【Nov-Dec】Enshi Grand Canyon·Pingshan·Ancient Riverbed

There is a mysterious canyon in China with which is breathtaking and the water is so clear that a boat in the water looks like it’s floating in the air! Some say it is "China's Semporna", others say it is inseparable from the Grand Canyon in the United States, it is also reputed as "Kanas in the South" and "China's Alps". So where on earth is this place?

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This fairyland is located in Enshi, Hubei Province, China. In addition to this beautiful canyon there is also the famous Tusi City. If you want to enjoy the tranquil mountains and rivers then Enshi is the place to go! 

ITINERARY

Enshi arrival -🚌1h- Suobiya Stone Forest -🚌1h- Enshi

Enshi -🚌1.5h- Qingjiang Ancient Riverbed (🥾4h hiking) -🚌30min- Enshi

Enshi Grand Canyon -🚌1.5h- Tujia Daughter City - Enshi City

Enshi City -🚌2.5h- Pingshan Canyon- 🚌2h- Xuan`en City

Xuan`en City-🚌 50min- Tusi Town - Enshi departure

BASIC CONTENT

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History: The history of Enshi can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC) as the domain of Bazi Kingdom. Through thousand years of changes, the present territory of the city was basically fixed up in 1925. It was called Exi (Western Hubei) Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and changed to be Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture ten years later.

Geographical Features: The prefecture stands in the extension of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Southwest-to-northeast mountain ranges of Wushan, Qiyue, Wuling and Dalou zigzag through the prefecture. The north, southeast and northwest areas are higher in altitude and the terrain slopes downward to the south and central regions.

Special Local Products: raw lacquer, herb medicine, tung oil, tobacco leaves, tea.

Enshi Grand Canyon, formerly called Mufu Grand Canyon, is honoured as “Oriental Colorado Canyon". Located in Enshi City in Hubei Province, it is famous for its two opened scenic areas, Yunlong Ground Fissure and Seven Star Village (Qixing Village). In addition to splendid sceneries, colorful customs of the local Tu people are well-known as well.

Enshi Grand Canyon Passenger Cableway

Enshi Grand Canyon Passenger Cableway is the first single-line loop cableway in the scenic area. It runs from Yunlong Rive Bridge to Xiaoloument. There are only two stations along the cableway. The upper station is sited in Xiaoloument, which has an elevation of 1641 meters, while the lower station is sited in the eastern side of Yunlong Rive Bridge, which has an elevation of 841 meters. This cableway has a length of 2284 m; the whole way has a drop height of 792 m. a car can only take maximal 8 people for each time and there are a total of 61 cable cars along the cableway. The maximum operating speed of it is 6 m/sec.

Five wonders of Enshi Grand Canyon

【One Incense Pillar】一炷香

One Incense Pillar is the iconic landscape of the Enshi Grand Canyon. One Incense Pillar is a karst pillar standing between the cliffs and peaks of the 108-kilometer-long Enshi Canyon. This incense stick-shaped peak is 150 meters tall, but only four meters wide, which maks it incredible that it stands at all, let alone that it's survived several major earthquakes. Local legend holds that the pillar is a piece of incense given by a deity to the ingenious Tujia people. The residents could light it in times of disaster and the deity would descend to help.

【Long Corridor at the Cliff】绝壁长廊
Long Corridor at the Cliff is a plank road built along the face of a cliff. It was built in October 2007. It has a length of 488 meters and 118 steps. It is located at an altitude of 1,700 meters, at the cliff on the waist of the mountain. When you tour along the cliff, you can enjoy the fantastic scenery of the canyon on the way. The plank road is crooked for s couple of times.

【Bowing Pine Tree】鞠躬松
Bowing Pine Tree is a representative of the five wonders in the canyon. There is a saying: "There is no peak group if there are cliffs, or there is no cliff if there is peak group". "Welcoming Pine Tree" in Yellow Mountain is world-famous, with opening arms and smile to welcome tourists from home and abroad. Bowing Pine Tree in this place is on behalf of the hospitality Tujia and Miao people, bowing deeply to welcome or escorting visitors from different places.

【Yunlong Ground Fissure】云龙地缝

Originally, Yunlong Ground Fissure was an underground river which had been flowing under the ground for 20 million to 30 million years. Later, because of erosion of flowing water underground and in the surface of earth, the top of Yunlong Underground River collapsed, which finally forms today’s Yunlong Ground Fissure. With an overall length of 2.2 miles (3.6 kilometers), an average depth of 82 yards (75 meters) as well as an average width of 16 yards (15 meters), Yunlong Ground Fissure has bred steep cliffs on both banks, plunging waterfalls, and murmuring streams at the bottom. There are altogether seven and a half waterfalls in the fissure. The half waterfall only occurs in wet seasons, so it is also called Wet Season Waterfall. More surprisingly, it is proved that two sides of the fissure were formed in different periods. One side was formed in Triassic period 180 million to 230 million years ago, while the other was formed in the Permian Period 250 million to 280 million years ago, which makes Yunlong Ground Fissure a unique fissure across the world.

【Seven Star Village 】七星村

Another scenic area in Enshi Grand Canyon is Seven Star Village. Along the travelling footpath, Mother-infant Statue, Stone Incense, Bowing Pine and Cliff Corridor (Cliff Plank Road) can be seen one by one. Mother-infant Statue, composed of two stones, is an art work created by nature, looking as if a mother is pecking her baby on its cheek. After witnessing deep love of mother and son, you can go on to visit the legendary guard of Enshi Grand Canyon, Stone Incense. According to legend, Stone Incense was given by god who asked local residents to light it in case of disasters and he would save people as long as he saw the smog, for which Stone Pillar Incense is regarded as a treasure to the canyon. In sunny days, clouds floating above it, just like the smoke of the heavenly incense; and in rainy days, covered by mist, the place looks like a fairyland. Keep on walking, you are surprised to see a pine bowing to you, which is called Bowing Pine. Different from Greeting Pine in Yellow Mountain, Bowing Pine, on behalf of enthusiastic Tu people, not only welcomes and greets guests, but also sees guests off and looks forward to the next visit of guests. Then let’s go to experience thrilling Cliff Corridor. It is said that people go through scaring Cliff Corridor together can go through the way of life hand by hand.

Nestled in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, in the city of Lichuan, lies the enchanting Qingjiang Ancient Riverbed (清江古河床), a testament to the ever-changing course of nature and the historical evolution of the mighty Yangtze River. With a total length of 8 kilometers, this ancient riverbed was formed as a result of the redirection of the Qingjiang River before the formation of the Three Gorges Rift Valley.

Before the iconic Three Gorges took shape, and while the rift valley was still in the process of formation, the Qingjiang Ancient Riverbed stood as the main channel of the Yangtze River. Today, this serene landscape, spanning ten square kilometers, remains untouched and is awaiting full accessibility. Its breathtaking scenery, comprising towering cliffs, waterfalls, solitary peaks, pristine forests, and ancient villages, makes it one of the most picturesque outdoor hiking routes in Lichuan.

The natural attractions within the area include One-Line Sky, Panda Cave, Big and Small Dragon Gates, Exclusive Village, Cave Groups, Dark River, Fissures, Solitary Peak, Elephant Nose Mountain, and Qingjiang River Gallery. Among these, the interconnected caves, underground rivers, and towering limestone formations create a mesmerizing landscape. The geological structure of the ancient riverbed showcases a comprehensive karst topography, featuring intricate formations and numerous collapsed boulders along the route.

Commencing the journey from the Jingzhao Mountain Village along the ancient riverbed, the first 300 meters lead to a canyon. Peering down, one witnesses winding blue stone steps disappearing into the depths of the lush forest. The valley floor, nestled among green trees, remains concealed, creating an illusion of profound depth. The distant sound of rustling leaves and the moist, slippery moss on the dew-covered grass add to the sensory experience.

The Pingshan Canyon is most famous for its pure water. It's so clean that people can't even feel the existence of water.

On November 13, 2020, two tourists took a boat trip in Pingshan Canyon, Pingshan Village, Rongmei Town, Hefeng County, Hubei Province. With the opening of the Xuanhe Expressway, the mystery that the Pingshan Canyon, known as the "Chinese Semporna", is hidden in the "deep boudoir" is gradually revealed. The newly discovered and developed magical Pingshan Canyon is located in the outskirts of Hefeng County, Enshi Prefecture, Hubei Province, in the hinterland of Wuling Mountain. Both sides of the canyon are full of cliffs. The narrowest part of the "one-line sky" only allows a small boat to pass through. The gorge is rippling with clear water. , Boating on the water is like floating in the air. The unique geological wonders, beautiful natural scenery, and splendid toast culture make this a place for many tourists to check in. 

Enshi Tujia Daughter City is located in Enshi City's Qiliping in Hubei Province. As the eighth man-made ancient town in the country, the designers of the Tujia Daughter City rationally and meticulously planned the overall architectural style. The combination of faux-antique buildings and Tujia diaolou perfectly reflects Tujia folk customs. The site includes the country's first indoor scenic theater—the Daughter City Theater. There is also a Hubei Province-themed water park. Enshi's Tujia have many famous folk custom activities such as the Meeting of Daughters, which have been permanently moved to Tujia Daughter City.

History

The Tusi system was a hereditary political system adopted in ethnic minority regions by feudal rulers in ancient China. The supreme leader in the system is called Tusi, the chieftain. Chinese Tusi sites are mainly distributed in the mountainous area of the provincial boundaries of Hunan, Hubei and Yunnan. Currently, there are more than 100 Tusi sites in China, including the sites of domains and fortresses.

The Tangya Tusi system came into existence in the sixth year (1346) of the reign of Emperor Shundi in the Yuan Dynasty (1368-1644), and was abolished in the thirteenth year (1735) of the reign of Emperor Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It lasted 389 years and 18 generations.

Structural Layout

The Site of Tangya Tusi Domain is sandwiched between the Tangya River and the Xuanwu Mountain. With a total area of 183 acres (74 hectares), it consisted of 3 streets, 18 alleys, and 36 courtyards in the past. There used to be government offices, shooting ranges, barracks, prisons, zoos, temples, and wells. At present, there are a great number of historical sites, while the roads of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the archway presented by the imperial government, the tomb of the Chieftain Tan Ding, and the exquisite human and horse statues are best-preserved. Tourists can not only enjoy the magnificence of the imperial city, but also gain a basic knowledge of the Tusi culture.

Stone Archway

The imperial court bestowed a stone archway upon the Chieftain Tan Ding to commemorate his great military achievements in the third year (1623) of the reign of the Ming Emperor Xizong. Supported by four pillars, the archway has three openings. To the left side of the archway stands a stone lion which is solemn, spectacular, and well-preserved. Either side of the archway are inscriptions and relief sculptures that depict the Chieftain Tan Ding on a Cruise, fishermen, woodmen, farmers, scholars, natural scenery, legendary figures, and so on.

Human and Horse Statues

Two human statues and two horse statues stand in front of the Stone Archway by the Tangya River. The horses were carved from a single piece of stone. The horse on the left is embellished with a rein, a bridle, and a saddle, with a length of 9.2 feet (2.8 meters), a width of 2.3 feet (0.7 meter) and a height of 7.8 feet (2.38 meters). The man by the horse wears a suit of armor, holding an umbrella and a sword. The horse on the right measures 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) in length and 6.8 feet (2.08 meters) in height. The man by the horse is headless, with a remaining height of 5.2 feet (1.6 meters). The distance between the two horses is 5.2 yards (4.8 meters). The names of the craftsmen and the dates on which they were finished are engraved on the reins. The horses are not very tall, but pretty strong.

Tombs of Chieftain Tan Ding and His Wife

The Tombs of Chieftain Tan Ding and His wife are located in the northeast of the Site of Tangya Tusi Domain, with a total area of 478 square yards (400 square meters). In front of the tomb is an octagonal sacrificial terrace, decorated by a kylin sculpture on either side. The tomb layout and the exquisite decorations represent the essence of the Tusi Culture and show tourists the quality of stone carvings at that time. Additionally, the tumulus is well-preserved. The whole tomb looks very grand and splendid. To the left of Chieftain Tan Ding's Tomb is the Tomb of his Wife, in front of which stand a stone tablet and a stone archway. The tablet is decorated with the patterns of tables and desks, measuring 3.2 feet (0.97 meter) in width and 6.2 feet (1.9 meters) in height. The stone archway is simply designed, with a height of 11.5 feet (3.5 meters).

Suobuya Stone Forest scenic area presents typical karst landform

Located in Taiyanghe village, which is 54km away from Enshi, Suobuya Stone Forest covers an area of 21 square kilometers. The stone forest here is made up of Ordovician limestone. Suobuya Stone Forest is the second biggest of its kind in China, with vegetation ranking No.1 nationwide.

At present, 7 kilometer squares of the Suobuya scenic spot has been developed, including 8 parks and more than 100 attractions. The scenic spot, which is formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks, features natural scenery of stone forest. 

Tourists will get a chance to explore the stone forest and the river valley..

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