Xinhua County Tourism, Loudi City, Hunan Province

Xinhua County, Loudi City, Hunan Province - the birthplace of Meishan culture, integrating terrace wonders, karst cave secrets, and forest ecology. It boasts distinctive attractions such as Ziquejie Terraces, Meishan Dragon Palace, and Daxiong Mountain. Experience the diverse customs of the "Terrace Kingdom + Underground Art Palace + the Highest Peak in Central Hunan" in one day.

3632
square kilometers of regional area
1.1 million+
permanent population
1
World Heritage Irrigation Structure (Ziquejie Terraces)
2
National 4A-level Tourist Attractions
Ziquejie Terraces Scenery in Xinhua County
Ziquejie Terraces - A Wonder of Agricultural Civilization in Xinhua County
Ziquejie Terraces, a World Heritage Irrigation Structure, cover more than 80,000 mu of terraced fields. Famous for its unique gravity irrigation system and magnificent scenery that changes with the seasons, it is hailed as the "Kingdom of Terraces".

One-Day Tour of Terraces and Secrets in Xinhua County

Enjoy terrace scenery, explore karst caves, and breathe fresh forest air

Trip Duration
1 Day
Main Destinations
Ziquejie Terraces, Meishan Dragon Palace, Daxiong Mountain National Forest Park, Youxi River Rafting, Xinhua County Museum
Suitable for
Natural scenery lovers, photography enthusiasts, outdoor sports enthusiasts, cultural experience seekers
Per Capita Budget
¥150-¥320
All Day
Natural Wonders and Meishan Culture Tour
Ziquejie Terraces · Meishan Dragon Palace · Daxiong Mountain · Youxi River
Trip Highlights

Morning: Admire the magnificent scenery of Ziquejie Terraces and visit Yao ethnic villages; Afternoon: Explore the underground karst caves of Meishan Dragon Palace and tour Daxiong Mountain National Forest Park; Evening: Experience Youxi River Rafting and visit Xinhua County Museum.

Attraction Arrangement
Ziquejie Terraces
A World Heritage Irrigation Structure and a national natural and cultural dual heritage site, covering a total area of 120 square kilometers with a core scenic area of more than 80,000 mu of terraced fields. The terraces originated in the pre-Qin period and flourished in the Song and Ming dynasties, with a history of more than 2,000 years. Famous for its unique gravity irrigation system, it does not require any mountain ponds or reservoirs, relying on the comprehensive water storage and conservation system formed by forest vegetation, soil, and field ridges, which can be called a miracle of world irrigation engineering. The scenery varies with the seasons: in spring, the fields are full of water; in summer, the seedlings are green; in autumn, the rice waves are golden; in winter, the snow scenery is picturesque.
Meishan Dragon Palace
A national 4A-level tourist attraction and a large underground karst cave group with a total length of 2,876 meters, including an underground river of 854 meters. The cave is rich in stalactites with various landscapes, including nine major scenic spots such as "Nine Dragons Welcoming Guests", "Heavenly Feast", and "Tianhe Waterfall". The underground river has clear water and can be visited by boat, known as the "most beautiful geological museum in Asia".
Daxiong Mountain National Forest Park
A national forest park covering a total area of 7,623 hectares, with its main peak Jiulong Peak at an altitude of 1,622 meters, the highest peak in central Hunan. The park has a forest coverage rate of up to 93%, known as the "gene bank of southern animals and plants". It has attractions such as Chiyou Cultural Park, Xiongshan Ancient Temple, and Chunji Gorge, making it a tourist resort integrating natural landscapes and Meishan culture.
Youxi River Rafting
A national 3A-level tourist attraction with a rafting river course of 12 kilometers and a drop of more than 100 meters, featuring more than 30 rapids and shoals of varying sizes. The scenery along the way is beautiful with clear water, including thrilling rapids and shoals as well as calm deep pools, making it an ideal choice for summer cooling and experiencing water sports.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • There are tourist shuttle buses from Xinhua County to major scenic spots
  • The distance between attractions is relatively far, it is recommended to travel by chartered car or self-driving
  • There are sightseeing buses in Ziquejie Terraces
  • The roads in the scenic area have many curves and steep slopes, please pay attention to driving safety
Ticket Information
  • Ziquejie Terraces: ¥68 per person (including sightseeing bus)
  • Meishan Dragon Palace: ¥98 per person (including cruise ship)
  • Daxiong Mountain National Forest Park: ¥80 per person
  • Youxi River Rafting: ¥168 per person
  • Xinhua County Museum: Free (registration required)
Food Recommendations
  • Xinhua Sanhetang (Triple Combination Soup)
  • Cup Cakes (Beizi Gao)
  • Shenzi Baba (Coarse Cereal Cake)
  • Bacon Fried Fern
  • Xinhua Black Tea

Must-Try Foods in Xinhua County

Xinhua Sanhetang (Triple Combination Soup)

A famous specialty dish of Xinhua, made with fresh beef, beef blood, and beef tripe as the main ingredients, cooked with more than 20 kinds of seasonings such as mountain pepper oil. It has a delicious taste, spicy and appetizing, with the effects of dispelling cold and dampness, invigorating the spleen and appetizing, and is a representative dish of the Meishan area.

Cup Cakes (Beizi Gao)

A traditional snack of Xinhua, mainly made of glutinous rice flour and named for its cup-like shape. It has various flavors such as white sugar and brown sugar, with a soft and sweet taste. It is a popular breakfast and snack among local residents, with a unique local flavor.

Xinhua Black Tea

A specialty of Xinhua and a national geographical indication product, produced in high-altitude mountainous areas such as Daxiong Mountain. The tea leaves are tight and knotty with a glossy black color, the soup is bright red, the taste is mellow and sweet, with a unique floral and fruity aroma, making it an excellent representative of Hunan black tea.

Xinhua County Travel Tips
Best Travel Time
  • April-May: Terrace irrigation period, the mirror effect is the best with picturesque reflections
  • September-October: The terraces are golden with rice, rich in color, showing a harvest scene
  • June-August: The karst caves are cool and pleasant, and rafting projects are open
  • Avoid the rainy season to prevent affecting outdoor photography and sightseeing
Must-Experience Activities
  • Shoot sunrise and sea of clouds at the viewing platform of Ziquejie Terraces
  • Take a boat tour to explore the underground river wonders of Meishan Dragon Palace
  • Climb to the highest peak in central Hunan at Daxiong Mountain
  • Experience thrilling rafting on Youxi River
  • Taste authentic Xinhua Sanhetang and Cup Cakes
Budget Reference
  • Tickets and transportation: ¥120-220 (including attraction tickets and transportation fees)
  • Catering: ¥60-120 per day
  • Shopping: ¥50-100 (specialties such as Xinhua Black Tea)
  • Total: ¥150-320
Frequently Asked Questions
  • When is the best time to visit Ziquejie Terraces? → The irrigation period (April-May) and harvest period (September-October) are the most beautiful
  • How long does it take to visit Meishan Dragon Palace? → It is recommended to arrange 2-3 hours
  • What is the difficulty level of climbing Daxiong Mountain? → There are routes of different difficulty levels, which can be selected according to physical strength
  • What is the accommodation condition in Xinhua County? → There are hotels in the county seat, and characteristic homestays and farmhouses in the scenic area

Explore Tourism in Districts and Counties of Loudi City