Registration for the “Wearing the West” Cili Station is now open | Reuniting with you by the Lishui River, paying tribute to martyrs on Yangjiao Mountain...

refers to the Lishui River

Its midstream section features many steep ridges and high hills

Canyons and basins alternate, hiding within them a county

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Cili County

Around 380 million years ago, it sank into the seabed along with silt and sand

Tens of thousands of years later, it gave rise to majestic mountains

These are the Wuling Mountains

On the eastern edge of the range lies a radiant pearl

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Cili County

Shimmering waters and towering mountain ranges

?The splendid scenery of the Lishui, the rich charm of Cili.

Cili boasts magnificent mountains and beautiful waters, making it a treasure trove of scenic wonders. It has long been known as the “Hot Spring Capital of China” and “China’s Most Beautiful Leisure Tourism and Vacation County.”

Here, emerald mountains rise proudly, clear streams flow melodiously, and the area is abundant in natural landscapes including high mountains and valleys, karst caves and fissures, hot spring rafting, and danxia landforms.

The essence of the Lishui — the Lingxi River

It originates from the northern foothills of Jiancaisi in Cili County, flows eastward to Zhaojiaya where it plunges into a cave, resurfaces at Chaoyang Village in Lingyang Township, flows northward through Muyuan Village in Lingxi Township, enters the Lishui River at the western foot of Bijiashan via Zizhushui, stretching 52 kilometers in length with a drainage area of 211 square kilometers, offering picturesque scenery along its entire course.

Cliffside danxia, southern charm.

Danxia landform is a type of red sedimentary rock layer formed in inland basins. Over millions of years of geological changes, these layers have been cut and eroded by water, forming clusters of red rocky hills. This phenomenon is rare worldwide, appearing only in places such as China and the western United States.

Cili County is home to rare red cliffs of danxia, which are highly distinctive. It is one of the most typical, comprehensive, and richly shaped areas of danxia landforms, showcasing some of the most beautiful scenery and presenting a true taste of southern charm.

Red Cili

Revolutionary sites and martyrs

Cili County is a veteran revolutionary base area and was part of the Xiang-E-Xi and Xiang-E-Chuan revolutionary bases during the Anti-Japanese War.

Cili County is home to a total of 1,204 revolutionary martyrs from the county, with 507 scattered martyr graves commemorating 1,307 individuals. Among them is Jian Xianren (1909–2005), the former wife of Marshal He Long, a native of Chengguan Town, Cili County, and a high-ranking official.

Unique customs and rich culture

Cili County is a multi-ethnic region, primarily inhabited by the Tujia, Han, as well as the Miao, Hui, and Bai ethnic groups.The ethnic minorities are mainly Tujia, who have developed a rich and colorful Tujia festival culture.

△ Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage: "Banban Dragon Lantern"

△ Municipal Intangible Cultural Heritage: "Carrying the Mao Bodhisattva"

There are also ethnic festivals and customs such as the Third Month Festival, Sixth Month Festival, Little New Year, Big New Year, Rice Flower Festival, Huajiu Long Water, Burning Lanterns, Anshan, Ancestral Worship, and the Wulei Mountain Temple Fair.

Sour, fragrant, and spicy

The cuisine of Cili emphasizes sour, fragrant, and spicy flavors. As the saying goes: “If you go three days without sour or spicy, your heart feels clawed by a cat, your legs go weak and your vision blurs.”

Cili mainly produces rice, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, mustard, millet, and various beans. The women of Cili are skilled in making sour, fragrant, and spicy dishes—such as turning seasonal fresh vegetables, wild greens, or meats from the five domestic animals and six domestic birds into dried, cured, pit-smoked, and other preserved varieties including dry vegetables, cured vegetables, spicy vegetables, and pickled vegetables—bringing rich flavor to daily life.

Have you fallen for Cili yet?

Can’t wait to set off

For an exhilarating hiking and trekking adventure?

Please see:

2019

Walking in the Footsteps of the Red Army · Hiking Across Western Hunan (Cili Station)

Setting off once again

To discover a different kind of scenery

D1: April 12, From all over the country – Cili County Town, check-in and hotel accommodation;

D2: April 13, Cili County Town – Jinlong Village;

D3: April 14, Jinlong Village –Shuanghe Village, then disband and head back.

?Long-Distance Hiking Group:

Total distance of about 50 kilometers, with a cumulative elevation gain of approximately 2,548 meters.

? First Day Route

Distance:27.5KM;Cumulative Elevation Gain:1234M.

Cili County Town (Start) – Yangjiao Mountain – Ridge Firebreak Trail – Jinlong Village (End).

Features: Almost the entire route follows the mountain ridge line, offering wide views and continuous mountain ranges. Along the way, you will pass throughYangjiao Mountain Anti-Japanese War SiteObserve the remnants of the bloody battle that took place here and pay tribute to the revolutionary martyrs who sacrificed their lives.

? Second Day Itinerary

Distance: