Live Your Best Lives
There is a place in Hubei - Enshi, which is far away from the hustle and bustle of the city and hidden deep in the mountains.
Underground rivers, caves, stone forests, tiankeng canyons...the magnificent karst landforms here are a gift from God.
We can walk through the hundred million-year-old Suobuya Stone Forest and feel the erosion of time and the insignificance of humankind. We can also stroll through the inaccessible Luyuanping and explore its mysteries.
Here is also the Pingshan Canyon, which became popular on the Internet before. Due to its unique natural ecological conditions and refreshing water, it is known as the "Semporna of China".
As the boat glides across the water at the bottom of the canyon, it feels like you are floating in the air.
Enshi Prefecture is located in southwestern Hubei Province, at the intersection of Hunan, Hubei, and Chongqing. It borders Qianjiang District of Chongqing to the west, Wanzhou District of Chongqing to the north, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Hunan to the south, Shennongjia Forest District of Hubei Province to the northeast, and Yichang City of Hubei Province to the east. The prefecture stretches approximately 220 kilometers from east to west and 260 kilometers from north to south.
Ethnic minorities, represented by the Tujia people, have long lived in this secret landscape. Long isolated from the outside world due to inconvenient transportation, they have constantly adapted and integrated with the environment, thus developing their own unique culture.
The Tujia people are heroic, passionate and hospitable, and their folk songs are humorous and witty. The mountains and rivers here are also more colorful and unique because of them, where people and nature blend together!
She is not like the beauty of Guilin's landscape, the grandeur of Mount Hua, the torrent of the Yellow River and the tranquility of West Lake. They are interdependent with each other, but they are obviously different. The mountains are high mountains and canyons, winding and magnificent, showing the beauty of power. When it is cloudy and rainy, the mist surrounds the mountains, lingering and vivid.
The water is soft, transparent, and clear. Watch the ripples of the lake from a boat, and from a height, watch the water quietly guarding the mountains. For thousands of years, it has remained unchanged. This land is quiet, gentle, full of power and charm.
The terrain of Enshi Prefecture is mainly mountainous, with well-developed karst landforms and numerous caves and depressions. The natural scenery is famous for being "majestic, strange, beautiful, secluded and dangerous."
As the most famous scenic spot in Enshi, Enshi Grand Canyon is said to be comparable to the Grand Canyon in the United States.
There are tiankeng, fissures in the ground, natural bridges, more than 200 caves, layers of peaks, and huge cliffs that are almost perpendicular to the Grand Canyon.
When you come here, you will be amazed by the amazing karst landforms. The Yunlong Fissure in the Enshi Grand Canyon was formed 50 million years ago. Its lower reaches flow into the Qingjiang River, leaving a deep groove carved into the earth like a knife or an axe.
You can play in the water here, and you can even see a rainbow if the weather is good.
Luyuanping is a place that is still inaccessible to vehicles and horses. According to legend, someone traced the traces of wild deer here, hence the name Luyuanping.
This is the back of the Enshi Grand Canyon, and the only way to get closer to the beauty is on foot. We descend along the cliff plank road, go deep into the canyon, cross the wooden bridge, and enter this ancient village that is not accessible by road.
The ancient riverbed is a relic left behind after the Qingjiang River, Enshi's mother river, was diverted. The exposed ancient riverbed is complex and diverse, and the folds of the boulders seem to transport us back 100 million years. 
There are dry riverbeds, boulder piles, cenotes, and caves. Our journey through the caves was fascinating, and the shade and comfort of the caves made for some great silhouette shots.
There are caves within caves, and the caves are connected to each other. In "The Wrath of the West Hunan", Chen Yulou led the brothers of Xiangling and Luo Laowai through a huge cave. The scene was filmed here. After coming out, there is the most famous large lawn in the ancient riverbed. "The Assassin Nie Yinniang" was also filmed here.
The Pingshan Canyon in Enshi, Hubei, which became a hit on the Internet, has now been established as a scenic spot.
The Pingshan Gorge is over a hundred feet deep, and the water is crystal clear. On a clear day, sunlight reflects off the water, and boats sailing above it appear to be suspended in mid-air.
If you take a boat tour at the right time, the boat will sail on the water at the bottom of the canyon. You can see the clear water bottom at a glance. The beauty here is intoxicating.
The Sobuya Stone Forest is a rare Ordovician stone forest in the world. The entire stone forest looks like a giant gourd, surrounded by green screens and beautiful peaks.
The unique patterns in the stone forest are very attractive. You can see animal fossils both on the stone forest and on the stone road under your feet.
Going deep into the secret realm of the narrow slit, you can see different pictographic stone pillars when you look up, some of which look like eagles and some like humans.
Walking through the stone forest and having a conversation with the world billions of years ago, one cannot help but marvel at the wonders of nature.
The entire Tenglong Cave system is extremely large and complex, with the largest total volume in the world. It was once rated as "the most beautiful place in China" by National Geographic China magazine.
The entrance of the cave is 74 meters high, and the highest point inside the cave is 235 meters. There are 5 peaks and 10 halls in the cave. The widest and highest point can even accommodate helicopters and hot air balloons taking off. There are mountains in the cave and caves in the mountains, which is very magical.
The Golden Cave, formerly known as the Black Hole, is called the "underground fairy palace" by explorers. It was formed before the Jurassic period and is 150 million years old.
A huge waterfall falls from the top of the cave, shining red in the sunlight, and the Tangyan River flows through the lower level of the cave, complementing each other.
The total length that has been explored so far is 8,000 meters, with countless branch caves, and stalagmites of various shapes and sizes in the caves.
When the Puhua underground river was first discovered, even the local villagers did not dare to enter, as they had no idea what lay deep in the river.
Later, more and more adventure enthusiasts went to explore the underground river, and the Puhua underground river gradually unveiled its mystery.
The underground river here is about 2 kilometers long. Sunlight occasionally shines through the cracks in the rocks above the underground river. The water in the cave is clear and sparkling, and the stone walls on both sides are covered with stalactites in various shapes, like knives and swords.
There are not only canyons in the underground river, but also springs, waterfalls, etc. The exit is a small canyon with green water and green mountains inside, and it is very quiet.
DAY1 Gathering Day
The first day is the gathering day. If you have enough time, we recommend you to visit [Tusi City] and [Daughter City], or try Enshi’s local specialties such as Zhangguanhezha, kangyangya, oil tea soup, Gongpobing, bean skin, etc.
DAY2 Enshi-Enshi Grand Canyon
After breakfast, we will go to Enshi Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is a very famous tourist attraction in Enshi, and is said to be comparable to the Grand Canyon in the United States.
We will first go to Qixingzhai, where you will be amazed by the magical karst landforms and the ingenious cliff plank roads. Then we will go to Yunlong Fissure, which was formed 50 million years ago. Its lower reaches lead to Qingjiang River, like a deep groove engraved on the earth as if it were cut by a knife or an axe.
You can stay near the Grand Canyon at night, and when you wake up in the morning you will see the Enshi Grand Canyon, which is a great feeling!
Tips:
Driving distance: 100km, about 3 hours
Hiking distance: about 8km, about 5 hours
Hiking intensity: Scenic area tour route, moderate intensity
Accommodation: Standard room at the foot of the mountain inn in Enshi Grand Canyon Scenic Area
Note: If the Enshi Grand Canyon is temporarily closed, you can visit the Earth's Core Valley.
DAY3 Enshi Grand Canyon-Luyuanping
Start your hike from Xintian Village and cross into Luyuanping. Once you reach a farmhouse inaccessible by road, you can leave your luggage and gear at the farmhouse before exploring this village surrounded by mountains.
With no access to roads, this area is completely traffic-free, a modern paradise like no other. We'll hike to the Deer Drinking Pond, the Earth Crack, and the Four-Tier Waterfall, taking in the pristine scenery of Luyuanping. In the evening, we'll enjoy a feast at a farmhouse and try the hearty Tujia bowl-smashing wine.
Tips:
Driving distance: 100km, about 3 hours
Hiking distance: about 7km, about 6 hours
Accommodation: Standard room at Luyuanping Tujia B&B
DAY4 Luyuanping-Xintian Village-Lichuan
Today we need to walk for an hour back to Xintian Village and then take a bus to Lichuan.
The afternoon is reserved for rest and recuperation. Tourists with more energy can head to the Tenglong Cave Scenic Area, located 8 kilometers from Lichuan City. This scenic area boasts interconnected water and dry caves, renowned for its majestic, treacherous, unique, secluded, and beautiful scenery.
You can also choose to visit Dragon Boat Water Village, the birthplace of the large-scale live-action theater "Dragon Boat Water Melody." The most pleasant moment was when we were about to step ashore and exit the Water Lotus Cave, the melodious singing of our guide, Yaomei, was still echoing in our ears.
Tips:
Driving distance: 100km, about 2.5 hours
Hiking distance: 2km, about 1.5 hours
Accommodation: Standard room at a hotel in Lichuan city
Note: Tickets for free activities in the afternoon are at your own expense (Tenglong Cave ticket: 180 yuan/person; Dragon Boat Water Village ticket: 120 yuan/person)
DAY5 Lichuan-Qingjiang Ancient Riverbed-Hefeng County
Change to a small car and head to the [Qingjiang Ancient Riverbed], follow the ancient salt road stairs, step by step into the bottom of the canyon, allowing you to experience the vicissitudes and history of the ancient salt road.
Entering the bottom of the canyon, under the guidance of the tour guide, the first thing that catches our eyes is the huge White Hole cave, followed by Stonehenge. The folds of the huge stones take us back to the era of 100 million years ago.
Following the ancient Qingjiang underground river, we passed through the marvelous landscape of three caves and two day pits, feeling the powerful charm of water. When we passed through the Big Dragon Gate with lighting equipment, another wonderful scene appeared - the large lawn in the canyon, one of the filming locations of "Nie Yinniang", where several lambs and a cow were eating leaves and grass harmoniously and leisurely.
Tips:
Driving distance: 230km, about 6 hours
Hiking distance: 8km, about 5 hours
Hiking difficulty: mainly sloping dirt roads and riverbed roads
Note: Lighting equipment is required for walking through three caves for two consecutive days
DAY6 Hefeng County - Pingshan Gorge - Enshi
After breakfast, we will depart for the Pingshan Canyon scenic area. The Pingshan Canyon is over a hundred feet deep, with crystal clear blue water. On a sunny day, the sunlight reflects off the water, and boats sailing on it seem as if they are floating in the air.
Take a boat tour at the right time, and the boat will glide on the water at the bottom of the canyon, as if it is floating in the air.
We could see the bottom of the clear water at a glance, and the beauty here was still intoxicating. After landing, we walked on the plank roads on both sides of the canyon, enjoying the scenery along the way. The scenery you appreciate is different from different angles.
We returned around noon and had a delicious lunch together, which marked a perfect end to our Enshi trip.
Tips:
Driving distance: 180km, about 4.5 hours
Accommodation: Standard room at a hotel in Enshi city
Note: The tour will be dispersed at the hotel in downtown Enshi around 17:00 on the same day. Tourists departing on the same day should book a train after 18:30 or a flight after 19:00 (please go to the station/airport on your own).
DAY7 disbandment day
Today is the disbanding day, no schedule~
Backpack: Prepare a small backpack and put the trolley case on the bus (same bus for the whole journey).
Clothing: Suitable for outdoor activities, keep warm. Hiking or trekking shoes.
Luggage: ID card, change of clothes, rain gear, thermos, flashlight, camera, walkie-talkie, trekking pole, knee pads, stove cover and pot holder are allowed.
Food: 2 road meals, appropriate snacks and fruits.
Medicines: cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, Band-Aids, wind oil, motion sickness medicine and other common medicines.
Q: Can I bring a suitcase on the Enshi hiking trail? Where should I put it?
A: The bus will drive directly to your accommodation for 5 out of the 6 nights. Except for the 1 night in Luyuanping, you need to carry your toiletries there by yourself. Other luggage will be stored on the bus. You will use the same bus for the entire trip.
Q: Can I take a shower in Luyuanping?
A: Yes, now Luyuanping has been fully upgraded to standard rooms with private bathrooms, and the experience is amazing!
Q: Does the ancient riverbed of Qingjiang River need to pass through caves?
Answer: You need to pass through several caves in the ancient riverbed of Qingjiang River. There are flat dirt roads in the middle. Only one of them is completely unlit. It takes about three minutes to cross. If you don’t have a headlamp, you can use your mobile phone for lighting.
The only thing missing from basic necessities is food. Let’s take a look at Enshi’s special cuisine.
If you ask people what Enshi's most unique food is, 99 out of 100 will definitely recommend Hezha. It's a dish you can't quite pinpoint, but it has a flavor you can never forget.
During the chaotic years of war, when food was extremely scarce, Hezha became a lifesaver for many people in Enshi. There was even a local proverb: "Chili peppers are used as salt, and Hezha is used to celebrate the New Year."
Although Hezha is no longer a "luxury" enjoyed only during festivals, it is the delicacy that most embodies the essence of Enshi. Every family has its own unique way of preparing Hezha.
Some people eat it thinly without any seasoning, which is often called "danhezha", and sometimes they add potatoes to cook it together;
Some people eat sour Hezha, which is made by letting the Hezha become sour and then eating it, which can quench thirst and relieve heat; some people even make Hezha hot pot.
For the Tujia people, there's nothing that can't be cured. The art of curing meat, with a history of over a thousand years, is a skill passed down from generation to generation.
Farm pigs are fed with pure grains for more than 12 months and smoked with a secret recipe of more than ten kinds of natural spices.
A pig can be made into more than a dozen different kinds of cured meats, including cured sausages, cured spare ribs, cured pork belly... No pigments or preservatives are added, and every bite is the essence of time smoked out.
A piece of perfect bacon, after the outer skin is washed clean, the cross section is an attractive meat red, with the smoky salty aroma settled on it, fat but not greasy, and extremely delicious.
After being stewed with pig's trotters in a small pot, it has a rich bacon flavor. After chewing it for a long time, the original aroma of pork is rich and the bacon juice is rich and tempting. It will whet your appetite and you can't stop eating it.
The lovely selenium-rich little potatoes from Enshi grow naturally through photosynthesis and are nourished by rain and fog. Each one of them embodies the essence of nature's baptism.
Only Enshi's unique cooking method - kang (steamed bed) - can bring out the unique fragrant and glutinous flavor of selenium-rich potatoes.
The small potatoes cooked in the oven are not greasy when eaten. The wrinkles are formed by being fried in a high-temperature oil pan, but the inside is still soft and sweet. Sprinkle them with seasoning and chili water, and they become a carbohydrate bomb that no one can resist.
There is a folk saying in Enshi that goes, "If you don't eat something sour or spicy for three days, your heart will feel like it's being scratched by a cat." It was in this context that squeezed Guangjiao was invented and has flourished in western Hubei.
Enshi locals love to stir-fry the zeguang peppers with bacon, or spread them in a bowl as a base for steaming.
It is marinated with six spices for more than a month and then stir-fried with bacon. The bright red peppers give the whole portion of stir-fried bacon with squeezed Guang pepper an oily aroma that makes you drool just by looking at it.
Now that food, clothing, housing and transportation are all arranged, why don't you go out and play with "Mouse Second Aunt"?
