Liubei Pond Park in Yibin

Liubeichi Park (流杯池公园) is located at No. 4 Minjiang East Road, Cuiping District, Yibin City. It is a National 4A-level Scenic Area and a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit. During the Northern Song Dynasty, the famous poet and calligrapher Huang Tingjian (黄庭坚) was demoted to Rongzhou (戎州, present-day Yibin). Inspired by Wang Xizhi’s (王羲之) famous “Preface to the Orchid Pavilion” (《兰亭集序》) and the traditional Chinese game of floating wine cups along a winding stream, he used a natural canyon to create the Nine-Curve Floating Cup Pool (九曲流杯池). The surrounding cliffs preserve more than 100 pieces of cliff inscriptions from the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, making it an important open-air museum of Chinese calligraphy. The park is free to enter and open daily from 06:00 to 23:00.

Best Time to Visit Liubeichi Park

Seasonal Recommendations

From March to May, the park is covered with fresh greenery, and the soft canyon light creates ideal conditions for viewing the cliff inscriptions. From June to August, the shaded valleys provide a cool escape from the summer heat. From September to November, the pleasant autumn weather makes walking and sightseeing especially comfortable. From December to February, visitor numbers decrease, creating a quiet and ancient atmosphere that allows travelers to better appreciate the historical charm of the site.

Best Visiting Hours

The morning hours from 08:00 to 10:00 offer the best lighting for viewing the details of the carved inscriptions on the cliffs. A complete visit usually takes about 2–3 hours. During holidays, visitors can make reservations for free guided interpretation services to better understand the history and cultural stories behind the site.

Transportation to Liubeichi Park

By car, visitors can navigate to Liubeichi Park (流杯池公园). The park provides parking facilities and is approximately a 10-minute drive from central Yibin. By public transportation, buses No. 12, 24, and 40 stop at Liubeichi Park Station, from where visitors can walk directly to the entrance. The park can also be combined with the Wuliangye Wine Culture Museum (五粮液酒文化博览馆) to create a one-day cultural tour of Yibin.

Highlights of Liubeichi Park

🏞️ Liubeichi Pool and Cliff Carving Heritage

The Nine-Curve Floating Cup Pool (九曲流杯池) is the cultural heart of the park. Built within a natural canyon, the winding stone channel recreates the elegant literati tradition of drinking and composing poetry beside flowing water. The surrounding cliffs preserve more than 120 historical inscriptions from different dynasties, including Huang Tingjian’s famous calligraphy work “Nanjilaoren Wuliangshoufo” (《南极老人无量寿佛》). Works by renowned scholars such as Lu You (陆游) and Yang Shen (杨慎) are also preserved here. The site is often described as an open-air museum of Chinese calligraphy.

🏯 Fuweng Pavilion and Fuweng Cave

Fuweng Pavilion (涪翁楼) and Fuweng Cave (涪翁洞) were built in memory of Huang Tingjian, whose literary name was Fuweng. The pavilion introduces his life and achievements, while Fuweng Cave is a naturally formed space that remains warm in winter and cool in summer. According to local tradition, Huang Tingjian once studied and rested here during his years in Yibin.

🏛️ Prime Minister Zhuge Shrine

The Prime Minister Shrine (丞相祠) commemorates Zhuge Liang’s (诸葛亮) southern expedition. This Ming and Qing dynasty ancestral hall represents the traditional architectural style of southern Sichuan. In front of the shrine stands the Ming Dynasty giant stone inkstone known as “Bidian Dan Chi” (笔点丹池). Inside the shrine are stone carvings of Zhuge Liang’s famous “Memorial on the Expedition” (《出师表》), along with historical sites such as the General’s Platform (点将台) and Kongming Well (孔明井).

🌉 Diaohuang Tower

Diaohuang Tower (吊黄楼) is a three-story traditional-style pavilion. Climbing to the upper floors provides panoramic views of the Minjiang River (岷江) and the urban landscape of Yibin, making it a popular viewpoint for visitors.

🌿 Garden Landscape and Lakeside Area

Beyond its historical relics, Liubeichi Park also features peaceful garden scenery, including lotus ponds, ancient bridges, and dense bamboo forests. It is a popular urban mountain park where locals come for walking, tea drinking, and leisure activities.

Accommodation and Local Food

Most visitors choose hotels in downtown Yibin for convenient transportation. Recommended local specialties include Yibin Burning Noodles (宜宾燃面), Lizhuang White Pork (李庄白肉), and Ya’erba Rice Cakes (鸭儿粑). The park also has tea areas where visitors can enjoy tea while relaxing among the greenery.

Travel Tips for Liubeichi Park

1. The cliff carvings and ancient buildings are protected as national cultural heritage sites. Do not touch, carve, or damage the inscriptions, and never strike the cliff walls.
2. The canyon environment is often humid, with moss-covered surfaces that can become slippery. Wear comfortable non-slip shoes.
3. Some areas inside the canyon have limited natural light. A mobile phone flashlight can help visitors observe smaller inscription details.
4. The park is still a daily leisure space for local residents. Please keep voices low and respect the peaceful environment.
5. Entrance to the park is free, while professional guide services may require an additional fee.