凉山彝族自治州

Why this place

Liangshan is the Yi autonomous prefecture in southern Sichuan, and the Yi are one of China's largest minority groups with their own script, calendar and festivals. It is also where China launches many of its rockets, from the Xichang satellite launch centre.

What to see

• The Yi villages and the Torch Festival in the sixth lunar month
• Qionghai Lake and the Lushan (Sichuan) mountain, at Xichang
• The Xichang satellite launch centre, which can be visited on organised tours
• The Yalong River valley and the high mountains west, toward the Tibetan plateau

What to eat

• Yi food: large cuts of pork and mutton, buckwheat cakes and the local sour broth
• Xichang is known for its 'tuotuo' meat and its pomegranates

Best time

October–April; the Torch Festival is in July or August