This time I went to Xiangxi and drove all the way to Bamianshan in Xiangxi! I discovered an aerial grassland, and here is a guide.

Bamianshan in Longshan County: A Fantastic Journey Above the Clouds

Hidden among the towering mountains of Hunan is a place that looks like a fairyland - Bamianshan in Longshan County. Not only does this place have magnificent natural scenery, but it also has a wealth of recreational activities and comfortable accommodation options. It is a paradise for self-driving tours and outdoor enthusiasts.

1. Transportation

1. Self-driving: You can drive yourself throughout the journey. Navigate to the Bamianshan Scenic Area. It takes half an hour to drive along the winding mountain road. Please drive carefully.
2. Transfer from transportation hub to self-driving: People from all over the country can first arrive at Jishou East Station, rent a car from Jishou East Station and drive to Bamianshan Scenic Area in Longshan County. The entire highway journey takes 2.5 hours to reach the top of the mountain.
3. Join a tour group: If you find it troublesome, you can also join a tour group, take a bus from Changsha to Longshan County, and follow the main group up the mountain.

2. Check-in recommendation

1. Cliff road on the east side of the mountain top: There is a scenic road about 10 kilometers long on the east side of the cliff, with beautiful scenery. There are many viewing platforms and campsites along the way, and parking is also convenient. You can take pictures as you walk, which is very photogenic.
2. Swallow Cave, Zisheng Bridge, and Genting Summit: It takes 15 minutes from the entrance of Bamianshan to Swallow Cave, 18 minutes to Zisheng Bridge, and 25 minutes to Genting Summit. Here, you can appreciate the wonders of nature and the magnificent scenery.

3. Commercial activities on the mountain

There are abundant commercial tourist attractions on Bamishan Mountain, making your journey full of fun. You can experience exciting mountain biking, horse riding (150 yuan), hang gliding (750 yuan), and enjoy mountaintop slide rafting and internet-famous road cycling. In the evening, you can enjoy a bonfire party, barbecue, sing to your heart's content at an open-air KTV concert, and spend an unforgettable night.

4. Accommodation options

1. Camping: If you bring your own tent, you need to pay 50 yuan for camp cleaning, 150 yuan for renting a tent, and 200 yuan for a large tent.
2. Characteristic B&Bs and hotels: There are characteristic B&Bs + Xingyunju Tent Hotel (400 yuan +), villas (3000 yuan +), Yunshang Xiaoshe BOX room/cabin (600 yuan +) on the top of the mountain. Prices vary by season and you can check prices in advance on the platform. It is difficult to book a room during peak season, so plan your trip in advance.

5. Dining recommendations

1. Xingyunju Sleeping Beauty Restaurant: It offers a variety of delicious dishes, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful scenery while satisfying your taste buds.
2. Yanglang Bar: A great place to relax, taste fine wine and experience the unique atmosphere of Bamianshan.
3. Bamianshan Roasted Whole Lamb/Roasted Chicken/Barbecue: a special delicacy that should not be missed.

6. Travel around

1. Swallow Cave: A former bandit cave, it is said that it can hide 3,000 soldiers. Here, you can feel the vicissitudes and mystery of history.
2. Top of Genting: The scenery at the top of the mountain is so beautiful that you can appreciate the magnificence of nature.
3. Liye Ancient Town: One of the four famous towns in western Hunan, it also has the ruins where Qin bamboo slips were unearthed. Although the streets are relatively deserted, they are full of historical and cultural atmosphere.
4. Rebala Scenic Area: characteristic buildings, filming base, one bridge connecting three villages, 1.5 hours drive from Bamianshan.

VII. Precautions

1. Check the weather forecast before departure. It is not recommended to go up the mountain in bad weather.
2. Bring more food and drinks when you go up the mountain, as things on the mountain are more expensive than those at the foot of the mountain.
3. The temperature difference between day and night is large, so you can bring a thin jacket.
4. The sun is strong on sunny days, so please be careful to protect yourself from the sun.
5. Pay attention to safety when hiking in the mountains, especially on rainy days when the roads are slippery. It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes.
6. Please do not litter.
7. Friends who are prone to motion sickness should prepare motion sickness medicine in advance.
8. Although the road at the top of the mountain is undulating, the road condition is very good. It’s just that the road is a little narrow in some places, so please be careful when passing other cars.
9. There are several camping sites on the top of the mountain. The campsites have toilets and shops, which is very convenient.
10. If you are not used to camping, you can also stay in the hotel on the top of the mountain, or stay in the ancient city of Liye at the foot of the mountain, which is only 19 kilometers away. But these 19 kilometers are winding mountain roads, so please be careful when driving up the mountain in the dark in the morning.
11. If you drive to the top of the mountain to watch the sunrise, you should allow more time. Parking spaces are limited at the top of the mountain, so you may need to park farther away and then walk to the observation deck.