Pingbaying Ecotourism Area

　　   Pingbaying Ecotourism Area is situated at the southern end of Xianfeng, 50 km from the county seat, bordering Laifeng County to the east and adjacent to Qianjiang and Youyang in Chongqing to the west and southwest. It includes Hubei Province’s second-largest forest farm—Pingbaying Forest Farm—and parts of Jiamachi Town, covering a total area of 154 km². In 2004, it was approved as a national forest park. The Pingbaying tourism area is characterized by its rich primal atmosphere, featuring ancient, strange, beautiful, serene, and wild landscapes, making it the largest contiguous primeval forest cluster in central and western China.

　　   The tourism area is rarely frequented by humans, with undulating mountain ranges stretching as far as the eye can see. It boasts 120,000 mu of virgin forest, 80,000 mu of secondary forest, and 60,000 mu of planted forest. The area is home to over 1,300 species of plants, including more than 130 types protected at the national level II or above, as well as 128 species of rare wildlife such as South China tigers, leopards, golden pheasants, musk deer, and large civets. Rare cave clusters and deep, rushing gorges make this place a kingdom of trees, an ocean of flowers, a paradise for animals, a heavenly realm on earth, and a natural expo of pristine landscapes.

　　   “A vast expanse of wonder, four extraordinary caves closely linked— the first cave’s fragrant depths connect to another world, the second mirror-bright cave reflects the universe, the third cave’s skylight stirs dreams of longing, the fourth cave’s valley holds a jade pool. A single Cupid’s sword pierces the heart, a stay in this fairyland makes one never want to leave.” These impromptu verses by Yang Binqing after visiting the stunning landscapes of Pingbaying’s primeval forest in Xianfeng vividly depict the area’s breathtaking scenery.

　　   Pingbaying Primitive Ecotourism Area is a pristine destination for tourism development. Aside from standardized infrastructure, the scenic spots maintain their original appearance, and the reception services retain ethnic characteristics of the Tujia and Miao peoples. Within the four developed scenic areas—the Four Caves Gorge, the 10,000-mu Ancient Tree Azalea Forest, the Chicken Mountain Primeval Forest, and Qingyun Pavilion—mountains, water, caves, and sentiment blend as one. Here, visitors can explore pristine wilderness, admire colorful wildflowers, enjoy the cool mountain breeze, search for rare wildlife, stay in Miao village restaurants, listen to Tujia folk songs, and experience otherworldly authenticity.

　　   Pingbaying Ecotourism Area is distinguished by its rich primal atmosphere, shaped by ancient, strange, beautiful, serene, and wild landscapes. The area encompasses 120,000 mu of virgin forest, 80,000 mu of secondary forest, and 70,000 mu of planted forest. Together with the extended primeval forest clusters reaching into Youyang and Qianjiang, it forms the largest primeval forest ecological cluster in the Wuling Mountain region, with a forest coverage rate of over 96%. It serves as a natural oxygen bar in southwestern Hubei.

　　   The terrain here is complex, with significant elevation differences. The highest altitude reaches 1,911.5 m, while the lowest is 720 m, and landforms between 1,200–1,400 m in elevation account for two-thirds of the total area. The region features a mountainous climate typical of southwestern Hubei, with mild temperatures year-round and abundant rainfall. Microclimates are distinct, with an average annual temperature of 11.8°C, extreme highs of 35°C, and extreme lows of -8°C. Annual precipitation ranges from 1,800–2,600 mm, with humidity around 85% and a frost-free period of about 250 days.

　　   The area has a sparse human population and sees little human activity, resulting in highly typical biodiversity and pristine ecology. It is an important part of the “Central China Biological Refuge.” The undulating mountains stretch endlessly, vast and profound. There are thousand-year-old azaleas with trunks over 80 cm in diameter and 20,000 mu of ancient azalea forests. The region also hosts nationally protected plants at level II or above—including yew, dove tree, tulip tree, and Chinese pigeonwings—as well as over 1,300 tree species. Nearly 2,000 plant varieties have been identified, along with dozens of valuable medicinal herbs such as wild gastrodia, codonopsis, radix sophorae flavescentis, notoginseng, and coptis. There are also over 180 edible wild vegetables and fruits. The area is home to around 200 species of rare wildlife, including leopards, musk deer, large civets, and golden pheasants, among which over 30 are under national protection. Wild boars, rabbits, and pheasants are commonly spotted.

　　   The region features towering, continuous mountain ranges; vast, lush, emerald-green forests; deep gorges; unique caves; murmuring mountain springs; rapid streams; and occasional waterfalls, forming naturally stunning landscapes.

　　   Address: Pingbaying Village, Jiamachi Town, Xianfeng County, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture

　　   Type: Forest Mountain Folk Village

　　   Rating: AAAA

　　   Recommended Visiting Time: 1 day

　　   Phone: 0718-6831018; 0718-6831801

　　   Social Media Accounts:

　　   Opening Hours:

　　   8:30–17:00.

　　   Ticket Information:

　　   Adult Ticket: 140 RMB (includes admission and round-trip cable car). Children under 1.2 m tall are exempt from the ticket fee; seniors aged 70 or above may exchange tickets for free at the window with valid ID; minors aged 6 (exclusive) to 18 (inclusive) and full-time undergraduate students or below may purchase discounted tickets.