Pingshan Gorge: The “Chinese Xianbenna”

Among the lofty mountains of Enshi, Hubei Province, there is a secret realm known as the “Chinese Semporna”-Pingshan Gorge. It is a collection of canyons, crevices, cliffs, caves, streams, forests and other natural landscapes. The crystal clear river reflects the verdant mountains on both sides of the river, and a boat is suspended on it, as if it is walking on transparent glass. Just take a “suspension photo” that can maxed out the circle of friends.. It is not only a masterpiece of nature’s ingenuity, but also the home of the Tujia, Miao and other ethnic minorities for generations, combining the beauty of nature with the charm of humanity. ​

Location and transportation​

Pingshan Canyon is located in Pingshan Village, Rongmei Town, Hefeng County, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei Province. It is located in the hinterland of the Wuling Mountain Range in Western Hubei. It is about 12 kilometers away from Hefeng County and about 200 kilometers away from Enshi City. It takes about 4 hours by car. ​

Recommended transportation method​

1. Public transportation: First take the high-speed rail or airplane to Enshi City, and then take the bus to Hefeng County from Enshi Bus Passenger transportation Center (multiple daily flights, the journey takes about 3.5-4 hours, and the fare is about 60 yuan); after arriving in Hefeng County, you can transfer to a local shuttle bus or taxi to Pingshan Canyon Scenic Area (about 30 from the county seat to the scenic area). It takes about 50-80 yuan by car, and the taxi fare is about 50-80 yuan). ​

2. Self-driving travel: Navigate the ‘Hefeng Pingshan Canyon Scenic Area Visitor Center’, which is suitable for tourists from surrounding provinces or who like flexible travel. It should be noted that some sections of the road around the scenic area are winding roads with many corners. It is recommended to drive carefully and check the condition of the vehicle in advance. There is a dedicated parking lot in the scenic area, and the parking fee is about 20 yuan / day. ​

3. Local follow-up group: There are many one-day or two-day tour products for Pingshan Canyon in Enshi City, including transportation, tickets and tour guide services. It is suitable for tourists who don’t want to worry about the details of transportation. You can also visit other surrounding attractions in Enshi by the way (such as Enshi Grand Canyon, Geocentric Valley, etc.). ​

Ticket information​

Pingshan Canyon tickets implement a ”ticket + round-trip ferry ticket’ package system. The core experience includes canyon hiking and water rafting. The specific prices are as follows：​

• Adult package:198 yuan / person (including scenic gate ticket, round-trip canyon cruise ticket, scenic sightseeing bus shuttle fee)；​

• Preferential policy：​

• Students (with valid student ID) and seniors aged 60-69 (with ID) can enjoy a half-price discount on the package, that is, 99 yuan / person.；​

• Children under 1.2 meters, the elderly over 70 years old (with ID card), and the disabled (with disability card) are free of tickets, but they need to pay a round-trip ferry ticket and a sightseeing fare of 60 yuan / person.；​

• Soldiers (with officer’s card, soldier’s card) and veterans (with veteran’s card) can enjoy free tickets, and only need to pay 60 yuan per person for round-trip ferry tickets and sightseeing tickets. ​

• Ticket purchase tips: It is recommended to book tickets on the official official account of the scenic area or mainstream travel platforms (such as CTRIP and Meituan) 1-3 days in advance to avoid queuing during peak season; The scenic area is limited daily, especially during holidays, and you may not be able to enter without making an appointment. ​

Attraction features​

The beauty of Pingshan Canyon lies in its ‘clear, strange, dangerous, and secluded’. Every attraction is worth slowing down and savoring. The core must-experience attractions are as follows：​

1. Hovercraft experience area (core check-in point)​

This is the most prestigious landscape of Pingshan Canyon, located near “Atapuzi” in the middle of the canyon. Because the river bed is mostly limestone, the clear river water shows an almost transparent blue-green color after filtering out impurities. The water depth is about 2-3 meters, but the pebbles and aquatic plants at the bottom of the river can be clearly seen. Take a small wooden boat unique to the area (each boat can seat 2-3 people, and the boatman will assist in adjusting the posture). When the boat enters the open water, shoot from a specific angle to capture the dreamy effect of “people sitting in the boat, the boat seems to hang in the air”. The best shooting time is 9-11 am or 3-5 pm. At this time, the sun shines obliquely, the water surface reflects softly, and the photo texture is better. ​

2. A line of heaven (wonders of the earth’s cracks)​

After entering the canyon, you need to pass through a natural crevice about 200 meters long-“A line of sky”. The cliffs on both sides are hundreds of meters high and straight into the sky. At the narrowest point, only one person can pass sideways. Looking up, the sky is squeezed into a slender “line”. Sunlight shines through the gaps, forming mottled light and shadow on the rock walls, like a “sky tunnel”. Walking on the stone steps, you can hear the sound of water droplets falling from the top of your head and the murmur of the stream at the bottom of the valley. The atmosphere is full of atmosphere. It is a must-see place to experience the “quiet” and “dangerous” of the canyon. ​

3. Mochizuki Bridge (high-altitude observation deck)​

Mochizuki Bridge is a glass viewing bridge suspended over the canyon. It is about 50 meters long and 100 meters high. The deck is made of transparent glass. Standing on the bridge, you can overlook the panoramic view of the entire canyon: under your feet is the turquoise river and the small boats passing through, and in the distance are the rolling green mountains and the scattered Tujia hanging towers. The view is wide, thrilling and exciting. It is especially suitable for taking panoramic views of canyons, or recording videos of “high-altitude overlooking suspended boats”, which have a strong visual impact. ​

4. Escape Gorge (Primitive Secret Realm)​

Escape Gorge is a “hidden attraction” of Pingshan Canyon, located deep in the canyon, named after the local villagers who escaped the war in the early years. It has not yet been fully developed and retains the most primitive natural style: the cliffs on both sides of the strait are covered with vines and moss, the river is clearer than the core area, and small fish can occasionally be seen swimming by; there are also natural caves, waterfalls, streams and other landscapes along the way, which need to be entered on foot under the guidance of a local guide (round trip about 2 Hours), suitable for tourists who like niche and pristine scenery, but they need to pay attention to safety, and some sections of the road need to be waded. ​

5. Tujia Style Village (Humanistic Experience)​

Pingshan Village near the entrance of the scenic area is a typical Tujia village, retaining the traditional hanging foot building, stone slab road and Tujia folklore. There are many Tujia restaurants in the village, where you can taste local delicacies such as bacon, stewed potatoes, hop slag, and social rice. Some villagers also sell handicrafts such as hand-woven brocades (Silankapu) and bamboo weaving. Visitors can communicate with the villagers, feel the simple folk customs of the Tujia people, and experience “follow the romans”. The fun. ​

6. Yulin Lake (end of the canyon)​

Yulin Lake is the end point of the Pingshan Canyon cruise. The lake is as calm as a mirror, surrounded by green mountains, and there are rest pavilions and observation decks by the lake. After the cruise arrives, you can take a break here to enjoy the lake and mountains, or take a reflection photo of “Qingshan Yinghu”. There are also Tujia-style watermills and wooden plank roads by the lake, which are suitable for walking and relaxing to relieve fatigue after hiking. ​

Precautions​

Outfit recommendation：​

• Shoes: There are many stone steps and dirt roads in the scenic area, and some sections of the road are wet and slippery. Be sure to wear non-slip sports shoes or hiking shoes, and avoid high heels and sandals.；​

• Clothing: The temperature difference in the canyon is large (3-5℃ lower than the outside world), and it is recommended to bring a thin coat even in summer; if you plan to take suspension photos, you can wear light-colored or bright-colored clothing (such as white and blue) to take pictures.；​

• Others: It is recommended to bring a sun hat and sunglasses (the sunlight in the canyon reflects strongly), and a sun protection clothing can be prepared in summer. ​

Shooting tips：​

• When shooting a hovercraft, it is recommended to use the “panoramic mode” or “portrait mode” of a mobile phone or camera to avoid backlit shooting; a small tripod can be carried to ensure stable picture.；​

• Attractions such as First-line Sky, Mochizuki Bridge, etc. are dimly lit, so you can turn on the mobile phone flash or camera fill light function.；​

• Respect the regulations of scenic spots, and the use of drones for aerial photography is prohibited in some areas (you need to consult the scenic staff in advance). ​

Safety and environmental protection：​

• Some sections of the canyon are narrow and steep. You need to support the guardrail when walking to avoid chasing and fighting; the water-related sections need to follow the instructions of the guide and do not go into the water without authorization.；​

• It is strictly forbidden to discard garbage into the canyon. There are trash cans along the scenic area, and the garbage needs to be sorted and put into the canyon.；​

• Do not touch the stalactites on the rock walls or destroy vegetation at will to protect the fragile ecological environment. ​

Itinerary planning:​

• The tour of the scenic area takes about 3-4 hours (including hiking, boat rides, and photo time). It is recommended to arrive before 9 am to avoid the peak flow of people at noon.；​

• Summer (June-August) is the rainy season. There may be short-term heavy rains in the canyon. You need to bring rain gear, pay attention to the weather forecast, and avoid going on rainy days (the road is slippery on rainy days and the river is muddy, which affects the effect of suspension photos).；​

• In spring and autumn (April-May, September-October), the climate is cool and the vegetation is lush, which is the best season to visit; in winter (December-February), the temperature is low, and some sections of the road may freeze. Please pay attention to keeping warm and non-slip. ​

Other reminders：​

• The price of food and beverage in the scenic area is higher (such as mineral water 5 yuan /bottle, light meals 30-50 yuan /serving), you can bring a small amount of snacks and drinking water (but don’t carry too much to avoid heavy hiking)；​

• The signal of the mobile phone is weak in some areas deep in the canyon. It is recommended to agree a meeting point with your peers in advance to avoid getting separated.；​

• If you plan to experience hiking in Xiaoxia, you need to contact the scenic area to make an appointment with the guide in advance, and do not enter the undeveloped area alone. ​

Pingshan Canyon is not a short-lived gimmick of ‘Internet celebrity punch-in place”, but a “healing secret realm” that allows you to calm down and feel the beauty of nature. Here, you can temporarily put aside the hustle and bustle of the city, listen to the murmur of the stream, watch the green mountains stacked with green, take a boat “suspended” on the clear water, and experience the poetry and romance of “people swimming in the painting”. Whether it is a parent-child tour, a couple tour, or a solo trip, this place can bring you an unforgettable “journey to wonderland”.