Enshi Huangheluqiao Yesanhe

　　The Yesanhe Exploration & Mystery Tourist Scenic Area (referred to as the Yesanhe Tourist Scenic Area) is situated in the central part of Jianshi County in the southwestern region of Hubei Province, spanning across Huaping Township, Gaoping Town, and Jingyang Town. It borders Badong County to the east, Enshi City to the west, the Wushan and Fengjie counties of Chongqing Municipality to the north, and Guandian Town of Jianshi County to the south. Owing to its strategically important location, it has long been known as the “Gateway between Sichuan and Hubei.”

　　Jianshi County, where the Yesanhe Tourist Scenic Area is located, serves as a vital overland transportation hub connecting East China, Central China, and Southwest China. The county seat is 56 km from Enshi Xujiaoping Airport, 145 km from Badong Port, and 98 km from Beishi Wharf in Chongqing. The Yiwan Railway, the Shanghai-Chengdu (West) Expressway, the under-development Qingjiang “Golden Waterway,” and the Tian’er Highway that links Sichuan and Hunan all pass through the scenic area, bringing a qualitative leap in transportation accessibility to Yesanhe.

　　Jianshi County boasts abundant and high-quality tourism resources, including the world-renowned “Jianshi Erectus” site, the most picturesque section of the Qingjiang River—the Jingyang River stretch, the wild and pristine Yesanhe, the majestic Huangheluqiao with its cluster of peaks, the fairy-tale-like Wufeng Mountain, the Buddhist Xinglong Temple, the Taoist Shizhu Temple, Chaoyang Temple, and Fenghuang Temple, as well as the former residences of modern historical figures such as Wu Guozhen and Zhu Hezhong. These natural and cultural attractions hold great development potential. However, due to limitations in location, transportation, and economic conditions, they have not yet been fully developed. With the completion of the Yiwan Railway and the Shanghai-Chengdu (West) Expressway, the county’s transportation and locational advantages will be significantly improved. Self-driving tourists can enter the scenic area directly via the Gaoping or Hongyansi exits on the Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway. Passengers on the Yiwan High-Speed Railway can disembark at the Jianshi Erectus Museum stop and step right into the scenic area.

　　Folk Art

　　The scenic area is rich in folk art. Its folk art tourism resources are characterized regionally by “Six Uniques”: one song — the Five-Line Song; one tune — the world-famous folk song “Huang Sijie”; one dance — the Saya’erhe dance; one drum — the Haocao gong and drum performance; one string instrument — the Jianshi silk string; and one dragon — the Huaping Fire Dragon. Tourism culture development can highlight these distinctive features.

　　A form of local drama called Nuo Opera is also popular in the area. Performers wear masks, and the music is primarily based on folk melodies, often integrated into the funeral dance performances. Wind-and-percussion music is widely enjoyed, with single-drum performances being especially common along the southern bank of the Qingjiang River. The Mountain-Hunting Work Songs are also quite famous.

　　Traditional Dishes

　　Local traditional dishes in the scenic area include Jingyang Chicken Soup, Suoyi Meatballs, Spicy Pork, Eel Head, Sago Soup, Eight-Treasure Rice, Spicy and Sour Pork Tripe, Kidney Slices, Smooth Fish Slices, Hezha (fermented soybean mash), Konjac, and smoked cured ham and sausages.

　　Specialty Foods

　　Local specialty foods such as Huaping Peach Slice Cake, Yishou Brand Kiwi Fruit Preserves, and Kiwi Fruit Cakes from the scenic area enjoy high national recognition and are sold across the country.

　　Beverages

　　Popular beverages in the scenic area include the “Xi Shi Bao” selenium-rich mineral water, selenium-rich natural walnut milk, and selenium-rich stir-fried green tea (including famous teas such as Enshi Yulu and Bajiao Tea), which are highly praised.

　　Local Specialties

　　The scenic area is home to renowned local specialties such as Jingyang Paper Walnuts, Xianfeng Pears, and White Pomelos, all celebrated as exceptional fruits. The area offers a wide variety of fresh and dried fruits year-round, earning Jianshi County the expert title of “Nature’s Gifted Orchard, a Three-Dimensional Fruit Belt, and a Kingdom of Fruits.” Other notable products include Huaping’s Guankou Grapes, Kiwifruit, and Chestnuts, as well as Jingyang River’s Jingyang Chickens (introduced to Jingyang by a Belgian priest and naturally crossbred and domesticated over the years, growing to about 5 kg, commonly known as the “Nine-Jin Chicken” for its tender and delicious meat, making it a premium tonic) — all are famous specialties of the area. Guankou Grapes and Jingyang Chicken are products of cultural exchange between China and the West, rich in cultural significance.

　　Handicrafts

　　Representative handicrafts in the scenic area include the floral backpacks from Jingyang and Huaping, which are exquisitely crafted, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to carry.

　　Address: Xiaoxihu International Resort, Huaping Township, Jianshi County, Enshi Prefecture, Hubei Province

　　Opening Hours:

　　Huangheluqiao Scenic Area business hours: 8:30–17:00; Yesanhe boat departure time: 14:00.