Enshi Grand Canyon

　　Praised by experts as comparable to the Grand Canyon in the United States, the Qingjiang Enshi Grand Canyon in Hubei is located in Tunbao Township and Banqiao Town, Enshi City, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, southwestern Hubei, near the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. It is a section of the Qingjiang Grand Canyon. The canyon stretches 108 kilometers in length and covers a total area of over 300 square kilometers. The canyon features breathtaking sights such as hundred-mile cliffs, thousand-foot waterfalls, solitary towering peaks, primeval forests, and ancient villages. The natural scenic area mainly consists of the Dahebian scenery, the Front Mountain Cliffs, the Large, Medium, and Small Longmen Peak Forests, the Banqiao Cave Cluster, the Longqiao Underground River, the Yunlong River Rift Valley, the Back Mountain Solitary Peaks, the Yulong Mountain Cliffs, the Chaodongyan Cliffs, the Tongpanshui Forest Park, and the Tunbao Qingjiang River Gallery.

　　After conducting on-site inspections and comparisons, Professor Zhang Lianggao, a renowned architecture and tourism expert from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, concluded that the Enshi Grand Canyon is the most beautiful canyon in the world, “so captivating even at a glance.” In terms of grandeur, the Qingjiang Grand Canyon is on par with the Grand Canyon in the United States; however, when it comes to scenic beauty, landscape richness, and diversity, the Mufu section of the Enshi Grand Canyon far surpasses its American counterpart. Moreover, this area is the birthplace of the Ba culture, rich in humanistic characteristics, whereas the Grand Canyon in the United States is inhabited by only a small number of Native Americans.

　　“Every inch of the 800-li-long Qingjiang River is a view. It would be a great pity not to promote the highly valuable Enshi Grand Canyon to the world,” said Zhang Lianggao. The canyons and peaks here are steep and majestic, with mountain tops that exude a bold spirit reaching towards the sky; the Qingjiang River at the bottom of the valley has crystal-clear waters that offer a refreshing, almost transformative experience. Within a 6-square-kilometer area of the Mufu Grand and Small Longmen, there are over 30 standalone peaks over 200 meters high; the calm Qingjiang River reflects the surrounding green mountains and arched bridges, creating a mirage-like illusion; drifting down the river, with mist lingering in the air and white cranes soaring gracefully, the scene blends seamlessly, making one feel as if they are in a serene, otherworldly paradise.

　　The Qingjiang River flows gently, with rainbows arching over the water and reflections of green mountains, creating a dreamlike vision; cruising downstream along the river, with clouds and mist enveloping the area and white egrets flying gracefully, the scene is immersive, as if you’ve entered a vast, distant world apart from reality.

　　The Enshi Grand Canyon boasts five major wonders:

　　The magnificent Enshi Grand Canyon features a grand and open space, richly layered landscapes, diverse mountain formations, and a deeply carved Qingjiang River valley, offering five unique wonders that distinguish it from China’s Five Great Mountains:

　　The first is the “Rising White Clouds over Qingjiang.” Unlike the often scattered and disordered sea of clouds on most famous mountains, the sea of clouds rising from the Qingjiang River in the Mufu Grand Canyon resembles a soaring giant dragon, winding and stretching for hundreds of miles, with lush forms and breathtaking beauty.

　　The second is the “Cliff-ringed Peak Cluster.” Typically, karst landforms feature either cliffs or peak clusters, but rarely both. The Mufu Grand Canyon possesses both, and on a grand scale with exceptional quality. There are cliffs that enclose peak clusters from all sides, and there are also cliffs that jut out prominently, seemingly hovering above the clusters. A similar spectacle has not been discovered anywhere else in the world.

　　The third is the “Sky Bridges Linked to Cave Clusters.” Cave clusters are another highlight of the canyon. According to incomplete statistics, there are over 200 caves of various sizes along the canyon. For example, the Reyun Cave in Banqiao has two entrances separated by stone walls—one emits hot air, the other cold air—where the mingling of temperatures creates swirling mist. The cave’s main hall can accommodate tens of thousands of people; paired with natural sky bridges, the harmony between water and sky, and the interplay of figures, it feels like a fairyland.

　　The fourth is the “Rift Valley Meeting Waterfalls.” The Yunlong River Rift Valley within the Enshi Grand Canyon is 7.5 kilometers long and reaches a maximum depth of 75 meters. The rift valley is scattered with peculiar rocks in vibrant colors, ancient lush trees, and murmuring streams. Especially striking are the several waterfalls and springs along the rift’s edges, which are awe-inspiring and uplifting.

　　The fifth is the “Rift Valley Paired with Vertical Shafts” (where sinkholes connect to the rift valley). A Sino-French exploration team, after ten years of research, recently announced that the underground river from Longqiao River in Fengjie to the Enshi Grand Canyon is 50 kilometers long, the longest in the world. There are 108 vertical shafts above this underground river alone, resembling the famous Karez wells of Xinjiang, making them a spectacular and rare sight.

　　

　　The Enshi Grand Canyon is located in Tunbao Township and Banqiao Town, Enshi City, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, southwestern Hubei, near the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. It is a section of the Qingjiang Grand Canyon. The canyon stretches 108 kilometers in length and covers a total area of over 300 square kilometers. Experts praise it as comparable to the Grand Canyon in the United States, making it one of the most beautiful canyons in the world. The canyon features breathtaking sights such as hundred-mile cliffs, thousand-foot waterfalls, solitary towering peaks, primeval forests, and ancient villages. The natural scenic area mainly consists of the Dahebian scenery, the Front Mountain Cliffs, the Large, Medium, and Small Longmen Peak Forests, the Banqiao Cave Cluster, the Longqiao Underground River, the Yunlong River Rift Valley, the Back Mountain Solitary Peaks, the Yulong Mountain Cliffs, the Chaodongyan Cliffs, the Tongpanshui Forest Park, and the Tunbao Qingjiang River Gallery.

　　Special Reminder: As the Enshi Grand Canyon is still under development, tourism facilities are not yet fully established, and transportation conditions within the canyon are not ideal. Therefore, please pay close attention to safety while hiking.

　　Address: Near 047 Township Road, Enshi City, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture

　　Type: Canyon, Forest, Geological Landform, Mountain, Waterfall

　　Rating: AAAAA

　　Recommended Visit Duration: 1 day

　　Phone: 400-0718-126

　　Official Website: http://www.esdaxiagu.com/

　　Opening Hours:

　　Peak Season (March–November): 8:00–16:00; Off-Peak Season (December–February): 8:00–15:00.

　　Ticket Information:

　　Peak Season (March–November): Qixingzhai 120 RMB, Yunlong Rift Valley 50 RMB; Off-Peak Season (December–February): Qixingzhai 80 RMB. Shuttle bus 30 RMB (round trip); cable car one-way 105 RMB, round trip 200 RMB; escalator 30 RMB (one-way).