Xingdoushan

Xingdoushan

Xingdoushan is a national nature reserve.

Xingdoushan is located at the junction of Lichuan, Xianfeng, and Enshi counties (cities) in the Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei Province. It lies about 70 kilometers northwest of Lichuan City. The mountain range slopes from the northwest to the southeast, stretching from Modagou in Enshi in the east, to Sanzhenyan in Xianfeng in the south, to Tianba in Lichuan in the west, and bordering Huabanxi in Lichuan in the north. It covers a total area of 2,880 hectares, with the main peak at an elevation of 1,751.2 meters and the lowest point at 840 meters, featuring a significant relative height difference. Legend has it that the main peak of the mountain is very close to the heavens, where immortals often plucked stars to use as lanterns while traveling between Xingdoushan and the celestial realm, hence the name Xingdoushan, meaning "Mountain of Stars."

The mountain slopes from the northwest to the southeast, stretching from Modagou in Enshi in the east, to Sanzhenyan in Xianfeng in the south, to Tianba in Lichuan in the west, and bordering Huabanxi in Lichuan in the north. Its shape resembles the curve of a bow, with ridges like knife ridges. Within Lichuan, there are ten major gullies fanning out like ribs of a fan, all converging into the Bajiaoxi Stream. At the foot of the mountain, three small rivers meander swiftly, with clear and sweet mountain springs. A temple known as Sanyi Temple, built during the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty, once stood at the summit. An ancient poem reads: “A towering tower stands a hundred feet high, from which one could pluck the stars. I dare not speak too loud, for fear of startling the celestial beings!”

Xingdoushan lies in the transitional zone between the high mountains of southwestern China and the low mountains and hills of the southeast, within the second and third terraces. During the Quaternary glacial period, it was minimally affected by glaciers, allowing many ancient and rare plant species to be preserved. Coupled with its favorable climate and complex, diverse natural landforms, the mountain has become a gathering and evolutionary hub for a wide variety of flora. It not only features ancient, old, and rare characteristics but also exhibits transitional traits from various ecological zones across the east, west, south, north, and central regions. The vegetation here is complex in origin, ancient in lineage, and incredibly rich in species. Among the ancient, rare, and precious tree species are over 40 types, including metasequoia, dove tree, ginkgo, paulownia, and Lichuan silver fir. There are also more than 100 varieties of precious flowering plants, such as orchids, campsis, various azaleas, and Michelia alba from Hubei. Known as a “herbal garden,” it is also home to dozens of valuable medicinal herbs, including gastrodia elata, panax notoginseng, stellaria dichotoma var. lanceolata, rhodiola crenulata, and paris polyphylla. The area boasts a rich diversity of animal species, including 41 bird species from 6 orders and 13 families, over 20 species of mammals, and more than 10 species of snakes.

In 1981, the Xingdoushan Nature Reserve was established. Alongside it, the “Xingdoushan Plant Resources Conservation Management Office” was set up to research ecosystem development patterns and protect and propagate rare tree species. The proportion of key protected plants within this reserve compared to the national and provincial totals is as follows: 37.5% of national first-class protected plants and 100% of provincial first-class; 7% of national second-class and 52.6% of provincial second-class; 4.4% of national third-class and 47.4% of provincial third-class.

Xingdoushan is a green gem, boasting beautiful scenery, warm springs and cool autumns, no severe summer heat, and no bitter winter cold, with distinct seasons. Notable attractions include Eagle Beak Rock, Deer Pond, Immortal Cave, Gourd Dam, and Dripping Water Rock Waterfall, among others.

Address: Northeast of Luoyang Village, Yuanbao Township, Lichuan City, Enshi Prefecture

Type: Mountain

Recommended visiting time: 1 hour

Ticket information:

Door price: 15.0 RMB