Chishui River and the Four Crossings of Chishui
Chishui River is located in Southwest China, originating from Zhenxiong County in Yunnan Province. It flows through Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan provinces, joining the Yangtze River in Hejiang County, Sichuan Province, with a total length of 444.5 kilometers. It is named for its high sediment content and reddish-yellow water color. It is the only unpolluted tributary in the upper Yangtze River and the core production area of China's sauce-flavored liquor (such as Moutai and Langjiu). The Four Crossings of Chishui is a classic battle during the Red Army's Long March in 1935. Under Mao Zedong's command, the Central Red Army crossed the Chishui River four times at the junction of Guizhou, Sichuan, and Yunnan provinces, using flexible and mobile tactics, feinting east and attacking west, breaking through the encirclement and blockade of the Kuomintang army. It is hailed as "the pinnacle of military command art" and "the most brilliant and miraculous chapter in the history of the Long March."
🌟Highlights:
Moutai Town is the core area of the middle reaches of the Chishui River, known as China's Liquor Capital and the birthplace of Moutai liquor. It features the National Liquor Culture City, Moutai Distillery, and Yangliuwan Ancient Street, filled with the aroma of liquor and the taste of sauce-flavored spirits. The Chishui Danxia World Natural Heritage includes Foguangyan, Shizhangdong Waterfall, and Sidonggou, where red sandstone and green river water intertwine. Bing'an Ancient Town is one of the Red Army's four crossing points of the Chishui River, with the Red First Army Group Memorial Hall, ancient wharf, and stilted buildings, preserving an original and rustic atmosphere. Tucheng Ancient Town is the first crossing point of the Four Crossings of Chishui, featuring the Four Crossings of Chishui Memorial Hall, China Female Red Army Memorial Hall, and ancient salt road, rich in red culture. Erlangtan, Taipingdu, and Moutai Ferry crossing sites have Red Army bridges, monuments, and memorial halls to commemorate history. The Meijiu River Cliff Inscriptions downstream of Moutai Town feature the words "Meijiu River" carved on a cliff hundreds of meters high, the highest in the world.
🚉Transportation Tips:
Scenic spots along the Chishui River are scattered, so self-driving or chartering a car is recommended. Zunyi Moutai Airport, Luzhou Yunlong Airport, and Bijie Feixiong Airport are all accessible. It takes 1.5 hours from Zunyi to Moutai Town, 1 hour from Moutai Town to Tucheng, and 1 hour from Tucheng to Chishui.
⏳Best Time to Visit:
The best time is from March to May and September to November, with pleasant weather and the strongest aroma of liquor; around the Chinese New Year, Moutai Town is full of festive atmosphere.
🗓Itinerary:
A three-day tour is ideal. On the first day, taste liquor and visit the National Liquor Culture City in Moutai Town; on the second day, visit the Four Crossings of Chishui Memorial Hall in Tucheng and Bing'an Ancient Town; on the third day, explore Foguangyan or Shizhangdong Waterfall in Chishui Danxia. Combine with visits to the Zunyi Conference Site (2 hours), Loushanguan (1.5 hours), and Guiyang (3 hours) to form a northern Guizhou red culture route.
🍲Recommended Dishes:
Try Chishui River cuisine: Hejiang grilled fish, Gulin spicy chicken, Xishui tofu skin, and Moutai Town lamb noodles. Stay overnight in Moutai Town or Tucheng, fall asleep with the aroma of liquor and dreams of red memories.