Wizard of Oz on Shennongding: A Complete Hiking Guide to Jinhou Ridge and Jinhou Stream Rainforest

📍Location: Jinhou Ridge and Jinhou Stream are located in the Shennongding Scenic Area of Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei Province. Adjacent to Xiaolongtan, with Red Rock Cave to the south, Caoping Bay to the east, and Changyanwu to the west, this core attraction covers approximately 5 square kilometers at an elevation of 3,019m. The parking lot separates Jinhou Stream from Jinhou Ridge. Following Jinhou Stream through the valley with its waterfalls, then continuing to the primeval forest of Jinhou Ridge after the parking lot, this trail perfectly encapsulates Shennongjia's ecological corridor.

🚗Transportation:
1. Train/Flight: Take high-speed rail or fly to Yichang/Shiyan from Wuhan, then take a bus to Muyu Town in Shennongjia (about 4 hours).
2. Self-driving: Follow National Highway 209 or Yiba Expressway to Shennongjia Forestry District, navigate to "Shennongding Scenic Area" entrance.
3. Internal shuttle: Buses from Muyu Town depart before 7:30 daily, stopping at various points including Jinhou Ridge (approximately 30 minutes).
4. Self-driving within scenic area: You can park at each minor attraction; snow chains required in winter.

👍️Must-visit spots:
1. Jinhou Waterfall: A 30m cascading waterfall that freezes in winter, creating crystal-like ice curtains that sparkle in the sunlight. Follow the Jinhou Stream trail upstream to capture stunning photos of frozen waterfalls and rime.
2. Primeval Forest Trail: Features ancient Bashan and Huashan pines creating a dense canopy, fallen millennium-old trees crossing streams, and moss-covered "cold rainforest" terrain.
3. Winter-exclusive ice formations: From December to April, ice crystals form on streamside branches creating a magical scene. The middle section bridge of Jinhou Stream offers perfect morning shots of sunlight penetrating through ice columns in the mist.

🎟️Tickets: Jinhou Ridge and Stream are included in the Shennongding Scenic Area general admission ticket (CNY 190).
Opening hours: Summer 07:00-18:00
Winter 08:30-16:00

💗Additional tips: Legend has it that Shennong collected herbs here, and Jinhou Ridge was named after the legend of protecting all living beings. Local villagers regard golden snub-nosed monkeys as "mountain spirit messengers."
Jinhou Ridge and Stream perfectly blend Shennongjia's wildness and grace. Whether it's the stark beauty of winter ice falls, the primeval atmosphere of the ancient forest, or the playful golden monkeys, everything speaks to the vitality of this hidden paradise. If you're drawn to the wild call of "Central China's rooftop," this is a must-visit ecological pilgrimage site.

Post by Simmons Emma:41 | Apr 18, 2025