Xiche River

Xiche River

The Xiche River originates in Longshan County, flowing from north to south as it collects tributaries of varying sizes from the surrounding mountains on both sides, eventually joining the You River at Longtou in the south. It is said that the name “Xiche” comes from the Tujia language word for “grass river,” named in earlier years due to the abundance of green grass along its banks. Xichehe Town is situated at the confluence of the Xiche River and the Mengxi River. A wind-rain bridge built during the Qianlong era spans the Xiche River. The bridge is 85 meters long, 4 meters wide, with piers 9 meters high, consisting of two piers and three spans. Crossing the wind-rain bridge leads to Dongping Street, the most bustling area of Xichehe Town. The cobblestone-paved market street stretches about one kilometer and is a classic example of a rural marketplace. The rise of Xichehe began during the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty when many migrants entered this waterway-accessible ancient town in western Hunan, with people from Jiangxi making up the majority and dominating half of the town’s commercial activity. As the only land-and-water hub in the heart of Longshan, it was once the golden waterway connecting the Wuling Mountains to the Yangtze River. Local specialties such as tung oil, gallnut, and raw lacquer were transported downstream via the You River to the Yuan River and then into Dongting Lake, bringing immense wealth to the merchants of Xichehe. Commercial activity in the town reached its peak during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republican period.

Address: Xichehe Town, Longshan County, Xiangxi Prefecture, Hunan

Opening Hours:

All day

Transportation

Shuttle buses depart daily from Longshan County to Xichehe Town, covering a distance of approximately 50 kilometers, mostly through mountainous roads.

Admission Fee:

Free

Xichehe Town: Located 65 kilometers southeast of Longshan County, Xichehe Town borders Tasha Township to the east, Zage Township to the west, Miaertan Town to the south, and Luota Township to the north. During the Republican era, it was part of Wuzhai Township. In 1950, it was under the jurisdiction of Kedong, Caoguo, Xiwu, and Mailong townships. In 1956, the district was abolished and the Xiche Office was established. In 1958, the Xiche Commune was formed. In 1961, the Xiche Commune was re-established. In 1984, the commune was abolished and the town was officially formed. The total area is 175 square kilometers, with 391.68 hectares of paddy fields and 168.11 hectares of dry land. The town has 3,689 households and a population of 13,308, predominantly inhabited by the Tujia ethnic group. The highest elevation is... More detailed information on Xichehe Town++