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• Walk along the cliff-hugging plank roads (悬崖栈道) to experience vertiginous views and a thrilling perspective of the valley below.
• Hike through the karst canyon landscapes, passing scenic spots like “One Incense Stick” (一柱香), the Twin Peaks, and natural stone formations (e.g. “Male & Female Mushrooms”, “Canyon Crocodiles”).
• Ride the cable car / mountain escalator (if available) to ascend/descend steeper sections more comfortably.
• Visit observation decks and viewing platforms for panoramic vistas over the canyon and surrounding peaks.
• Explore geological features: rifts, cliffs, sinkholes, peak pillars—Qixingzhai is valued for combining both cliffs and peaks, and extensive karst landforms.
• Enjoy photography — sunrise, sunset, misty valley scenes are especially photogenic.
• Listen for echoes in echo valleys and enjoy small local shops or refreshment spots along the trail.
Qixingzhai (Seven Star Village / Seven Star Stronghold) is a core scenic sub-area within the Enshi Grand Canyon (恩施大峡谷). The Enshi Grand Canyon is notable for its three-dimensional karst landforms (cliffs, sinkholes, caves, arches, peak pillars) and is a prominent natural attraction in western Hubei. The “Seven Star” name refers to a local legend or naming scheme: the area is said to have been named “Seven Star” because seven dangerous locations were built like “fortress gates” and, when connected, resemble the Big Dipper constellation. Enshi Grand Canyon’s development was formalized to boost regional tourism, with management established in 2008.
Qixingzhai is located northeast of Enshi City, about 40 km from the urban area. Because Enshi is mountainous, public transport to the scenic area is limited. Most visitors reach it via private car, chartered vehicle, or a guided tour including transfer. From the parking or access point, visitors walk (often ~19 minutes) from parking to the ticket gate. Within the site, steep sections may use a cable car or mountain escalator to reduce walking on steep slopes.
Opening hours: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Recommended sightseeing time: 3–5 hours Best times to visit are in spring through autumn (April to October), when weather is more stable and paths are less affected by rain. Avoid the rainy season. Early morning or late afternoon visits typically offer better lighting and fewer crowds.
Basic ticket price: ¥105 for Qixingzhai (some sources) Additional cable car / escalator / ground lift: around ¥30 There may also be a scenic bus / internal transport fee of ¥20 Tickets can be purchased online (for example via Trip.com) or offline at the ticket office at the scenic area.
It is advisable to book in advance, especially during peak seasons, weekends, or holidays—to guarantee entry and reduce wait time. Online platforms (like Trip.com) allow you to reserve in advance. Booking a day or two ahead is often sufficient under normal conditions.
Allocate 3–5 hours for a thorough visit, including walking, stops at viewpoint platforms, and use of auxiliary transport (cable car, escalator) for steep segments. If you like photography and linger, you may want to allow extra time.
I did not find definitive evidence that professional guided tours or audio guides in foreign languages are regularly available inside Qixingzhai. Local tour groups (Chinese) may be arranged, often as part of broader guided tours of Enshi Grand Canyon. If visiting with a tour agency, they might provide Chinese or bilingual guides.
Great photo locations include:
• Along the cliff plank roads, especially where the walkway juts out over deep drops
• The One Incense Stick (standing pillar) — especially from framing angles at its base or mid-height
• Twin Peak rock pillars and uniquely shaped stones (mushrooms, animal-like formations)
• Observation terraces overlooking the canyon and valley below, ideally with clouds or mist for dramatic effect
• Early morning or late afternoon light gives warm tones and shadows enhancing the relief
A common route (based on visitor reports) is: Start at the visitor center → take the cable car (or climb) up to Xiaoloumen → follow plank road sections and cliff walkways → visit key highlights (One Incense Stick, rock formations, observation decks) → pass through Zhongmenlou / service areas → descend by escalator / stairs to the foot. It is often suggested: always turn right at forked paths to avoid missing the core scenic route. Finish the descent via the outdoor escalator if available to ease strain from walking down many steps.
No clear information suggests regular night visits or light shows at Qixingzhai. The opening hours end in the late afternoon, so nighttime access is unlikely. Special tours (for example, guided or themed tours) may be offered by local operators, but I did not find confirmation.
Yes, popular scenic sections (plank roads, One Incense Stick) can be crowded especially during weekends, holidays, and peak season. The least crowded times are weekday mornings, or outside of summer holiday periods. Visiting in the off-season (shoulder months) may also reduce crowds.
Basic facilities are available: toilets at service areas, small shops or refreshment stalls selling drinks and snacks (e.g. local juice). Rest areas / benches along the trail exist in some segments. There is a “cheap supermarket” near the foot of the mountain to purchase basic supplies. Servers and services in Zhongmenlou service area.
Because much of the path is steep, with cliff-walkways, stairs, and narrow portions, it is challenging for visitors with limited mobility, elderly, or those with disabilities. However, the cable car / escalator helps reduce strenuous uphill/downhill walking. Children should be carefully supervised, especially on cliff-hugging paths. If mobility is severely limited, parts of the lower areas and viewpoints may be accessible, but core sections may not be.
In China, mobile payments (WeChat Pay, Alipay) and bank cards are often accepted at tourist attractions and shops. But in smaller shops or rural segments inside the scenic area, cash may still be needed. It is wise to carry some Chinese yuan cash as backup.
Inside the scenic area, small refreshment stalls sell snacks and drinks (juice, water) at intervals. Near the foot of the mountain or in nearby villages, local restaurants offering regional dishes are available. In Enshi city itself, there are many restaurants and cafes to choose from.
Vegetarian options may exist in local restaurants (rice, vegetables, tofu-based dishes), but full vegan or halal restaurants are less common in this region. If you have strict dietary requirements, it’s wise to enquire locally in the towns or bring some backup snacks.
You can stay in Enshi City, which has a wider range of hotels, guesthouses, and inns. Closer to the scenic area, there may be homestays or mountain lodges (though fewer and more rustic). Staying in Enshi gives more flexibility in transport and amenities.
Nearby attractions in the Enshi / Wuling area include:
• Yunlong Ground Fissure & Yunlong Waterfall (ground crack valley scenery)
• Shennong Stream (神农溪) – a scenic river canyon and cultural tourism site.
• Tenglong Cave in nearby Lichuan area (deep karst cave system)
• Enshi Tujia & Miao Autonomous Prefecture Museum in Enshi city to learn local ethnic culture.
• Tujia Daughter City (女儿城) — a cultural town in Enshi with folk architecture, night performances, and local food. These can be combined with a scenic area visit depending on time and transport.
Yes, souvenir shops are present near service areas or the scenic area entrance/exit. Typical souvenirs include local specialty products: - Enshi Yulu (a kind of tea) - Local handicrafts, ethnic minority arts (Tujia, Miao crafts) - Local food products: chestnuts, pickles, specialty teas, local cakes or snacks - Small postcards, photo souvenirs of the scenic area
After visiting Qixingzhai, you may return to Enshi city (by your pre-arranged vehicle or tour transport) or continue onward to other regional attractions (e.g. Shennong Stream, Tenglong Cave). If you have your own car or a tour, those give you greatest flexibility. Public transport in the region is limited in mountainous terrain — many onward routes are via coach or chartered transfers. From Enshi, you can access trains, buses, or flights via Enshi Xujiaping Airport to connect to other destinations in Hubei or farther.
