Enshi Travel Guide
Enshi, a picturesque locale, is beautifully situated in the heart of China. Its unique geographical position, coupled with its canyon landscapes, bestows it with a naturally cool and refreshing climate. Each season in Enshi offers a different scenic charm, ensuring that visitors always encounter its beauty at its best.
Enshi is free from the throngs of tourists, maintaining its simple and genuine local customs. The less-developed transportation network has preserved its magnificent scenery, often compared to the grandeur of the Grand Canyon in the United States. Here, you can stay in traditional stilt houses, savor local delicacies like cured meat, drink homemade rice wine, and enjoy oil tea soup. You can also listen to the enchanting Dragon Boat Melody, explore the pristine Qingjiang River, or hear the tale of Huang Si Jie. Engage in the vibrant local culture by learning the traditional hand-waving dance or the copper bell dance, and share hearty laughs with the Tujia people.
Enshi offers a pure, unspoiled experience of nature. Every inch is like a painting, every step reveals a new scene. Its geological wonders, including sheer cliffs, bizarre peaks, narrow crevices, and stunning canyons, resemble a delicate orchid blossoming happily in a secluded valley. Enshi is like a shy Tujia maiden, showcasing her most beautiful and passionate side to visitors.
Most Popular Enshi Attractions
Other Attractions in Enshi
Last night, I arrived in Enshi and checked into a hotel near the train station. I asked a local for a dinner recommendation and ended up trying Zhangguang Hezha (张关合渣), which had good reviews and decent flavor. It was conveniently located about 1 kilometer from the train station, so walking there was easy. **Day 1** 9:00 – 10:45: I visited Tusi City. There was a performance at 10:00, and the architectural style is great for photos. I took a taxi there, which cost about 15 yuan one way. 11:16 – 13:00: I took the bullet train (11:16) to Gao Ping Station, had a quick meal, and then took a taxi to the ticket office of the Earth’s Core Valley. You can also catch a direct bus from the train station. 13:00 – 16:24: At Earth’s Core Valley, there are various transportation options like a glass bridge, boats, magic carpets, elevators,… Read more »
Before I came, I read many people saying that Luyuanping Canyon is the most beautiful attraction in Enshi. However, after visiting, I was very disappointed, to the point that I immediately rescheduled my trip to Hunan the next day.
Although I didn’t do many activities in the past couple of days, I felt utterly exhausted without enjoying any of the experiences. The prices were a bit high, the scenery wasn’t that impressive, and the food was just average. I wouldn’t recommend going in the summer, and I will not be returning for a second visit.
Yesterday, I visited the Enshi Dixin Valley. The water there was yellow, which was a bit disappointing.
The number of tourists was not too high. Next time, I will definitely check the weather beforehand.
8 Must-Visit Attractions in Enshi 1. Ping Shan Canyon (屏山峡谷) Rated by National Geographic as the most beautiful fairyland in China, known as the “Chinese Xanadu” because of a photo of a floating wooden boat in the water circulating all over the internet. The canyon is deep and serene, with shimmering blue waves, offering the exhilarating experience of cruising through countless mountains in a light boat. 2. Enshi Grand Canyon (恩施大峡谷) This place is a museum of karst landforms, often compared to the Grand Canyon in the East. It features cliffside plank roads and the million-year-old Piller of Incense, as well as the most beautiful scar on Earth, the Cloud Dragon Rift. 3. Tusi City (土司城) Home to the largest and most complete existing ancient Tujia architectural complex in China, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the charm of ethnic minorities. 4. Valley of the Heart (地心谷) A hidden gem… Read more »
Must-Visit Attractions in Enshi:
1️⃣ Yunlong Difeng (云龙地缝): Located in Enshi Grand Canyon, the almost vertical cliffs of the canyon create a sense of panic just by looking at them.
2️⃣ Enshi Tusi City (恩施土司城): A witness to the historical origins of the Tujia ethnic group, boasting the largest imitation ancient architectural complex in China, as well as many aspects of Tujia customs and traditions.
3️⃣ Tenglong Dong (腾龙洞): A huge karst cave with unique landscape.
4️⃣ Qingjiang River (清江): Known for its thrilling rafting experiences and dream-like mountain and water scenery.
5️⃣ Suobuya Stone Forest (梭布垭石林): Referred to as the “Kingdom of Coolness.”
6️⃣ Tujia Daughter City (土家女儿城): Perfect for experiencing the customs and traditions of the Tujia ethnic group.
7️⃣ Dixin Valley (地心谷): Featuring the “Earth’s Eye” and towering cliffs in a 360° panoramic view.
If you are prone to motion sickness, make sure to prepare ahead and remember to bring motion sickness pills or patches. Don’t let health issues affect your mood for sightseeing.
– The cuisine in Enshi is mainly characterized by its sour and spicy flavors, with rice as the staple food.
– The restaurants in the scenic area are average overall. The hearty bowl of wine at the Nv’er City is very good. Besides, there are plenty of snacks to try at Nv’er City, which are worth a taste.
For friends who are visiting Enshi, it is best not to go to Ping Shan Grand Canyon when it’s raining, as it may affect the water quality and make photos look not so good. Instead, you can visit Suobuya Stone Forest (梭布垭石林) or Luyuanping (鹿院坪).
Enshi is really so so beautiful, stunning me with every casual snap , whether it’s sunny, cloudy, or rainy, it’s always charming. Everyone must go there if they have the chance. ✅ Tujia Nü’er Cheng (土家女儿城) – located in the city, here you can experience the customs of the Tujia ethnic group, the streets are lively, and there are performances at night. ✅ Tusi City (土司城) – with the largest scale of ancient architecture in China, showcasing the customs of the Tujia people, you can dress in Tujia costumes for a deeper experience. ✅ Tenglong Cave (腾龙洞) – a great place to escape the summer heat, the cave is large and cool inside, with performances available. ✅ Xuanen (宣恩) – with its fairy mountains and pristine waters, half bustling city and half fairyland, taking a boat trip along the Gongshui River offers a unique experience. ✅ Suobuya Stone Forest (梭布垭石林)… Read more »
Day 1: Arrived at noon, visited Tusi City and Daughter City (took photos in ethnic costumes). In the evening, had dinner at Zhangguanhezha. Day 2: Spent 2.5 hours in Luyuanping (missed the Enshi Grand Canyon but the scenery was beautiful). The waterfall had three levels, the second one being the most impressive. Afterwards, had a meal at Shuaibaren in Enshi. Day 3: Due to the exhaustion from Luyuanping, had a relaxed day and took a high-speed train to Lichuan to visit Tenglong Cave. The cave was not very interesting, but the laser show was worth seeing. Ate at Zhaoshi Tujia Flavored Tank Fish in Enshi. Day 4: Enjoyed clear weather at Pingshan, visited Wujia Tea Garden in the afternoon, and had dinner at Hongxing Grilled Live Fish in Xuan’en to admire the night view. Day 5: Explored Subuyan in the morning, highlighting Lotus Village and Grindstone Gully. Then went to… Read more »