A hidden mountain retreat with sea of clouds and starry hot spring pools
by The Foodie Explorer
Sep 6, 2025
· 🏞️ Hubei's "Little Switzerland," a cloud-level summer resort with an average altitude of 1500 meters
· 🌄 On one side is the Qiyue Mountain windmill matrix, on the other side is the Cidonggou Grand Canyon
📌 Must-Visit Attractions:
1. Sumadang Avenue:
· Ten-mile azalea corridor, flowers bloom like clouds in May
· Stroll along the forest boardwalk and enjoy a cool 20°C summer [Wow]
2. General’s Viewing Platform:
· Best spot to admire the "sunrise over the sea of clouds"
· Distant view of Qiyue Mountain wind power station
3. Ten-mile Gallery:
· Karst landforms intertwined with primeval forest
· Mist and clouds linger like a fairyland after rain
🔍 Unique Experiences:
1. Tujia Ethnic Customs:
· Learn to sing Tujia mountain songs
· Experience the Baishou dance
2. Starry Sky Camping:
· Pitch a tent on the Qiyue Mountain grassland
· See the Milky Way galaxy with the naked eye
3. Mountain Goods Market:
· Purchase fresh mountain delicacies
· Authentic Tujia cured meat
💡 Practical Tips:
1. Best Seasons:
· May-June: Azalea sea
· July-August: Summer vacation
· September-October: Colorful autumn
2. Transportation:
· Take the high-speed train to Lichuan Station, then transfer to the tourist shuttle
· Self-driving: be cautious of many mountain curves
3. Accommodation Recommendations:
· Forest cabins: 200-400 RMB/night
· Cliffside homestays: 300-500 RMB/night
4. Essentials:
· Light jacket (large temperature difference between day and night)
· Non-slip hiking shoes
· Rain gear
🔴 Precautions:
1. Book accommodation in advance during peak season
2. Beware of wild monkeys
3. Protect the natural environment
4. Drive carefully on mountain roads
🍜 Must-Try Foods:
1. Lichuan Genba Liangfen:
· Intangible cultural heritage snack, sour and spicy, appetizing
2. Tujia Cured Meat:
· Firewood smoked, fragrant aroma
3. Water Shield Soup:
· "Ginseng of the water," smooth and refreshing
4. Baiyang Tofu:
· Century-old craft, rich bean fragrance
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Warm Note about the "Fairy Tale Town":
Lichuan Sumadang does not have an official "Fairy Tale Town" name, but its misty mountain villages, colorful forest landscapes, and distinctive Tujia stilted buildings together create a real-life fairy tale world. Especially when the morning fog spreads, the houses in the mountains appear faint and mysterious, and the windmills turn in the sea of clouds, as if a fairy tale scene is being reenacted.
If you want to experience a stronger fairy tale atmosphere, it is recommended to:
1. Choose to stay in a forest cabin
2. Take photos during the early morning sea of clouds
3. Visit the original Tujia villages
4. Explore after the first clear weather following rain
Post by Violet.Moore.55 | Oct 7, 2025














