Xianfeng County Two-Day One-Night Travel Guide

The two-day one-night itinerary in Xianfeng allows you to experience three completely different landscapes at once: a World Cultural Heritage site, a primeval forest, and a magical karst cave. This route has three major highlights: cultural depth (visiting the World Heritage Tangya Tusi City), natural wonders (breathing fresh air in Pingbaying Primeval Forest and experiencing the underground drifting), and unique accommodation (the chance to stay in a special treehouse hotel in the forest). Itinerary Overview Day 1: Arrive in Xianfeng -> Morning visit to Tangya Tusi City Site -> Afternoon travel to and tour Pingbaying National Forest Park -> Overnight stay at Pingbaying forest homestay. Day 2: Morning hike at Sidong Gorge in Pingbaying -> After lunch, head to Tangya River · Golden Cave Scenic Area -> Experience underground drifting -> End the trip and return in the evening. Day 1: Explore the World Heritage, Stay in the Forest · Morning/Noon: Arrive in Xianfeng · Xianfeng is accessible by high-speed rail. If you arrive at Xianfeng Station late (around 9 PM), you can take note of the newly opened night bus line (departing around 8:50 PM), which connects to the urban area economically and conveniently. · Morning/Afternoon: World Cultural Heritage – Tangya Tusi City Site · This is the cultural core of the trip, a well-preserved Tusi cultural site known as the "Little Forbidden City in the Deep Mountains." · Activities include: wearing Tusi costumes for photos, tasting Tusi tea, and visiting key spots like the "Jingnan Xiongzhen" archway and the government office ruins. Allocate 2-3 hours for the visit. · Afternoon: Head to Pingbaying National Forest Park · Drive about 1.5 hours from Tangya Tusi City to Pingbaying, a 200,000-mu (about 13,333 acres) primeval forest with an average summer temperature of only 19°C, a natural oxygen bar. · Afternoon plan: Upon arrival, take Asia’s largest V-shaped Jigongshan cableway to overlook the vast forest from above. If time permits, stroll along the forest trails. · Evening: Stay in the forest and enjoy tranquility · Strongly recommend staying inside or near the Pingbaying scenic area. Unique accommodations include “treehouse hotels” and forest courtyard hotels, with windows opening directly to the forest. · Dinner: Enjoy a Tujia ethnic long table feast. If there is a scenic area event, you might also join a bonfire and dance the Tujia Baishou dance at night. Day 2: Canyon Trekking and Underground Drifting · Morning: Hike Sidong Gorge · After breakfast at the hotel, head to the core attraction of Pingbaying, Sidong Gorge. · This rare geological wonder consists of four interconnected gorges with caves. Walk along the plank road to experience the natural scenery of streams, caves, and sunlight. The full tour takes about 2 hours. · Noon: Lunch and transfer · Have lunch in Pingbaying town or nearby the scenic area. · After lunch, drive about 1.5-2 hours to Tangya River · Golden Cave Scenic Area. · Afternoon: Golden Cave Underground Drifting (trip highlight) · Golden Cave itself is a huge karst cave, known as the “Seven-Story Cave Mansion.” · The main experience is the “China’s No.1 Underground Drift”: first take a boat to travel about 2 kilometers through the underground river inside the cave, then exit the cave and continue with about 4 kilometers of exciting rapids rafting on Tangya River, enjoying the dual fun of “underground and aboveground.” · Important reminder: The drifting is an outdoor water activity, heavily affected by season and weather. Be sure to confirm the opening status on the day via the scenic area’s phone or official channels before traveling. · Evening: End of the trip · After drifting, you can freshen up at the scenic area. Then, according to your transportation plan, head to Xianfeng Station or Enshi City to conclude the rich two-day journey. Accommodation and Transportation Suggestions · Accommodation options · Preferred (unique experience): Treehouse hotels, forest courtyard hotels, or boutique homestays inside Pingbaying scenic area. Advance booking is necessary, especially in peak season. · Alternative (convenient for transfers): Hotels in Xianfeng County or Tangya Town, with more options and relatively affordable prices, suitable for self-driving travelers who do not require forest overnight stays. · Transportation · Distances between Xianfeng attractions are long, and public transport is inconvenient. Self-driving is the most recommended for flexible timing. · For non-drivers, consider chartering a car or joining a reliable two-day tour group locally in Enshi/Xianfeng. Practical Travel Tips · Best season: Summer (June to August) is the best time to visit, with cool temperatures in Pingbaying and ideal drifting conditions. However, it is also the rainy season, so watch the weather. · Specialty foods: Besides the Tusi feast and long table feast, try local specialties like Xianfeng selenium-rich white tea, farmhouse cured meat, and Hezha (a local dish). · Clothing preparation: Mountain weather is changeable; even in summer, bring a light jacket. Prepare non-slip, comfortable hiking shoes. If planning to drift, bring change of clothes and waterproof bags. · Time allowance: Travel times between attractions are long, so allow enough time for transportation to avoid a rushed itinerary. We hope this detailed guide helps you plan an unforgettable trip to Xianfeng.