Shiyan十堰

Overview

Shiyan, located in northwestern Hubei Province, is home to world-renowned Wudang Mountain and China's famous 'Dongfeng Motor City'. Surrounded by mountains, the Wudang Mountain ancient building complex is listed as a World Cultural Heritage site, the birthplace of Taoism culture and Wudang martial arts. As the core water source area of the South-to-North Water Transfer Middle Route Project, Danjiangkou Reservoir has vast blue waves, known as 'China's Water Capital'. Shiyan integrates spiritual mountains and rivers, profound culture, and modern industry, making it an ideal destination to experience Taoism culture, martial arts spirit, and motor industry charm.

Key Facts

Top Attractions

Wudang Mountain

World Cultural Heritage, China's Taoism holy land, birthplace of Wudang martial arts. Altitude 1612 meters, scenic area 312 square kilometers. Existing ancient buildings 53 places, construction area 27,000 square meters, whole mountain preserves various cultural relics 5035 pieces. Main attractions include Golden Summit, Zixiao Palace, Nanyan Palace, Prince Slope, Xiaoyao Valley, etc. Wudang Mountain building complex built according to mountain terrain, clever layout, reflects ancient Chinese philosophical idea of 'harmony between heaven and man'. Wudang International Tourism Festival and Wudang Martial Arts Conference held annually.

Danjiangkou Reservoir

Located in Danjiangkou City, Shiyan, it's the largest artificial freshwater lake in Asia, water area 1022 square kilometers, known as 'Asian Heavenly Pool'. As core water source of South-to-North Water Transfer Middle Route Project, reservoir water quality maintained above Class II all year round, can be directly drunk. Reservoir area has beautiful scenery, islands scattered like stars, excellent place for fishing, boating, bird watching. Surrounding areas have Danjiangkou Dam, Junzhou Ancient City and other attractions.

Shiyan Dongfeng Motor Industrial Tourism Area

Professional tourism area showcasing development history of China's automobile industry. Visitors can visit Dongfeng Motor Museum, understand development history of China's automobile industry from nothing to something, from weak to strong. Can enter some production lines to visit automobile manufacturing process, experience automobile driving simulator, buy souvenirs like automobile models. Model for industrial tourism, suitable for automobile enthusiasts and family trips.

Taiji Lake

Located at the foot of Wudang Mountain, named because lake surface shape resembles Taiji diagram. Water area 50 square kilometers, lake water clear to bottom, surrounded by mountains on all sides. Can take cruise ship to tour lake area, enjoy beautiful scenery of Wudang Mountain reflected in lake. Lakeside has Taiji Ancient Town, can experience Taoism culture, taste vegetarian diet, learn Taiji boxing. At dusk, sunset reflects on lake surface, shining golden, extremely beautiful.

Wulong River Scenic Area

Located in Yunxi County, Shiyan, is National AAAA Tourist Attraction. Scenic area has deep canyon, waterfalls flying down, strange stones standing in forest, primeval forest blocking out sky. Main attractions include Dragon Pool Flying Waterfall, Fairy Bath Pool, Stone Forest Wonder, etc. Canyon total length 3.5 kilometers, hiking tour takes about 3 hours. Summer is cool and pleasant, natural oxygen bar for avoiding summer heat. Autumn has red leaves covering mountains, paradise for photography enthusiasts.

Food & Snacks

Wudang Taoist Vegetarian Diet

Wudang Mountain Taoist vegetarian diet has long history, emphasizes clear, light, nourishing, cultivating. Dishes mainly use bean products and mushrooms, appearance imitates meat, delicious taste, rich nutrition. Recommend trying characteristic dishes like 'vegetarian ham', 'vegetarian chicken', 'Taoist tofu'. Can taste at vegetarian diet restaurants in places like Zixiao Palace and Crow Ridge.

Danjiangkou Topmouth Culter

Special fish from Danjiangkou Reservoir, tender meat, delicious taste, no earthy smell. Can be braised, steamed, made into soup, multiple cooking methods. Because reservoir water quality is excellent, fish quality is extremely good, must-taste food when coming to Shiyan.

Shiyan Three Combination Soup

Shiyan traditional famous snack, with hundreds of years of history. 'Three Combination' refers to sweet potato vermicelli, beef, hawthorn three flavors combined, soup color red and bright, sour and spicy delicious, nostalgic taste for Shiyan people. Winter consumption can drive cold and warm stomach, summer consumption can appetize and relieve heat.

Fangxian Yellow Wine

Fangxian specialty, with thousand years of brewing history. Yellow wine has golden color, mellow taste, moderate sweetness, low alcohol content (about 8-12 degrees). Can be drunk alone, also can be used as cooking wine. Legend has it that when Tang Dynasty Prince Li Xian was demoted to Fangzhou, he liked drinking this wine the most.

Festivals & Events

World & Intangible Heritage

• Ancient Building Complex in Wudang Mountain (1994年) —
• Wudang Martial Arts —
• Wudang Mountain Taoist Music —

Practical Tips