I Thought Wuzhen Was Beautiful Enough! Until I Visited This Place in Sichuan...

As summer's intensity gradually fades, autumn arrives quietly with its gentle embrace. In Yibin, Sichuan, there's a place called Lizhang where autumn breezes gently ripple the river's surface, and the setting sun's glow bathes the water, creating a breathtaking scene. If you're looking to escape the city noise on weekends and find a moment of tranquility, Lizhang Ancient Town is absolutely the perfect choice. This place, honored as the "First Ancient Town along the 10,000-mile Yangtze River," was also one of the filming locations for CCTV's Mid-Autumn Festival Gala. Built along the river with waterways as streets and connected by bridges, it perfectly preserves the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walking on the bluestone paths, surrounded by gray bricks, green waters, and old alleys, the town exudes the charm of a Jiangnan water town. When I shared photos on social media, everyone asked if I was in Jiangnan, and I would proudly reply: "This is Lizhang in southern Sichuan's Yibin!" My trip to Lizhang was incredibly lucky! As night fell, a brilliant sunset came to "meet" me, and I captured that dreamlike moment with my iPhone's Live Photo feature. 📍 Transportation Guide: Lizhang Ancient Town is located in Cuiping District, Yibin City, Sichuan Province. Driving from Chengdu takes about 2.5 hours; simply navigate to "Lizhang Ancient Town." 🎫 Ticket Information: Free admission, enjoy your visit without pressure! 🅿️ Parking Tips: The Moon Field parking lot at the scenic area entrance offers convenient, worry-free parking. Lizhang Ancient Town is mainly divided into two major sections, each with its own unique charm: One: Lizhang Ancient Town Core Area This area preserves numerous Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, permeated with an ancient atmosphere. The gray bricks and black tiles showcase the Jiangnan style. Following the carefully planned route, you can appreciate the solemn Dongyue Temple, the exquisite wood carvings of Zhang Family Ancestral Hall, the tranquil Sheep Street, the historical depth of Zushi Temple, the peaceful Huiguang Temple, and the majestic Kuixing Pavilion. Each spot is worth stopping to savor. Touring route: Dongyue Temple → Zhang Family Ancestral Hall → Sheep Street → Zushi Temple → Huiguang Temple → Kuixing Pavilion Two: Lizhang Moon Scenic Area This area is built along the river with streets and bridges connected through clever design. Two crescent-shaped small islands in the middle are connected to replica ancient buildings via corridor bridges. One half offers poetic, picturesque scenery, while the other half is filled with the vibrant atmosphere of everyday life. Starting from the 2020 Theater, stroll along Ten Bridges Crossing and Moon Reflection Alley, climb Moon Island, visit the romantic Flower Field Under the Moon, explore the former site of the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture and Liang Lin's former residence to feel their historical significance, then enjoy a moment of tranquility at Yanyu Bookstore, and finally visit the Chinese Cultural Anti-Japanese War Museum to gain a deeper understanding of that turbulent period in history. Touring route: 2020 Theater → Ten Bridges Crossing → Moon Reflection Alley → Moon Island → Flower Field Under the Moon → Society for Research in Chinese Architecture → Liang Lin's Former Residence → Yanyu Bookstore → Chinese Cultural Anti-Japanese War Museum If you want to enjoy the ancient town's dazzling night scenery when the lights first come on, here's a tip: the scenic area usually turns on the lights around 8:30 PM, revealing another enchanting view!