Yibin is renowned for two things: its location at the junction of the Min and Yangzi rivers (essentially the head of the Yangzi, or Yangtze if you're old school) and the distinction of being known as the "Liquor Capital of China." The latter accolade comes thanks to the over 600 Yibin distilleries, which produce the juice for some 30 major brands, including China's premier bai jiu brand, Wuliangye.

Aside from being the home of the headwaters of both one of the China's great rivers and its most popular spirits, Yibin's surroundings include a wealth of geographical features perfect for numerous outdoor activities, and its long history and cultural significance make for plenty of sights, though some require a day trip out of town. 

You might want to swing by Yibin's Daguan Tower first to give traditional thanks to the guardian tower for making your visit possible. The tower sits on the head of an infernal dragon, preventing the fell creature from escaping its prison and wreaking havoc above ground. We know this to be true because it has worked for many, many years. 

For a great view of the city, head to Cuiping Shan (Cuiping Mountain), which rises from the middle of town. True nature lovers will want to head a bit further afield for a hiike through Shunan Zhuhai (South Sichuan Bamboo Sea), where Ang Lee's breakout film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was shot.  In addition to hauntingly beautiful swaying bamboo forests, the Bamboo Sea also features mountains, rivers, karst caves, lakes, falls and a smattering of atmospheric Buddhist temples. 

Spelunking enthusiasts should head to Xingwen Stone Cave Forest (also know as the Xingwen County Stone and Geological Park) for the 83 astonishing stalactite caves dotting the wooded landscape, including the popular Hall of Cascading Light. Continuing on a stony tip, If paleontology is your thing, try the Shibei Village Dinosaur Fossil Museum (Shibei Konglong).

If all that hiking and climbing puts a few knots in your muscles, you'll appreciate the Yibin area's many wen quan (hot springs). Try asking your hotel concierge where they're at by saying: Hao de wen quan zai nali? They'll likely answer: Xibu Daxiagu wen quan (Xibu Daxiagu Hot Spring), a top tourist spot 32 kilometers outside of town, and have other recommendations besides.
 

The Yibin region, populated for some 40,000 years and once considered the Chinese terminus of the Silk Road, has produced a wealth of historically significant characters. You might consider one of those characters to be the local spirit, now a leading national brand, Wuliangye, which boasts has a history of over 600 years and claims to have been the favorite of emperors and great poets alike.

Yibin was also home to some of China's greatest painters and calligraphers, including Huang Binlao, Zi Dan and Bao Bichen, each of whom founded their own distinctive schools.
 
During the War of Resistance against Japan, the National Drama School took refuge in the area for six years, an incubation period that saw a generation of new playwrights and film directors such as Cao Yu and Xie Jin emerge. During the war, Yibin native Zhao Yiman laid down her life for the anti-Japanese cause, becoming a national heroine in the process. She was joined by other renowned Yibin revolutionaries like Li Shuo Xun, Yu Zehong and Liu Hua in her defense of China. 

Yang Hansheng, a Chinese literary guru, and Tang Junyi, a philosopher, were also Yibin natives. Finally, Yibin is also the hometown of Li Peng, the fourth premier of the People's Republic of China.

Today, Yibin, a city of some three million inhabitants, serves as an important inland port, a role that has brought it both a share in modern China's prosperity as well as a healthy measure of its crowding and pollution, though escape into the Bamboo Forest and surrounding countryside is an always-available option.
 

This subtropical city doesn't just have dry and rainy seasons like the countries to the south. Yibin has four clearly demarcated seasons. Spring comes early, summer is extremely humid, autumn has a lot of rain, and winter yields a little frost or snow. The average frost-free period lasts 340 days. Raingear and highly breathable clothes are recommended.