Live Your Best Lives
• Hike to viewpoints to overlook the Three Gorges / Wu Gorge bend, sunrise, and sunset scenes.
• Observe the cloud sea and mist in early morning (fog-shrouded peaks).
• Photograph the canyon, cliffs, steep ridges, and dramatic topography.
• Walk along cliff-edge paths, enjoy forested slopes, experience nature immersion.
• Admire autumn foliage (especially in fall) and mountain scenery.
Damianshan (大面山) lies in Badong County, near Enshi Prefecture in Hubei. It is known as a vantage point to view the three gorges (especially the bend of the Wu Gorge), to see mist, sunrise/sunset, and panoramic views over the canyon and river.
It is regarded locally as a scenic highlight and used historically for viewing landscapes and natural phenomena (e.g. red autumn leaves, cliff vistas).
It is also tied into the broader scenic system of Enshi’s mountain, canyon, and karst landscapes, adding a complementary viewpoint to the better-known Enshi Grand Canyon attractions in the region.
Damianshan is located in Badong County, Enshi Prefecture, Hubei, about ~10 km from Badong County town.
To get there: you typically reach via road transport (bus, taxi or private car). From Enshi or nearby county seats, you would drive or hire a car/van to Badong and then onward local roads toward Damianshan.
There is no metro in this remote area; public bus services may be limited.
From Badong town, you may take a local bus or taxi to Damianshan. Walking/hiking is involved for the mountain paths and viewpoints.
The official opening hours are reported on travel platforms but may vary; e.g. Trip.com notes typical hours of many scenic spots in the region (normal daytime).
Best times to visit: spring through autumn is ideal (April to November) — when weather is favorable, foliage is lush, mornings may bring fog/sea of clouds, and autumn offers red leaves.
Early morning (for sunrise, fog) and late afternoon (for warm light at sunset) are especially recommended.
According to Trip.com, Damianshan has an entry ticket that you can reserve.
The specific ticket price is not reliably documented in the sources I found.
You can often buy tickets offline at the site or visitor center; in many Chinese scenic sites, online booking in advance (via travel platforms) is also an option, especially in peak seasons.
It is wise to book ahead during peak travel seasons (e.g. national holidays, autumn leaf season) to secure entry and avoid potential sell-outs.
Booking a day or two ahead via travel platforms is usually sufficient in non-peak periods.
To enjoy the main viewpoints, sunrise/sunset, and hike parts of the trail, allocate half a day to a full day.
If you want to linger for photography, mist, and relaxing, you might spend 1 full day or combine with nearby attractions.
No strong evidence of multilingual audio guides or formal guided tours specifically for Damianshan is found in my sources.
Local guides or hiking guides may be available, often in Chinese; if you join a local tour group, they might provide commentary.
• Viewpoints facing the WU Gorge bend / three-gorge curve are highly praised.
• Cliff-edge vistas and ridgelines that frame the river below.
• Early-morning mist or cloud sea scenes at elevation.
• Autumn foliage in mountain slopes for seasonal color.
• Sunset and sunrise angle views over the gorges.
A suggested route:
1. Start early from base, ascend via forested trail to mid-elevation viewpoint.
2. Continue to summit or ridge viewpoint for panoramic views of the gorge and river.
3. Pause at cliff-edge vantage spots, take photos.
4. Time your arrival for sunrise or sunset if possible.
5. Return via a route that allows you to capture different lighting and perspectives.
Because the paths are relatively linear (few loops), you can plan a forward and return path to see different sides.
No evidence suggests that Damianshan offers night visits, light shows, or after-dark tours in my referenced sources.
Because Damianshan is less famous than some major scenic areas, it is relatively less crowded most of the year.
Weekdays (non-holidays), early mornings, and off-peak months (late spring, early autumn) are your best bet for fewer people.
Avoid national holidays and autumn leaf peaks when visitor numbers likely surge.
Basic visitor facilities (toilets, small rest stops) are likely present at trailheads or viewpoints, typical of Chinese scenic spots.
Local shops or small stalls may provide snacks, water, and light refreshments near entrance or parking.
Bring your own water and snacks especially for trails where facilities are sparse.
Because the terrain is mountainous with steep trails and climbs, access for elderly or disabled visitors is limited.
Children can accompany but may struggle with steep sections.
If there are viewing platforms accessible by easier paths, those are safer options for less mobile visitors — but full trail traversals are more demanding.
In many Chinese scenic spots, mobile payments (WeChat Pay, Alipay) are widely accepted; credit card acceptance is variable.
Cash is still useful in more remote or small vendor areas.
Bring some cash, but rely on mobile payments where possible.
Local small eateries (county or village style) are likely near the base or entrance area serving Chinese local cuisine.
On-trail food options are limited; plan meals in Badong town or accommodations before/after your visit.
Vegetarian options are possible in local Chinese restaurants (e.g. vegetable dishes, tofu), though full vegan or halal menus may be limited.
If in a more tourist-oriented facility, you may ask for no meat, but availability is not guaranteed.
In Badong County, there are guesthouses, inns, and local hotels that serve as bases.
“Juebi Guesthouses” (绝壁客栈) is mentioned in visitor trip reports as accommodation near trailheads for Damianshan.
Staying in Badong town or nearby villages gives you the advantage of early access to the mountain.
• Wu Gorge / Three Gorges region — Damianshan gives a vantage into gorge sceneries.
• Enshi Grand Canyon and related canyon/karst attractions in Enshi Prefecture.
• Pingshan Canyon (Pingshan Scenic Area) in Hefeng County is within the Enshi scenic network.
• Tenglong Cave, Suobuya Stone Forest, and other Enshi scenic highlights.
• Local ethnic cultural sites such as Tujia architecture, folk villages in Enshi.
Yes, at the entrance or visitor center there may be small souvenir shops selling local specialty crafts, local tea, ethnic handicrafts (Tujia/Miao style), local preserves or products.
Typical souvenirs could include local tea, handmade woven items, local nuts or dried products.
After visiting Damianshan, you can return to Badong town, and from there use regional bus or car transport to other Enshi scenic areas.
If heading deeper into Enshi Prefecture, you may travel onward to Enshi city, Hefeng / Pingshan Canyon, or Tenglong Cave, using road transport or tour transfers.
Depending on your next destination, private car hire or local shuttle tours are practical.
