Enshi Travel Guide

Enshi Travel Guide

Enshi Facts

Chinese Name: 恩施土家族苗族自治州 (ēn shī tǔ jiā zú miáo zú zì zhì zhōu)
Population: 4,020,400
Area: 24,000 square kilometers (9,266 square miles)
Location: in the southwest of Hubei Province, central China
Administrative Division: 6 counties (Jianshi, Badong, Xuan'en, Xianfeng, Laifeng, Hefeng); 2 county-level cities (Enshi, Lichuan)
Area Code: 0718
Zip Code: 445000
GDP (2018): CNY 87.095 billion (USD 13.162 billion)
Nationalities: Tujia, Miao, Dong, Bai, Mongolian, Hui

A Multi-Ethnic City with Unique Tujia Buildings and Large Iron Reserves

Situated in the southwest region of Hubei Province, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture is adjacent to Chongqing to the north and west, Hunan to the south and in the neighborhood of Shennongjia Nature Reserve to the northeast and Yichang to the east. Enshi is a green city suitable for tourism all year round with a pleasant climate and a high forest coverage rate of 70%. There are 28 ethnic minorities in this city and visitors can appreciate ethic architecture, local customs and festivals.

Magnificent Tujia ethnic architecture complex can be enjoyed in the Site of Tangya Tusi Domain and Dashuijing Architecture Group. Nverhui, also known as the Tujia Valentine's day is held on July 17 of the lunar calendar when Yong Tujia girls gather to find the right person or date the right person by singing. Visitors can also see the breathtaking canyon, experience exciting rafting and explore caves in this city. Besides, Enshi's Exi Iron Mine is one of the four largest iron mines in China, with proven reserves of 1.3 billion tons and predicted reserves of 4 billion tons. Enshi also has the largest independent selenium deposit in the world.

Enshi Attractions - Things to Do

 Site of Tangya Tusi Domain,  also known as the Tangya Tusi Ancient City is a world cultural site. It is the largest and best-preserved Tusi site in the ethnic minority regions of southwest China. It is a witness of the Tusi system, a hereditary political system put forward by feudal emperors in ancient China.
 

 Dashuijing Architecture Group is located 30 miles (48 kilometers) northwest of downtown Lichuan. It was the former residence of local Li family, a notable clan during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). Covering an area of 24,000 square yards (20,067 square meters), it consists of Manor of Li Family, Ancestral Temple, and Messuage of Li Gaiwu. Buildings there reflect both Tujia architectural features and western style.
 
 Enshi Grand Canyon, also called Mufu Grand Canyon, is about 40 miles from Enshi downtown. It is famous for Yunlong Ground Fissure, the cliffs on two sides of which are formed in two different periods, and Seven Star Village, where visitors can appreciate stones of various shapes. The local residents here are mainly Tu people, so you can also learn some interesting customs and culture of this ethnic group here.
 
 Qingjiang Chuangtan: Chuangtan refers to the section between the downtown Enshi to Fenshuihe Bridge of the Qingjiang River. Drifting along the river, there are forty-eight rapids in total, meanwhile, visitors can admire the beautiful scenery on the river banks and experience the folk customs of Tujia ethnic minority. After six hours drifting, they will be taken back to Enshi City by bus. Every April to October is the best time to visit Chuangtan.
 
 Yumu Village:Situated to the west of Lichuan City, the village is still inhabited by five hundred Tujia people. The gate building of the stockaded villages is constructed on a cliff. There are ten tombs of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and several other ancient buildings.
 
 Tenglong Cave is a cave group 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) from downtown Lichuan. It consisted of a dry cave and a water cave. The Qingjiang River becomes an undercurrent while running though the cave. The dry and water caves are only separated by a wall. According to the on-site investigation by experts from home and abroad, Tenglong Cave is praised to be the largest karst cave in China.
 
Other Scenic Spots: Xingdoushan Nature Reserve

How to Get to Enshi

Enshi Xujiaping Airport is about 3mi (4.5km) from the city proper, mainly operating flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xi'an, Xiamen and some other cities. Bus is the most important vehicle for the prefecture's transportation. There are three main bus stations operating in the city: Wuyang Bus Station in Wuyangba, and the other two in Qingjiang Hotel and Foreign Trade Bureau in Dongfeng Road.

Weather

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Enshi bears a subtropical mountain climate distinctly influenced by monsoon. Weather there is humid and moderate all year round. The city is seldom bothered by extreme heat in midsummer and chilliness in midwinter. It is usually foggy and rainy. With complex landform and an average altitude around 1,000 meters (3,281 feet), temperature varies greatly as the height and terrain change. The annual average temperature of regions between 300-1800 meters (984-5,906 feet) above the sea level maintains around 17.4C-7.8C (63.3F-46F).
 
 When to Go: It is best to avoid traveling to Hubei Province in July and August for the sultry weather, and for Enshi, April and May are the best periods to visit.

Enshi Travel Tips

 History: The history of Enshi can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC) as the domain of Bazi Kingdom. Through thousand years of changes, the present territory of the city was basically fixed up in 1925. It was called Exi (Western Hubei) Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and changed to be Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture ten years later.
 
 Geographical Features: The prefecture stands in the extension of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Southwest-to-northeast mountain ranges of Wushan, Qiyue, Wuling and Dalou zigzag through the prefecture. The north, southeast and northwest areas are higher in altitude and the terrain slopes downward to the south and central regions.
 
 Special Local Products: raw lacquer, herb medicine, tung oil, tobacco leaves, tea.

- Last updated on Jul. 22, 2024 by Serena Zhou -
Questions & Answers on Enshi Travel
Asked by sung hun from KOREA | May. 23, 2024 22:46Reply
How often does a long distance bus run from Enshi to Zangjiajie per day?
How often does a long distance bus run from Enshi to Zangjiajie per day?
Answers (2)
Answered by Daniel | May. 26, 2024 19:40
00Reply


Enshi - Zhangjiajie bus departs only at 09:30 daily.
Answered by Hun sung | May. 27, 2024 05:42
00Reply


Thanks a lot
Asked by Francisco from SPAIN | Oct. 04, 2023 03:25Reply
hefeng line bus schedule
I would like to know the schedule of Hefeng line bus. I am arriving to Enshi airport at 5:25 PM and concerned about my chances to get a bus. thanks!
Answers (1)
Answered by Dorothy | Oct. 06, 2023 23:34
00Reply


As I know, the last bus to Hefeng from Enshi Bus Terminal departs at 17:40 and it is hard for you to catch the bus. It is better for you to stay overnight in Enshi and catch the bus the second day or try other way, like hiring a taxi to go to Hefeng the same day.
Asked by Mike Ho from SINGAPORE | Sep. 11, 2023 23:10Reply
How to go from Enshi Grand Canyon to Ping Shan Canyon
We are planning a trip to Enshi for three days. Places to visit to include Grand Canyon, and Ping Shan Canyon. What is the best way to do it. We are coming from Wuhan by train
Answers (3)
Answered by Kevin | Sep. 12, 2023 20:59
00Reply


Upon arriving by train, you may walk to Enshi Long-disyance Bus Station opposite to Enshi Railway Station to take a direct bus to the Grand Canyon. Ticket fare is CNY25 and duration is about 1.5 hours.

There is no direct bus from the Grand Canyon to Pingshan Canyon. You need to go back to Enshi Long-distance Bus Station and then change to another bus to Hefeng County, taking 3 hours; at last change to a local bus to Pingshan Canyon.
Answered by Mike Ho | Sep. 14, 2023 02:05
00Reply


Is it advisable to engage a private minibus (7 pax) to go from Enshi railway to Ping Shan Canyon in the morning and go to Grand Canyon hotel for a night.
Answered by Lydon | Sep. 14, 2023 19:09
00Reply


Yes, in the way, it will save you a lot of time and energy.
Asked by A | Aug. 21, 2023 10:24Reply
How to get to pingshan canyon from zhangjiajie?
Is it open in winter (December)???

Thank you.
Answers (1)
Answered by Cathy | Aug. 21, 2023 20:51
00Reply


It's open in December, don't worry. From Zhangjiajie, you may take a long-distance bus to Hefeng County, taking around 3.5 hours and CNY70; then hire a local cab to Pingshan Canyon, taking 30 minutes or so.
Asked by Faan from PAKISTAN | Aug. 01, 2023 19:14Reply
what is the best and easy and cheapest way to travel Enshi from Wuhan?
and One day is enough to visit all places in Enshi? I am plaining to visit this month of August. I am in Wuhan now.
Answers (1)
Answered by David | Aug. 01, 2023 20:07
00Reply


Generally, you can take a bullet train from Wuhan to Enshi, which takes about 4 hours for a single journey and costs around CNY 187 for a second class seat. I'm afraid one day is not enough and you need to spend more time there.
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