Xianning Travel Guide

Chibi Ancient Battlefield of Three Kingdoms

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Xianning Travel Guide

Xianning Facts

Chinese Name: 咸宁 (xián níng)
Population: 3,051,400
Area: 10,033 square kilometers (3,874 square miles)
Location: in the southeast of Hubei Province, central China
Administrative Division: 1 district (Xi'an'an); 4 counties (Jiayu, Tongcheng, Chongyang, Tongshan); 1 county-level city (Chibi)
Area Code: 0715
Zip Code: 437000
GDP (2018): CNY 136.242 billion (USD 20.590 billion)

The City of Osmanthus Famed for Ancient Chibi Battlefield

Xianning is located in the southeast of Hubei Province and the middle of the south bank reaches the Yellow River. It neighbors Huangshi and Jingzhou. The city is bounded to the south by Jiangxi Province and borders Hunan Province to the west. The best time to visit Xianning is always from September to October when this city is full of blooming sweet-scented osmanthus. Xianning is known as the hometown of osmanthus in China. The planting area of osmanthus in the city is about 23 square miles and there are more than 2,000 ancient osmanthus trees over one hundred years. Rich hot spring resources, beautiful bamboo sea and fabulous caves of Xianning also attract a lot of visitors. The famous battle of Chibi took place here and visitors can learn the battle story in the Chibi Ancient Battlefield of the Three Kingdoms (220 - 280).

Xianning Attractions - Things to Do

Jiugong Mountain lies at the convergence of Xianning and Jiangxi, 28 kilometers (17 miles) from Tongshan County. It was a famous Taoist site during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). The microclimate of the scenic area is comfortable. It has an annual average temperature of 22℃ (71.6℉) with the highest temperature less than 30℃ (86℉). It is a popular summer resort in Hunei, combining both elegant and imposing mountain landscapes. The scenic area consists of five major tourist zones, and the largest alpine lake, Yunzhong Lake (Lake in Clouds) also features in the mountain resort.

Chibi Ancient Battlefield of Three Kingdoms was the place where the famous Chibi War broke out in the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280). The site stands in the Chibi City on the south bank of the Yellow River. Nowadays, inscriptions on the red cliff, old towers and pavilions, memorial steles and the choppy waves in the river still seems to tell the soul-stirring fight.

How to Get to Xianning from Wuhan & Main Bus Stations

Leaving Wuhan along the 107 National Highway, it is only 90 minutes drive to Xianning; it takes 25 minutes by high speed train.

Here are the addresses of the main bus stations in downtown area:
Long-distance Bus Station: 179, Huaide Road, Xi'an'an District
Xianning Bus Station: 17, Chang'an Road, Xi'an'an District
Wenquan Central Bus Station: Yinquan Road, Wenquan Chalukou (Intersection), Xi'an'an District

Weather

Xianning bears a subtropical continental monsoon climate featuring rich rainfall and sunshine, and enjoys four seasons. The annual average temperature falls around 16.8℃ (62.2℉). There are northerly winds in the winter in Xianning when the weather is dry and cold, while summer is quite the opposite, with the weather being torrid and wet.

When to Go: Spring and Autumn

Xianning Travel Tips

History: During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the central government established Yong'an Town in the area, and it was promoted as Yong'an County. This was in order to avoid mistaking it with the Yong'an Mausoleum of the Emperor Taizu in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Xianning was named after Xi'an'an with similar meaning with the former one, Yong'an.

Physical Features: The southern part of Xianning is higher than the north. Lake and river alluvial plains are found in the north-west. Xianning also has low mountains and hill regions in its center, with medium high mountains lying in its southern part.

Highlights: It is regarded as the City of Hot Spring because many hot springs are scattered in Xianning.

Special Local Products: laurel flower, tea, ramie, bamboo

- Last updated on Dec. 10, 2022 -

Questions & Answers on Xianning Travel

Asked by Nely from INDONESIA | Feb. 17, 2024 08:46

Is there a public transportation if i want to go to Sky City in Yang Xin County from Xianning City

Answers (1)

Answered by John | Feb. 17, 2024 23:05

Firstly, you can take a high speed train from Xianning South Railway Station to Yangxin Railway Station, taking 2-2.5 hours and costing around CNY80-85 for a second class seat. After, take a local bus to the Sky City, which needs another 2 hours or so.

There are also coaches from Xianning Passenger Transport Centre to Yangxin, taking 2.5 hours or so and costing around CNY40.

Asked by tereza from CZECH | Sep. 14, 2018 01:47

Hello, I want to travel from Xiannig city to Ancient Chibi Battlefield Site, how is it possible?

thank you for your reply. Tereza

Answers (5)

Answered by Sally from USA | Sep. 14, 2018 20:21

You can take a bus from Xianan Bus Station to Chibi, the bus departs from 9:10 to 16:00 with an interval about 1 hour. It takes about 1.5 hour and the bus fare is around CNY 30.

Answered by tereza from CZECH | Sep. 15, 2018 06:14

Thanks, and from Chibi city to Battlefield site is another bus? Thanks.Tereza

Answered by Nicole from USA | Sep. 16, 2018 18:28

Hi, Tereza! I’ve take the bus from Chibi Bus Station to the scenic spot. The buses depart at 10:20 and 15:00. It costs rmb 12, as I remember.

Answered by tereza from CZECH | Sep. 17, 2018 06:22

Thanks, so it si not possible to take public transport, if bus from Xianan bus station departs at 9:10, arrive 10:40 and the another bus departs 10:20. It is possible by train? is there bus to Chibi battlefield site from train station? thanks for reply. Tereza

Answered by Nicole | Sep. 17, 2018 18:51

You can take the train from Xiannning Railway Station to Chibi Railway Station first. Then take bus no. 2 to Chibi Long Distance Bus Station. Take the coach to the scenic area directly. The bus will take around 1 hour.

Asked by Hock Cheong from AUSTRALIA | Jul. 25, 2016 12:43

Is there a high speed train from Wuhan to Xianning? And which is the best station to go to? Thanks

Answers (1)

Answered by Rose from USA | Jul. 26, 2016 04:39

Yes, you can take a high speed train from Wuhan Railway Station to XN North Railway Station. The trip takes 24 minutes. You need to pay CNY 39.5 for a second class; CNY 64.5 for a first class; CNY 73.5 for a luxury class; CNY 122.5 for a business class. :)

Asked by Les from USA | Mar. 31, 2016 10:58

Is there much of a problem with air quality in Xianning?

And how much is a round trip on the bus from the airport?
Thanks!

Answers (2)

Answered by Jack from AUSTRALIA | Apr. 01, 2016 03:34

No, the air quality is much better than those develped cities in China.
There is no direct bus from Wuhan airport to the city. You may take shuttle bus Wuchang Line to Fujiapo Bus Station. It takes about 1.5 hours, and the fare is CNY 32 for a single trip.
Then, take a taxi to Hanghai Bus Station for CNY 10 for a single trip. Afterwards, take a bus to this city. The ticket fare is CNY 26 per person for a single trip.

Answered by Les from USA | Apr. 01, 2016 09:25

Thank you! Jack.

Asked by English Teacher from SPAIN | May. 14, 2014 06:43

Working for a year in Xianning

I will be working there for a year and would like to know some details about the city considering I have never been in China before. Could you tell me more about XN's cost of living, shopping, malls, entertainment, etc? What about the weather? Should I bring all different types of clothes or is it better to buy them there? How does internet and wifi work? Which is the most suitable station to catch trains to Wuhan, Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong? Thank you in advance for your answers.

Answers (3)

Answered by Bill from CANADA | May. 17, 2014 02:19

1. The living cost in the city is in average level in China and generally people enjoy a comfortable and careless life. Hope you will enjoy a happy life there too.
2. The weather is pleasant there with enjough sunshine and rainfall throughout a year. There are four distinct four seasons and the annual average temperature shall be 16-17℃. But I heard the clothing there are a little expensive, so you'd better take along some in case!
3. It is generally easy to connect internet there, but WIFI has not been widely used there.
4. To catch a train to these destinations, XN North Tarin Station is the best choice and there are high speed trains in service.
May help!

Answered by English Teacher from SPAIN | May. 17, 2014 03:04

Thank you very much for your answer, Bill. I hope to enjoy my time there and be happy there. Far from the topics such as weather (I had already heard about the four distinct seasons), clothes (if I need something, paying will be the solution) or trains (it is said that their service and timing are excellent), I am more worried about WIFI because it is something I really need. I guess telecom companies will provide that kind of services, right?

Answered by Kate from USA | May. 18, 2014 02:19

The telecom companies only provide you the network service by wire. If you want wire, you still need a router in your house, so that you can be access to the WIFI.