Enshi Grand Canyon – Ticket, Opening Hours, Location, and Highlights

Enshi Grand Canyon (恩施大峡谷), located in the Hubei Province of China, is a renowned geological wonder that features a unique combination of “ground fissure – tiankeng – rock column” formations, making it a composite karst landscape and a natural museum. The canyon boasts an exceptional ecological environment, surrounded by pristine and untouched natural beauty. With its spectacular scenery, including a 10,000-meter cliff gallery, cascading waterfalls that plunge a thousand meters, numerous towering peaks, and deep and secluded valleys stretching for miles, Enshi Grand Canyon stands as a testament to the diverse and awe-inspiring forces of nature.

One of the notable attractions within the canyon is the Yulong Ground Fissure, often referred to as the “beautiful scar on Earth” by locals. Another highlight, known as “One Incense Stick,” has gained international recognition, being listed among China’s 40 famous scenic spots by foreign media.

The topography of Enshi Grand Canyon varies across its region. The northwest and south wings exhibit a mountain plain landscape, with an average elevation of over 800 meters. In contrast, the southwest and northeast sections reach altitudes of around 900 meters, featuring large valleys and basins nestled between mountains. The central area is characterized by undulating hills, and due to subsidence of geological layers, it has formed sunken basins that contribute to the expansive and open terrain, maintaining an average elevation of around 500 meters.

Table of Contents

• Basic Information
• Location and Transportation
• Highlights of Enshi Grand Canyon
  • Cliffside Boardwalk
  • One Incense Stick
  • Welcome Pine
  • Yunlong Ground Fissure
  • Mountain and Water Real Scene Music Theater
• Vlog about Enshi Grand Canyon
• Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews
• Attractions near Enshi Grand Canyon

Basic Information

Location and Transportation

Enshi Grand Canyon is situated in Tunbao Township, Enshi City, within the Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Hubei Province, China. Positioned at the junction of three provinces – Hunan, Chongqing, and Hubei – it is located 49 kilometers from the city center of Enshi and 39 kilometers from the city center of Lichuan. The canyon spans a total length of 108 kilometers and covers an expansive area of 300 square kilometers.

To reach Enshi Grand Canyon, you can take the Enshi-Grand Canyon shuttle bus from the Enshi Passenger Transportation Center, located across from the train station. The shuttle bus offers a direct route to the Enshi Grand Canyon Visitor Center, covering a distance of 50 kilometers in approximately 1.5 hours. The fare for a one-way trip is 25 RMB per person.

Highlights of Enshi Grand Canyon

Cliffside Boardwalk

One of the standout features is the Cliffside Boardwalk, an engineering marvel completed in September 2008 after a construction period of 1 year and 8 months. Perched on the eastern side of the mountain, the boardwalk hugs the sheer cliffs at an elevation of approximately 1700 meters. Stretching 488 meters with a vertical drop of 300 meters, the boardwalk seamlessly integrates with the natural rock formations, creating a breathtaking experience. With 118 stone steps, it is often referred to as the “Cliffside Corridor.” Combining ancient construction techniques from the Ba-Shu region’s historic plank roads with modern reinforced concrete technology, the boardwalk is a testament to the courage and wisdom of contemporary developers. Walking along this elevated path, visitors are treated to panoramic views of the enchanting Wuling landscapes.

One Incense Stick

Another iconic attraction is “One Incense Stick,” a colossal rock pillar standing at a height of approximately 150 meters with a minimal diameter of just 4 meters. The rock’s incredible compressive strength of 800 kilograms per cubic centimeter allows it to withstand the forces of wind and rain for millennia. Legend has it that this stone pillar was a sacred gift from the heavens to the local people. If lit during times of disaster, the rising smoke would signal the divine beings to descend and aid those in need. Geologically, the pillar’s formation is a result of the intricate erosion and sedimentation processes influenced by the prolonged interactions between the Yangtze and Qingjiang river systems. Such slender and well-preserved rock pillars are rare on Earth, making “One Incense Stick” a unique and awe-inspiring natural wonder within Enshi Grand Canyon.

Welcome Pine

Welcome Pine stands as a representative of the five wonders of Enshi Grand Canyon, nestled within the unique karst landscape. Amidst the cliffs and peaks, this pine tree symbolizes the warm hospitality of the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups. It bows deeply to welcome and bid farewell to visitors from afar, embodying both a gesture of welcome and a sign of respectful farewell.

Yunlong Ground Fissure

Covering an area of 11.3 square kilometers at elevations ranging from 600 to 800 meters, Yunlong Ground Fissure is a geological marvel within Enshi Grand Canyon. The region features diverse landforms, including ground fissures, waterfalls, deep pools, caves, underground rivers, symbolic rocks, and geological cross-sections. Shaped like the Chinese character “之” (zhi), the ground fissure spans approximately 3.6 kilometers, with an average depth of 75 meters and a width of 15 meters. The canyon’s depth and the nearly parallel walls, with a “U”-shaped cross-section, make it an extraordinarily rare and visually stunning natural formation.

Mountain and Water Real Scene Music Theater

Situated on the edge of the distinctive karst landscape, the Mountain and Water Real Scene Music Theater is a colossal canyon theater covering over 240 acres, with a total construction area of 49,000 square meters. It stands as one of the world’s largest canyon theaters, accommodating more than 500 performers. The theater, with seating for over 2580 spectators, provides an immersive experience amid the grandeur of the Enshi Grand Canyon. Additionally, the theater incorporates the unique architectural style of the Tujia ethnic group by fully restoring the traditional stilted houses from the area and constructing a chieftain’s main building in the form of a weatherproof corridor-style bridge.

Vlog about Enshi Grand Canyon

Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews

Different from Ping Mountain Canyon: Enshi Grand Canyon is an independent scenic area and should not be confused with Ping Mountain Canyon. Both offer unique experiences, so there’s no need to choose between them. You can visit both to fully appreciate the diversity of landscapes.

Divided Scenic Areas: The Enshi Grand Canyon comprises two main sections: the Seven Star Village Scenic Area and the Yunlong Rift Scenic Area. These sections are not interconnected, so it’s recommended to explore one area fully before moving on to the other. Seven Star Village provides a top-down view of the canyon, while Yunlong Rift offers a bottom-up perspective. Each area offers a distinct experience.

Hiking Considerations: Even if you’re not accustomed to hiking, it’s highly advisable to bring trekking poles or hiking sticks. The total number of steps, even with the option of taking cable cars, can exceed 27,000. These tools can help provide stability and reduce strain on your joints during the hike.

Mixed Reviews: Opinions about the Enshi Grand Canyon vary among visitors. Some find certain sections, particularly the rift area, to be incredibly scenic and worth exploring without taking the cable cars. However, once you pass the cable car stations, some parts of the canyon may become less interesting or challenging to navigate, with no option to turn back easily due to the steep terrain.

Attractions near Enshi Grand Canyon

Tenglong Cave – A colossal natural wonder

Yulong Cave – A place full of white calcite deposits

Luyuanping Canyon – Thrilling and picturesque zigzagging road

Qingjiang Ancient Riverbed – A hiking paradise