Enshi Geoxin Valley Deep Travel Guide

Enshi Geoxin Valley is located in Jianshi County, Enshi Prefecture, Hubei Province. It is a typical karst canyon landform, known as "China's First Ancient River" and "The First Ancient Road of Ba and Chu". It is famous for its 250 million-year-old geological wonders, steep canyon plank roads, and mysterious remains of Homo erectus. The scenic area includes Shimen River, Ca'er River and other attractions, forming a landscape painting, which is a paradise for adventure and nature lovers. --- ### **Recommended Itinerary** **[Classic 5-Day Tour]** **D1: Arrival in Enshi → Free Activities** - **Transportation**: You can choose to fly directly to Enshi Xujiaping Airport (direct flights are available from cities such as Ningbo and Jinan, taking only 2 hours), or take a bullet train to Enshi Station (multiple trains daily). - **Accommodation**: It is recommended to stay in a hotel in Enshi city (such as Nv'erzhai Resort Hotel) for easy access to the next day's itinerary. - **Activities**: Visit Tusi City (the core area of Tujia culture) or Fenghuang Mountain Forest Park, and taste Enshi hairy crabs, preserved meat with bean curd and other local delicacies. **D2: Enshi Grand Canyon + Yunlong Ground Fissure** - **Highlights**: The cliff plank road, Yizhu Xiang (a unique stone pillar), and the hundred-mile-long cliffs, the vertical cliff landscape of Yunlong Ground Fissure is stunning. - **Tips**: The whole journey takes about 5 hours on foot. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and bring sun protection equipment. **D3: Qingjiang Butterfly Cliff + Tujia Nv'er City** - **Morning**: Take a boat trip to Qingjiang Gallery and check out the popular Butterfly Cliff (the waterfall is especially spectacular during the rainy season). - **Afternoon**: Go to Nv'er City to experience Tujia folk performances, visit the matchmaking street, and participate in a bonfire party in the evening. **D4: Geoxin Valley Core Scenic Area** - **Must-do activities**: 1. **Shimen River Landscape**: Hike along the canyon plank road and feel the quiet streams and rugged rocks. 2. **Homo Erectus Caves**: Explore the natural stone statue group that resembles a human face. 3. **Ca'er River Rafting** (summer only): Experience the thrilling canyon rafting. - **Accommodation**: It is recommended to choose a homestay near the scenic area (such as Huaxigu Health Town), where you can enjoy the light show at night. **D5: Suobuya Stone Forest → Return Journey** - **Morning**: Visit Suobuya, the "Crowned Stone Forest", and experience the 460 million-year-old submarine fossil wonder. - **Afternoon**: Before returning, you can choose to buy Enshi Yulu tea and selenium-rich agricultural products as souvenirs. --- ### **Practical Information** **Transportation Guide** - **Airplane**: Direct flights to Enshi Xujiaping Airport are available from cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. New direct flights from Ningbo and other cities will be added from April (every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday). - **High-speed train**: The bullet train from Wuhan to Enshi takes about 4 hours, and from Chongqing to Enshi takes about 2.5 hours. - **Local transportation**: The distance between scenic spots is far, so it is recommended to charter a car (about CNY 400/day) or join a local pure **group tour** (including pick-up and drop-off). **Cost Reference** - **Independent travel**: About CNY 1,500-2,000 per person (including transportation, tickets, and accommodation). - **Group tour**: CNY 1,000-1,300 per person for a 5-day pure **group tour** (including tickets, hotels, and tour guide service, cost-effective). **Best Time to Travel** - **April-July**: The mountains are full of flowers, the climate is cool, and it is suitable for summer vacation. - **October-November**: The autumn colors are gorgeous, perfect for photography. **Precautions** 1. **Clothing**: The temperature difference in the mountainous area is large, so you need to prepare a windproof jacket and non-slip shoes. 2. **Tickets**: The Geoxin Valley ticket + glass bridge + scenic transportation package costs about CNY 150. It is recommended to book online in advance. 3. **Safety**: Rafting projects need to follow the arrangements of the guide. Children and the elderly should participate with caution. 4. **Health**: Some sections need to be climbed, which consumes a lot of physical strength, so you can prepare energy snacks. --- ### **Featured Experiences and Food Recommendations** - **Cultural Experience**: Watch "Tujia Songs and Dances" in Tusi City, and try hand-made Ciba (glutinous rice cake) in Nv'er City. - **Food list**: - Enshi preserved meat, Zhang Guan He Zha (tofu dregs dish) - Fried potatoes, Baiyang dried bean curd - Shennongxi honey peach (summer only).