave in China and the largest group of rocks in China

3,scenic features

The Xingwen Stone Forest and caves is well known for its vastness ,magnificence ,beauty and grace .characterized by karst landforms ,its main scenery is typical of Stone Forest and karst  caves .the queer peaks Tower imposingly ;under the ground are interconnecting karst caves ,with holes within holes .the scenery is described in the annuals of Xingwen county : “the rocks stand in great numbers ,some like edifices, some like young horned dragons, some like tigers and leopard ,all of which are in different poses and expressions ,some jumping ,some crouching, some gathering ,some scattering ,a real stunning view .”

underground cave and river

 

Located 30 kilometers south of Zhongcheng town ,in Xingwen county ,Xingwen Stone Forest and caves is famous for its queer stone forest and numerous caves .featured by karst landforms ,the whole scenic area includes Tianquan cave scenic area ,the Jiusi mountain scenic area ,the Dabazongyuan (大坝综源景区)and the Zhoujiagou Karst Cave Scenic Area (周家沟溶洞景区).

 

At the rear exit of the Tianquan cave ,there are two natural karst funnels, namely the Xiaoyanwan Grand Funnel  (小岩湾大漏斗) and Dayanwan Grand Funnel (大岩湾大漏斗)the Grand Funnel.the diameter of the xiaoyanwan grand funnel is 650 meters and the sunshine can penetrate as deep as 208meters .most parts of the precipice are erect turquoise streaks ,which glimmer like silver and look like a flying waterfall .in the Middle part of the precipice ,a natural plank road ,about 2000 meters long ,connects the back exit of the Tianquan cave .the dayanwan grand funnel is located 400 meters from the xiaoyanwan grand funnel .it is about 700 meters from the west to the east and about 450 meters from north to south .and the deepest part is 230meters from the ground .it is shaped like a gourd and is connected to the Tianquan cave .both of them are larger than the American Arecipo funnel (美国阿里西波大漏斗),which is 330 meters in diameter ,70meters in depth .

 

p.s. this is just a rough introduction of this magic global geopark .if you are interested in Sichuan ,Chengdu is definitely NOT the only consideration .the southeast Sichuan ,which I mean ,the cities like Yibin and Zigong also worth exploring ,absolutely !

See also :Members of the Global Geoparks Network(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Members_of_the_Global_Geoparks_Network)

 

 

 

firstly get to Xingwen county(we local residents are used to  call it Gusong town) from Chengdu or Yibin by coach.You could get to Yibin by coach or airplane.

then take the taxi ,or hire a van to get there 

there's also coach there .

Lizhuang Ancient town

location

19km away from Yibin city, Sichuan, Lizhuang Ancient town is located on the edge of the Yangtze River
It was an important trading place during Ming and Qing Dynasty.
In the Ming and Qing Dynasty "Huguang - Sichuan" big migration movement,  as...

location

19km away from Yibin city, Sichuan, Lizhuang Ancient town is located on the edge of the Yangtze River
It was an important trading place during Ming and Qing Dynasty.
In the Ming and Qing Dynasty "Huguang - Sichuan" big migration movement,  as an important port, Li Zhuang town  accepted a large number of immigrants from Hubei and Hunan, Fujian, Guangdong and other places, and gradually developed into one of the region's commercial center in Southern Sichuan Province

Architecture

During the war while China was against Japan, Shanghai Tongji University . Central Institute , Central Museum etc .moved in Lizhuang since 1940.
many ancient architectures such as the university and folk houses are well protected.

some TV programms have been directed  here . 

Tradition activities

Grass dragon dance, geraniol lantern and Yangtze River dragon boat race are  traditional folk activities of Li Zhuang.

Snacks

There are many snacks in Lizhuang Ancient town : such as the White Cake, the White meat ( one big piece of meat  ) , Yellow cake ( made of sticky rice with honey ) . steam cake etc.
the Yangtze River impact plain is very fertile , the soil can grow any plants , productive and rich. people have a very good life here .

 

Yibin Articles

Top Yibin Tours

$300 Per Day

Trekking The Three Gorges(Itinerary of This Route)

Day 1  Fengjie
Fengjie is the first town when you go downstream along the Yangtze Gorges. Known as a town of poetry, almost all famous men of letters of China in Tang Dynasty (618AD-960AD) and Song Dynasty (960AD-1279AD) visited here and left a great number of poems behind them.
At the western entrance of the Yangtze Three Gorges, the Qutang Gorge is only 8km long, yet it is known as the most magnificent, with sheer cliff on either side of the river, present a grand view.
In Qing Dynasty (1644AD-1911AD), Poet Zhang Wentao described: No matter how marvelous your writing brush is, hardly you could give a description well enough for this Nature beauty!

Day 2 Fengjie Hiking
Transfer to pier and take a ferry boat across the stream. Hiking along Qutang Gorge starting from White Emperor City where dating back to 1800 years ago, in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms Period(220AD-280AD), Emperor Liu Bei was defeated and died here, which is a story know to all Chinese students. Hike all the way along the Red Armor Mountains with green fields, board beans and potato plants on the hillsides. This is the best spot viewing the magnificent and majestic Qutang Gorge. Returning to Fengjie for dinner on the same way back.
Today’s hiking is proximately 20KM, 7-8hours.
Qutang Gorge, the first of the three gorges of the Yangtze River, and the one that is famous for its sheer and spectacular precipices. When you visit Qutang Gorge, you will find uniquely beautiful natural formations greeting you from every direction. In this section, the Yangtze River carves its way through the gorge between the sheer precipices that frame both sides of the river. Qutang's widest point is more than 150 meters (500 feet) and its narrowest point is about tens of meters. Two mountains, the Red Passage Mountain (Chijia Shan) to the north and the White Salt Mountain (Baiyan Shan) to the south, form the Kui Men entrance (Kui Gate). The steep precipices form a giant door where the tumultuous Yangtse bursts through in an exciting rush of rolling and roaring water.

Day 3 Fengjie/Qingshi Town Hiking
Take the chartered little motor boart to the middle of Wu Gorge, sailing through Yangtze Qutang Gorge (8KM.) and review the Qutang Gorge in the morning on the river. Getting off the boat, then start hiking Wu Gorge. Do not forget to practice your Chinese Terms “NI HAO ( Hello)” to greet the local friendly villagers. Upon arrival at Qingshi town, we will settle down at local farmer’s houses.
Overnight at farmer’s house at Qishi town
Wu Gorge is the most beautiful section of the Yangtze River, 45 kilometers (28 miles) long, extending from the mouth of the Daning River in the west to the north-bank town of Guandukou, in Badong County, in the east. Flanked by high peaks that are often capped by fog or clouds, the twelve mountain peaks are lined by the river banks, presenting the Gorge a world-known gorgeous view. For thousands of years, man of letters and painters of China would specially come here with a tremendous admiration of natural beauty. Truly, it would be an unforgettable experience for you to hike through those famous attractions.
Wushan sees 12 high peaks, which are described by legend as being 12 fairy spirits. The best known is Shennu Feng (Goddess) Peak, which is topped by a large rock that resembles a sculpture of a girl looking down upon the boats in the river. The rock is about ten meters high and six meters in width, and stands atop a 1,020 meter on the north side of the Yangtze. It is said that this rock resembling the figure of a beautiful maiden is actually the embodiment of Yao Ji, the youngest daughter of the Heavenly Mother. Yao Ji became a protector of the people, guiding sailing boats through the gorge and easing the Yangtze's infamous floods.

Day 4 Qingshi town / Qishi Town
In the early morning depart for the daily hiking tour at Goddest peak. Daily hiking 7 hours (round trip) to Goddess Peak (1400 m above sea level) in the mid Yangtze Wushan Gorge, an unforgettable hiking experience.

Though you hat will drop off when you solute the Goddess peak at the foot of the mountain, it is surely under your feet when you actually climb to the top. You will pass the Scissors Peak and Songluan peaks. On the top of the mountain, we will have lunch at a farmers’ home. The whole day hike will last some 7 hours. It is floating museum of all Yangtze Boats at this section of the Yangtze Gorges, all types of boats, modern vessels, cargo barges and cruise ships will pass by.After the hiking, take the motor boat back to Qishi town.
Wushan town is a county seat, deep in the mountain area. Situated at the confluence of the Yangtze and its very small tributary the Danning River, here is a popular port.
You can choose your overnight at farmer’s house at Qishi town.

Day 5 Qishi town / Wushan / Lianziya
Breakfast and check out. We take a little charted motor boat to Wu Shan Town and take a speed boat ride from Wushan to Old Zigui. Take a ferry boat to the southern bank of Yangtze River, where to have lunch at Guojiaba old town. Enjoy the stunning beauty at the mouth of the gorge.
After a short break, continue hiking to ‘Chain Cliff’ along the Yangtrze River Bank. ‘Chain Cliff’ is hoped that pins and chains will keep it from falling into the gorge. It is the best section for viewing the west section of xiling gorge while enjoying the local ethnic culture.Climb up to the highest point of the mountain for a bird-eye view. It is about 3 hours and at the end of the hiking.

Day 6 Lianxiziya / Yichang
After breakfast  depart for the Dam tour with all your belongings at 8:45am.
Visit the Yangtze Three Gorges Dam and its Museum of Construction 9:00am – 11:00am. Drive to pass and lunch at Yichang, the famous hydra power city of China and the biggest city of western Hubei Province.

$150 Per Day

Leshan-Emeishan-Yibin 4-day tour

Day 1: Chengdu-Leshan

morning drive about 2.5 hours to Leshan, walk in the Lingyun mountain to see the Leshan Giant Buddha. about 3 hours in total. or take the boat to the foot of the river to see the giant Buddha

after Giant Buddha drive about 40 minutes to Emeishan. night stay in Emeishan

Day 2: Emeishan

morning take the sightseeing bus to Emeishan, ( half mountain-the destination is  Wannian Temple, top mountain-the destination is the Golden Summit. night stay in Emeishan.

Day3: morning drive about 4 hours to Yibin, bamboo forest. take the cable car inside the park. there are bamboo boats inside the park. where the movie<< Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon>> was taken here.
lunch you can enjoy the panda feast, because all the dishes are related to bamboo.

night stay in Yibin

Day4 drive back to Chengdu about 4 hours though the highway.