Leaving Baidi at Dawn Amidst Rosy Clouds — A Slow Journey Through Elegant Hubei

“Nine-headed bird in the sky, Hubei folks on the ground” — when it comes to Hubei, many people think of this saying. But oddly, many don't quite understand what it means, just as they don't know what kind of place Hubei is.

Indeed, Hubei is not as bustling as Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou, nor as popular as Chongqing, Chengdu, or Xi'an. Its natural scenery seems inferior to Yunnan, Guizhou, or Tibet — neither east nor west, neither south nor north, neither high nor low, neither clear nor obscure.

Is that really the case? Over the years, having traveled across the entire province, I have compiled the ten most beautiful places in Hubei — whether they are worthy of the title, let the readers judge.

Keywords: Shennongjia Forestry District, Shennong Valley, Dajiuhu, Golden Snub-nosed Monkey

Shennongjia towers at the eastern end of the Qinba Mountains, within a stone's throw of the Wuling Mountains, together guarding the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, covering an area of 45.4 square kilometers. Here lies the most complete Precambrian strata on Earth, geological wonders formed by the Yanshan and Himalayan glacial movements. Centered on the 'Roof of Central China,' it forms an ecotourism area integrating natural wonders, scientific exploration, and harmony between heaven and man.

Shennongjia is China's first 'Triple Crown' heritage site jointly inscribed by UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Reserve, Global Geopark, and World Heritage programs. On July 17, 2016, Shennongjia was inscribed on the World Heritage List, becoming Hubei's first and China's 11th World Natural Heritage site.

If you were to choose the most beautiful place in Hubei, it must be Shennongjia.

See travelogue: https://you.ctrip.com/travels/shennongjia147/3891166.html?isAuthor=true

Keywords: Wudang Mountains, Golden Summit, Wudang Martial Arts, Zhang Sanfeng

Wudang Mountains, a sacred site of Chinese Taoism, also known as Taihe Mountain, Xieluo Mountain, Canshang Mountain, and Xianshi Mountain, anciently called 'Taiyue,' 'Xuanyue,' 'Dayue.' Located in Danjiangkou City, Shiyan, northwestern Hubei. Bordered by Xiangyang to the east, Shiyan to the west, Shennongjia to the south, and the Danjiangkou Reservoir, source of the South-North Water Transfer Project's middle route, to the north.

In the Ming Dynasty, Wudang was bestowed the titles 'Dayue' and 'Governing World Xuanyue' by the emperor, revered as 'Imperial Family Temple.' Wudang is famous worldwide as the 'Crown of the Five Sacred Mountains,' with the saying 'Four great mountains all bow, five immortal peaks pay homage.' It is a renowned Taoist mountain and the birthplace of Wudang martial arts, known as 'Unrivaled scenic wonder since ancient times, the most divine mountain under heaven.' Wudang martial arts is an important school of Chinese martial arts. At the end of Yuan and beginning of Ming, Taoist priest Zhang Sanfeng synthesized its essence and founded the Wudang school. In December 1994, the ancient building complex of Wudang Mountains was inscribed on the World Heritage List.

If Shennongjia is the most beautiful natural landscape in Hubei, then Wudang Mountains must be the most beautiful cultural landscape.

See travelogue: https://you.ctrip.com/travels/wudangshan146/3985930.html?isAuthor=true

Keywords: Yangtze Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam, Qingjiang Gallery, Qu Yuan's Hometown

When talking about Hubei, one must mention the Yangtze River; when talking about the Yangtze, one must mention the Three Gorges; when talking about the Three Gorges, one must mention the Three Gorges Dam. Yichang's Three Gorges area is arguably the perfect combination of natural beauty and cultural landscape in Hubei — the majestic Three Gorges Dam is a powerful national treasure; the graceful Three Gorges People scenic spot nestles against mountains and rivers, picturesque. Traditional stilted houses of the Three Gorges dot the landscape, long-unseen ancient sailboats and black-awning boats quietly moor in front of the Three Gorges People, girls by the stream beat clothes with wooden mallets, and leisurely fishermen cast nets on the river... The enduring customs and traditions over millennia reflect the simplicity and hospitality of the people along the gorges.

The mighty Yangtze has nurtured the Three Gorges culture, where Ba and Chu cultures blend, proliferate, and develop. When vastness meets mystery, and glory meets depth, the Three Gorges People are destined to be a legend of Three Gorges tourism.

Keywords: Enshi Grand Canyon, Pingshan Grand Canyon, Earth Heart Valley, Suobuya Stone Forest, Qingjiang Butterfly Cliff

If the story of Yichang's Three Gorges has been told for thousands of years, then Enshi is a dark horse that has risen to fame only in recent years. Enshi Prefecture is located in the southwestern corner of Hubei, with mountainous terrain, well-developed karst landforms, numerous caves and depressions, and natural scenery known for its 'majesty, wonder, beauty, seclusion, and peril.' Here you have the magnificent Enshi Grand Canyon, the beautiful and deep Gaoping Earth Heart Valley, the Pingshan Canyon known as 'China's Semporna,' the bizarre Suobuya Stone Forest, and the Butterfly Cliff where white clouds rise over Qingjiang... Karst landforms are special enough, but Enshi's karst seems even more splendid than elsewhere.

China's fine landscapes are a gift to Enshi Prefecture — if you are tired of Zhangjiajie or sick of Fenghuang Ancient Town, then go to Enshi!

https://you.ctrip.com/travels/enshi487/3891862.html?isAuthor=true

https://you.ctrip.com/travels/jianshi2696/3981631.html?isAuthor=true

https://you.ctrip.com/travels/enshi487/3981571.html?isAuthor=true

Keywords: Xiandao Lake, Sky City, Thousand Islands Azure Waves

Hubei, known as the 'Province of a Thousand Lakes,' naturally abounds in lake and mountain scenery. Among so many lakes, besides East Lake, probably Xiandao Lake is the most beautiful — but East Lake is mostly man-made, while Xiandao Lake is a naturally exquisite jade. Xiandao Lake is located in Wangying Town, Yangxin County, Huangshi City, at the northern foot of Mufu Mountain. 1,002 islands are set upon 46,000 mu of water, like constellations in the Milky Way, more fairyland than fairyland itself, enjoying the reputation of 'First Marvelous Lake of Jingchu.'

'Drunk, I set the sky in the water; the slow boat carries clear dreams weighing on the galaxy' — there are many places called Thousand Island Lake, but perhaps only Xiandao Lake allows you to truly take in a thousand islands at a glance.

Keywords: Xiangyang Ancient City, Ming-Qing City Wall, Ancient Longzhong, Tang City, The Legend of the Condor Heroes

A scenic city in the heart of China, this is a true city! The ancient city wall is still intact, relying on the steepness of mountains and the danger of the river, without the heaviness of an imperial capital, but by virtue of a river of spring water, it gains ten li of scenery, externally embracing the beauty of landscape, internally enjoying cultural richness. It has been a gathering place for merchants since ancient times, and today it has become an important inland transportation and logistics hub. Gathering the essence of landscape — Xiangyang!

Xiangyang Ancient City began when Liu Biao came to Xiangyang as the governor of Jingzhou in the Eastern Han Dynasty, and has since served as the seat of prefecture, commandery, and county. The old city was used as a military fortress until the Tang Dynasty. Xiangyang Ancient City is one of the ten best-preserved ancient cities nationwide, and has been known since ancient times as 'Iron Xiangyang' and 'First City of Huaxia.' Xiangyang Ancient City integrates with historical sites such as Zhaoming Terrace, Zhongxuan Tower, Drum Tower, and Xiangyang Moat, complementing each other. Ten li west of the city, Ancient Longzhong is world-famous as the retreat of Zhuge Liang during the Three Kingdoms period, composing a stirring chapter of Three Kingdoms stories.

'Xiangyang's fine weather, let me stay drunk with the mountain elder.' Over a thousand years ago, Meng Haoran made the best promotion for Xiangyang; over a thousand years later, Jin Yong added new luster to Xiangyang with the stories of Guo Jing, Huang Rong, and Yang Guo.

Keywords: Wuhan East Lake, Wuhan University, Cherry Blossoms, Yellow Crane Tower, Hubei Provincial Museum

East Lake, a lake on the right bank of the Yangtze River. Located in the eastern part of Wuhan's urban area, it is the largest city lake in China. East Lake is an important water source and aquaculture base for Wuhan, as well as a renowned eco-tourism scenic area and one of the first batch of national key scenic spots.

East Lake has been a tourist destination since ancient times. Many famous figures such as Qu Yuan and Li Bai left their footprints here. East Lake is the largest center for Chu culture tourism, with rich Chu customs and exquisite Chu charm. The Xingyin Pavilion is widely known, the Chutian Tower is magnificent, and the Chucai Garden gathers many celebrities. There is also a statue of Qu Yuan and a Qu Yuan Memorial Hall in Liyuan. East Lake is also an important cultural center in Wuhan, surrounded by 26 higher education institutions including Wuhan University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and China University of Geosciences, as well as 56 national, provincial, and ministerial research institutes such as the Wuhan Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The East Lake New Technology Development Zone, the national optoelectronic industry base (China Optics Valley), Hubei Provincial Museum, and Hubei Art Museum all contribute to its deep cultural heritage.

The cherry blossoms at East Lake are the most beautiful spring scenery in Wuhan.

Keywords: Yinshui Cave, Jiugong Mountain, Xianning Hot Springs

Yinshui Cave is located in the nuclear power capital of Hubei — Tongshan County, Xianning, at the foot of Jiugong Mountain and by the Fushui Lake, named after two hidden rivers inside the cave. The developed part of Yinshui Cave is over five kilometers long. Compared with other underground river caves discovered in China, Tongshan Yinshui Cave has both modern underground river and ancient riverbed landscapes.

The stalactites in Tongshan Yinshui Cave are pure in texture, rarely weathered, and its main attractions such as 'Carp Leaping over the Dragon Gate,' 'Heavenly Boots,' 'Jade Rabbit Watching Peach,' 'Ancient Bell of Hanshan Temple,' 'Water-born Stone Lotus,' 'Kiss of the Swan,' 'Gold and Silver Waterfall,' 'Fairy Field,' 'Ma Liang's Magic Brush,' 'Snowy Mountain Flying Fox,' 'Thunder and Lightning,' 'Eight Immortals Seeing Off Guests,' etc., are huge in scale and lifelike. The landscapes of Tongshan Yinshui Cave gather the beauty of nature in form, motion, color, sound, and haziness, making it a cave of high ornamental value. The visiting experience is unique: tourists can boat on the underground river, listen to its waves, ride on a track car to quickly shift scenes, or walk to touch nature at zero distance. It is praised as 'Cave Heaven in Central China — China's Heavenly Cave' and 'Mysterious Underground Pearl Palace.'

Yinshui Cave may not be the largest cave in Hubei, but it is certainly the most beautiful.

See travelogue: https://you.ctrip.com/travels/xianning861/3728286.html?isAuthor=true

Keywords: Guifeng Mountain, Hundred Li Azaleas, Dabie Mountains

Guifeng Mountain in Macheng City is located in Guishan Town, eastern Macheng, 25 km from the city center. It consists of nine peaks including Turtle Head, Turtle Waist, and Turtle Tail, covering an area of over 100 km in circumference, with the highest peak at 1,320 meters. Named 'Turtle Mountain' because its terrain resembles a divine turtle raising its head to swallow the sun, it is a famous mountain in the Dabie Mountains.

If the cherry blossoms at East Lake are the most beautiful spring scenery in Wuhan, then the azaleas on Guifeng Mountain are the most beautiful sea of flowers in Hubei. On the Turtle Back Ridge of Guifeng Mountain, there is a continuous ancient azalea community covering over 100,000 mu, which is the world's 'most concentrated distribution, purest stand structure, largest population area, oldest tree age, best preserved, most beautiful plant form, and most magnificent landscape' ancient azalea community. Every year around May Day, the mountain slopes are covered with blooming azaleas in various postures, breathtaking.

If you are tired of life, the azaleas of Macheng might make you fall in love again.

See travelogue: https://you.ctrip.com/travels/macheng1833/3947268.html?isAuthor=true

‘Man is a traveler between heaven and earth, suddenly passing by like a distant guest.’ No one can say what the meaning of life is. We rush away from familiar places to drift to strange places — and some leave their familiar places to come to yours. Upon reflection, life probably has no meaning! Go close to nature, experience life, feel beauty, be a truly living person — give life your own meaning.

That being said, it seems there are only nine scenic spots; is one missing? Never mind — the last one is not on the list, but in the hearts of wanderers from all corners.

Travelogue directory:

1. Foreword

2. Shennong Immortal Valley

3. Wudang Blessed Land

4. Three Gorges People

5. Enshi Secret Realm

6. Xiandao Gallery

7. Xiangyang Ancient City

8. East Lake Cherry Clouds

9. Yinshui Cave

10. Guifeng Azalea

11. Conclusion

Travel information, hotel index, guide index, ticket index, website navigation, travel index, cruise index, corporate travel index, franchise cooperation, distribution alliance, friendly links, enterprise gift card purchase, insurance agency, agency cooperation, hotel franchise, destination and scenic area cooperation, more franchise cooperation, about Ctrip, Ctrip highlights, contact us, careers, user agreement, privacy policy, business license, safety center, Ctrip content center, intellectual property, Trip.com Group algorithm disclosure.