The First Town Along the Yangtze River: Unlocking Millennia-Old Charm and Vibrant Life!

💡 【Key Highlights】 ✅ Ticket Policy: • Ancient Town Area: Free admission, open all day. • Museum Combo Ticket: Adults ¥20/Students ¥10 (includes sites like the Former Site of the Society for the Study of Chinese Architecture and the Anti-Japanese War Museum). • Special Experiences: Moonfield Boat Ride (Day ¥50/Night ¥60), Sanjiang Cruise (Yibin-Lizhuang round trip ¥68). ✅ Best Seasons: • Spring (Mar-May): 80-acre rainbow rapeseed fields (gold, orange, pink, white) at Moonfield, with boardwalks weaving through like a Monet painting. • Autumn (Sep-Nov): Cool weather, osmanthus fragrance in ancient streets, ideal for cultural exploration. • Festive Events: Spring Festival drone light shows + grass dragon dance, nighttime phoenix flight performances. ✅ Transportation Guide: • Public Transit: Take Bus 45 from Yibin West Station (≈1.5hrs); or take a high-speed train to Yibin Station and transfer to Tourist Line 01. • Drive: Navigate to "Lizhuang Ancient Town," park at Moonfield/Kuixing Road lots (free shuttle to scenic area). --- ### I. Must-Visit Attractions & Unique Experiences 1. **Architectural Wonders**: Touch the Millennia-Old Yangtze Civilization • **Spiral Hall**: Ming Dynasty wooden marvel with a spiral caisson ceiling, built entirely without nails—climb to view the rushing Yangtze. • **Zhang Family Ancestral Hall**: Nanmu woodcarvings of "Cranes Amid Clouds," with feather details so fine they’re hailed as Sichuan’s carving masterpiece. • **Kuixing Pavilion**: Three-story riverside tower; at dusk, golden light glints off its glazed tiles, harmonizing with cargo ships on the river. 2. **Cultural Depths**: Wartime History & Masters’ Legacy • **Lizhuang Anti-Japanese War Museum**: Immersive exhibits on Tongji University’s relocation; replica manuscripts of Liang Sicheng’s *History of Chinese Architecture* on display. • **Liang-Lin Residence**: Workspace of Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin, with ink-stained desks and courtyard wisteria cascades. 3. **Modern Twists**: Light, Nature, and Adventure • **Moonfield Scenic Area**: - *Day*: Cycle (¥20/hr) through spring rapeseed fields or autumn reeds. - *Night*: Fog systems create fairy-tale scenes; 8-meter-tailed phoenix models soar over lakes, while boat rides pass sudden Sichuan opera face-changing acts. • **Hands-On Heritage**: Try traditional rapeseed pressing or weave grass bracelets (¥30) in Xizi Alley. --- ### II. Lizhuang’s Flavors: The Yangtze’s Culinary Gifts 🔥 **Local Must-Eats** • **Lizhuang Sliced Pork**: He San’s shop serves paper-thin pork leg slices with garlic-chili dip (¥40/person). • **Lizhuang Rice Cakes**: Steamed by Cao Laoyou, in original or osmanthus flavors (¥5/piece)—perfect souvenirs. • **Yangtze Delicacies**: Spicy yellow catfish tofu soup (Moonfield docks) or crispy duck (Shunhe Street), ¥30/person. ⚠️ **Tips**: Avoid "wild mushroom soup" (often farmed); buy fresh *huangba* cakes on market days (lunar 2nd, 5th, 8th). --- ### III. Stay Overnight: Serenity by the River • *Guilunfang Inn* (¥360+): Qing-era house with carved beds and courtyard views. • *Lizhuang Siyue Resort* (¥650+): Moonfield-facing rooms with private balconies for phoenix shows, includes breakfast + boat tickets. • *Budget Option*: Tongji Square Hostel (¥80/bed), with storytelling nights. --- ### IV. Itinerary & Festivals 🔥 **Classic 2-Day Trip** • *Day 1*: Spiral Hall → Zhang Ancestral Hall → War Museum → He San’s pork → Moonfield cycling → Night phoenix show + boat ride. • *Day 2*: Liang-Lin Residence → Society for Architecture Study → Xizi Alley crafting → Sunset at Kuixing Pavilion → Buy rice cakes before leaving. 🎉 **2025 Festivals** • *Spring Festival (Jan-Feb)*: Drone shows, lucky money parades, grass dragon dances. • *Fog Forest Concerts (May-Oct)*: Folk music under moonlight, foam "snow," and BBQ under stars. --- ### V. Local Wisdom 1. **Photo Spots**: - Kuixing Pavilion at blue hour (20min post-sunset) for long-exposure river lights; Hanfu photos on Moonfield boardwalks. 2. **Avoid Scams**: - Opt for round-trip Sanjiang cruises (¥68); skip pricey guides (¥368/hr)—tag along with tour groups. 3. **Respect Culture**: - Don’t touch Spiral Hall’s painted wood; maintain silence in museums. When phoenix wings brush Kuixing’s tiles, when pork aromas drift from Xizi Alley’s stoves, when boat oars part Moonfield’s light reflections—Lizhuang’s days and nights blend the Yangtze’s timeless flow with the sizzle of human warmth. 🏮