Erguanzhai Scenic Area

　　Erguanzhai Village is situated in the southwest of Shengjiaba Township, approximately 14 kilometers from the township government. It connects to Enxiang Highway to the east, borders Baiguo to the west, adjoins Macagou Village to the south, and meets Longdonghe Village to the north.

　　Erguanzhai is an important part of “Fairyland Enshi.” It boasts both a long history and rich culture as well as beautiful pastoral scenery, earning the reputation of being an “ancient village untouched by time, a modern-day Peach Blossom Spring.”

　　The village has a total population of 3,020 people, comprising five natural villages, covering a total area of 37.6 square kilometers, with an average elevation of 1,000 meters and distinct four seasons. Each of the five natural villages has its own unique features, among which Xiaoxi and Jiupu, the two ancient stockades, are the most distinctive—showcasing both cultural remnants of the Bashu Salt Route and the simple elegance of ancient times.

　　This is a land rich in resources, steeped in culture, booming with investment opportunities, and brimming with tourism appeal.

　　In the southwest of Shengjiaba Township, Enshi City, lies such a beautiful place: villages nestled among fields, mountains rising behind the villages, with ancient trees casting dense shade on the hills; streams flowing in front of the villages, winding around homes, embodying the simplicity of wooden walls and dark-tiled roofs, the purity of green mountains and clear waters, and the tranquility of pastoral scenery...

　　This is Erguanzhai Village in Shengjiaba Township. In spring, clusters of pink peach blossoms and white wild cherry blossoms dot the rolling hills, set off against the rustic architecture—it’s a magnificent sight.

　　In summer, stroll along the Xiaoxi Tea-Salt Ancient Path and the Hu Family Courtyard in the rain, brew a cup of green tea, and watch the leaves cycle back to life within the cup.

　　In autumn, golden rice foretells a bountiful harvest year, while smoke curls lazily from the stilted houses, carrying the fragrance of youcha soup.

　　In winter, the century-old stockade is embraced by the cool hues of mountains and water, with bright red lanterns dotting the scene like stars, and shelves full of cured meats exuding the flavor of the Chinese New Year.

　　The four seasons of Erguanzhai are like serene, understated ink sketches, each a painting of harmony between humanity and nature...

　　Erguanzhai governs five natural villages, each with its own charm, among which the most renowned are the ancient stockades of Xiaoxi and Jiupu. These areas preserve well-preserved ancient architectural complexes, mainly featuring stilted buildings in the ganlan style. The villages include drum towers, covered bridges over streams, and bamboo and trees planted around homes. They form the core area of the “Shengjiaba Ancient Villages Ecological Corridor,” showcasing both cultural relics of the Bashu Salt Route and the refined elegance of ancient times.

　　Xiaoxi gets its name from the Xiaoxi River. It currently has 162 households with 565 residents, including over 100 Hu households totaling more than 400 people. The Hu family has lived in Xiaoxi for 13 generations, spanning nearly 300 years. The Xiaoxi River is one of the sources of the Wu River, stretching approximately 20 kilometers in length. The upper 5 kilometers flow through high mountain gorges with lush vegetation and beautiful scenery. The middle 6 kilometers form a natural village—the Hu Family Courtyard of Xiaoxi—comprising over a hundred stilted buildings across three large courtyards: Upper Dam, Middle Dam, and Lower Dam. The Middle Dam’s Chaomen Stilted Building was built during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era. Nestled by mountains and water, the land here is fertile, the scenery pristine, and the folkways simple, earning it the praise of being an “ancient village untouched by time, a modern-day Peach Blossom Spring.” The lower 8 kilometers down to Maluhe form a canyon section. After the construction of the Luobadi Hydropower Station, a flat lake now stretches through the canyon.

　　Jiupu was a necessary stop along the ancient salt route for merchants traveling from Longshan in Hunan to Lichuan and Wanxian in Sichuan. It is located upstream of the Maluhe River, extending from Guanduhe to Jinlongba. The terrain is rugged, the currents rapid, and travelers had to wade across the river 48 times along the way, stepping on large rocks placed as stepping stones in the river. Jiupu has an average elevation of 700 meters and retains over 100 well-preserved Tujia stilted buildings. Terraced fields line both sides of the river, and two thousand-year-old fir trees at the entrance of the village seem to record the rings of history. Nestled among lush bamboo and encircled by streams lies the ancient Kang Family Courtyard, covering a construction area of over 2,000 square meters, arranged with eight central courtyards in a quadrangle layout, with the “Five-Entry Hall” at its center—a grand architectural complex.

　　In recent years, Erguanzhai Village has seized opportunities, vigorously developing pillar industries such as flue-cured tobacco and tea, while actively creating an ecological village and deeply developing eco-tourism featuring the unique qualities of Xiaoxi and Jiupu. This place is becoming a land rich in resources, steeped in culture, booming with investment, and brimming with tourism appeal!(Text and images in this edition are provided by the Shengjiaba Township Government)