14 Days in Yibin

Land softly — an evening look at the spot where the Min and Jinsha rivers join to form the Yangtze.

1. Hejiangmen confluence

Temple paths on the hill, then the memorial to the city's famous daughter; both sit inside the city.

1. Cuiping Mountain park
2. Zhao Yiman Memorial

Base yourself inside the scenic area and walk the green corridors around the central museum.

1. Shunan Bamboo Sea central scenic area

The cliff-hugging plank road and cave temple occupy a whole morning on the gorge wall.

1. Tianbao plank road
2. Xianyu Cave

Shaded streams in the morning, then the multi-tier waterfall; carry rain gear in high water.

1. Forget Worry Valley
2. Rainbow Waterfall

Riverside lanes and Qing courtyards downstream; the wartime-academia exhibition halls repay an unhurried visit.

1. Lizhuang Ancient Town

The museum district explains grain-liquor craft; Song poet Huang Tingjian floated wine cups at Liubeichi.

1. Wuliangye baijiu district
2. Liubeichi Park

A deliberate pause — teahouse morning, river walk, and an early night before the eastern push.

1. Minjiang riverside walk
2. old town teahouses

Two hours east, karst pinnacles and the Xiaoyanwan sinkhole several hundred metres across; overnight in Xingwen.

1. Xingwen Stone Sea stone forest

A second day underground — lit chambers and the great dolina seen from the rim walk.

1. Xingwen show caves

A long day south to the cliffs where the ancient Bo people set coffins high on the rock face; start early.

1. Boren hanging coffins at Matangba

A Qing gentry compound in the Jiang'an hills, intact with its kitchens and grain stores; a quiet half day.

1. Xijiashan Residence

The Changning old town is the home of liangao cold jelly noodles; linger over lunch in the flagstone lanes.

1. Shuanghe Ancient Town

A last market morning for tea and spices, then the train; ranmian makes the goodbye bowl.

1. morning produce market