4-Day Enshi Tour | Classic Combination of Grand Canyon and Tenglong Cave・Suitable for All Groups

Enshi is a hidden fairyland in western Hubei, featuring the sheer cliffs and sea of clouds of the Grand Canyon, the karst wonders of Tenglong Cave, and the picturesque Tujia stilted buildings. Breathe fresh air with the elderly at Pingbaying, accompany children playing in the Qingjiang River, and every day here offers encounters with the magic of karst landscapes and the warmth of ethnic minorities. 🗓️ Itinerary Overview Day 1: Arrive in Enshi → Enshi Tusi City → Daughter City Day 2: Enshi Grand Canyon Day 3: Tenglong Cave → Dragon Boat Water Town Day 4: Qingjiang Butterfly Cliff → Sobuya Stone Forest → Return 🏯 Day 1: Explore Tusi Culture · Taste Tujia Flavors 📍 Enshi Tusi City (4A, Admission 50 RMB) Highlights: The largest Tusi cultural landmark city in China, featuring the gate tower, Linjun Temple, bell tower, and the majestic "Nine-Entry Hall" (Tusi Prince’s Mansion). The free Waving Hand Dance performance (11:00) showcases Tujia customs. Elderly can take the electric sightseeing car (10 RMB/person) and listen to stories about the "Tusi system"; children can wear Tujia children’s costumes (50 RMB/set) for photos and try archery (20 RMB/10 arrows) to experience ethnic culture. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30, recommended 9:00-12:00 💰 Fees: Adults 50 RMB, free for seniors over 60, free for children under 1.4 meters 📸 Photo Spot: Front gate of the Nine-Entry Hall (capture the full view of the Tusi Prince’s Mansion; photos on the steps look more dignified) 💡 Tip: Handmade "Tujia brocade" (Xilankapu) experience available inside the park (50 RMB per piece), you can take your work home. 📍 Daughter City (Free) Highlights: Known as "Men’s unwavering hearts, the world’s number one Daughter City," it is a replica of an ancient Tujia town. Try bowl-breaking wine (5 RMB/bowl), watch Tujia wedding customs performance (15:00, free), and enjoy the lively snack street. Elderly can listen to Dragon Boat songs on the Wind and Rain Bridge; children can learn to sing mountain songs (free), taste "Zhangguan Hezha" (15 RMB/portion) and "Tujia baked cakes" (5 RMB each), with about 30 RMB per person to fully enjoy Tujia flavors. 🕙 Recommended Time: 14:30-18:00 🍜 Recommended Dining: "Baren Hall" in Daughter City, must-try Tujia cured meat (48 RMB/portion) and Hezha hotpot (38 RMB/portion), about 50 RMB per person, with folk performances. 🏨 Recommended Accommodation: "Enshi Aoshan Yage Hotel" in the city (family rooms available, near shopping areas), priced 400-600 RMB/night, convenient for next day travel. ⛰️ Day 2: Canyon Scenery · Cliffside Wonders 📍 Enshi Grand Canyon (5A, Admission 170 RMB + sightseeing bus 30 RMB + cable car up 105 RMB) Highlights: Known as the "Oriental Colorado," it features cliffside plank roads, the "One Incense Stick" peak (150 meters tall isolated peak), and sea of clouds views. It’s a summer retreat and autumn foliage hotspot. Elderly can take the cable car plus sightseeing elevator (30 RMB) to save energy and enjoy the "Sea of Clouds Viewing Platform" to watch the clouds roll; children can play in the "Earth Fissure" water area and walk the gentler sections of the cliff plank road to appreciate nature’s craftsmanship. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:00-16:00, recommended 7:30-17:00 (full day visit) 📸 Photo Spot: One Incense Stick Viewing Platform (capture the isolated peak and canyon, especially magical in early morning mist) 💡 Tip: The park is large, bring snacks and water; wear non-slip shoes as some cliff plank road sections are risky, elderly should hold the railings firmly. 🏨 Recommended Accommodation: "Canyon Style Hotel" near the Grand Canyon (mountain view rooms available), priced 350-500 RMB/night, convenient for rest. 🪨 Day 3: Cave Exploration · Water Town Boating 📍 Tenglong Cave (5A, Admission 150 RMB + electric cart 20 RMB) Highlights: Asia’s largest karst cave, big enough for a helicopter flight inside. Features laser shows (10:30, free) and Tujia song and dance performances (15:00, free). Outside the cave is rafting (180 RMB/person, summer only). Elderly can take the electric cart to the cave entrance to admire the cave wonders; children can ride the "cave train" (30 RMB/person) and try "cave adventure" (50 RMB/session), marveling at the cave’s grandeur. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30-17:30, recommended 9:00-13:00 📸 Photo Spot: Tenglong Cave entrance (photos with people standing at the entrance highlight the cave’s vastness) 💡 Tip: Cave temperature is constant at 14-18℃, bring a light jacket; laser show lights are strong, elderly can close eyes and rest briefly. 📍 Dragon Boat Water Town (4A, Admission 120 RMB including boat ride) Highlights: Combination of "water cave + dry cave," take a boat to see the "Three Wonders" (Tianqiao Cave, Carp Cave, Pigeon Cave). Stalactites under lighting look like a crystal palace, and the boatwoman’s dragon boat songs are very charming. Elderly can rest in the cabin and enjoy the scenery; children can count stalactite shapes (like elephants, lions) and play water fights (10 RMB/water gun), very fun. 🕙 Recommended Time: 14:30-17:00 🍜 Recommended Dining: "Water Town Farmhouse" outside the park, must-try Lichuan water shield vegetable (38 RMB/portion) and cured pork knuckle hotpot (68 RMB/portion), about 50 RMB per person, rustic mountain flavors. 🌊 Day 4: Qingjiang Butterfly Cliff · Stone Forest Exploration 📍 Qingjiang Butterfly Cliff (4A, Admission 180 RMB including boat ride) Highlights: "800 li of Qingjiang is picturesque," take a boat to admire Butterfly Cliff (natural stone cliff shaped like a butterfly) and Shuibuya Dam. Spring features blooming flowers and green willows on both banks; autumn shows colorful forests. Elderly can watch the mountains and water from the deck and listen to the "Saltwater Goddess" legend; children can play in the sand area, learn the Tujia waving hand dance (free), and buy "Qingjiang dried fish" (40 RMB/bag) as souvenirs. 🕙 Opening Hours: 8:30-15:00, recommended 8:30-12:30 📸 Photo Spot: Second floor of the boat (best for full view of Butterfly Cliff and water reflections on sunny days) 💡 Tip: The boat trip lasts 4 hours, bring motion sickness medicine; wear sun-protective clothing as UV is strong on deck. 📍 Sobuya Stone Forest (4A, Admission 78 RMB + sightseeing bus 30 RMB) Highlights: Known as the "Crowned Stone Forest" because the rock tops have vegetation like hats. Attractions include Qinglong Temple and Lotus Village. It’s cool in summer like natural air conditioning. Elderly can take the sightseeing bus to various spots and admire the "sea of stones"; children can play hide and seek in the "stone forest maze" and join the "cave exploration" (free), experiencing the magic of karst landforms. 🕙 Recommended Time: 14:00-16:30 💡 Tip: Many forks in the stone forest paths, stay close to the guide; wear non-slip shoes as some surfaces are uneven. ✨ Enshi Survival Guide 1️⃣ Transportation: City buses No. 2 and 6 go to Tusi City (1 RMB); take the tourist shuttle to the Grand Canyon (25 RMB/person, 1.5 hours); for cross-district travel, car hire is recommended (300 RMB/day) due to many mountain roads, self-driving not advised; taxi starting fare 6 RMB. 2️⃣ Clothing: Wear windproof jackets in spring and autumn (mountain winds are strong); summer wear short sleeves + sun protection clothing + long pants (to prevent insect bites); winter wear down jackets + non-slip shoes (some parks have snow); bring hiking shoes (essential for Grand Canyon and Stone Forest). 3️⃣ Taboos: Respect Tujia customs in Tusi City and Daughter City, do not touch statues casually; do not tap stalactites inside caves; do not pick wild vegetables or feed wild animals in parks. 4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay in Enshi city on Day 1, near the Grand Canyon on Day 2, and in Lichuan city (near Tenglong Cave) on Day 3. Choose hotels at lower altitudes for elderly (to avoid altitude sickness) and those with hot water for children (to warm up after activities). 🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs ① Enshi Yulu Tea (gift box 80 RMB/box, selenium-rich tea, fragrant and sweet) ② Tujia Cured Meat (vacuum packed 80 RMB/jin, smoky flavor, great for cooking) ③ Xilankapu Brocade (small wallets 30 RMB each, tablecloths 100-200 RMB, intangible cultural heritage specialty) ④ Qingjiang Wild Dried Fish (50 RMB/jin, tender meat, excellent for soup) The wonder of Enshi lies in the Grand Canyon’s cliffs holding drifting clouds, Tenglong Cave’s light and shadow hidden in karst caves, and the Tujia girls’ songs flowing over stilted buildings. Whether you bring your parents to breathe deeply at Pingbaying, accompany children to splash in the Qingjiang River, or take friends to shoot magical photos in the Stone Forest, here you will find nature and culture that amaze you. If you come to Enshi, would you first want to see the One Incense Stick peak at the Grand Canyon or watch the laser show at Tenglong Cave?