The Xiangshui River Scenic Area (香水河风景区), located in Nanzhang County, Hubei Province, is originally known as Chenjia River and is one of the three main tributaries of the Man River. It comprises the Xiangshui River Gorge, along with the Three Scenery Village and Banruo Temple, covering an area of 110 square kilometers. The area is renowned for its spectacular waterfalls, including notable features like the Three-step Waterfall, Seven-color Waterfall, and Eagle Waterfall, among dozens of others.
Among these, the Seven-color Waterfall stands out for its unique charm. With a drop of over a hundred meters, this waterfall is formed by the convergence of five crystal-clear springs. During clear mornings from 8 to 11 a.m., sunlight filtering through the forest creates a mesmerizing spectacle. The sunlight refracts through the water droplets from the cascading falls, producing a bewitching array of colors: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple, akin to a rainbow suspended in the sky, shimmering with crystalline brilliance.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Xiangshui River Scenic Area
- Other Attractions in Nanzhang County
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 day |
| Ticket Price | 100 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.30 – 16.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0710-5381882 |
Location and Transportation
The Xiangshui River Scenic Area is located in Nanzhang County, Xiangyang City, Hubei Province. It is approximately 38 kilometers southwest of the county center and 60 kilometers away from Xiangyang City.
To get there, you can take a long-distance bus from Xiangyang Long-distance Bus Station to Nanzhang County. Buses operate from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, departing every 20 minutes, with a ticket price of 18 yuan. Upon arrival at Nanzhang Bus Station, there are tourist shuttle buses available directly to the scenic area.
Alternatively, visitors can take a high-speed train to Nanzhang and then transfer to the Xiangshui River Scenic Area Special Line at the high-speed train station. The special line bus will take them directly to Xiangshuihe Station, covering a distance of approximately 8.7 kilometers.
Highlights of Xiangshui River Scenic Area
Karst Caves
The Xiangshui River Scenic Area is dotted with karst caves, including notable formations such as Luohan Cave, Jinniu Cave, Lion Cave, Huijian Cave, Da Xiaoqianzhong Cave, and Chule Cave, forming a highly sophisticated underground world. Additionally, there are karst funnels and skylights like the East and West Tiankengs and Dashan Tianxuan Eye within these caves. Another prominent feature of the landscape is its towering cliffs and bizarre peaks, formed by fractured mountain bodies.
Diverse Vegetation
The area is rich in diverse vegetation, with shrubs covering the landscape. The valley is home to precious wild plum blossoms, Chinese parasol trees, dawn redwoods, and magnolias. Moreover, the changing seasons bring forth vibrant displays of colors, with yellow birches, wuqi trees, and maple trees adding to the spectacle. A plethora of colorful herbs, shrubs, and flowering plants further enhance the area’s beauty, ensuring a varied and delightful sight in every season.
Various Wild Animals
The presence of various small wild animals such as roe deer, deer, masked palm civets, badgers, foxes, macaques, otters, and voles, as well as diverse bird species including pheasants, golden pheasants, and mynahs, adds dynamism and novelty to the entire scenic area. It enriches the experience of exploring the scenic wonders, providing visitors with an opportunity to witness the natural diversity and vitality of the region.
