Changning County

Changning County is located in the central part of Yibin City, Sichuan Province, on the southern edge of the Sichuan Basin. It covers an area of 996.92 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 460,000 (2023 statistics). In the Qin Dynasty, it belonged to Ba Commandery; in the Han Dynasty, to Qianwei Commandery; in the Tang Dynasty, Changning Prefecture was established; in the Yuan Dynasty, it was renamed Changning County; and in 1996, it came under Yibin City. Changning is renowned as the 'Bamboo Capital of China,' home to the world's largest bamboo germplasm resource bank—Shunan Bamboo Sea, with a bamboo forest area of over 70,000 hectares and a forest coverage rate exceeding 62%. It is a core ecological barrier in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. The Yujiang River and Changning River converge within the county, featuring both karst landforms and Danxia landscapes. Intangible cultural heritage such as bamboo weaving and bamboo carving have been passed down for thousands of years. Its uniqueness lies in being the only county-level tourism economic demonstration zone in China centered on 'bamboo,' with the bamboo industry accounting for over 35% of GDP. It is also an important support area for the Red Army's Four Crossings of the Chishui River during the Long March, and the former residence of Yu Zehong in Zhuhai Town is a provincial-level patriotic education base.

I. Core Scenic Spots 1. Shunan Bamboo Sea (National Scenic Area, AAAAA): 17 km from the county seat, ticket 100 yuan (peak season), open 8:00-18:00. Must-visit: Wangyou Valley (bamboo paths, summer waterfalls), Tianbao Village (Ming Dynasty ancient village, best for sea of clouds), Qicai Waterfall (200-meter drop, rainbows after rain), Feicui Corridor (red sandstone path with green bamboo, photography paradise). Recommended 2-day visit, hiking or sightseeing bus (30 yuan/person). 2. Former Residence of Yu Zehong in Zhuhai Town: 27 km from county seat, free admission, exhibits history of the Red Army's Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou Border Guerrilla Column, suitable for red study tours. 3. Longyin Temple: Highest point in Bamboo Sea, overlooks vast bamboo waves, exquisite Ming Dynasty stone Buddha statues.

II. Special Experiences 1. Bamboo Rafting: On Changning River (county section) or Bamboo Sea Lake, 30 yuan/person/hour, cool in summer. 2. Bamboo Craft Workshops: Bamboo Art Street (Zhuhai Road, Changning Town) to watch bamboo weaving and carving, buy bamboo fans, bamboo lamps as souvenirs.

III. Food Recommendations 1. Whole Bamboo Feast: Must-try dishes include bamboo fungus stewed chicken (fresh and fragrant), bamboo tube rice (glutinous rice with bacon), bamboo shoots braised beef (at 'Bamboo Village Home' in Zhuhai Town, about 80 yuan/person). 2. Changning Cold Rice Jelly: Time-honored 'Wang's Cold Rice Jelly' (Anning Street, county seat), brown sugar flavor 5 yuan/bowl, with bamboo leaf fragrance. 3. Bamboo Sea Bacon: Smoky flavor, 25 yuan/jin at Zhuhai Town market.

IV. Transportation Guide 1. External: Yibin Wuliangye Airport (45 km from Changning, airport bus direct to county seat, 1 hour); Chengdu-Guiyang High-Speed Railway Changning Station (1.5 hours from Chengdu, 2 hours from Guiyang). 2. Internal: County seat to Bamboo Sea has bus line (6:30-18:30, every 30 minutes, 8 yuan); taxi within county seat starts at 5 yuan.

V. Itinerary Suggestions One-day tour: Shunan Bamboo Sea highlights (Wangyou Valley + Feicui Corridor + Qicai Waterfall). Two-day tour: D1 Bamboo Sea panorama (including sunrise at Longyin Temple), D2 Former Residence of Yu Zehong + Changning River rafting.

VI. Notes Stone paths in Bamboo Sea, wear non-slip shoes; summer mosquitoes, bring repellent; accommodation in scenic area (Bamboo Sea Villa about 300 yuan/night) needs advance booking.