Enshi and Yichang Self-Driving Travel Guide | Delve into Hubei's hidden gems!
Preface
In twenty days, I went to Hubei twice, and I couldn't help but sigh at the graceful and charming mountains and rivers in Hubei. The wonderful fantasy unfolded like a picture scroll, with mountains, gorges, rivers, valleys, caves, waterfalls, rocks, forests, cities, and food. It was full of temptation from all angles. In particular, I drove to Enshi and Yichang. The secret treasures hidden here are the best in the province. Today's travel notes are destined to be another big project, so let's first take a look at a set of beautiful pictures to take you slowly into this charming scenery!
Our nearly two-week exploration journey included 11 scenic spots in total, including: Enshi Tusi City, Enshi Grand Canyon, Sobuya Stone Forest, Enshi Daughter City, Jianshi Earth Core Valley, Hefeng Pingshan Grand Canyon, Xuan'en Pengjiazhai, Lichuan Tenglong Cave, Wufeng Chaibuxi Grand Canyon, Yichang Three Gorges People's Home, and Jingzhou Wanshui Self-Drive Campground. Only a self-drive tour could comfortably complete such a packed and extensive itinerary. Let me share the highlights of this journey through the beautiful Hubei province, one stop at a time, through the beautiful photos my friends and I captured...
Tusi Imperial City, known as the Little Forbidden City of Hubei
Enshi Tusi City is a landmark of Tusi culture in the Tujia region. It's also the largest and most iconic ancient-style architectural complex among Tujia stilt houses nationwide, earning it the nickname Hubei's Little Forbidden City. It not only reflects the Tujia people's history but also showcases their ancient and authentic folk customs. This was my third visit there, and I'm still blown away!
I love the architectural composition and artistry of Enshi Tusi City. The designer's exquisite conception and the artisans' near-perfect craftsmanship are fully on display. I'm constantly trying to find new angles to capture my vision of Tusi City, and to my surprise, I always find something new to discover and experience! It's a perfect place for photos, and donning a gorgeous traditional costume transforms you into a Tujia girl...
The Jiujin Hall, the core of the Tusi City, is composed of 333 pillars, 333 stone column bases, 330 doors, thousands of carved wooden windows, over a thousand purlins, and tens of thousands of oak logs. It is a rare example of a purely mortise and tenon-jointed wooden structure in China. The hall is dotted with pavilions, terraces, and corners, with eaves and claws rising and falling in a staggered pattern, exuding grandeur, majesty, and splendor. Ideal photo spots include the eaves, staircases, corridors, beauty chairs, windows, and sculptures.
At the entrance to Jiujintang, there are several Tujia costume rental shops with a wide selection and affordable prices. For just 20 yuan per hour, you can experience the traditional life of the Tujia people in their early years. Other attractions within the scenic area are also worth seeing, such as the Tusi City Gate Tower, Wind and Rain Bridge, Linjun Temple, and Tusi City Wall.
Tips:
Scenic spot ticket: 50 yuan
Opening hours: 8:00-18:30
Detailed address: No. 138 Tusi Road, Enshi City, Hubei Province
Enshi Grand Canyon, comparable to Colorado
The Enshi Grand Canyon, praised by experts as being comparable to the Grand Canyon in the United States, is located at 30 degrees north latitude, at the junction of Hunan, Chongqing and Hubei provinces, and is the most beautiful section of the Qingjiang River Basin.
The Enshi Grand Canyon has opened two core scenic areas, Qixingzhai and Yunlong Ground Fissure. It has all kinds of geological landscapes such as tiankeng, ground fissures, cliffs, peaks, rock pillars, caves, and underground rivers. It is known as the "natural museum of karst landforms."
The mysterious and steep Enshi Grand Canyon boasts five wonders: white clouds rising from the clear river, cliffs surrounding peaks, sky bridges connecting caves, underground rivers connecting waterfalls, and tiankengs and cracks in the ground.
The tour guide told us that it would take five or six hours to tour the entire Grand Canyon area without taking any photos. If we wanted to fully experience the four elevator and cable cars, check in all the scenic spots on the top of the cloud-top mountain, and then go down to the deep ravines in the ground to check in all the waterfalls and rivers, it would take at least nine hours.
Unfortunately, we were a little late when we drove there from the city. The autumn colors on the mountain were getting deeper and more beautiful, but time did not allow us to walk through the entire scenic area, so the spectacular waterfalls in the deep valley could only be seen from the perspective of a drone. We were not able to check in at the most famous incense stick. This is a must-see place in Enshi, and I will definitely come again.
Tips:
Scenic spot tickets:
Qixingzhai + Yunlong Ground Crack + Scenic Bus: 175/person
Qixingzhai + Yunlong Ground Crack + Scenic Bus + Cable Car: 280/person
Opening Hours:
March 1st - November 30th 08:00-16:00
December 1st - February 28th, 08:30-15:30
Detailed address: No. 019 Township Road, Enshi City, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei Province
Wonders of the Stone Forest｜Suobuya Stone Forest
Thousand-layer pancake? Napoleon? Winding and stacked layers, this underwater world from the Ordovician period, full of composition, shocked me the first time. Suobuya Stone Forest is so beautiful!
The Sobuya Stone Forest is known as the world's first Ordovician stone forest. It is located in Taiyanghe Township, Enshi, with a total area of 21 square kilometers. The entire stone forest looks like a huge gourd, surrounded by green screens and beautiful peaks.
Suobuya Stone Forest has more than 100 classic natural landscapes of various sizes. The four major scenic areas open to the public are Qinglong Temple, Lianhua Village, Mozigou, and Jiulonghui. Each scenic area has its own characteristics. The unique "karst pattern" and "crown" landscape in the scenic area is a highlight. Secret crevices and fossil relics can be seen everywhere, which can be called an ancient geological museum.
Contrary to my expectations before arriving, the stones in the Stone Forest are incredibly hard, sharp, and black. Rain-soaked, their surfaces are glossy and smooth, with deep grooves that bear the marks of time. Research by Sun Yat-sen University and China University of Geosciences confirms that the Sobuya Stone Forest was formed 460 million years ago during the Ordovician Period. This underwater labyrinth, lifted by millions of years of crustal movement, truly possesses a psychedelic beauty.
Here are some photography tips: Because the canyon's light is so strong, consider exposing for the brightest areas first, then brightening the dark areas later. Otherwise, overexposure in the highlights will be difficult to correct, resulting in an ugly image. Furthermore, when shooting in such a confined space, it's recommended to use an ultra-wide-angle lens, which creates a stretched perspective and makes the image appear wider and more visually impactful.
Tips:
Scenic spot ticket: 78 yuan
Opening Hours:
May 1st - October 31st 08:00-18:00
November 1st - April 30th of the following year, 08:30-17:00
Detailed address: Taiyanghe Township, Enshi City, Hubei Province
Enshi is also a place full of delicious food. Let me briefly introduce to you the two luxurious meals we had that day.
The first meal was at the Nv'erzhai Scenic Area Restaurant in the Enshi Grand Canyon Scenic Area. The meal was made with a lot of natural ingredients from farmers around the scenic area. We really enjoyed it. I would like to praise the small river fish soup pot in Figure 5, the noodle circles in Figure 11, and the small potatoes in Figure 12. You can taste the flavor of the combination of nature and Tujia people. The table was full of heavy flavors and very delicious. It was great!
What's a trip to Enshi without a Tujia-style hanging pot banquet? Hahaha, it's a must! Dinner was a truly grand and unique hanging pot banquet featuring Tujia-style shaving soup, essentially a Tujia version of a pig-killing hot pot. This luxurious dish, featuring various pork offal, accompanied by specialty mushrooms, and a table full of vegetables and tofu, was carried into the bamboo hut on a shoulder pole by two Tujia men and hung from a steel hook. Everyone gathered in a circle, drinking and enjoying rice wine, a truly uninhibited ethnic minority experience.
I'm particularly fond of the cured pig's trotter hotpot. The rich, savory flavor of the cured meat and the chewy, springy skin make it a must-try dish in Enshi, alongside the equally famous Hezha. A variety of fresh mushrooms, water shield, and tofu are simmered together in a pot, creating a fragrant, sizzling hot pot. The broth must be topped with fresh blood tofu and young mountain pork, complemented by soft, springy baba and chewy dried tofu. Finish with a bowl of oil tea for a truly perfect meal.
Tips:
Average spending per person: 58 yuan
Opening hours: 10:30-23:00
Detailed address: Room 106, B1, Building 4, Aoshan Century City, Jingui Avenue, Enshi City, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei Province
Drinking bowl-breaking wine at Enshi Daughter City
If you want to experience the Tujia ethnic customs up close, you must visit Enshi Daughter City. Here, you can experience the intangible cultural heritage and unique Tujia cuisine and customs all in one place.
Ba Ren Tang is the first stop to experience the Daughter City. It is also a big hotel. Legend has it that this is the origin of drinking bowl-breaking wine. Watching a lively Tujia dance and folk performance, drinking a bowl of bowl-breaking wine, and eating a table of Tujia dishes in Ba Ren Tang are experiences that cannot be missed.
The bowl-smashing wine at Ba Ren Tang costs one yuan per bowl. It is very relaxing to drink and smash the bowl after drinking. The table next to us was smashing the bowl non-stop, and the ground was full of broken bowls. Everyone was in high spirits and their faces were flushed!
Enshi’s specialty Hezha, mountain small potatoes, various fragrant bacon and pig’s trotters, various chili, dried tofu, sausage and jelly, the different levels of stimulating taste are like musical notes flying and jumping in the mouth, and the taste is really great.
The Tujia girls were dressed in bright ethnic costumes, singing and dancing gorgeously. The atmosphere reached a climax. Everyone toasted together, drank and smashed bowls, and the sound of mountains and flowing water was performed continuously, which was very lively.
After dinner and drinks, we wandered around Daughter City, where a blend of antique architecture and Tujia stilt houses perfectly captures the Tujia people's customs and traditions. The crisscrossing streets, paved with gray breccia, follow the mountain's slopes and flow along the water. Although a newly built, historic town, the experience was truly captivating.
We also enjoyed a fire hall singing party in the Tujia Folk Museum. The tribesmen in their best clothes played different musical instruments and sang beautiful Tujia folk songs. This is also a very precious intangible cultural heritage of the Tujia people.
Let’s summarize the main attractions of Daughter City:
Tips:
The Daughter City Snack Street brings together special snacks from eight counties and cities in Enshi Prefecture as well as special delicacies from all over the country, including Enshi Youxiang, Tujia corn cakes, Enshi bean skin, Jianshi big pancakes, kangyangya, steamed cakes, Chengdu Bobo chicken, Shaanxi meat pie, Changsha stinky tofu, etc.
The Daughter City Grand Theater is the first in the country to create an indoor live performance. It is also the permanent venue for the most famous folk matchmaking event of the Tujia people in Enshi - the Daughter Meeting.
The Tujia Folk Museum is open to the public free of charge, and over 30 veteran folk artists regularly perform at the museum. Traditional Tujia crafts such as making glutinous rice cakes, bean curd sheets, and peach cakes are on display, allowing visitors to learn about these techniques and purchase and sample them. Enshi Daughter City is an open-air ancient city with no admission fee and is open 24/7.
Detailed address: No. 41, Ma'anshan Road, Enshi City, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
Enshi Earth's Core Valley
Enshi Earth's Core Valley has extremely clear water, extremely strange rocks, and an extremely deep valley. It is a place that is much more beautiful to visit than to photograph.
Enshi's Earth's Heart Valley gets its name from its heart-shaped, water-eroded cave entrance, and it's also located right at the 1520 km mark on National Highway G318. It's simply overflowing with love! Putting aside the gimmicks, just gaze at the twisted rocks ravaged by the earth's forces, the smooth gullies sculpted by millennia of water, and the crystal-clear brooks. Every detail reveals the wonders of nature, and if you take careful photos, you'll still be able to use up a lot of film!
This area boasts the origins of what is considered the world's first ancient people, one of the birthplaces of the Ba people in China, and a vibrant gathering place for the Tujia ethnic group. It also boasts the Shimen River, China's oldest ancient river. Its precipitous valley, carved from a hundred-meter-high cliff, boasts crystal-clear water, a rare masterpiece of alpine karst gorge scenery.
Here you can also find the first ancient road of Bachu, ancient bridges, and smooth stone roads. Each step is a "cultural relic" that travels through the ages and leads to immortality!
Here is also Shimen Pass, known as the "First Scenic Spot in Shinan", with its steep and beautiful scenery, and is an important junction connecting Chongqing and Yichang tourist attractions. The best route is recommended to everyone: Buy tickets at the Visitor Center - take the scenic shuttle bus - Dixin Valley Scenic Area entrance - Glass Bridge - Shuxin Valley - Xixin Valley - Bayan Ancient Road - Wenxin Valley - Sky Magic Carpet - Elevator - Take the scenic shuttle bus at the scenic area exit - arrive at the Visitor Center
By the way, I would also like to recommend to you the "Ya She", a hotel that is actually built on the edge of a cliff. It is right next to the Earth's Core Valley Visitor Center and the glass bridge. It is built on a cliff with a vertical height of 356 meters. It has a view of the canyon on three sides and a beautiful 270-degree view. There are a total of 26 guest rooms, all of which are independent viewing rooms. The visual effect is really amazing. Without further ado, stay here for one night before leaving.
Hefengpingshan Grand Canyon
The boat floats in the air, the water like icy jade. Do you feel the breathtaking oxygen filling the Pingshan Grand Canyon in Hefeng, Enshi? The mountains, the water, the deep ravines, the narrow valleys, the lush greenery, the boat gliding along the cliffs—it's a fairyland...
Pingshan Canyon is surrounded by cliffs suspended in the air, and the canyon's waters flow freely. Looking up, you'll see towering cliffs and a cascading stream. Boats sailing through the clear waters feel like floating on a mirror. This magical sight has earned Pingshan Canyon its reputation, earning it the nickname "China's Semporna." Small boats like these are called "spaceships."
Pingshan gets its name from its flat summit and steep sides. Its hinterland is flat and spacious, with well-built houses, fertile fields, beautiful ponds, mulberry trees, and bamboo groves winding through the mountains, and winding ancient paths leading to secluded paths. Deep streams frame the sides of Pingshan, and steep cliffs tower over the sky. The rugged, grotesque rocks of Longyuan Gorge, Duobi Gorge, and Diaoya Gorge stand out as if carved by a knife or an axe. Like an isolated island sailing among the vast, emerald mountains of the Wuling hinterland, Pingshan is known as the "Oriental Promise Boat."
Pingshan boasts a unique topography, stretching nearly 20 kilometers from north to south and less than 5 kilometers from east to west. The mountain's diverse morphology is characterized by towering cliffs and crisscrossing streams. The height difference between the peaks and the valley floor exceeds 1,000 meters, creating a unique canyon and fissure landscape. Most visitors to the Pingshan Grand Canyon come for the turquoise, clear waters. To capture a boat floating in the air, sunlight is essential; without it, the boat's shadow will disappear underwater.
The best time to take photos is from 1 to 3 pm on a sunny day. The light is best at this time and you can capture the feeling of a floating boat. Unfortunately, we were late again, but the mountains and waters we took along the way are already very shocking. Yes, if I have the chance again, I must come and float in the air on this icy emerald water.
Tips:
Scenic spot ticket: 210 yuan
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00
Detailed address: Pingshan Village, Rongmei Town, Hefeng County, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
Original Tujia customs of Pengjiazhai
Pengjiazhai is located at the northern foot of Wuling Mountain in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei Province. The village has more than 50 households and nearly 300 people. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains and rivers and has an ancient charm. The village is home to a group of Tujia stilt houses with a history of more than 200 years. Because of its age and well-preserved state, it has been listed in the seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units.
The people in Pengjiazhai live by the mountains and rivers, work from sunrise to sunset, and are rarely disturbed by the outside world. The smooth stone roads and mottled wooden boards in the ancient village are authentic Tujia life scenes.
The village's eastern boundary is a ravine called "Chajigou," spanned by a century-old pavilion bridge. In front of the village, the Longtan River flows through the village, connected to the outside world by a 40-meter-long iron chain bridge. Ducks leisurely float in the river, kittens contemplate on the eaves, and a large black dog guards the old house. This is what a pastoral village, a paradise on earth, should look like.
After inspecting the ancient buildings in Enshi Prefecture, Zhang Liangniu, an expert on ancient Chinese architecture and professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, wrote: "If we were to select the 'top contender' among Hubei Province's stilt houses, it would definitely be Pengjiazhai in Xuan'en." He then sang a poem praising it: "Undeterred by my fate in this life, I have searched for the Peach Blossom Land with a cane in my impoverished years. Fortunately, Pengjiazhai exists on earth, its majestic buildings abode like a fairyland."
The photos taken in Pengjiazhai are also surprisingly beautiful. The big pumpkins that have just been picked are placed in front of the house, and the chopped and sawn firewood is neatly stacked, full of a sense of composition. These are the best props and scenes for taking photos. Our Ella strolled among them, stopped and took photos, it was really a joy.
The meal at Pengjiazhai was also delicious, and it was a great way to replenish energy after a tiring walk. What was particularly amazing was the fluffy potato shreds in Figure 4, the super warm corn and pork ribs soup in Figure 2, and the stir-fried chili peppers in sauce in Figure 6. They were all so delicious.
Tips:
The entrance fee to Pengjiazhai Scenic Area is 65 yuan, and you need to take the scenic shuttle bus to the gate visitor center.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday 08:30-17:00
Saturday to Sunday 08:30-17:30
Detailed address: Southwest of Shadaogou Town, Xuanen County, Enshi, Hubei
Tenglong Cave can accommodate 10 million people
Driving westward, we arrived at Tenglong Cave in Lichuan, Enshi. Honestly, this is the largest karst cave I have ever seen. The entire mountain is a cave entrance, 72 meters high and 64 meters wide. The open area can accommodate 15 trucks in parallel, a 20-story building, and even a helicopter can hover freely at the cave entrance. It is said that among the nearly 400 developed tourist caves in China, Tenglong Cave is indeed the largest one.
The waterfall at the entrance of Tenglong Cave is an important attraction that must be visited and checked in. It is also an excellent place for taking photos. The Qingjiang River flows into the entrance of the Tenglong Cave water cave. The river water drops more than 40 meters vertically, with three layers of water, rolling waves and deafening sounds. The momentum is really no less than the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River.
This cavern is so large, its entrance wide enough for an airplane to enter, and it boasts a 253-meter-high mountain within it. It's incredibly deep, capable of accommodating 10 million people simultaneously. It was even named one of China's six most beautiful tourist caves by National Geographic. Tenglong Cave, approximately 60 kilometers deep, features mountains within caves, caves within mountains, interconnected water and dry caves, and interconnected main and branch caves, creating a breathtakingly complex structure.
Moreover, we actually took a tour bus to watch two large-scale live performances in Tenglong Cave, and both are the only large-scale live performances in caves in China. It was truly a new travel experience and quite interesting.
A moving song and dance show based on Tujia folklore, this is China's only pristine cave theater. Moving stilt houses, covered bridges, underwater dragon boats, a lifting stage, and digital lighting create a fusion of nature and humanity, ancient and modern. Set against the backdrop of Tujia culture, the large-scale song and dance performance "Yi Shui Li Chuan" (Yi Shui Li Chuan) by over 100 performers immerses viewers in Tujia life. Enjoying such a large-scale performance in a cave is a truly unprecedented experience.
The other is a dreamy laser show, which is currently the only comprehensive cave laser show in the country. It uses the most advanced technology at home and abroad, combined with carefully choreographed songs and dances, and integrates lasers, dome screens, water shows, fountains, flames, mist pines and other elements, and is performed in a grand manner.
Tips:
Tenglong Cave Scenic Area Ticket: 170 yuan (ticket + transportation within the park)
Opening hours: 08:30-16:00
Detailed address: No. 1, Tenglong Avenue, Lichuan City, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
A Miniature Zhangjiajie | Chaibuxi Grand Canyon
The Chaibuxi Grand Canyon Scenic Area is located in the eastern part of Wufeng Tujia Autonomous County, bordering Wulingyuan (Wulingyuan) to the south and Qingjiang River to the north. It shares the Wuling Mountain Range with Zhangjiajie. Known as "a wonderland of central China," the Chaibuxi Gorge boasts a tranquil gorge of hundreds of miles and three thousand wondrous peaks. The canyon stretches 80 kilometers in radius, with a clear stream running through it. It is divided into five major scenic areas: Neikou Ecological Protection Area, Dawankou Scenic Area, Jiaokou Scenic Area, Duanshankou Scenic Area, and Tanzikou Scenic Area.
The rocks along the Grand Canyon have undergone hundreds of millions of years of erosion, weathering, and collapse, forming a unique peak-forest landscape. There are masterpieces like the Master's Pen, thick at the top and tapering at the bottom, reaching into the sky. There are also the lifelike and vivid Holy Water Guanyin, and the humorous and strikingly beautiful Stone Faces, among over 300 other unique sights. The Grand Canyon is lined with dense rock forests and thousands of cliffs, and the entire scenic area is renowned for its "strange peaks and rocks, precipitous cliffs, flowing springs and waterfalls, and seas of clouds and mist."
The most thrilling parts of the scenic area are the Qingyun Ladder that soars into the clouds and the cable car with a height difference of 793 meters. We took a ride on this cable car and I really have to praise it. There was a section where the angle was like a vertical descent that made my friends scream in fear. It was really thrilling.
Tips:
Chaibuxi Grand Canyon Scenic Area Ticket: 94 yuan
Detailed address: Changleping Town, Wufeng County, Yichang City
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday 08:30-17:00
Saturday to Sunday 08:00-17:30
Yichang Three Gorges Family
The mountains are majestic, the waters are graceful, and the people are charming. This is the epitome of beauty: the Three Gorges. Friends say the beauty here is beyond imagination. On one side is the mighty Yangtze River, on the other, is the elegant brook. The folk songs of Tujia girls fill the valley. It's a must-see when traveling to Yichang. It's really great!
The beauty of the Three Gorges people's shipai lies in its "swift bends, unique rocks, secluded valleys, unique caves, and sweet springs." Poets throughout the ages, such as Li Bai, Ouyang Xiu, and Lu You, have used their inspiration to depict the Three Gorges' people, the sound of oars and the shadows of sails, the sweet springs of toads, the cascading waterfalls in the green mountains, and the picturesque peaks and unique rocks.
Nestled between the mountains and the water, the Three Gorges offer picturesque scenery. Traditional Three Gorges stilt houses dot the landscape. Long-lost sailboats and black-sailed boats sit quietly moored in front of homes. Young women wash clothes by the stream, wielding mallets. Leisurely fishermen cast their nets on the river. Entering a stilt house, you'll find the girls singing and dancing, their red hydrangeas about to fall.
Water Village | At the confluence of Longjin Creek and the Yangtze River, several ancient sailboats stand facing the wind, small fishing boats cast their nets, and the exquisite Chuxia Pavilion stands tall. Near the creek, a dam has been built, intercepting the tranquil Longxi River and raising its level by 1-2 meters. The emerald waters, lush trees, and the weathered Longxi Bridge span across it. Several small fishing boats are quietly moored beneath it. "Under the Longxi Bridge, spring waves green, startling wild geese reflected in their shadows"—a dreamlike scene that is captivating and enchanting.
Streamside Homes | Nestled between the mountains and the water, half on land and half submerged in the water, surrounded by mountains, with verdant hills, lush waters, setting sun, grassy trees, and misty rain, the landscape is picturesque. Mountain Homes | The "stilted houses" of the mountain homes are what modern architects call "pole-balustrade architecture." The gorge's terrain is precipitous, and many of the Three Gorges homes are built along the mountainside, constructed of wood, with bamboo and banana trees lining the front and back of the houses.
Tips:
Scenic spot ticket: 150 yuan
Opening Hours:
March 1st - October 31st 08:00-17:30
November 1st - February 28th, 08:30-17:30
Detailed address: Shipai Village, Sanduping Town, Yiling District, Yichang City
Cross the long cliff path and enter a restaurant nestled in a mountainside cave. Enjoy a delicious meal at Fangweng Restaurant, one of the world's nine best cliff cave restaurants. This is the Yichang Three Gorges Station of Hubei's delicious food, and the original fatty fish is a signature dish. The Yichang original fatty fish, with its rich broth and savory meat, is truly delicious and well-priced.
Fresh river shrimp and small fish from the Three Gorges are fried to a crispy, fragrant finish. The owner's signature wild vegetable pancakes are especially delicious when eaten hot. Tujia sausages, baby potatoes, and homemade scrambled eggs complete the table, creating a delicious and savory experience. A must-try when visiting the Three Gorges in Yichang, especially the original fatty fish.
Fangweng Restaurant is named after Lu You (pen name Fangweng), a renowned patriotic poet of the Southern Song Dynasty. He left the famous line "The coins in my bag are passed down throughout the world; I cannot taste anything other than a famous spring." Later, locals built a restaurant on the site in his memory, hence the name Fangweng Restaurant. The restaurant is located within a cave perched on a sheer cliff. Below, a sheer cliff reveals a hidden world within. It is adjacent to the renowned Sanyou Cave, and across the river is the nationally renowned Three Gorges Bungee Jumping.
Tips:
Average spending per person: 165 yuan
Opening hours: 09:30-20:00
Detailed address: Sanyoudong Bridgehead, Nanjinguan, Yemingzhu Road, Yiling District, Yichang City
Wanshui Motor Camping Site
The Wanshui Motor Campground is located in the Wanshui Scenic Area, centrally located between the Three Gorges, the ancient city of Jingzhou, and Zhangjiajie, Hunan, three renowned tourist destinations. Backed by Asia's largest man-made dam, it lies 80 kilometers from the Three Gorges and 100 kilometers from Zhangjiajie. The Wanshui Scenic Area combines the beauty of Jiangnan's landscapes with the grandeur of northern China, blending mountains, water, caves, forests, and springs. The Wanshui Motor Campground is China's first five-star motor campground, integrating outdoor sports, sightseeing, leisure and wellness, and vacation accommodation. It has been awarded the Deer and Eagle Award, the camping industry's highest honor.
Leveraging the diverse natural features of the Wanshui National Water Conservancy Scenic Area, including forests, wetlands, and islands, the campground is nestled in the jungle beneath the Wanshui Dam. With a jungle theme, it fosters interaction between humans and the natural environment. Spanning 407 mu (approximately 1,000 acres), the campground is divided into five functional areas: the main venue, main camp, accommodation, activity and entertainment, and supporting services.
Main venue area: including jungle square and stage.
The main campground includes RV sites, self-drive camping sites, tent camping sites, and commercial tent sites. The campground provides a place for self-drive RV enthusiasts to relax and spend the evenings. Self-drive cars and RVs can be parked in the campground, which is fully equipped with living facilities.
Special accommodation area: It has 5 RV garden hotels, 15 self-driving tents, 15 fairy-tale theme tree houses, 5 jungle cabins, 5 stargazing tents, 4 water-friendly luxury tents and other personalized accommodation products.
Activity and entertainment area: divided into family activity area, including jungle adventure park, children's playground, paddling pool, picking garden; sports area, including cage football, archery, fishing, rock climbing; team building area, including aerial Huarongdao (high and low altitude adventure), jungle field park, and passing five levels and killing six generals (team development base).
Away from the hustle and bustle of the city and returning to the tranquility of nature, Wanshui Holiday Motor Camp also became the choice of the last stop of our Hubei trip, because here, we enjoy the sunshine, completely relax, stop and sort out and settle down the many beautiful things we have experienced in the past few days in Hubei.
Conclusion
Looking back, Enshi, the last secret place in central China, was listed as "China's most beautiful wonderland" by CNN in the United States. This hidden beauty must be made known to more people. Enshi's natural scenery, ethnic customs, colorful culture, and excellent music and food are definitely a must-visit place in life.
Looking back, Yichang, nestled in Central China and at the boundary between the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River, is known as the "Gateway to the Three Gorges" and the "Throat of Sichuan and Hubei." It's the starting point of the Yangtze River's Three Gorges, home to both the Three Gorges Dam and the Gezhouba Dam, making it a veritable "World Hydropower Capital." It's also the hometown of Qu Yuan and Zhaojun. I was deeply struck by Yichang's inner and outer beauty. Hubei, beyond Enshi and Yichang, offers a truly captivating array of attractions. The megacity of Wuhan, the renowned Taoist temple of Wudang Mountain, and the ancient cities steeped in millennia-old Ba-Chu culture all captivate me. I long for more opportunities to visit Hubei and explore and discover more. This marks the end, but also a new beginning. Elegant and charming Hubei awaits my return!
