Great places to visit for New Year's Day, four recommended tourist spots in Yibin!!!
Escape the crowds this New Year's Day! A guide to 4 hidden gem spots in Yibin🔥 Nature + culture + food all covered
Don’t want to squeeze into popular scenic spots for New Year's? Yibin in southern Sichuan is simply irresistible! It offers karst wonders, vast bamboo seas for healing scenery, and ancient towns full of vibrant culture. Plus, the food is so abundant it’ll leave you amazed~ Here’s a super practical guide to four must-visit spots to easily unlock a perfect holiday!
🌿 Shunan Bamboo Sea | A green fairyland above the clouds
“Cloudy mountains and bamboo seas, a paradise on earth” is truly well-deserved! Over 70,000 acres of lush bamboo stretch endlessly, and during New Year's, the mist weaves through like stepping into an ink painting~
- Key spots: The Emerald Corridor is a must! The bamboo shade forms a natural green corridor, sunlight filtering through leaves creates perfect light spots for forest-style photos; Baishoutai offers the best view overlooking the bamboo sea, with morning clouds rolling and thousands of peaks like immortal bows, the atmosphere is breathtaking; the Sea in the Sea is as calm as a mirror, rafting among bamboo shadows and sky reflections, incredibly poetic.
- Must-try experiences: Ride the 360° panoramic cable car through the bamboo sea, the green waves below are stunning; thrill-seekers can try zip-lining and flying ladders among the bamboo tops; don’t miss the China Giant Panda Sanctuary to get close to the national treasure and soothe all your fatigue.
- Food tips: Definitely try the full bamboo feast! Bamboo fungus chicken soup is so fresh it’ll surprise you, bamboo worms and bamboo rats are niche but high-protein, paired with local rice wine to cut the grease and warm your heart.
🏯 Lizhuang Ancient Town | The cultural backbone in a thousand years of everyday life
An ancient town over 1,400 years old, not overly commercialized, full of life vibes. Celebrating New Year's here is truly special~
- Key spots: The winding bluestone paths and Ming-Qing style blue bricks and black tiles are everywhere, perfect for photos like the CCTV Qixi Festival show; the China Lizhuang Cultural War of Resistance Museum is a must-visit to immerse in the patriotism of masters and scholars; in the evening, visit the Lizhuang Tourism Resort to watch performances like “Crossing the River by Reed” and the “Lamp Lighting Ceremony” for a full atmosphere.
- Food highlights: Not eating Lizhuang white meat is a missed opportunity! Thin as cicada wings, the meat slices are eaten with the “one pinch, two shake, three dip” method in garlic sauce, rich but not greasy and surprisingly delicious; also try the sweet and soft white cake with osmanthus or rose flavors, great as souvenirs; don’t miss the street’s spicy noodles, chewy noodles drenched in chili oil that awaken your taste buds in one bite.
- Hidden gems: Stroll and snack at Ginkgo Cool Market, with a dazzling variety of treats like ice jelly and glutinous rice balls, sitting under the shade chatting with friends is pure relaxation.
🪨 Xingwen Stone Sea | Nature’s masterpiece
A karst wonder in a world geological park, visiting during New Year's lets you enjoy scenery and thrills, your social media grid won’t be able to hold all the photos~
- Key spots: The surface stone forest is rugged and majestic, with stone pillars and stalagmites in various shapes, like being on an alien planet; the sinkholes and ground leaks are grand, standing on the edge looking down is breathtaking; the million-year-old caves host the Yao Terrace Immortal Banquet, with dazzling lights like a fairyland.
- Must-try experiences: For thrill lovers, off-road mountain vehicles, sinkhole rappelling, and the nerve-wracking popular bridges all spike adrenaline; the “Lazy-friendly” “Xiaoyao Banquet” is a must, dining on specialty dishes while watching song and dance performances inside the cave, a feast for both eyes and taste buds; don’t miss the evening “Stone Sea Long Song,” China’s first immersive karst landscape performance, a 45-minute time-travel experience that’s stunning.
- Travel tips: The park is large, so wear comfortable sports shoes; some activities require advance booking; bring a light jacket as cave temperatures are low.
🟢 Cuiping Mountain | The forest oxygen bar in the city center
A hidden gem right in the city, perfect for hiking, breathing fresh air, and exploring history all in one, great for a relaxed start to your itinerary~
- Key spots: Named for “mountain colors evergreen all year, looking like a screen,” climb up for panoramic views of Yibin’s main urban area; the Nezha Palace in the mountain is full of mythological charm, ancient architecture with lush trees makes for great photos; also visit cultural sites like the Zhao Yiman Memorial Hall and Qianfo Temple, perfect for a quiet moment to feel the historical depth.
- Must-try experiences: If you have the stamina, hike the stone steps with lotus ponds and the Three Rivers Viewing Tower scattered along the way; if tired, take the panoramic cable car through the forest for 360° green views; the Liubei Pool Park at the foot of the mountain is worth a visit to enjoy the ancient elegant pastime of floating wine cups.
- Travel tips: The park is free to enter, best to start before 9 AM to avoid crowds and enjoy fresh morning air for a more comfortable hike.
📍 New Year's Travel Tips
1. Transportation: Yibin has an airport and high-speed rail station; within the city, use tourist shuttle buses or ride-hailing cars; for Shunan Bamboo Sea and Xingwen Stone Sea, self-driving or local day tours are recommended for convenience and flexibility.
2. Accommodation: Stay in bamboo raft homestays at Shunan Bamboo Sea with green views from your window; in Lizhuang Ancient Town, riverside inns let you fall asleep to the sound of flowing water; the city offers many lodging options, with convenient transport and vibrant nightlife around Wanxiang Tiandi.
3. Clothing: Yibin is quite cold during New Year's, recommend down jackets and sweaters paired with non-slip sports shoes; mountain areas have big temperature differences between day and night, remember scarves and gloves for warmth.
Yibin’s beauty is hidden in the breeze through bamboo groves, the lively smoke of ancient towns, and the wonders of the Stone Sea~ This New Year's, escape the crowds and come to this treasure city for a date with nature and culture!