Xuan'en Gongshui River National Wetland Park

Xuan'en Gongshui River National Wetland Park

Xuan'en Gongshui River National Wetland Park is a national-level wetland park.

Hubei Xuan'en Gongshui River National Wetland Park is primarily located in the drainage basin of the Zhongjian River in Xuan'en County. It consists of wetland resources within the highest flood level lines of the Tongziying Reservoir, Shuanglonghu Reservoir, and the Zhongjian River channel, as well as some peripheral mountainous areas. Its geographical coordinates are between 29°52′28″N and 30°0′28″N, and 109°22′31″E and 109°31′42″E, covering a total area of 560.05 hectares. The boundary extends: east to Jinlongping Village in Wanzhai Township, west to Qiaotang Village in Xiaoguan Township, south to Ganjia Dam Village in Xiaoguan Township, and north to Lianhua Dam Village in Zhushan Town.

The wetland types in the park are reservoir and pond wetlands, along with permanent river wetlands. The total wetland area is 450.29 hectares, accounting for a wetland ratio of 80.40%.

Xuan'en County is an extension of the northeastern Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and part of the Wuling Mountain range, featuring complex terrain. Due to mountainous constraints, transportation options are relatively limited, with lower-grade mountain roads. Xuan'en is 38 kilometers from Enshi Prefecture. To the north, it is accessible via the Enshi–Yichang–Wanzhou Railway, the Shanghai–Chengdu Expressway, and National Highway 318. The county has National Highway 209, provincial highways (Jiaoshi Line, Yadang Line, and Enhao Line), as well as crisscrossing county and township-level roads and village roads. Additionally, certain river sections have become navigable due to the construction of hydroelectric stations, with the currently navigable area being limited to the Shuanglonghu Reservoir. The Enqi and Enlai expressways have been completed. Currently, the Anzhangchang Railway is under planning. The development of diverse transportation modes holds significant strategic importance for the socio-economic development of Xuan'en.

The upstream reservoir area and river channel of the wetland park are dominated by natural landscapes. Within the urban section of the Gongshui River, attractions such as the Music Fountain, Wenlan Bridge, Bell Tower, wooden boardwalks, riverside leisure promenades, multiple water diversion dams, and pavilions have been built. Scenic spots along the river and at Shuanglonghu include the “Twin Dragons Emerging from the Cave,” Eagle Beak Rock, Nipple Mountain, Natural Cave, and various karst stalagmites. Along the river, one can spot wildlife such as macaques, mandarin ducks, egrets, wild ducks, kingfishers, and red-billed gulls. Currently, the Gongshui River National Wetland Park is under construction and boat cruises are available for sightseeing.