泸州市

Why this place

Luzhou is where one of China's most famous strong liquors is made, in cellars that have been working continuously since the Ming dynasty. The city sits at the confluence of the Yangtze and Tuo rivers, which is what made it a distilling centre.

What to see

• The Luzhou Laojiao cellars — Ming-dynasty fermentation pits still in production, a heritage site
• The Yangtze–Tuo confluence and the old riverside town
• Fobao forest and the bamboo sea in the southern hills

What to eat

• Sichuan cooking with a strong local style; Luzhou is known for its yellow-braised fish
• Baijiu, obviously, made and drunk locally

Best time

March–May and September–November