Enshi Grand Canyon

Enshi: China’s Grand Canyon

May 19, 2025 linda changLeave a comment

A walkway in Enshi Canyon, China’s Grand Canyon. Jean Spoljaric photos.

A Visit to the Chinese Grand Canyon in Enshi

By Jean Miller Spoljaric

My trip to the Hubei (Hu-bay) Province of Central China proved to be a real eye-opener. It was a culture shock for me, but life as they know it for them. I traveled from Beijing to Wuhan, China, and on to Enshi, the home to China’s Grand Canyon.

Enshi city was vibrant and alive, but nothing could have prepared me for the China I was about to see in the mountainous areas of Enshi Canyon. Several times during the trip, I reminded myself that, sometimes, ‘Less is More.’

Location

The view from the top of Enshi Canyon is breathtaking.

Enshi is the capital city of Hubei Province and is located inland, in the southwest region of Hubei. It’s an area of immense natural beauty with soaring mountains, deep canyons, meandering rivers, and great waterfalls. The mountain village is a two and a half-hour car ride from the bustling city.

The mountaintops are high above the skyline and the thousand-zhang waterfalls that tumble to the canyon floor below, feeding the underground rivers that flow through the Qungjiang River Valley of virgin forests and ancient villages.

Enshi proudly displays the peaks and valleys of what is known today as China’s Grand Canyon.

Enshi Grand Canyon

The Enshi Grand Canyon is located in Tunbao Village in the Town of Banqiao, high above the clouds. I climbed my way to the summit and experienced the views of a lifetime. Altogether, I hiked three of the five precipices in Enshi Canyon.

I was in awe as I gazed out toward the mystical land. The puffy clouds seemed close enough for me to touch and the precipices were like giant stalagmite stone fingers reaching toward the heavens.

Free from the hustle and bustle of the rest of China, there were no beeping horns, no crazy mopeds; just the serene stillness and beauty of nature.

A 67-Mile Canyon

The Enshi Canyon has a total length of 108 km (67 miles) and the total area is more than 300 sq. km (about 74,000 acres, or 115.8 sq. miles). As it’s only 1.7 miles wide, it makes the canyon long and narrow.

By comparison, the American Grand Canyon (1,218,560 acres/ 1,904 sq. miles) could hold sixteen Enshi Grand Canyons.

The significant difference between the two is that Enshi Grand Canyon is lush as opposed to the barren desert-like topography of America’s Grand Canyon.

Still, all the splendor and physical features that one would find in America’s Grand Canyon are contained within this smaller area, so it makes it a great place to visit for a day trip or longer.

All hard work and smiles, always, in Enshi.

The Magic

As I climbed the steep ridges of the mountains, at each turn, I came across villagers selling cold drinks, cooked potatoes, and hard-boiled eggs soaking in tea. Not an easy day’s work!

I was amazed at how the elders set up camps every day, hiking up and down these mountains with large sacks strapped on their backs. Great exercise keeps them fit.

As I paused to drink my water and catch my breath, a woman twice my age, with a gentle smile on her face, passed me. I used the universal sign for a photo to ask if I could take a picture. Her look of concern was followed by a big smile.

Moments after snapping the image, I shared it with her and several others who had stopped to watch. They seemed amazed at seeing themselves in the viewfinder. It was magic and they wanted more pictures.

This pretty little girl hiked the Enshi Grand Canyon with her family. I was proud of her as she kept up with everyone!

Then, a little boy stopped and pointed to my iPod. I let him listen to a song and his face beamed with amazement! More magic!

And, just like that, any concerns were replaced with trusting smiles. As we smiled and laughed together, the language barrier seemed to disappear.

Giant Golden Panda

As a tall, blond, westerner, I felt the introspective eyes of the locals on me in the more urban areas, but nothing prepared me for my reception in the isolated mountain settlements.

For many of the mountain people of Enshi, it appeared to me that I was the first American they had ever seen.

The children surrounded me, seemingly mesmerized by my blonde hair and green eyes. Mothers shooed their children closer to get a better look; the shy little ones hid behind their mother’s skirt, peeking out just enough to fill their curiosity.

My tall stature and lightly colored hair had the men following my every move with their eyes. Women would gather around just to hear me speak.

I felt like a giant golden panda. I laughed to myself as I thought that I haven’t turned this many heads since I was nineteen!

They wanted to know everything about me: who I was, where I came from, why I was there! I’m happy to say, I think I left a lasting positive impression.

Large statues oversee the grounds at Tusi Castle in Enshi, China.

The People Of Enshi’s Mountains

The people of rural Enshi are kind, hard-working, self-sufficient, and very isolated from the world. They live a hard life off the land, but their big smiles never seem to fade.

They are farmers of vegetables and tea and are proud of their daily life with each other. There is no running water for most and squat toilets for all.

I saw children with no shoes or with one worn pair, and I thought about my children with too many shoes. I saw all the diseased and sick dogs lying in the comfortable shade of old, tired trees and wanted to rescue them all.

I guess it’s all relative. My daily life of iPods, cell phones, and laptops is a world away from the mountain people of Enshi. They are surrounded every day by trees, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and beautiful lush green mountains. Maybe, they have it right!

The Other Enshi

There is another world below the mountains in the city of Enshi. By day, I would recommend a visit to Tusi Castle. It dates back to 700 AD and is a lesson in the culture of the area.

This Chieftain castle was destroyed by a fire in 2004 and perfectly restored soon after.

It is home to the largest archaized Pagoda style buildings in China.

As I wandered through the exhibits of architectural and decorative arts, I felt like I was walking through a living book. It tells the story of the Tujia folk cultures through sculptures, gardens, artwork, and furnishings.

Afterward, there is a must-see play that features the primitive reenactment of the local Chinese culture. It will make you feel as if you’ve been transported back in time.

Enshi City is alive and beautiful in the evening.

Lunch in Dingshihui

Make sure you head to Dingshihui for lunch! During a long hot day, I was looking forward to lunch and a drink, but I could never have imagined the surprise that Dingshihui had in store for me.

As I followed my guide up the stairs, my eyes became wide with amazement.

This fish dish is just one of the specialties at Dingshihui in Enshi City.

Dingshihui was like walking through a boutique-style hotel in Manhattan, and the food was incredible! I couldn’t believe that a luxurious oasis such as this existed in this city.

The city came alive in the evening. Neon lights lined the buildings and bridges in the Central Square and reflected off the river below.

There were men gathered in groups playing Mahjong and residents participating in a huge outdoor aerobics class.

The Lesson

The people of Enshi are an extended community where divisions of labor know no age and responsibilities are learned.

And who would have thought that the highlight of my trip to China would be the Grand Canyon of Enshi and the people who live there?

For all I thought I knew about China, it was all that I discovered I didn’t know that has added to the quality of my life. I want to return to this great experience and, if you’re as fortunate as I was, you’ll find a new world to discover.

Useful Information about Enshi China

For more information on travel in this area of China contact the CNTO- China National Tourist Office. They were extremely helpful and knowledgeable about all things China.

List of China tourism offices

While in Enshi I used Enshi Railway Travel Service Co., Ltd. They do not have a website so it makes it difficult to book anything in advance, but I assure you if you contact them directly upon your arrival in China they will make sure you have the time of your life.

They are located at No. 64 Hangkong Road, Enshi City. the phone number you can reach them at is (0086-718-) 8236262. Ask for Lucy to be your trusted guide; she will take wonderful care of you from start to finish.

To and From

I flew Air China from JFK Airport in NYC into Beijing Airport. I also flew China Southern throughout Hubei Province, Wuhan, and Enshi. Both airlines went out of their way to make me comfortable, the staff was friendly and the seating spacious.

Places To Go

Hubei Provincal Museum in Wuhan Ruibom Tea Factory Store in Enshi City

Information about Enshi Caynon

Information on Enshi City

Information about Tusi Castle

The Enshi Dingshihui Dining Management Company, Ltd. Restaurant has no website. It remains a bit of a mystery. Ask your guide or taxi driver to bring you to the fanciest place to eat in Enshi City; I promise they will know. I do have phone numbers. Once you arrive in Enshi you can try your luck: 0718-8411717 or 0718-8495282.

Lodging

While in Enshi City I stayed at the centrally located The Yihe International Hotel.

While in Wuhan I was lucky to stay at the beautiful Shangri-La Hotel. The Shangri-La is located in the Hankou business area and is only 25 minutes from the Tianhe International Airport and only 15 minutes from the Yangtze River Pier.

Source: https://www.gonomad.com/2172-enshi-china-chinas-grand-canyon

August 16, 2024August 16, 2024 linda changLeave a comment

An Enchanting Blend of Natural Beauty, Festivals, Art, and Cuisine

Nestled between Hunan Province, Chongqing Municipality, and Hubei Province, the Grand Canyon Scenic Spot in Enshi, China, is the most picturesque stretch of the Qingjiang River Basin and is often hailed as one of the world’s most beautiful canyons. With its dramatic 10,000-meter cliff gallery, plunging waterfalls, soaring peaks, and a ravine stretching for miles, the canyon rivals even the grandeur of the Colorado Grand Canyon in the USA. Two key areas within the canyon, Qixing Village and Yunlong Ground Fissure, cover an expanse of 35.2 square kilometers and are open to the public. These areas are renowned for their diverse limestone karst formations, such as tiankeng (sinkholes), ground fissures, cliffs, fengcong (peak clusters), limestone pillars, caves, and underground rivers, making it a natural museum of geological wonders and a world-class tourist destination.

The Qixing Village Scenic Spot, considered the highlight of the Qingjiang Grand Fissure, includes the Small Pass, Medium Pass, and Large Pass. Along its 8.5-kilometer-long boardwalk, visitors can marvel at several famous landmarks, including the Peaks of Small Mountain Pass, Longmen Stone Forest, Yixiantian (a thin strip of sky), Precipice Corridor, Cloud Torch, Greeting Pine, Yizhuxiang (a stick of incense), Twin Towers, Yubi Peak, Yunv Peak, and Yuping Peak.

The U-shaped Yunlong Fissure, stretching 3,600 meters long and averaging 75 meters deep, is a stunning and unique karst formation. Within the fissure, waterfalls cascade dramatically down vertical drops, while outside, the fissure is surrounded by towering peaks and diverse landscapes. Notable waterfalls include Colorful Yellow Dragon Waterfall, Rainbow Waterfall, Yulong Waterfall, Ice Waterfall, and Mufu Waterfall.

Though the mysterious and steep Enshi Grand Canyon was not discovered until 2004 by a joint Sino-French expedition, it quickly captured global attention. In April 2012, U.S. explorer Dean Potter set a world record by walking a 41-meter-long slackline without assistance at Yizhuxiang, further showcasing the awe-inspiring wonders of the Enshi Grand Canyon.

White clouds rise from the Qingjiang River, twisting and turning like a dragon soaring into the sky. The sight of these clouds drifting for miles, smooth and majestic, is truly a feast for the eyes.

The canyon is also home to a striking combination of precipices and peak clusters, a geological feature unique to this region. Peaks seem to rise out of cliffs or soar above them, creating a landscape that is unmatched anywhere else in the world.

Over 200 caves of various sizes dot the canyon and are connected by natural bridges. The interplay of water and sky creates a fantastical atmosphere, as if you have stepped into another world.

The Yunlong River Fissure is lined with rock formations and ancient greenery, with numerous waterfalls and streams cascading down either side. The sheer beauty of this natural wonder is both breathtaking and unforgettable.

Tiankengs, or sinkholes, accompany the canyon’s underground river, which spans 50 kilometers, making it the longest underground river in the world. Along the river, 108 cenotes (natural sinkholes) create a truly spectacular sight.

The waters of Pingshan Canyon are crystal clear, so clear they look drinkable. The boat seems to float in mid-air. As you ride in a small wooden boat and experience the sensation of floating, you see towering cliffs above and crystal-clear streams surrounding you below. Passing through narrow passages like “Yixiantian” (A Thread of Sky) and Moon Bridge, the only sounds are the gentle rush of water and the singing of birds. Gazing up at the sky from beneath these cliffs, there’s a deep sense of tranquility, as though you’re cut off from the world. The beauty of Pingshan Canyon is best captured by the lines: “Drunk, I know not whether the sky is in the water, but my boat is filled with clear dreams, pressing against the Milky Way.” To truly appreciate the splendor of Pingshan Canyon, you must come and experience it for yourself.

The Enshi Grand Canyon and its surrounding area are home to the vibrant Tujia Girls’ Festival, one of China’s most distinctive regional celebrations. This festival, unique to the Tujia people of Enshi, is more than just a marketplace gathering; it is a time-honored tradition where young women seek love on their own terms, often through the spirited exchange of songs in an antiphonal style. Dubbed the “Eastern Valentine’s Day,” it is a festival that symbolizes freedom and the pursuit of love.

Another fascinating cultural treasure rooted in Tujia heritage is Western Rancap, known as the “Flower of Tujia.” This beautiful craft reflects the ingenuity and artistic skill of the Tujia people, with its striking use of contrasting colors and intricate patterns that blend realism with abstraction. Historically, Tujia girls would weave these colorful bedrolls—often referred to as “Tujia Colorful Bedrolls”—on a loom as part of their wedding preparations, a tradition steeped in love and artistry.

Enshi is not just a region rich in cultural festivals but also a town alive with the arts, particularly in song and dance. The Tujia and Miao minorities express their joyful spirit through various performances, including the dragon boat song, hand-swinging folk dance, nuo opera, lantern drama, and the lively Tujia daliuz. The Dragon Boat Song, originating in Enshi Prefecture, is a love song that reflects the character and customs of the Tujia people. Recognized by UNESCO as one of the world’s 25 most remarkable folk songs, it embodies the heart and soul of Tujia culture. Renowned Miao singer Song Zuying has performed this song at prestigious venues like the Golden Hall of Vienna and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, sparking global interest in the music of Enshi.

The Enshi Grand Canyon Theatre brings this vibrant culture to life through large-scale real-life performances set against the stunning backdrop of mountains and rivers. The stage, illuminated by the natural light of the sun or moon, captures the simple and romantic spirit of Tujia love, creating an unforgettable experience for the audience.

The distinctive geography of the Enshi Grand Canyon has also shaped its cuisine, which blends the spicy flavors of Sichuan with the salty heat of Hunan. Enshi’s local specialties, heavily influenced by the Tujia and Miao minorities, offer a tantalizing array of flavors that attract visitors from near and far. Dishes such as “Gege,” steamed with a mixture of fried Chinese pepper and other main ingredients, mini hot-pot “Hezha,” roasted preserved meats, stir-fried Guang pepper with a sour and spicy kick, and Tujia sesame cakes are must-tries for any traveler seeking to taste the region’s unique culinary heritage.

Enshi Grand Canyon stretches 108 km (67 miles) and covers over 300 sq. km (74,000 acres). Though it’s only 1.7 miles wide, its narrow length offers stunning views. In comparison, the American Grand Canyon is vastly larger at 1,218,560 acres, enough to fit sixteen Enshi Grand Canyons.

The main difference lies in the landscape: Enshi is lush and green, unlike the arid terrain of the American Grand Canyon. Despite its smaller size, Enshi packs in all the beauty and features of its American counterpart, making it an excellent spot for a day trip or longer visit.

Link:https://peacelilysite.com/2024/08/16/enshi-grand-canyon/

Source: https://www.artisan.com.tw/blog/blog_article.aspx?article=587, https://www.esdaxiagu.com/en/scenicspot.html, http://www.hubei.gov.cn/jmct/jcms/lyjq/hbwajq/202208/t20220826_4282051.shtml