Day 1 Gathering Day ★ Anywhere → or → Enshi
All day
Today is the gathering day for the event. Tourists from all over the world will choose their own transportation. Upon arrival at the designated hotel in Enshi, they will submit a "China-Travel Note + Name" form. After their rooms are arranged, they will be free to explore at their own leisure.
Recommended Itinerary |
If you arrive early, we recommend visiting Tusi City, a landmark of Tusi culture in the Tujia region, where you can gain a deeper understanding of the region's culture. Inside, you'll find the towering Tusi Gate Tower, and further inside, you'll find the distinctive Wind and Rain Bridge, with its exquisitely crafted eaves, angled corners, and carved beams. You'll also find the Linjun Temple, the ancestor of the Tujia people, and the Tusi Parade Ground, where Tusi soldiers practiced martial arts, offering a glimpse into the training of the time.
In the afternoon, visit Enshi Tujia Daughter City, known for its "unwavering love for men and the world's foremost city of daughters." Although a man-made ancient town, its meticulous and well-designed design showcases Tujia folk customs and is a national hub for Tujia culture. Every evening, the scenic area presents Enshi Tujia's famous folk dating drama, the Daughter's Meeting, and performances of the Tujia hand-waving dance.
In addition, you can also taste Enshi’s local specialties here, such as Zhangguanhezha, kangyangyu, oil tea soup, Gongpobing, bean skin, etc.
Please be safe during free time!
Kind tips:
1. Due to the terrain of Enshi, even in the scenic area, you will need to walk and climb mountains, which is different from the regular seaside leisure line!
2. This route includes outdoor hiking. If you have no outdoor experience or do not exercise often, we recommend [Enshi Secret Realm] or [Explore Enshi]
Day 2 Enshi → Enshi Grand Canyon
All day
After breakfast, we will depart for the Enshi Grand Canyon, a famous attraction in Enshi. It is a complex karst landform that combines "earth fissures, cenotes, and rock pillars." It is considered comparable to the Grand Canyon in the United States.
The entire Qixingzhai scenic area and part of the Yunlong Earth Fissure scenic area of Enshi Grand Canyon are currently open to the public.
We'll first visit Qixingzhai, known as the "Natural Museum of Karst Topography," where cemeteries abound, including tiankeng (sinkholes), fissures, cliffs, peaks, rock pillars, caves, and underground rivers. Marvel at the miraculous karst formations and the ingenious cliffside plank roads, marveling at the uncanny craftsmanship of nature. Here, you'll find the Grand Canyon's "treasure"—a stick of incense.
Next, we'll visit the U-shaped Yunlong Fissure, 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 axe. Within the fissure, water gurgles and waterfalls cascade. Don't miss the colorful Huanglong Waterfall, Rainbow Waterfall, Yunlong Waterfall, Icefall, and Mufu Waterfall.
We stayed near the Grand Canyon tonight. It was great to wake up in the morning and see the canyon scenery from afar.
Kind tips:
1. The opening of the Enshi Grand Canyon is greatly affected by the weather, and the weather in the mountainous area is changeable. Some scenic areas may be closed. Please understand.
2. Pack your underwear for tomorrow night tonight so you don’t have to worry about your suitcase tomorrow night.
Day 3 Enshi Grand Canyon → Chaotian Bamboo Shoots → Dashanding → Luyuanping
·morning
After breakfast, take your trekking poles and supplies and head to the top of the mountain. On the way, you will pass Chaotian Bamboo Shoot and overlook the Grand Canyon with its independent stone pillars standing proudly in the canyon.
After that, we started a fun hiking route. Some sections required the use of hands and feet, which was relatively difficult for outdoor beginners.
Along the way, you can enjoy the canyon scenery from a distance and take cool photos here. Then you can cross the bamboo forest. There are forest hikes and cliff wooden bridges along the way. You can use your hands and feet and enjoy the fun and beautiful scenery. Everyone encourages each other to move forward.
Lunch is a road meal~
Kind tips:
1. The Dashan Peak is a purely outdoor route and is greatly affected by the weather. The specific hiking route may be adjusted by the leader based on the actual situation, the ratio of new hikers and veteran hikers, weather factors, physical condition, etc.
2. I need to pack a change of clothes for tonight in the morning. I won’t see my suitcase tonight.
·afternoon
After the hike, stretch and relax.
Afterwards, we'll take a bus to Luyuanping. We'll stay in the scenic area tonight, and it'll take about 1.5 hours to reach our hotel by walking along the plank road and down the stairs. (You can take the elevator at your own expense.)
For the evening farmhouse dinner, you can try the Tujia ethnic group's bowl-smashing wine. If you're still not satisfied with the wine, you can continue the bonfire and revel in this isolated valley—perhaps even "frightening the gods in heaven"! If you still have energy in the evening and the weather is clear, you can enjoy stargazing.
Kind tips:
There will be no bonfire if there are less than 10 friends. If it rains, the bonfire will be cancelled.
Special Note:
1. Luyuanping is relatively primitive, and the overall accommodation conditions are average. We stayed in a standard room with a private bathroom, which is unique to the interior. The experience is the main thing, so please do not compare it with hotels in big cities. Please be advised!
2. If you encounter a major holiday (Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, National Day, Spring Festival, etc.), you may be accommodated in a public health farmhouse or outside the Luyuanping Scenic Area. Please contact customer service for details.
Day 4: Luyuanping → Xintian Village → Lichuan
·morning
Start the day with the sound of birdsong. Far from the city, surrounded by greenery, you can briefly forget about life's worries and enjoy a moment of relaxation and leisure for yourself, who usually lives in the steel jungle.
Tourists who get up early can also freely stroll around this beautiful canyon [Luyuanping] and take pictures of the morning light.
It resembles the Peach Blossom Spring described by Tao Yuanming, an ancient village nestled in a deep pit, still inaccessible by road. Legend has it that during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, the imperial court implemented the immigration policy of "filling Huguang with people from Jiangxi, and Sichuan with people from Huguang." The Pei brothers and their ilk from Hunan migrated here, guided by a herd of beautiful mountain deer. Formerly known as Luyinping, the deer later frequented the courtyards where people lived, earning the name Luyuanping.
After breakfast, we'll hike to the Ground Crack, Deer Drinking Pond, and the Four-Tier Waterfall to experience the pristine scenery of Luyuanping. The unique topography and landforms have preserved the pristine ecology well, with quiet paths, winding streams, and spectacular waterfalls all radiating the charm of a paradise.
Kind tips:
In case of special weather conditions, the tour route may be slightly adjusted in order, and some scenic spots may not be accessible. Thank you for your understanding!
·afternoon
After lunch, we took a short rest, slowly walked out of Luyuanping, and took a bus to Lichuan Hotel to check in.
Feel the "human atmosphere" in Lichuan, because Lichuan belongs to Hubei administratively, is close to Sichuan and Chongqing culturally, and is also influenced by Hunan. The cuisine has both the spicy characteristics of Sichuan and Chongqing and the fresh and spicy style of Hunan.
During your free time for dinner, you can try some Lichuan delicacies like Lichuan water shield and Boyang dried tofu! Have a good rest today!
Day 5 Lichuan → Qingjiang Ancient Riverbed → Hefeng County
All day
After breakfast, we'll charter a small car to the ancient Qingjiang Riverbed for a light hike. Step by step, we'll descend to 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 team leader, the first thing that caught our eyes was the huge white cave. Everyone was curious and eager to explore it.
After the tour, we hiked to Stonehenge, an ancient riverbed where the folds of the rocks transported us back 100 million years. Following the ancient Qingjiang underground river, we passed through the wondrous landscape of three caves and two day pits, feeling the powerful allure of water. As we passed through the Great Dragon Gate with our lighting equipment, another breathtaking scene unfolded: the canyon's vast lawn, a filming location for the film "Nie Yinniang," where scattered lambs and cattle harmoniously and leisurely graze on leaves and grass.
We had fun here and took photos! Tourists, please be careful not to slip!
Kind tips:
1. If you have a headlamp, bring it!
2. The Qingjiang ancient riverbed is an outdoor hiking section. If it rains, the tour leader will adjust the hiking length based on the actual situation for safety reasons.
After returning to the hotel to pick up your luggage, go to Hefeng Hotel to check in.
Day 6 Hefeng County → Pingshan Gorge → Xuanen
All day
After breakfast, we will depart for Pingshan Canyon, which was formed during the Quaternary glacial period. Its natural scenery is unique, beautiful and dangerous.
Pingshan Canyon is over a hundred feet deep, with crystal clear blue water that you can see the bottom. On sunny days, sunlight reflects off the water, and boats sailing on it seem as if they are floating in the air. It is known as the "Semporna" of China.
Follow the scenic trail down to the canyon riverside and enjoy the scenery along the way. Different angles give you different views. Here you can feel the emerald green water and sail on the river. The boats sail on the water at the bottom of the canyon, as if floating in the air. Surrounded by cliffs, sailing on the water in the canyon, you can see the clear water at a glance, like sailing in a painting, which is intoxicating. Here you can also get close to the river.
Kind tips:
1. Glass boat, kayaking, taking photos, etc. in the scenic area are at your own expense.
2. If Pingshan Canyon is not open due to weather reasons, the itinerary will be changed to visit the Earth's Core Valley.
·afternoon
After having fun, we took a boat out of the canyon. After passing through a narrow gap in the sky, we looked up and saw a crescent-shaped shape between two mountain peaks. If it rains, the canyon will be filled with mist, like a fairyland.
Afterwards, we reluctantly left Pingshan Canyon along the trail.
Return around 13:00 (depending on the situation on the day) and check in at Xuan'en Hotel.
Visit the night view of Xuan'en County, enjoy the bamboo raft night tour, and taste grilled live fish.
Kind tips:
1. If you're departing on the same day, we recommend booking a train after 5:30 PM or a flight after 6:00 PM (please proceed to the station/airport on your own). During major holidays (Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, National Day, and Spring Festival), traffic can be very congested! If you're leaving Enshi a day in advance, we recommend booking a later train/flight to allow more time!
2. Tourists who are not staying that night please communicate with customer service when registering!
Day 7 Xuanen County → Enshi
All day
After getting up in the morning, tourists can choose to visit Xuanen County Morning Market.
From your hotel, cross the Gongshui River, enjoy the morning view of the Gongshui River, and visit the bustling morning market of this treasure town.
It is recommended to try Enshi's specialties [Bean curd skin] and [Oil fragrance]
Then go to the market and take some local specialties home! Recommended [cured meat products]
At about 10:30, we started to return to Enshi City
Arrive at Enshi Railway Station at around 11:30. Tourists are advised to book trains and high-speed trains after 12:00.
Arrive at Enshi Airport at approximately 12:00 PM. It is recommended to book a flight after 1:00 PM.
