Enduring Enshi is over, I really don’t recommend going in August because here…

Just got back from wandering around Enshi, the mountain breeze is even more comfortable than air conditioning! This guide is packed with hard-earned tips from walking until my legs gave out, so quickly save it✅

🦋Must-visit magical places:

1. Enshi Grand Canyon
Arrive before 7 AM! Taking the cable car up just in time to catch the mountain sea of clouds🌫️ feels like stepping on cotton~ The plank road next to the incense burner is perfect for photos, remember to wear bright clothes to contrast with the green mountains! August has a lot of rain, and after rain, the canyon emits a fairy mist; if you’re lucky, you might see a double rainbow🌈

2. Pingshan Canyon
The internet-famous “floating boat” really exists! Choose a sunny day to go, the water is a clear green💧, like glass. The boatman will help take photos, don’t be shy to ask~ The stone steps going down are a bit steep, hold the railing and walk slowly. There’s iced mung bean soup sold below for 5 yuan, super refreshing

3. Luyuanping
A secret spot hidden deep in the valley! You have to go down 1,500 steps to get there, along the way are waterfalls and mossy stones, like entering a primeval forest🌳. Stay overnight in a stilted house, fall asleep listening to the insects, and wake up to birdsong in the morning—an experience you definitely can’t get in the city~

4. Tusi City
Go in the afternoon for the best light! The stilted houses are perfect for ancient costume photos, and you can see the full view from the bell tower. There’s a hand-waving dance performance every day at 11 AM, join the locals and dance a bit, the aunties are super friendly and will teach you💃

🥔Foodie quick notes! Don’t miss these:
• Hezha is a must! Ground yellow soybeans mixed into a paste with cured meat, stir it up and it’s so fragrant you’ll lick the bowl🥣. Locals prefer it with pickled vegetables, which is even more appetizing
• Baked potatoes are the street food king! Small potatoes baked until crispy, sprinkled with chili powder and scallions, 5 yuan for a big bowl, delicious to eat while walking
• Stir-fried cured meat with dried bamboo shoots is forever a classic! The mountain bamboo shoots are so tender they drip water, the cured meat is Tujia style, perfect with rice—you can eat two bowls🍚
• Shefan must be tried! Glutinous rice mixed with wild mugwort and cured meat, steamed until shiny and oily. Buy one at a breakfast stall, it’s filling and tasty

🎒Bring these for sure:
August in Enshi is unpredictable with sun and rain, bring a raincoat but not a folding umbrella (the wind is too strong to hold)☔️; non-slip shoes are essential! The plank roads and stone steps are very slippery; bring a light jacket, the temperature difference between morning and night can be 10℃; don’t forget mosquito repellent, the mosquitoes in the bamboo forest are very “enthusiastic”🦟; bring a high-capacity power bank, taking photos of the beautiful scenery uses a lot of power~

🚗3 days 2 nights itinerary:
Day 1:
9:00 Arrive at Enshi Station, head straight to Tusi City
12:30 Eat Hezha with baked potatoes nearby
15:00 Play in the water at Pingshan Canyon
19:00 Stay in the city, visit the night market and eat grilled small potatoes

Day 2:
6:30 Depart for Enshi Grand Canyon
12:00 Eat cured meat boxed lunch on the mountain top (a bit pricey but filling)
17:00 Descend and stay at a guesthouse near the canyon
20:00 Roast corn in the yard, the honey the owner gives is super sweet🌽

Day 3:
8:00 Hike Luyuanping
14:00 Before leaving, buy a pack of Enshi Yulu tea, the light fragrance is great for cleansing the palate

⚠️Things to note:
• Both the Grand Canyon and Luyuanping require a lot of walking, wear comfortable shoes! Don’t be like me wearing white sneakers, they got muddy all over
• Mountain signal is spotty, download offline maps in advance
• Don’t buy specialties inside the scenic spots, supermarkets in the city have better deals on Enshi small dried potatoes and cured sausages
• Don’t drive on small roads on rainy days, some places have falling rocks; it’s safer to take local shuttle buses

💡Insider tips:
Choose the front row on the scenic shuttle bus, the views along the way are scream-worthy; stay on the second floor of the stilted house for better views and fewer bugs; chat with locals and ask a lot, they’ll point out super beautiful wild trails🌿

Enshi’s summer is really so comfortable, walking around you smell the grass and trees, even the air tastes sweet~ Follow this guide and you’ll definitely get the most authentic joy! If you have any questions, shout out to me in the comments~💬