Live Your Best Lives
The first time I set foot on this land was in winter. The bus departed from Wuhan and wobbled all night. Later, we switched to a tractor, but halfway through, the tractor gave way, so we disembarked and walked. After a bumpy ride, we finally reached Luyuanping. It was already midnight when we arrived. After a full meal, the farmer quickly rested. When I opened the door in the morning, I couldn't help but sigh in wonder at how beautiful this place was. The air was fresh and earthy, a thin mist enveloped the land, and a small river meandered through it. I fell in love with this place instantly. I've never been bored here again, and it remains as beautiful as ever.
Now that transportation is convenient and communications are more advanced, this place is slowly being revealed to the world, with people eager to see its true beauty. Below I will explain how to get there, what to do there, when is the best time to visit, and how to find food and accommodation.
Luyuanping, located in the upper reaches of the Mufu section of the Enshi Grand Canyon, is 80 kilometers from downtown Enshi and only 4 kilometers from the renowned Enshi Grand Canyon Scenic Area. A village still largely undeveloped, Luyuanping, once home to 30 households, now has only a little over 10 remaining, creating a true paradise. Nestled in the Zhongjian River basin, Luyuanping lies deep within the canyon's fissures. From the Qiaowan Pass at the top to the Qiaowan Pass at the bottom, the vertical drop exceeds 500 meters. Beautiful and pristine, Luyuanping boasts a vibrant ecology, precipitous peaks, fascinating legends, and simple folk customs, embodying a unique blend of uniqueness, danger, ruggedness, beauty, and purity. It has been dubbed the "Shangri-La of Hubei."
There are currently no direct buses to Luyuanping. Instead, you can take a short bus from Enshi Bus Station to Banqiao for 30 yuan. The bus departs on a rolling basis, starting at 7:00 AM and ending at 4:00 PM. From Banqiao, you can charter a car to Xintian Village for around 100 yuan. Shared rides are available, and bargaining is a matter of personal preference. Shared rides to Luyuanping can also be found at the Enshi Train Station exit, but this is a matter of luck and the price depends on the driver's mood. As long as it's affordable, it's fine.
Tips:
1. Public transportation in Enshi is generally in poor condition, the service provided by drivers and passengers is inconsistent, and taxi-sharing is a serious problem. Please treat it with a normal attitude and don't be too concerned.
2. Chartering a car can make reaching Luyuanping more convenient and faster. Carpooling with multiple people is more affordable. Please be sure to negotiate the price before setting off.
3. Enshi has many mountainous roads, so if you are prone to motion sickness, please bring your own motion sickness medicine.
Luyuanping has only four trails leading to the outside world: 7 kilometers east to Damiao Village, 15 kilometers south to Loumen, 5 kilometers west to Xintian Village, and 15 kilometers north to Sancao. Vehicles cannot enter, requiring only walking. The trails are entirely mountainous, with a drop of over 300 meters in and out, requiring a trek through the mountains. Its unique geographical location and scenery have attracted a large number of outdoor enthusiasts, earning it a reputation among hikers as a "hiker's paradise."
Follow the bluestone road, turn 42 times, go down 1,520 steps, listen to the sound of the waterfall as you descend to the bottom of the valley, and you will reach Luyuanping.
The scenic area is currently under development, and a new cliff plank road has been built from Xintian Village directly to the scenic area. Standing on the cliff plank road, you can see the panoramic view of the entire Luyuanping.
The other road requires climbing a mountain, crossing a hill, and walking 7 kilometers to reach it. This is a road that hiking enthusiasts like to take.
At present, the main attractions of Luyuanping include the Xuanlu Ground Crack, the Four-Level Waterfall, the Deer Drinking Pond, and the Lujiao Peak.
Luyuanping is a pristine landscape, a Triassic karst formation formed over 250 million years ago. Its fissures rival the Enshi Grand Canyon in scenery. While you might not want to visit the Grand Canyon, Luyuanping is a must-see; you'll fall in love with it. The canyon is serene and eerie, with nearly vertical cliffs on either side. For unknown reasons, the middle section of the cliff has sunk in, forming a natural plank road. The narrowest part is only 20 centimeters, and the widest is 1-2 meters. Walking along this winding path, you must be cautious as you advance deeper into the canyon.
Journeying along the canyon, we encountered a series of waterfalls, from continuous small cascades to the renowned first, second, third, and fourth tiers. The first tier is named not only for its highest elevation, but also for the fact that it cascades out from a cliff face. At the second tier, we witnessed a rare and breathtaking rainbow. The sunlight, reflected on the waterfall and against the backdrop of the surrounding flowers and plants, was a truly picturesque sight. After rain, the water volume at Luyuanping Waterfall increases by two to three times, creating an even more spectacular sight.
In the distance, a waterfall cascades down the mountain. As you get closer, you'll see the famous "Deer Drinking Pond." Legend has it that herds of mountain deer used to drink here, hence the name. The water is crystal clear, soft, and sweet.
If you walk along the hiking trail all the way, you can return to the ground. There are several farmhouses here that can accommodate tourists. You can choose to settle down here. The farmhouses are facing Lujiao Peak.
Luyuanping is located in the Wuyi Mountain Basin, where temperatures are slightly higher than in the mountains. The mountainous region has a changeable climate and abundant water. Summer evenings are often rainy, with daytime showers rarely lasting long periods. Winter brings snow and cooler temperatures. Therefore, the best seasons to visit are spring, autumn, and winter. Be prepared with rain gear in the summer, as showers are possible at any time.
Tips:
1. Luyuanping has a mountainous microclimate, so there is a greater possibility of rainfall at night. The weather forecast will show long-term rain, so there is no need to worry too much about rain all day.
2. Currently, the plank road runs through the scenic area, connecting the four-level waterfall, Deer Drinking Pond, and the ground fissure, and takes a circular route without going back.
3. The current listed price of the scenic spot is 128, and there are discounts for student IDs, military personnel, and disability IDs.
There are many farmhouses in Luyuanping, but two are relatively well-maintained. Each room is similar to a small cabin, surrounded by bamboo forests. After living in the city for so long, breathing such fresh air is refreshing. The rooms and beds are also exceptionally clean. The kitchen table is filled with a variety of fresh ingredients, and the aroma wafts from the kitchen constantly. The proprietress prepares dinner in the traditional way, cooking over a wood-fired stove.
As each dinner dish arrived, you realized how many dishes the proprietress had prepared, including dry-pot bacon, clear-boiled chicken, organic bamboo shoots, and glutinous rice cakes. Every dish was delicious. The farmers were very simple and attentive, always asking about visitors' well-being and whether they needed clothes. Sitting in the courtyard at night, you could even enjoy apples cut by the proprietress.
At night, you can also dance the "Shehui Shake" around the campfire, and fall asleep quietly in the mountains accompanied by the sound of frogs.
Chickens are free-range in the mountains, and the wine is brewed in a farm workshop. There's also Enshi's local fried broad peppers and bacon. For dinner, you can try Enshi's famous corn wine and experience the Tujia custom of breaking bowls to make peace. Legend has it that this practice originated when two brothers, in an effort to reconcile past grievances, smashed bowls to demonstrate their valiant spirit and grace. Others say it's a farewell drink for Tujia sons and daughters before heading off to the battlefield.
Tips: 1. Most of the farmhouses in Luyuanping can accommodate you, and the conditions vary. You can choose according to your preferences.
2. The food in the mountains is spicy and numbing. If you prefer a lighter taste, please inform the hostess in advance.
3. Currently, the reception conditions are limited. Beds are provided per person, which costs about 50 yuan per person. Meals are about 40 yuan per person. You cannot order meals for the time being. You can only eat what is available.
We've traveled thousands of miles, not only to admire the beauty of Luyuanping but also to experience the simple kindness of the Tujia people. Leaving home, we've gained far more than we anticipated. We've made many new friends and, despite adversity, cultivated a strong will, an independent personality, a positive attitude, and a broadened perspective.
Luyuanping is beautiful, both the scenery and the people. I only hope that Luyuanping's development can be slowed down, and that its pristine environment won't be replaced by commercialization. I also urge all outdoor enthusiasts to join us in protecting this pristine beauty.
