Enshi is incredibly beautiful, but I honestly do not recommend going in December because..........
Enshi Travel Guide and Price List
Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, located in the southwest of Hubei Province, is famous for its unique karst landforms, rich ethnic culture, and natural scenery. Below is a practical guide covering attraction tickets, accommodation, dining, and transportation to help you plan your trip.
1. Core Attractions and Ticket Prices
Enshi Grand Canyon Ticket: 160 RMB/person (includes Qixingzhai Scenic Area), Yunlong Rift Ticket: 50 RMB/person.
Highlights: Known as the "Oriental Colorado," it features cliffs, waterfalls, and primeval forests intertwined. Hiking the entire route takes about 5-6 hours. The park offers cable cars (uphill 105 RMB, downhill 100 RMB) and sightseeing elevators (30 RMB) to reduce physical exertion.
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM, early arrival is recommended to avoid peak crowds.
Tenglong Cave Scenic Area Ticket: 150 RMB/person (includes electric cart within the park).
Highlights: Asia's largest karst cave, featuring an underground river, waterfalls, and a laser show. Hot air balloon rides are available outside the cave (about 120 RMB/person).
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, laser show times at 10:20 AM and 3:00 PM.
Pingshan Canyon Ticket: 210 RMB/person (includes boat ticket).
Highlights: Known as "China's Semporna," the boat ride through the canyon reflects the cliffs on the clear water, creating a floating illusion. The park offers glass boats and water swings (about 50-100 RMB per activity).
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, last entry at 3:30 PM.
Sobuya Stone Forest Ticket: 108 RMB/person (discounted to about 103 RMB).
Highlights: Remnants of a 460 million-year-old underwater world, with diverse stone forest formations, ideal for photography and geological education. The park features a 5D dome cinema showing the changes of the earth (about 30 RMB/person).
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
Enshi Tusi City Ticket: 45 RMB/person (discounted to about 42 RMB).
Highlights: The largest Tujia stilted building complex in China, with Tujia song and dance performances included in the ticket, offering insight into Tusi culture and customs.
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM.
2. Accommodation Recommendations and Price Range
High-end options in Enshi city: Enshi Ruixiang International Hotel (about 600-900 RMB/night), modern facilities and convenient transportation; Yihe International Hotel (about 500-800 RMB/night), located in the old city center.
Cost-effective choices: Vienna Hotel (Enshi Railway Station branch, about 200-400 RMB/night), offers free pick-up service; City Convenience Hotel (Jingang Baijia Plaza branch, about 150-300 RMB/night), suitable for budget travelers.
Near attractions: Enshi Grand Canyon Xiagu Xuan Hotel: about 600-1000 RMB/night, with canyon views from the window, ideal for an immersive experience.
Hefeng Pingshan Canyon Homestays: about 200-500 RMB/night, mostly Tujia-style stilted houses, serving authentic farmhouse cuisine.
3. Specialty Dining and Average Cost
Authentic dishes: Tujia cured meat - cured pig trotters hotpot (small portion 128-158 RMB, suitable for 3-4 people), cured meat stir-fried with fern cake (about 40 RMB/portion).
Hezha: charged per person (5-8 RMB/person), unlimited refills, served with rice.
Kang potatoes: street snack (5 RMB/portion), spiciness adjustable, recommended Zhao’s Kang potatoes (Daughter City branch).
Shefan: Tujia specialty staple food (about 12 RMB/portion), best paired with Enshi Yulu tea.
Recommended budget restaurants: Yuan’s Doupi (Aviation Road branch, average 15-25 RMB/person), Zhangguan Hezha (Express branch, average 30-40 RMB/person).
Mid-range restaurants: Zhao’s Cured Pig Trotters (Xueyuan Road, average 40-60 RMB/person), Tujia Food Stall (Wuyangba, average 50-70 RMB/person).
Near attractions: Enshi Grand Canyon Daughter Village Restaurant (average 70-100 RMB/person, includes performances), Tusi City Song and Dance Banquet (average 80-120 RMB/person).
4. Transportation Guide and Costs
External transport: Flights - Enshi Xujia Ping Airport offers direct flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other cities. Ticket prices vary by season (off-season about 500-800 RMB, peak season 1000-1500 RMB).
Train: Enshi Railway Station has direct trains to Wuhan, Chongqing, etc., second-class seat tickets about 100-200 RMB.
Internal transport: Car rental/shared rides - about 1.5 hours from the city to Enshi Grand Canyon, car rental costs about 200-300 RMB/car (can share with 4 people); about 3 hours to Pingshan Canyon, costs about 400-500 RMB/car.
Bus: Tourist shuttle to Sobuya Stone Forest (about 15 RMB/person), but service is infrequent, so check schedules in advance.
Electric bike rental: Suitable for city sightseeing, rental about 30-50 RMB/day.
5. Suggested Itinerary
3 days 2 nights classic itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Enshi, check into city hotel, try Tujia cured meat hotpot, night tour of Daughter City (free), watch Tujia song and dance performance.
Day 2: Visit Enshi Grand Canyon, explore Qixingzhai and Yunlong Rift, overnight at Xiagu Xuan Hotel, enjoy the canyon starry sky.
Day 3: Morning visit to Sobuya Stone Forest, afternoon return to city, purchase Enshi Yulu tea, Xilankapu brocade, and other specialties.
5 days in-depth itinerary
Days 1-3: Same as the 3-day itinerary, adding Tenglong Cave laser show and hot air balloon experience.
Day 4: Visit Pingshan Canyon, boat through the fairyland, experience glass boat and water swing.
Day 5: Tour Tusi City, learn about Tujia culture, return in the afternoon.
6. Notes
Weather and gear: Enshi is mountainous with large temperature differences between morning and evening; bring windproof jackets; wear non-slip shoes and carry trekking poles for canyon hiking.
Safety tips: Climbing undeveloped areas in the canyon is prohibited; beware of falling rocks during the rainy season; cave floors are slippery, watch your step.
Cultural respect: The Tujia people avoid eating dog meat; do not touch the fire pits inside stilted houses when visiting homes; always ask permission before photographing locals.