Xiangxiyuan Scenic Area

　　Xiangxiyuan Scenic Area is located 2 kilometers west of Muyu Town in Hubei Province, beside National Highway 209. It is the source of the Xiangxi River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, and is also famous in Shennongjia for its pristine natural environment and stunning mountain and water scenery. The source is a pool of water with exceptionally high quality, rich in various trace elements essential to the human body. Legend has it that this was the washing pool of the Divine Farmer (Shennong), infused with the essence of his hundred herbs and the spiritual energy of heaven, earth, sun, and moon. Lu Yu, the Tea Sage of the Tang Dynasty, once ranked this water as the 14th best spring in the world. The source is surrounded by ancient towering trees and blooming wildflowers, with massive glacial erratics in the valley that are remnants of ancient glaciers. The renowned poet Xu Chi inscribed the name "Xiangxiyuan" here. The site offers visitors a variety of tourism activities, including tea frying and tea tasting.

　　The source of the Xiangxi River boasts pure water, ancient towering trees, and competing peaks. In the deep forest, mist and clouds drift around, while rare flowers and plants bloom in the woods, accompanied by the fragrance of vegetation. Streams crisscross the mountains. It is this serene valley with its clear streams and fragrant blossoms that is the true reason behind the river’s fragrant waters. The source is covered with ancient trees and blooming wildflowers, and the valley contains massive glacial erratics—remnants of ancient glaciers. The famous poet Xu Chi inscribed the name "Xiangxiyuan" here.

　　Xiangxiyuan is located within the territory of Muyu Town, and the total area of the Xiangxiyuan Tourist Area is approximately 498.29 square kilometers. Major attractions include Xiangxiyuan, Shennong Altar, Laojun Mountain, Tiansheng Bridge, Molianting, and Stone Men Through the Crack, among others.

　　The Xiangxi is a small tributary of the Yangtze River, and its source, known as Xiangxiyuan, is located at the entrance of Muyu Town in Shennongjia. Legend has it that Wang Zhaojun was born in a small village near the source of the Xiangxi.

　　Around the source of the Xiangxi, competing peaks rise, mist and clouds drift, springs run clear, waterfalls are spectacular, ancient trees tower, and wildflowers bloom. The valley also features remnants of ancient glaciers, making it a tranquil and spiritually enriching woodland. Lu Yu, the Tea Sage of the Tang Dynasty, called the Xiangxiyuan the “14th best spring under heaven.” The contemporary renowned poet Xu Chi, deeply moved by the scenery, passionately wrote the three characters “Xiangxiyuan.”

　　The waters of Xiangxiyuan are pure and crystal clear. Looking into the stream, one can see the colorful pebbles at the bottom and the schools of fish hiding among the rocks. The base of the rocks near the water has been eroded over the years into small holes, covered with a layer of green moss, adding to the area's ancient and mysterious aura. The Xiangxi spring water contains fourteen mineral elements, tastes cool and refreshing, and is incredibly soothing to the soul—an exceptional natural mineral water. Legend has it that the Divine Farmer (Yan Emperor) once washed herbs here, hence it is also called the Herb-Washing Pool.

　　It is said that when Wang Zhaojun once washed her face in the stream, a string of pearls fell into the water, and since then the stream has been fragrant all year round—hence the name Xiangxi (Fragrant Stream). In truth, it is the abundance of wildflowers in the forest around the source that gives the stream its fragrance. Every March, when peach blossoms bloom along the banks of the Xiangxi River, you can see light red fish in the water, known as peach blossom fish. Legend says that before Wang Zhaojun left for the frontier, she returned home to visit her family. During her farewell, as peach blossoms fell into the stream, they turned into peach blossom fish along with the sound of her pipa music.

　　Address: No. 1 Yingbin Avenue, Shennongjia Forestry District

　　Type: Forest and River

　　Recommended Visit Duration: 2–3 hours

　　Phone: 0719-3453301; 0719-3453302

　　Opening Hours:

　　8:00–18:00