48 Hours in Maotai Town, Zunyi｜Waking Up Tipsy by the Chishui River, Pores Soaked in Liquor Aroma

The moment I rolled down the car window, 53°C air wrapped around me like a sheer veil—my first intoxicating impression of Maotai Town. Wandering through Yangliuwan Ancient Street, every step felt like treading on a carpet woven with liquor fragrance: ceramic jars stacked high in shops on both sides, owners lifting red cloth seals to stir the contents with bamboo ladles, the rich aroma of fermented soybeans hitting my nostrils like a physical force, warming my throat. Deep in the alley, a liquor vendor insisted I try a cup of base liquor: "Taste it! Homemade—won’t give you a headache!" The spicy burn traveled from my tongue to my stomach, but warmth rose to my eyes. The China Liquor Culture Museum is a time capsule of millennia-old traditions. Bronze wine vessels in the Han Dynasty section still hold simulated liquor, while the Tang Dynasty gallery’s "Drunken Imperial Concubine" sculpture dances with flowing robes. In the Maotai section, visitors’ hands tremble as they snap photos of the million-dollar liquor wall—each bottle of rare vintage Maotai priced at ¥200,000, its value and aged aroma palpable even through glass. The highlight? Maotai-flavored ice cream in the tasting zone, where fiery liquor meets creamy sweetness, creating a thrilling contrast on the tongue. Young visitors cough and laugh: "This East-meets-West combo? I’m sold!" The Chishui River truly comes alive at night. A colossal light show illuminates the cliffs across the water, depicting Red Army crossings and Qin Dynasty salt merchants. The bridge crowds with tripod-toting photographers, but my secret spot is the Maotai Grand Hotel’s terrace: a 30-second exposure turns the river into molten gold, and lanterns from stilted houses blur into vermilion dots. My social media post captioned "Night Banquet in Northern Guizhou" instantly racked up 99+ location requests. Leaving town, my suitcase weighed heavier—three pounds of bulk base liquor in plastic jugs. The driver chuckled: "Taking Maotai’s soul with you?" In the rearview mirror, the liquor town faded into mountains, yet the scent clinging to my collar lingered for days. --- ♨️ Pro Tips: 1. Liquor tasting: Don’t overdo street samples! Base liquor hits 60°—a small sip suffices. Opt for **¥10-30/jin** value picks. 2. Night photography: Hotel terraces are free! Use a small light to outline subjects against the river. 3. Food hack: Pair Hema lamb with sweet garlic at salt-cuisine spots to cut grease. Avoid stir-fried bacon with fishy houttuynia (bold flavor alert!). 4. Avoid driving into ancient streets—narrow, steep lanes make parking (¥20/day) wiser. > Navigate: Maotai Town, Renhuai City, Zunyi｜Museum ticket: ¥60 (entry closes 16:30) > > ✨ Your likes fuel my late-night photo edits like spiritual Maotai!