Laifeng County Travel

Laifeng, Hubei - China's hometown of original ecological hand-waving dance, home to the cliff carvings of Xianfo Temple, integrating Buddhist culture, ancient village customs, and hand-waving art. The 3-day 2-night in-depth tour includes cultural pilgrimage, folk custom experience, and landscape sightseeing.

300+
Years of County Establishment History
1
National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit
1000+
Years of Hand-Waving Dance Inheritance
3
Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage Projects
Xianfo Temple Cliff Carvings in Laifeng
Xianfo Temple Cliff Carvings - The First Buddha South of the Yangtze River
Laifeng Xianfo Temple houses the oldest large-scale cliff stone carvings south of the Yangtze River, an important site for studying ancient Buddhist art

3-Day 2-Night Folk Culture Tour of Laifeng County

Visit the ancient Xianfo Temple, explore Yangmei Ancient Village, dance the Shemi hand-waving dance, cruise the Youshui Three Gorges, and experience the cultural charm of China's hometown of original ecological hand-waving dance

Trip Duration
3 Days 2 Nights
Main Destinations
Xianfo Temple, Yangmei Ancient Village, Shemihu, Youshui Three Gorges
Suitable For
Culture lovers, folk custom explorers, photography enthusiasts, religious pilgrims
Per Capita Budget
¥900-¥1600
01
Buddhist Fairyland
Xianfo Temple · Cliff Carvings · Buddhist Culture
Itinerary Highlights

Visit Xianfo Temple Scenic Area for the whole day. In the morning, pay homage to the cliff carvings to learn about Buddhist art; in the afternoon, visit the temple buildings to experience the religious atmosphere.

Attraction Arrangement
Xianfo Temple
A national key cultural relic protection unit, home to the oldest large-scale cliff stone carvings south of the Yangtze River, first built in the first year of Xankang in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (335 AD).
Cliff Carvings
The core landscape of Xianfo Temple, a group of Buddhist statues chiseled on red sandstone cliffs, including more than 30 statues of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, etc.
Ancient Temple Complex
Temple buildings built in successive dynasties, including the Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Pavilion, Scripture Collection Building, etc., integrating Tujia architectural style with Buddhist architectural characteristics.
Practical Information
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Hotels in Laifeng County Town
  • Homestays near Xianfo Temple
  • Characteristic Tujia Inns
Food Recommendations
  • Laifeng Vine Tea
  • Camellia Soup
  • She Fan (Festival Rice)
  • Fermented Tofu
Travel Tips
  • Maintain quiet and solemnity inside the temple
  • No touching the cliff carvings
  • You can hire a tour guide to explain Buddhist culture
02
Ancient Village Customs
Yangmei Ancient Village · Primitive Villages · Folk Custom Experience
Itinerary Highlights

Explore Yangmei Ancient Village for the whole day. In the morning, visit ancient buildings to learn about the characteristics of Tujia dwellings; in the afternoon, participate in folk activities to experience the original ecological Tujia life.

Attraction Arrangement
Yangmei Ancient Village
A well-preserved primitive Tujia village with towering ancient trees and clusters of ancient buildings, known as the "First Tujia Village in Wuling".
Ancient Village Architecture Complex
A complex of Tujia stilted buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties, including dwellings, ancestral halls, ancient wells, ancient tombs, etc., showing the essence of Tujia architectural art.
Ancient Red Bayberry Forest
The village preserves a group of ancient red bayberry trees hundreds of years old, and you can experience picking fun during the annual red bayberry ripening season.
Practical Information
Folk Custom Experience
  • Tujia Brocade Learning
  • Traditional Farming Experience
  • Red Bayberry Wine Making
  • Ancient Method Oil Pressing Observation
Ticket Information
  • Yangmei Ancient Village: ¥60
  • Folk Custom Experience Package: ¥120
  • Tour Guide Service: ¥80 per group
Cultural Tips
  • Respect the living customs of the villagers
  • Pay attention to fire prevention in ancient buildings
  • You can buy handicrafts made by villagers
03
Hand-Waving Dance & Youshui River
Shemihu · Youshui Three Gorges · Return Trip
Itinerary Highlights

In the morning, learn hand-waving dance in Shemihu to experience Tujia art; in the afternoon, tour Youshui Three Gorges to enjoy the landscape scenery; in the evening, buy Laifeng specialties and end the trip.

Attraction Arrangement
Shemihu
The birthplace of China's original ecological hand-waving dance, the Tujia village with the most complete preservation of hand-waving dance culture, known as the "Hometown of Hand-Waving Dance".
Baishoutang (Hand-Waving Hall)
The inheritance base of Shemihu hand-waving dance, where you can watch original ecological hand-waving dance performances and participate in hand-waving dance learning experiences.
Youshui Three Gorges
The most beautiful section of Youshui River scenery, including Maodong Gorge, Baifu Gorge, and Longzui Gorge, with beautiful mountains and rivers reflecting each other.
Practical Information
Experience Projects
  • Hand-Waving Dance Learning Experience
  • Tujia Costume Wearing
  • Youshui River Cruise
  • Folk Custom Photography Creation
Specialty Recommendations
  • Laifeng Vine Tea
  • Red Bayberry Products
  • Tujia Brocade
  • Handmade Embroidery
  • Wild Mountain Dry Goods
Return Trip Guide
  • About 40 minutes from Laifeng County Town
  • About 1 hour from Qianjiang Airport
  • It is recommended to depart before 3 pm

Must-Try Foods in Laifeng County

Laifeng Vine Tea

A specialty of Laifeng, also known as "Berry Tea" or "Tujia Sacred Tea", with natural white plant frost on the surface, unique taste and health benefits.

Camellia Soup

A characteristic traditional snack of Laifeng, made by frying tea leaves, ginger, garlic and other raw materials and then boiling with water, with rich aroma and refreshing effect.

She Fan (Festival Rice)

A traditional Tujia food in Laifeng, steamed with glutinous rice, indica rice, cured meat, wild vegetables, etc., with a fragrant and unique flavor.

Fermented Tofu

A characteristic fermented soybean product of Laifeng, with white hyphae on the surface, delicate taste and special fragrance, an ideal side dish for rice.

Laifeng County Travel Tips
Best Travel Time
  • March-May: Pleasant spring climate with rich folk activities
  • June-July: Red bayberry ripening season, picking experience available
  • September-November: Clear autumn sky, suitable for sightseeing
  • Lunar January: Strong cultural atmosphere during the Hand-Waving Festival
Must-Experience Projects
  • Pilgrimage to Xianfo Temple Cliff Carvings
  • Folk custom experience in Yangmei Ancient Village
  • Hand-waving dance learning in Shemihu
  • Scenic tour of Youshui Three Gorges
  • Tasting Laifeng vine tea
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: About ¥200-350
  • Accommodation: ¥140-250 per night
  • Catering: ¥70-120 per day
  • Transportation: About ¥120
  • Total: ¥900-1600
Frequently Asked Questions
  • When was Xianfo Temple built? → The first year of Xankang in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (335 AD)
  • When is the hand-waving dance performed? → On holidays and when tourist groups make reservations
  • What are the characteristics of Yangmei Ancient Village? → Well-preserved primitive Tujia village
  • What are the effects of Laifeng vine tea? → Health benefits such as clearing heat, reducing inflammation and lowering blood pressure

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