Xuan'en County Travel

Xuan'en, Hubei — China's Tujia Pan-Museum, the hometown of Pengjiazhai stilted building art, integrating Tujia architecture, tribute tea culture, and landscape scenery. 3-day 2-night in-depth tour including folk custom experience, tea culture, and natural sightseeing.

270+
Years of County Establishment History
1
National-Level Cultural Relic Protection Area
100+
Stilted Buildings from Ming and Qing Dynasties
2000+
Mu of Tribute Tea Plantations
Tujia Stilted Buildings in Pengjiazhai, Xuan'en
Pengjiazhai Tujia Stilted Building Complex - Living Fossil of Architectural Art
The well-preserved Tujia stilted building complex in Pengjiazhai, Xuan'en, is known as "a collection of Tujia architecture and a relic of the Tujia people in Wuling Mountains"

3-Day 2-Night Tujia Pan-Museum Tour in Xuan'en County

Visit the ancient Pengjia Village, explore the majestic Shizi Pass, taste Wu Family Tribute Tea, cruise the blue waves of Gongshui River, and experience the architectural art and tea culture of China's Tujia Pan-Museum

Trip Duration
3 Days 2 Nights
Main Destinations
Pengjiazhai, Shiziguan, Wujiatai, Gongshui River
Suitable for
Architecture Enthusiasts, Cultural Explorers, Tea Culture Lovers, Photography Enthusiasts
Per Capita Budget
¥1000-¥1800
01
Tujia Architecture
Pengjiazhai · Stilted Building Complex · Folk Custom Experience
Itinerary Highlights

Explore the Pengjiazhai Tujia stilted building complex all day. Visit ancient buildings to learn about Tujia architectural art in the morning, and participate in folk activities to experience Tujia life in the afternoon.

Attraction Arrangement
Pengjiazhai
A key national cultural relic protection unit, the well-preserved ancient Tujia stilted building complex is known as "a collection of Tujia architecture and a relic of the Tujia people in Wuling Mountains".
Tujia Stilted Building Museum
It focuses on displaying the architectural techniques and cultural connotations of Tujia stilted buildings, showing the architectural wisdom of the Tujia people through physical objects, models, pictures and other forms.
Baishoutang (Hand-Waving Hall)
The folk activity center of Pengjiazhai, where you can watch Tujia hand-waving dance performances, participate in Tujia wedding custom experiences, and feel the strong Tujia customs.
Practical Information
Accommodation Recommendations
  • Pengjiazhai Homestay
  • Xuan'en County Hotel
  • Featured Stilted Building Inn
Food Recommendations
  • Xuan'en Ham
  • Tujia Youcha Soup
  • Corn Cake
  • Hezha (Soybean Residue Dish)
Travel Tips
  • Respect local folk customs and habits
  • Pay attention to fire prevention inside stilted buildings
  • Folk performances are held at fixed times, please check in advance
02
Landscape Wonders
Shiziguan · Floating Bridge on Water · Canyon Scenery
Itinerary Highlights

Visit Shiziguan Scenic Area all day. Experience the internet-famous floating bridge on water in the morning, hike the canyon plank road in the afternoon, and enjoy the beautiful landscape scenery.

Attraction Arrangement
Shiziguan (Lion Pass)
Famous for its magnificent canyon landform and internet-famous floating bridge on water, the scenic area has green mountains and clear waters with picturesque scenery, which is a highlight of Xuan'en tourism.
Floating Bridge on Water
The iconic scenic spot of Shiziguan, the floating bridge winds on the clear water, walking on it is like floating on the water surface, which is a popular spot for internet-famous check-in and photography creation.
Shizi Cave (Lion Cave)
A natural karst cave landscape with various stalactites in different shapes. According to legend, a lion practiced Taoism here in ancient times, which is full of mysterious colors.
Practical Information
Photography Suggestions
  • Aerial photography of the floating bridge has the best effect
  • The most dreamy when there is mist in the morning
  • It is recommended to bring a wide-angle lens to shoot large scenes
Ticket Information
  • Shiziguan Scenic Area: ¥90
  • Floating Bridge Experience: Included in the ticket
  • Sightseeing Bus: ¥20
Safety Tips
  • Pay attention to safety when walking on the floating bridge
  • May be closed when water level rises in rainy season
  • Comply with the safety regulations of the scenic area
03
Tribute Tea Culture
Wujiatai · Tribute Tea Manor · Return Trip
Itinerary Highlights

Visit Wujiatai Tribute Tea Culture Tourism Area in the morning, experience tea picking and tea making, cruise the Gongshui River scenery in the afternoon, buy Xuan'en specialty products and end the trip.

Attraction Arrangement
Wujiatai
The production area of tribute tea in the Qing Dynasty, famous for high-quality Wujiatai Tribute Tea, with rolling tea plantations and a strong tea culture atmosphere.
Tribute Tea Culture Museum
It displays the history, culture and production technology of Wujiatai Tribute Tea, and you can learn about the whole process of tribute tea from picking to making.
Gongshui River
The mother river of Xuan'en, with clear water and beautiful scenery on both banks. You can take a bamboo raft to cruise and feel the artistic conception of "boating on the blue waves, people swimming in the painting".
Practical Information
Experience Projects
  • Tea garden picking experience
  • Traditional tea making technology learning
  • Tea art performance appreciation
  • Gongshui River bamboo raft drifting
Specialty Recommendations
  • Wujiatai Tribute Tea
  • Xuan'en Ham
  • Tujia Brocade
  • Wild Honey
  • Tea Food
Return Guide
  • About 30 minutes from Xuan'en County seat
  • About 1 hour from Enshi Airport
  • It is recommended to depart before 4 pm in the afternoon

Must-Try Foods in Xuan'en County

Xuan'en Ham

A traditional famous product of Xuan'en, selected from the hind legs of local black pigs, cured and dried by unique craftsmanship, with bright color and rich fragrance.

Wujiatai Tribute Tea

A historic famous tea, which became a tribute in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. The tea soup is clear with elegant aroma, and the taste is fresh and sweet with lasting aftertaste.

Tujia Youcha Soup (Oil Tea Soup)

A special snack in Xuan'en, boiled with tea leaves, ginger, garlic and other raw materials, with a strong aroma and refreshing effect.

Corn Cake (Baogu Baba)

A traditional Tujia food, made with fresh corn pulp, crispy outside and soft inside, sweet and delicious, full of rural flavor.

Xuan'en County Travel Tips
Best Travel Time
  • April-May: Spring tea is on the market, you can experience tea picking and tea making
  • September-October: The weather is clear and cool, suitable for outdoor activities
  • March-April: Rapeseed flowers are in full bloom, with beautiful scenery
  • Suitable all year round, each season has its own characteristics
Must-Experience Projects
  • Appreciation of Pengjiazhai stilted building architecture
  • Check-in at Shiziguan floating bridge on water
  • Picking and tasting Wujiatai Tribute Tea
  • Bamboo raft tour on Gongshui River
  • Tujia folk culture experience
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: About ¥250-400
  • Accommodation: ¥150-280 per night
  • Catering: ¥80-150 per day
  • Transportation: About ¥150
  • Total: ¥1000-1800
Frequently Asked Questions
  • What is the most worth seeing in Pengjiazhai? → Tujia stilted building complex and folk performances
  • Is the Shiziguan floating bridge safe? → Very safe, but there is a load limit
  • When is the best time for Wujiatai Tribute Tea? → Spring tea around Qingming Festival has the best quality
  • Is Xuan'en's transportation convenient? → It is recommended to take a chartered car between scenic spots