Guanmenshan Scenic Area

Guanmenshan Scenic Area

The Guanmenshan Ecological Science Popularization Scenic Area is located in Guanmenshan, Muyu Town, the Shennongjia Provincial Tourism Resort. It sits beside National Highway 209 and falls within the boundaries of the Shennongjia National Nature Reserve and Shennongjia National Geopark. It is an important and unique scenic spot in Shennongjia, as well as a key component of the Western Hubei Eco-Cultural Tourism Circle.

The scenic area is traversed by two roads and one river throughout its length. Lush mountains rise on both sides of the river, densely forested and shaded, while the river flows gently year-round. The total length is 8 km. Along the route, you’ll find typical North subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests, distinctive geological sections of the Shennongjia Group, ancient stromatolites, the picturesque Longtouzhai, and the unique underground river. There are also nine cultural attractions including the “Wild Man Sculpture – Mother’s Love,” Biodiversity Experimental Forest, Natural Ecology Museum, Ancient Qingsheng Tea Garden, traditional houses, International Friendship Garden, China Transportation Forest, China Nature Reserve Alliance Forest, and Celebrity Trees Area. Additionally, there are nine rare plant conservation gardens: Orchid Garden, Winter Sweet Garden, Azalea Garden, Shennong Medicinal Garden, Rose Garden, Camphor Tree Garden, Vicissitudes Garden, Red Maple Garden, and Hundred Fruit Garden. The wildlife zones feature five areas: Giant Salamander Park, Sika Deer Park, Snake Park, Pheasant Park, and Chinese Honeybee Park.

The Natural Ecology Museum showcases the biodiversity of Shennongjia through authenticity and visual impact, making it an educational base for ecological environments, a site for scientific research and teaching, and a platform for spreading traditional natural culture. The museum consists of four themed exhibition halls (Geology Hall, Ecology Hall, Scientific Expedition Hall, and Folklore Hall), one Wild Man Cave, one reception hall, one academic lecture hall, and one temporary exhibition space.

The Rare Plant Conservation Garden is a large-scale comprehensive mountain forest botanical garden focusing on species conservation, scientific research, tourism, and education. It has collected over 2,000 native Shennongjia plant species, more than 150 endemic and rare plants, 112 local wild fruit tree species, 56 wild orchid species, 23 wild rhododendron species, 46 red-leaf tree species, 162 medicinal arbor species, 46 medicinal shrub species, 60 medicinal vine species, 876 medicinal herb species, over 80 rose family species, and 14 types of wintersweet from Shennongjia and surrounding areas.

The Wildlife Park is a tourist attraction integrating wildlife breeding, scientific research, and observation. It mainly raises and breeds animals such as sika deer, white muntjac, red muntjac, pheasants, snakes, giant salamanders, golden trout, rainbow trout, turtles, Yangtze River mandarin fish, Ptychobarbus conirostris, sturgeons, and Chinese honeybees.

During its construction, the Guanmenshan Ecological Science Popularization Scenic Area received strong attention and support from leaders, scholars, and international friends. From 2007 to 2010, it hosted over 40 inspection and research activities, with more than 1,300 participants in tree planting events, resulting in over 400 trees planted.

Transportation to and from Shennongjia is mainly by road, entering primarily from Shiyan or Yichang. From Shiyan, you first reach Songbai Town; from Yichang to Shennongjia, you first arrive at Muyu Town. The best route from Yichang is to take an express bus to Xingshan County, which runs every 30 minutes, taking about 3.5 hours, then transfer to a bus to Muyu in Shennongjia, taking 1.5 hours — this is more convenient. A direct bus from Yichang to Shennongjia only runs once a day and is less convenient. Shiyan is about 202 km from Shennongjia, with a drive of around 7 hours, and one bus per day departing at 7:00 am. From Wuhan to Shennongjia, you can take a long-distance bus from Xinhua Road Bus Station. Every evening at 8:00 pm, a sleeper bus departs from Wuhan to Xingshan County, arriving at 6:00 am the next day, with a ticket price of 90 RMB per person. From Xingshan, minibuses go to Muyu Town in Shennongjia (60 km), running every 30 minutes at 10 RMB per person. Alternatively, you can take a train from Wuhan to Shiyan (departing at 10:00 pm, arriving at 6:00 am), then transfer to a 7:30 am bus from the station to arrive in Songbai Town, Shennongjia, by noon. From Chongqing to Shennongjia, you can take a boat to Badong Port, where a bus to Shennongjia departs daily at 5:30 am. You can also disembark at Xiangxi Wharf (where only small passenger ships stop), take a bus to Xingshan, and then continue to Muyu Town in Shennongjia — transportation between these points is quite convenient.

Guanmenshan Tourist Route

Tourist Route: Attractions are distributed along Shicao River, spanning a total of 8 km. Visitors can enter through the main gate and take an electric sightseeing vehicle to various spots or walk along the pedestrian paths. A quick tour takes about 3 hours, while a leisurely visit may last 1–2 days. There are 11 bridges connecting the roads and attractions. The route is: Main Gate – Biodiversity Laboratory – Ancient Qingsheng Tea Garden – Orchid Garden – Winter Sweet Garden – International Friendship Garden – Celebrity Trees Area – Azalea Garden – Shennong Medicinal Garden – Chinese Honeybee Observation Area – Rare Plant Conservation Garden – Rose Garden – Vicissitudes Garden – Red Maple Garden – Natural Ecology Museum – Giant Salamander Research & Observation Area – Snake Garden – Pheasant Garden – Sika Deer Garden.

Address: Beside National Highway 209, Muyu Town, Shennongjia Forestry District

Type: Canyon, Forest, Mountain

Recommended Visit Duration: 3–4 hours

Opening Hours:

8:00–17:30

Muyu Town: Located in the southern part of Shennongjia Forestry District, Muyu Town is the region’s window to the outside world, with its government based in Honghuaping. Covering a total area of 437 square kilometers, it administers 8 administrative villages: Qingtian Village, Muyu Village, Xiaodangyang Village, Qingfeng Village, Honghuaping Village, Maohu Village, Sanduihe Village, and Jiuchong Village; 2 residential committees: Muyuping Residential Committee and Honghuaping Residential Committee; 23 villager groups; 5,108 households; and a total population of 11,331, including 1,747 farming households and 5,723 agricultural residents. The town spans 437 square kilometers.

2001… Muyu Town detailed information++