Don't Lose Jingzhou by Carelessness: Spend 3 Days and 2 Nights Exploring the Most Beautiful Ancient Capital!

In "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", Jingzhou, due to its excellent geographical location, was the junction dividing Wei, Shu, and Wu. However, Guan Yu's careless loss of Jingzhou was a blow to the entire Shu kingdom, leading to Guan Yu's defeat at Maicheng and his eventual death at Linju. I had always wondered what kind of city this was, playing such a significant role throughout the Three Kingdoms era. It was only when I went there that I realized its profound cultural heritage and the beauty of the city far exceeded my imagination. Don't miss Jingzhou. Bring your beloved and spend 3 days and 2 nights exploring the most beautiful ancient capital together!

[Travel Itinerary]

1. Jingzhou – Songzi Weishui Tourism Area – Weishui Auto Campground

2. Jingchu Intangible Cultural Heritage Skills Inheritance Academy – Xiaomeisha Oceanarium – Chu King's Chariot Pit Scenic Area – Jingzhou Ancient City

3. Jingzhou Fantawild Oriental Heritage Theme Park

I. Songzi Weishui Tourism Area: A Great Place to Relax and Unwind

In this world, there is always a place that, even as time passes and years go by, can still bring you joy amidst a busy life. Such a place must have beautiful waters, vast scenery, fun activities, and a sense that life is wonderful. This time in Jingzhou, the Songzi Weishui Tourism Area gave me that feeling.

The most must-visit attraction in the scenic area is the Weishui artificial dam. Stretching over eight thousand meters, this dam struck me as magnificent and awe-inspiring. Viewed from the sky, it lies like a dragon across the lake. It has been fifty or sixty years since the first closure on the third day of the first lunar month in 1960. Over these decades, the dam has undergone countless closures, guarding this region with its body.

In terms of function and effect, it is undoubtedly immense. In terms of scenery, it is also breathtaking. Looking into the distance, the water and sky merge into one. Even though the weather was bad when I arrived, I was still amazed by the magnificent view. The water quality here is excellent, with no trace of pollution. The wind blowing off the lake brings a fresh, pure scent, carrying a faint, delightful feeling of early autumn.

Wandering around, you will soon find yourself in a forest park. Amid the vast misty waters, the forest park looks like an island in the water, waiting for us to visit. With a forest coverage rate as high as 92%, strolling through the forest park makes you feel enveloped by oxygen, refreshing you from head to toe, purging the stale air and leaving only freshness.

If life feels too ordinary, there are various experience activities here. Walking on a suspension bridge, you can enjoy the lake and mountains, as if walking into a landscape painting. Or you can try a speedboat, racing across the calm lake, stirring up ripples. There are various water activities that let you feel the thrill of the projects amidst the movement of water. As for safety, you need not worry; an instructor accompanies you throughout. Even if you are afraid of water, you can try, since opportunities are rare!

In the Weishui Scenic Area, you can see, walk, play, and enjoy. There are spring breezes, summer dews, autumn moons, and winter snows. Remember the good scenes of the year. There are also unique geological karst caves, layers of time collapsed by nature, gifts from the years. They are places we can pack our bags and visit.

II. Weishui Auto Campground: Experience Slow Living Here

I wonder if anyone else, like me, often feels that life can be depressing. A friend told me that it's because you stay in the same environment, and a mundane life extinguishes inner joy. So on this trip to Jingzhou, I wanted to stay out for two nights to give myself a change of mood and start anew. The Weishui Auto Campground was a good choice.

I chose the Weishui Auto Campground for two reasons: first, it is jungle-themed, emphasizing interaction between humans and nature; second, the scenery here is very natural. The entire campground has a main venue area, a main camping area, a special accommodation area, and more. What's unique is that there are nearly ten different accommodation styles, so there is definitely one that suits you.

At the auto campground, the environment is tranquil. When I first arrived, before I even stepped out of the car, I could already feel the fresh and free air outside. Besides the good environment, there are also various activities suitable for children. Small water projects can already keep children entertained and reluctant to leave. If you are used to three meals a day, be sure to try a late-night self-service barbecue here, paired with good wine, and chat about life with friends! Don't worry about it being unhealthy; an occasional indulgence won't affect your life. After all, a long life without joy is boring, and happiness is not a sin!

If you come with family and have children, I recommend the "Treehouse Castle" style. It is very suitable for children, with cute names like "Song of the Ocean" and "Up" that instantly evoke our childhood. These room types are designed according to their names. For example, in "Up", the two rooms are connected by a small suspension bridge, and each house is equipped with a slide outside, so children can have fun all day long.

"Up" is a fairy-tale world, while "Song of the Ocean" is an ocean world. The interior decoration is entirely ocean-themed: the curtains are navy-style, the entrance is a boat, the bedside lamp is a ship's helm, and the room has a small tent. Tonight, the whole family will sleep in the "ocean"!

If you need to experience a quiet life, then the "Camphor Wood Cabin" is for you. In the not-too-dense camphor forest, wooden cabins are connected by wooden boardwalks. If you come during the season when the camphor trees emit their fragrance, you will feel light all over. They are usually two-story independent structures, with a living area downstairs and a sleeping area upstairs. Inside, all toiletries are provided. When you open the window, the fragrance of camphor trees wafts in; when you close it, tonight will be a dreamless night.

There is probably no style of accommodation you can imagine that they don't have. There are "Star-gazing Tents" for watching stars at night, and the popular "RV Garden Hotel" as well. I chose the "Lakeside Wooden Cabin Villa". The entire room is themed around "green", which I like. The name is also my taste, very romantic and literary, called "Water Cloud Residence". Yes, living by the water, when the sky is clear, the clouds are soft, reflected in the lake. Isn't it like living between water and clouds? It was so comfortable to stay there!

III. Jingchu Intangible Cultural Heritage Skills Inheritance Academy: Understanding Different Jingchu Culture

Friends who know me well know that I am from Hubei. Over the years, I have been born, studied, and grown up in Hubei. After graduating from university, I have traveled to many places, but Hubei's place in my heart has never been replaced by anywhere else. Since childhood, I have known that Hubei has a vast territory and abundant resources, with a rich intangible cultural heritage. This time, visiting the Jingchu Intangible Cultural Heritage Skills Inheritance Academy truly made me feel the charm of intangible cultural heritage.

The Jingchu Intangible Cultural Heritage Skills Inheritance Academy is located at No. 1, Beijing East Road, Shashi District, Jingzhou City. Based on the educational platform of Jingzhou Venture School, it has established the country's first intangible cultural heritage technician college. Jingzhou is the birthplace of Jingchu culture and one of China's first historical and cultural ancient cities. The entire inheritance academy is situated in such an environment. Walking through every place, there is a strong atmosphere of cultural heritage, making me feel that this trip was truly worthwhile.

The academy has numerous intangible cultural heritage projects, with the highlight being the Chu-style lacquerware carving technique. This technique is listed in the third batch of national intangible cultural heritage projects. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, lacquerware techniques were already very mature. The entire production requires material selection, carving, polishing, lacquering, and nearly twenty steps. Each step must be carefully polished to achieve the exquisite and refined appearance seen today.

The kites I saw at the academy truly amazed me—they could fly into the sky without wind. The teacher at the academy told us that the "grinding eagle kite" refers to a kite that circles like a millstone. There are four main points: first, the head is high and the eyes are sharp; second, the beak is hollow and the feathers are glossy; third, the soft wings are pulled and suspended; fourth, they are temporarily asymmetric and circle up and down. Only by mastering these techniques can one make a kite that can fly without wind, controlled solely by the single line held by the operator. Everyone should come and experience this if they have the chance.

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the silk weaving and embroidery techniques of the Chu state represented the highest level in pre-Qin China. This is Chu embroidery. It can be said that the four famous embroidery styles today originated from Chu embroidery. Chu embroidery usually depicts auspicious symbols like dragons and phoenixes. The Chu embroidery I saw at the academy was so exquisite that it was breathtaking.

What left the deepest impression on me at the academy was the painting on gourds. More than 2,000 years ago, our ancestors used branding irons as pens and high temperatures as ink to paint on gourds. At the academy, I saw students branding portraits of Guan Yu and painting little pigs, which were very cute and exquisite. Integrating these intangible cultural heritage techniques with modern times makes the inheritance of culture interesting. The open visits also made me realize that China is a great country with many artistic techniques and cultures. Only by letting more people understand and know about them can we ensure that the treasures left by our ancestors are not lost.

IV. Jingzhou Xiaomeisha Oceanarium: A Place Close to the Sea

Living inland, we rarely have the chance to feel the sea breeze, watch waves rolling in one after another, and find ourselves amidst the sound of the waves. The Jingzhou Xiaomeisha Oceanarium can give you the feeling of the sea, and it is very healing. If you are unhappy, this is the place to come.

The oceanarium features all kinds of cute marine animals. I really like penguins, manta rays, dolphins, etc. You can see them all here, and they seem to be very happy here. There are many attractions in the oceanarium, but don't miss the marine animal performances. Under the guidance of the trainers, the adorable beluga whales leap out of the water and dive back in, drawing rounds of applause.

Dolphins mostly perform alone, while beluga whales perform closely with their trainers. They are as skilled as professional performers, moving east and west, very adept and not shy. They even playfully spray water at the audience, making everyone laugh. That's why I say this place is very healing, allowing people to inexplicably relax.

After the performances, you can go see the fish, various colorful tropical fish. Their colors are very beautiful. The round batfish comes from the Red Sea and Indonesian waters, with round, childlike eyes curiously observing the passing crowds. Besides fish, there are colorful jellyfish drifting freely. Under the lights, they change colors, creating a dreamlike scene.

At the end, we also watched a beautiful mermaid show. There are many times in life when things don't go well, but we always need to find a little excuse to relax and be happy. This time at the Xiaomeisha Oceanarium, I felt truly happy. Finally, I took a photo with my favorite manta ray...

V. Chu King's Chariot Pit Scenic Area: "In the North, there are Terracotta Warriors; in the South, there are Chariot Pits"

I once saw an online joke saying that if Li Bai lived in modern times, he wouldn't be able to travel to all the great rivers and mountains of the motherland because just the tickets would cost a lot. But in Jingzhou, there is a 4A-level scenic area that does not charge admission. How could I not be happy about that? This scenic area is the Chu King's Chariot Pit Scenic Area, and it preserves historical artifacts with a long history, making it well worth a visit.

Located at Chuandian Town, Jingzhou District, Jingzhou City, the Chu King's Chariot Pit Scenic Area is currently the largest, best-preserved, and most complete cemetery of high-ranking Chu nobles in China and even the world. The artifacts unearthed here are truly stunning. Even Pit No. 1 alone is breathtaking. It is a long rectangular vertical earthen pit with straight sloping walls. It is over 130 meters long and more than ten meters wide. Inside, you can clearly see horse skulls, limbs, spines, etc. The chariots behind the horses have only remnants left, totaling 33 chariots drawn by four horses each and 7 chariots drawn by two horses each. So stunning that people say: "In the North, there are Terracotta Warriors; in the South, there are Chariot Pits."

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, people constantly fought for resources, land, or power. Back then, there were no nuclear weapons, tanks, artillery, or firearms. Bows and arrows were generally used to kill enemies. At the Chariot Pit Scenic Area, there is also an archery experience. Without trying, you might think it's easy, but merely drawing the bow requires a lot of strength. Interested friends can give it a try.

VI. Jingzhou Ancient City: The Foremost City Through the Ages

The history of Jingzhou City dates back more than 3,000 years. To understand this history in Jingzhou, you must visit the Jingzhou Ancient City. This place, known as Jiangling City in ancient times, is located at No. 2 Zhang Juzheng Main Street, Jingzhou District. Established during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, it experienced the rise and fall of the Three Kingdoms era and later saw construction during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The ancient city still stands, simple and secluded, waiting for people to come and encounter it.

The ancient city in the evening is very charming. Under the afterglow of the setting sun, the city appears even more meaningful. On the streets paved with bluestone slabs, people come and go. Climbing the ancient city wall, I almost feel as if the horns of war will sound at any moment. The well-preserved ancient city wall is quiet and secluded. Time passes, and seas change into mulberry fields, evoking a sense of the vicissitudes of life.

At the ancient city, be sure to climb up to Binyang Tower. The statues on Binyang Tower are of Liu Bei and his brothers. As the saying goes, "The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide." This is the first sentence I read in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Actually, life's affairs are like this too — clear days bring wind, cloudy days bring rain. Why care about the temporary good or bad? Just like this Binyang Tower, first built in the Ming Dynasty, rebuilt during the Xianfeng period, damaged, and then rebuilt in 1986. It has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries. Now, climbing Binyang Tower, on one side is the old city of Jingzhou, like a wise old man traversing the ages; on the other side is the new city of Jingzhou, like a vigorous youth running through time. Whether youth or old man, they are both part of Jingzhou City, together constructing the classical and artistic nature of this city.

In the evening, the Jingzhou Ancient City is weathered; at night, it becomes dreamy. As the sky gradually darkens and the lights come on, we step into another realm within the ancient city. In this realm, there is no sense of age or simplicity, only dazzling lights and brilliant radiance. Lasers shoot down from the ancient city wall onto the moat, and the color of the water changes with the lights. Taking a boat on the moat, the water ripples, and the willow branches by the river sway in the wind. On such a night, the scenery is intoxicating. How fortunate I am to witness both the weathered and the magnificent sides of the ancient city. I hope you also get the chance to come and experience its charm.

VII. Jingzhou Fantawild Oriental Heritage Theme Park: Not Just Fun, But Also Cultural Heritage

I have been to many cities and visited many amusement parks. Most amusement parks in these cities focus on fun, with attractions like carousels, Ferris wheels, or other thrill rides, usually with a single cultural theme. This time, at the Jingzhou Fantawild Oriental Heritage Theme Park, I discovered that cultural heritage can coexist with fun themes. If you have the chance, be sure to bring your family to play.

The entrance architecture is different from many themed amusement parks. It is antique, blending seamlessly with the classical temperament of Jingzhou City. When I arrived, I was extremely fortunate. It happened to be the first anniversary of the Fantawild Theme Park, so various events and shows were spectacularly held in turn. Many young ladies in Hanfu were taking photos, matching the antique atmosphere perfectly.

My favorite experience was "Soaring with You." It was very impressive. The program lasts only 8 minutes. We flew from the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower to Tiananmen in Beijing, then to the Leshan Giant Buddha in Sichuan, the Potala Palace in Tibet, and so on. Famous sights across the country flashed before our eyes. And the best part was that it was in naked-eye 3D, making it feel as if we were actually stepping onto that land, which was thrilling.

Here, you must see "Chu Music" and "Qu Yuan." These two shows allow you to get closer to the cultural heritage of Jingchu, and the stage effects are superb. The perfect choreography is stunning, suitable for all age groups.

If you are stressed in life, I recommend riding the pirate ship. The excitement is enough to make you release all your stress. Shout after shout casts your worries to the clouds. If you want to feel a bit of childlike innocence, try the carousel. The carousel here is not just for kids; anyone can ride it, and it's very relaxing. There are also various cute sculptures in the park where you can take photos. In children's hearts, Briar and Bramble (Boonie Bears) are definitely number one. So, be sure to bring your kids to take pictures with them and let them experience joy up close.

Amusement parks always have so many rides. At the Jingzhou Fantawild Oriental Heritage Theme Park, I encountered many incredible things. On one side is the adult world, on the other is the world of children; on one side is modern entertainment, on the other is classical cultural heritage. Such a park awaits your visit.

VIII. Jingzhou on the Tip of the Tongue: Don't Miss the Local Delicacies

You haven't truly been to a place until you've tasted its local food. This time in Jingzhou, I found that besides rich cultural heritage and beautiful scenery, the food was also a delightful surprise.

Because Jingzhou is near water, it is abundant in fish. The fish cake made from fish can be considered a classic representative of Jingzhou. Slices of fish cake are arranged on a plate, garnished with seasoning or chili shreds. As the saying goes, "Eating fish without seeing fish; the fish contains the flavor of meat, and the meat has the fragrance of fish." It is refreshing, smooth, tender, and melts in your mouth. You must try this specialty!

Jingzhou Weishui Mandarin Fish: This dish is a must-try when visiting Jingzhou. Jingzhou is inland, so people mostly eat freshwater fish. This mandarin fish has much less fishy smell than ordinary fish, and its flesh is more tender. Most importantly, it has very few bones, so you can eat it with confidence.

Lotus Root and Spare Rib Soup: I don't need to say much about this. Every person from Hubei misses it. The tender lotus root pairs with the fragrance of spare ribs. One sip warms you up and dispels the cold. Over the years, there is always such a bowl of soup that can heal many of life's misfortunes. The lotus roots grown in the local soil and water of Jingzhou are mostly tender and delicious, making them even more worth trying.

After returning from Jingzhou, I often think of the feelings that land gave me: the beauty of Weishui, the tranquility of the auto campground, the intangible cultural heritage projects at the academy, the healing power of the Xiaomeisha Oceanarium, the awe of the chariot pits, the antiquity of the Jingzhou Ancient City, the joy of the Fantawild theme park, and Jingzhou's cuisine. These things bring this city to life. It is so vibrant. I think, in my future life, such beautiful memories will comfort me for a long, long time!