Zengjiazhai

Zengjiazhai

Zengjiazhai is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Zengjiazhai is located in Huiwan Town, Zhuxi County, Hubei Province. It stands in harmony with the picturesque new rural village of Shuangzhuyuan on the opposite side of the mountain fortress. The mountain range where it is situated extends to five villages within the town: Shuangzhuyuan, Qiping, Chuanfeng, Tudi Liang, and Xiaohekou. It is 31 kilometers away from the county seat of Zhuxi. In 1986, Zengjiazhai was listed as one of the first key cultural relic protection sites in Zhuxi County and is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient stone fortresses still existing in the county.

According to the *Zhuxi County Annals*, Zengjiazhai was initially built in the early Qing Dynasty and expanded during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty. The entire fortress follows the contour of the mountain, with its slate-built walls shaped like a gourd. It has two fortress gates, one called “Prosperity” and the other “Fortune.” On the inner left and right walls of the east gate, there are two stone carvings. The inscribed dates and the name of the fortress lord have been deliberately chiseled off, but the rest remains well preserved. The carvings include an educational will and various rules and regulations such as “preventing incidents inside and outside the fortress.” Particularly strict in the *Prevention of Outside Incidents* section, it explicitly stipulates the use of weapons such as rolling stones, thorny bushes, steel nails, log traps, horse pits, Kongming cannons, firearms, and crossbow arrows for defense—making the fortress a formidable, easily defensible stronghold. This ancient castle, along with its inscriptions, remains relatively intact. Especially noteworthy is the thousands-of-words worth of stone inscription, which integrates ancient military strategy, fortress defense, community regulations, and moral exhortations, offering significant research value in politics, military science, architecture, and fire prevention.

The fortress covers an area of approximately 0.5 square kilometers. Originally a hideout and stronghold for bandits, it was once called Qixingzhai (Seven-Star Fortress). It came to be known as Zengjiazhai after being built under the direction of the Zeng clan and used as a refuge by local militia. It has a history of over 200 years.

There are many stone fortresses in Zhuxi, with about 70 larger ones still in existence, all products of turbulent times. They were generally used as gathering and refuge points for local gentry and landlords organizing militias for self-defense during peasant uprisings or foreign invasions. Alternatively, they served as military or bandit strongholds occupying mountain passes, controlling strategic routes. As the culmination of Zhuxi’s ancient stone fortress culture, Zengjiazhai has received high attention from local authorities. In 2014, the Huiwan Town Party Committee and government began the protection and restoration of Zengjiazhai, investing over 6 million yuan to develop the Zengjiazhai tourist area. The scenic area enjoys convenient transportation and complete facilities, including the Zengjiazhai Eco-Wellness Resort, integrating sightseeing, dining, accommodation, leisure, and wellness.

The fortress is surrounded by clear waters, undulating mountains, majestic views, misty hues, birdsong, and floral fragrance. There are also thousands of acres of chestnut groves and tens of thousands of acres of tea plantations. Standing atop the fortress walls and looking into the distance, you can see layers of mountains shrouded in mist, with farmhouses halfway up the hills and tea-picking girls appearing and disappearing like a scene from a fairyland, isolated from the mortal world. Inside the fortress, there are Qing Dynasty stone inscriptions, a Earth God Temple, a horse racing field, an ancient round well, a watchtower, plum blossom piles, a tea appreciation garden, and the ancient fortress walls. Outside, there are a heavenly pond, a viewing pavilion, an orchard, and vast tea fields. The scenic area also hosts local folk activities such as the bridal ball-catching game and tea-tasting performances, allowing visitors to experience the local customs and tribute tea culture firsthand. Today, Zengjiazhai has become the perfect destination for exploring history, seeking mystery, enjoying eco-wellness, “revisiting childhood memories and rural charm,” and “discovering ancient oriental fortresses.” It attracts tourists from both within and outside the county.

Zengjiazhai is a product of turbulent times and boasts a long history. The once magnificent fortress now stands mostly in ruins, with overgrown weeds marking its historical remains. The tragic ballads of the ancient fortress have become timeless elegies, leaving behind a rich cultural legacy that evokes deep reflection. Today, the surrounding area is covered with tens of thousands of acres of tea plantations, blending distinctive mountain fortress culture with tribute tea heritage. It has become a highlight for boosting tourism and economic development in Huiwan, forming an environment that is “scenic, explorable, and livable,” creating a leisure system connecting “city and countryside,” and offering ideal spots for enjoying spring and autumn scenery, summer retreats, and winter snow and rime experiences.

The Riverside Pastoral Ecological Wetland Park is an important part of the Zengjiazhai scenic area. It is located in Xiaohekou Village, the town center of Huiwan Town, Zhuxi County. The scenic area lies against mountains and beside water, featuring a footbridge to the south, an ecological riverside embankment to the north, villages and farmland to the east, and an ecological town to the south. Here, evergreen grasslands meet the water, creating natural hydrophilic landscapes and waterfront spaces. A lush grove of over a thousand willow trees thrives vibrantly, with birds chirping and swallows singing. The entire willow forest paints a scene reminiscent of “two golden orioles singing amid green willows, a line of white egrets flying into the blue sky.” Dozens of species of aquatic life, including egrets, wild ducks, and topmouth culter, thrive here, maintaining a rare pristine state. With wetland conservation and development, the Huwan River has formed a ten-kilometer “wetland corridor” along both banks. These wetlands not only allow Huwan to “breathe” freely but also create more beautiful sights for visitors to enjoy.

The surface of the Huwan River is calm, with gentle breezes rippling the water, blending the mountain and lake scenery into the reflections. Not far away, smoke rises from thatched cottages with bluestone-tiled roofs, scattered naturally along the mountainside and riverbank. Simple fences enclose vegetable gardens bursting with reds and greens.

The scenic area features a 10-kilometer walking trail along the serene and winding Huwan River. Strolling along the path, you can experience the modern charm of the riverside town, admire the beautiful landscape of mountains, waters, and fields, and lose yourself in this poetic, dreamlike world.

The entire tour route starts from Huiwan Town and sequentially passes through famous attractions such as “Wanjiang Pool,” “Millennium Wingnut Forest,” “Magpie Bridge,” “Walking on Water,” “Cascade Waterfalls,” “Sunbathing Beach,” “Lover’s Shore,” “Century-Old Mandarin Duck Trees,” “Colorful Farmstead,” “Coiling Dragon Cliff,” “Broken Bridge at Sunset,” “[unnamed],” “Huiwan Warship,” and “Tribute Tea Culture Square.” Each spot has its own unique charm, with mysterious and touching legends behind every landscape. With every step, you walk into a piece of history; with every glance, you enter a mythical tale.

The scenic area offers a variety of recreational activities: “Fish-Catching Fun,” “Beach Volleyball,” “Rafting on the Huwan River,” “Strolling Through the Colorful Farmstead,” “Boating on the Huwan River,” “Deck Barbecue,” and “Local Specialty Shopping.” Overnight guests can also enjoy the “Huiwan Mixed Hot Pot Banquet,” join “Bonfire Parties,” or have “DIY Barbecues.” The diverse entertainment options allow visitors to immerse themselves in the beautiful natural scenery, experience the leisurely local rural life, and unwind from the stresses of daily work.

On September 29, 2015, the “First Zhuxi County Hundred-Mile Scenic Corridor Tourism Culture Festival and the Grand Opening of Huiwan Zengjiazhai Scenic Area” was successfully held at Zengjiazhai, receiving widespread acclaim. During the National Day holiday (“Golden Week”), the site welcomed over 20,000 visitors and generated more than 200,000 yuan in ticket revenue. In December 2015, it was officially rated as a AAA-level tourist attraction, becoming a shining emblem of tourism in Huiwan and even Zhuxi County.