Xie Mountain Tourist Resort

Xie Mountain Tourist Resort

Xie Mountain Tourist Resort is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a classic red tourism destination.

Daxie Mountain is located in the central part of Gucheng County, Hubei Province, at 111°23′ east longitude and 32°09′ north latitude. It belongs to the Wudang Mountain Range and is about half an hour’s drive from the Han-Shi Expressway and Gucheng Railway Station. The Gucheng-Zhuxi Expressway has an exit named “Daxie Mountain Exit” at the mountain’s base. The Daxie Mountain Scenic Area lies on the golden tourism route connecting ancient Longzhong, Wudang Mountain, and Shennongjia, making it a key node in the Ecological and Cultural Tourism Circle of Western Hubei.

Here, the natural resources are unique.

The main peak of Daxie Mountain, Daughter Peak, stands at an elevation of 1,099 meters. From the summit, the view is unobstructed in all directions; a single peak rises prominently, surrounded by a sea of mountains.

Daxie Mountain borders the Han River, with the Nanhe River to the south and the Behe River to the north. The two rivers flank the mountain, and their flowing waters generate cool breezes. They also form three flat lakes at the mountain’s base: the Nanhe Dam, Miaozitou Dam, and Tan Kou Reservoir. It is the charm of this “one river, two rivers, and three lakes” that gives Daxie Mountain an average annual temperature of only 12°C, with summer averages of just 22°C. The area predominantly experiences southeast winds, with an average wind speed of about 1.3 m/s. The annual sunshine duration is 1,512.9 hours, annual rainfall is 1,413 mm, the frost-free period ranges from 220 to 250 days, relative humidity is 79%, and the average annual evaporation is 972.3 mm.

Xie Mountain Tourist Resort – Scenic Area Map

According to the Gucheng County Annals: “Among the Eight Scenic Spots of Zhuyang, Xie Mountain’s Layered Greenery ranks first. It features lowland fields of grain, mid-mountain oaks and mixed trees, and highland pines and cypresses. Viewed from afar, the landscape displays three shades—green, blue, and dark—which create the effect of layered greenery.” Daxie Mountain currently covers a total area of 150,000 mu, with a forest coverage rate of 93% and a standing timber volume of 1.2 million cubic meters. According to forestry experts, each cubic meter absorbs 1.86 tons of carbon dioxide and releases 1.3 tons of oxygen, resulting in an atmosphere rich in beneficial negative ions—5 to 10 times higher than urban levels. The landscape is lush and verdant, featuring a mix of coniferous and broadleaf trees, tall trees, medium shrubs, and ground cover. It combines pristine vegetation with cultivated species, where ancient and famous trees coexist harmoniously with wildlife. Currently, there are over 680 plant species here, including more than 800 ancient and famous trees over a hundred years old, and more than 20 species of nationally protected animals. This multi-layered, diverse ecosystem forms the beautiful natural environment of Daxie Mountain: in early spring, peach and pear blossoms bloom alongside fresh grass and singing birds; in midsummer, the dense shade blocks the sun and gentle breezes blow; in late autumn, the forests are painted in vibrant colors, and wild fruits fill the air with fragrance; in deep winter, everything is blanketed in silvery white, with trees adorned like jade ornaments.

Daxie Mountain boasts “Ten Major Natural Scenic Spots”: the beauty of Daughter Peak, the majesty of the Dressing Table, the green waves of the forest sea, the precipitousness of the Devil’s Crag, the serenity of the Shennong Cave, the wonder of the Mandarin Duck Stones, the verdancy of the nanmu bamboo, the intoxicating hues of the ancient maples in autumn, the fragrance of the camellia bushes, and the dawn sunrise.

Here, the cultural heritage is profound.

A long history: Over 5,000 years ago, the Yan Emperor Shennong came here from Suizhou to taste hundreds of herbs and cultivate the five grains, leaving behind relics such as the Shennong Path, Shennong Cave, the Hall of the Five Grains, and the Herb Garden. On May 8, 2009, the “Retracing Shennong’s Path, Seeking Our Roots in Hubei and Hunan” event, organized by the propaganda departments of Hubei and Hunan provinces, held a grand ceremony here for the handover of sacred soil and artifacts related to Shennong tasting herbs and planting grains. Media outlets such as China Daily, People’s Daily, Economic Daily, Guangming Daily, Xinhua News Agency, China National Radio, and over 40 print, audiovisual, and online media outlets from both provinces covered the event live for domestic and international audiences.

Legendary tales: The main peak, Daughter Peak, is said to have been formed when the Peony Fairy transformed out of longing for the True Martial Emperor, gazing toward Wudang Mountain. The Dressing Table is said to be a cosmetic box dropped by the Queen Mother of the West. The Mandarin Duck Stones are said to represent the Heavenly Golden Boy and Jade Girl. The ancient maple tree is said to have been planted by Zhu Yuanzhang when he was a child herding cattle here.

Li Shizhen naming Xie Mountain: According to the Gucheng County Annals, Daxie Mountain was originally called Daughter Mountain. More than 500 years ago, the Ming Dynasty’s medical sage Li Shizhen passed through here while collecting herbs for Mount Wudang. He noticed the abundance of wild leeks (xie bai) covering the mountain and exclaimed, “This is a mountain of xie!” Thus, Daughter Mountain was renamed Daxie Mountain, a name that remains to this day.

Renowned as the “Summer Resort of Southern China”: According to the Gucheng County Annals, as early as 1857, an Italian traveler who had visited Xie Mountain recommended it to the world as a top travel destination, calling it “a pearl that shines alongside Chengde in the north—a Summer Resort of Southern China.”

Sino-Western-style villas: According to the Gucheng County Annals, between 1903 and 1907, missionaries from eight countries—the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, the United States, Denmark, Portugal, Canada, and the Netherlands—built over 70 villas blending Chinese and Western architectural styles on Xie Mountain, covering an area of more than 400,000 square meters. Recreational facilities such as men’s and women’s swimming pools and tennis courts were also constructed. “Blue bricks and gray tiles with lime plaster, arched windows and large corridors. Sloping ridges, flying eaves, sloped surfaces, fireplaces, chimneys, and hollow walls. Foundations three feet high with open sides, keeping it warm in winter and cool in summer. Who knows how many Xie Mountain villas there are—one villa for every cypress tree”—this verse vividly portrays the blend of Chinese and Western architectural elements. This architectural style is unique in Hubei Province and even across Central China. Missionaries used these villas as summer retreats from April to September until 1949.

The bond between Langning and Xie Mountain: Langning was born in Xiangyang. The Langning Villa preserved on Daxie Mountain today was built by his father. For five years between 1894 and 1899, the young Langning accompanied his father to Xie Mountain for summer retreats nearly every year. Then, for six years between 1921 and 1927, the adult Langning returned to the mountain for holidays multiple times. In 1945, he was appointed by the Canadian government as ambassador to the Republic of China. While in Chongqing, he became close friends with Premier Zhou Enlai, laying a solid foundation for establishing diplomatic relations between New China and Canada. In 1946, Mr. Langning, along with his wife and daughter, walked from Shihua to Xie Mountain. In 1974, at the age of 80, he revisited China and urgently wished to return to Xie Mountain, but due to the political situation at the time, he could only go as far as Xiangyang and never made it to the mountain, leaving a lifelong regret. On October 9, 2008, his daughter, Audrey Topping, then 82 years old, visited Xie Mountain with her daughter-in-law and grandson. The nostalgia and reluctance to leave were evident.

Marshal He Long riding through Xie Mountain: In May 1931, He Long, then commander of the Third Red Army, led his troops to Xie Mountain. He helped the Gucheng County Committee establish the first revolutionary armed force in Northwest Hubei—the Xie Mountain Red Army Guerrilla Brigade—and left his guard platoon leader Gong Chunlin behind as chief of staff. He also helped establish the Soviet Government of Gucheng County, opening up a red zone centered around Xie Mountain spanning over a hundred square li.

Li Zongren taking a break in Xie Mountain: Li Zongsen, former acting president of the Nationalist Government, served as commander-in-chief of the Fifth War Zone and was stationed in Laohekou. In the summer of 1942, he spent over two months in Xie Mountain with his wife Guo Dejie and secretary Cheng Siyuan, describing the refreshing experience in his memoirs.

Cheng Siyuan inscribing calligraphy: In December 1994, when the National Forestry Department named it the “Xie Mountain National Forest Park,” Cheng Siyuan, then Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, gladly inscribed the park’s name.

Renowned artists composing songs about Xie Mountain: In July 2007, Tong Wenxi, a national first-class screenwriter, visited Xie Mountain and was inspired by the scenery. He spontaneously composed both lyrics and music for the song “What a Vacation Paradise—Great Xie Mountain,” which was first performed by the famous singer Li Danyang. The lyrics are: “①In the land where Shennong planted the five grains, there is a fairy mountain where the heat of summer feels like spring—an enchanting place. It stands by two rivers and leans on Wudang, offering endless views of ancient Longzhong and Shennongjia. ②So many people love her, come and go often, staying in Western-style villas to enjoy earthly coolness. Many climb Daughter Peak and the Dressing Table, watching the sunrise in the morning and the moon at night, taking in the world’s scenery. ③In the land where Shennong planted the five grains, there is a world-famous summer resort. It cradles a forest sea beneath misty peaks, where one never tires of hearing the ancient music of Cheng’en Temple in Northwest Hubei. ④So many people dream of her, fall in love with her, and step into this land, praising the integrity of the maples and bamboos, marveling at the strange stones. Many visit the path of Marshal He Long and Red Army Mountain, letting poetic passion soar with their gazes and songs. ⑤What a vacation paradise—Great Xie Mountain. Drink her Xie Mountain tea, and your heart will be fragrant. What a vacation paradise—Great Xie Mountain. Capture her four-season scenery, cherish and treasure it forever.”

“As generations pass, history unfolds. The land preserves its wonders, and we climb anew.” On May 7, 2009, the People’s Government of Hubei Province established the “Ecological and Cultural Tourism Investment Corporation of Western Hubei” (abbreviated as the Western Hubei Circle Investment Company), listing Daxie Mountain as a key project. After repeated expert deliberations, in March 2011, the “Hubei Daxie Mountain Tourism Development Co., Ltd.” (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Western Hubei Circle Investment Company) was founded. Nearly 30 million yuan was invested to comprehensively develop Daxie Mountain. After two years of construction, the Sino-Western villas now feature classic exteriors with refined interiors; the Shennong Residence and Shizhen Hall have enriched the cultural depth; the guesthouses have been completely renovated; the reception center’s functions have been enhanced; water supply is now guaranteed; scenic chaos has been thoroughly resolved; and newly built Norwegian-style log cabins exude foreign charm. It is not long before Daxie Mountain becomes well-known across Hubei, throughout China, and around the world.

Welcome to Daxie Mountain to experience the charm of “the forest sea’s green waves blending with the sky, the songs of the wind, birds, and water.”

Gucheng County has restored and organized revolutionary residences, historical relics, and photographic materials within the Xie Mountain Scenic Area. Centered around the Xie Mountain Red Army Village, red tourism routes have been established, featuring activities such as walking the Red Army path, singing Red Army songs, eating Red Army meals, and listening to stories from veteran Red Army soldiers—allowing visitors who come to trace revolutionary history to “pay homage to a sacred site and purify their souls.”