A journey through Tujia land, between grand scenery and ancestral skills
The journey “Enshi, Secret Kingdom · Tujia Culture” is designed for curious travelers keen to go beyond China’s classic highlights and explore a preserved mid‑mountain region deeply shaped by Tujia traditions. From your arrival in Enshi, you dive into the atmosphere of the “City of Girls”, with its stilted wooden houses, multicolored Xilankapu brocades, and lively evening entertainment.
The following days lead you to the Enshi Grand Canyon, a vast karst landscape of cliffs and limestone pillars, then on to mountain villages such as Luyuanping, Pingbaying Forest Park, and the Tangya Tusi City, a major remnant of the historic Tusi chieftain system and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You also discover Pingshan, famed for its strikingly green waters where the boats appear to float in mid‑air, making it one of the region’s signature scenic spots.
The itinerary places strong emphasis on Tujia culture: meetings with a folk singer, performances dedicated to Xilankapu brocade (listed as national intangible cultural heritage), and visits to workshops where you can watch and even try your hand at traditional weaving. The pace remains gentle, with easy walks, private vehicle transfers, and nights in comfortable hotels or guesthouses integrated into the natural surroundings (canyon, forest, rivers), offering an authentic immersion without any performance‑driven focus.
Daily program: Enshi, Secret Kingdom – Canyons, Gorges & Tujia Culture
Day 1-Arrive in Enshi (Airport/ Railway Station) ~ 0.5-1h drive. Altitude: 400-500m(B)
Welcome to Enshi, the “Secret Realm of Western Hubei.” Your guide will meet you at the airport or railway station and transfer you to your well-located hotel. After settling in, go to explore “Daughter City”, a vibrant cultural district that comes alive at night with traditional Tujia architecture, colorful Xilankapu brocade displays, local snack stalls, and folk performances. It’s the perfect introduction to the region’s rich heritage. Lunch and dinner on your own.Overnight at Jin Bo Rui International Hotel
Day 2-Enshi - Karst Cave - home visit to folk singer - Canyon Riverside (B)
2h drive (urban area to cave), 1.5-hour drive (cave to home visit), 1h drive ( to canyon riverside),
Altitude: 600-800m in the cave area, 800-1000m at the canyon riverside
In the morning you will visit the Enshi Karst Cave, where illuminated stalactites and stone curtains create an underground wonderland. Then continue to the home visit of a folk singer, an authentic Tujia stilt house ,at there you can listen to traditional folk songs and learn about local intangible cultural heritage. After lunch, enjoy a peaceful afternoon tea beside a scenic river canyon, sipping local Enshi Yulu tea as you take in the serene landscape. After the afternoon tea, drive to a canyon lodge for check-in .The spacious and comfortable rooms offer stunning views of the canyon landscape, making it an ideal retreat for relaxation and rest. Lunch and dinner on your own.Overnight at Jin Bo Rui International Hotel
Day 3- Enshi Grand Canyon (Qixing Village) - Luyuanping - Local Homestay (B)
1.5-2h drive to Qixing Village, 2h drive to Luyuanping
Altitude: 1200-1800m in Qixing Village, 800-1000m in Luyuanping
Travel deeper into the Enshi Grand Canyon, starting at Qixing Village. Walk the dramatic cliffside boardwalks with panoramic views of deep gorges and the iconic limestone pillar known as “Yizhu Xiang.” In the afternoon, descend to the remote village of Lvyuanping, a preserved Tujia settlement where time seems to stand still. Spend the night in a traditional homestay, enjoying homemade pickles and the quiet of the mountains. Lunch and dinner on your own.Overnight at Enshi Yunqianshanfang Homestay
Day 4- Luyuanping Homestay - Enshi- Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance Base (B )
~ 2.5h drive (homestay to Enshi）
After breakfast at the lodge, tour for luyuanping. After lunch ,drive back to downtown Enshi. After a short rest, head to watch the intangible cultural heritage performance “Xilan Kapu.” Xilan Kapu is a traditional Tujia brocade often called the “Flower of the Tujia.” Through song, dance, and dramatic scenes, the performance showcases the weaving process, cultural history, and daily life of the Tujia people, offering a deep appreciation of this intangible heritage.Lunch and dinner on your own.Overnight at Jin Bo Rui International Hotel
Day 5-Enshi Urban Area - Pingbaying National Forest Park - Forest Wooden Homestay (B)
~ 3h drive (urban area to Pingbaying), ~ 0.5-1 h drive (park entrance to homestay).
Altitude: 1200-1600m in Pingbaying National Forest Park
Journey to Pingbaying National Forest Park, a vast woodland often called a “natural oxygen bar.” Walk among ancient trees, listen to birdsong, and climb to observation decks for views of natural bridges and forested valleys. You may even spot squirrels darting through the branches. Stay overnight in a cozy log cabin nestled in the woods. Lunch and dinner on your own.Overnight at Senlin Shushang Motel
Day 6-Pingbaying Forest Wooden Cabin - Xianfeng Tusi City - Golden Cave -Xianfeng county(B)
2h drive (wooden cabin to Tusi City), 1.5h drive (Tusi City to Golden Cave)
Altitude: 800-1000m in Tusi City, 700-900m in the Golden Cave area
Visit the UNESCO-listed Tangya Tusi City, the remains of an ancient Tujia chieftain’s domain. Explore stone archways, tombs, and administrative ruins while learning about Tusi history. Afterwards, discover the multi-level Golden Cave, where you can take a boat ride along an underground river through chambers filled with spectacular stalactites. End the day with a warm hotel at Xianfeng county. Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight at V City Hotel（Xianfeng）
Day 7-Xianfeng - Tea Garden - Shiziguan (Lion Pass) - Xuan'en County (B)
2.5h drive to Erguan Village, 0.5h drive to tea garden, 1.5h drive to Shiziguan,
1h drive to Xuan’en County
Altitude: 800-1000m in Erguan Village, 900-1100m in the tea garden, 700-900m in Shiziguan
Begin in Xianfeng, a picturesque Tujia village where locals still practice traditional crafts. Then, join a tea-picking experience in the terraced fields, learning how Enshi Yulu tea is harvested. In the afternoon, visit Shiziguan (Lion Pass) to walk its famous floating boardwalk, which seems to hover above an emerald river framed by green cliffs. Arrive in Xuan’en by evening. Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight at Narada Hotel Xuan’en
Day 8-Xuan'en County -Pinshan(Hefeng County) (B)
2h drive Xuan’en to Hefeng, 0.5-1h drive Altitude: 800-1200m in Hefeng
Take a scenic drive through misty mountain roads to Hefeng, a tranquil county surrounded by traditional villages. Visit Pingshan ,which is known for its stunning turquoise waters, steep canyon cliffs, and serene boat rides through narrow river passages. Often called the “Fairy Stream on Land”. After lunch back to Xuan’en and check into your hotel, then spend the afternoon exploring at your own pace—visit nearby Tujia hamlets, chat with locals, or simply relax amid the peaceful landscape. Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight at Narada Hotel Xuan’en
Day 9-Xuan'en Hotel - Xilankapu Workshop - Enshi Airport/ Railway Station (B)
2h drive to Xilankapu Workshop in urban Enshi, ~ 0.5h drive (workshop to airport/ railway station)
The last day includes a visit to a Xilankapu weaving workshop. Under the guidance of a master artisan, learn about the techniques behind this intricate Tujia brocade and try weaving a small souvenir. Afterwards, transfer to Enshi airport or railway station , concluding this immersive cultural and natural exploration.
