2026 Chenxi Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in February)

Chenxi 3-Day 2-Night Travel Guide ✨ Unlock the Hidden Gems of Western Hunan for 700 RMB Per Person Key Information: A 3-day, 2-night trip to Chenxi, costing only 700 RMB per person. Explore caves, climb mountains, stroll through ancient towns, savor Hunan cuisine, and discover the hidden gem of rice paddy fish farm on the banks of the Yuan River 🍃. The entire trip includes affordable activities and a one-stop solution for food, accommodation, and transportation. Chenxi is nestled between the Wuling and Xuefeng Mountains in Huaihua, a low-key, hidden gem in Western Hunan. It boasts magnificent caves, vast forests, and streets brimming with Hunan snacks. For just 700 RMB per person, you can deeply explore the area and escape the crowds to enjoy the beauty of the mountains and rivers. Day 1: Cave Exploration → Ancient Town Discovery 🐿️ Head straight to Swallow Cave in the morning. As a national water conservancy scenic area, the cave features nine layers of stalactites resembling golden lotus pillars, with clear streams flowing gently. The interplay of light and shadow is breathtaking. The entrance fee is only 20 RMB, and 2.5 hours is sufficient for a visit. In the afternoon, stroll through Chenyang Ancient Town. The Kuixing Pavilion, the ancient wharf, and the Jingyan Pagoda exude the charm of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The stone-paved alleys are full of life, and you can easily take photos in the ancient style without any worries. In the evening, return to Chenxi County and stay in an affordable guesthouse (50 yuan per person per night). For dinner, enjoy an authentic rice paddy fish hot pot. The fresh fish paired with Xiangxi chopped peppers costs only 30 yuan per person and you'll be stuffed. Along the way, try Chenxi pickled radishes and rice tofu – a street food treat for just 5 yuan. Day 2: Climb Dayou Mountain → Enjoy the Waterfall and Spring Waterfall ⛰️ Get up early and share a ride to Dayou Mountain (20 yuan per person per ride). The main peak is 1378 meters high. Hike through the forest to see the sea of ​​clouds. The lush green forest is completely free; just bring a bottle of water and some snacks to enjoy the scenery. The view from the summit overlooking the Yuan River is breathtaking. In the afternoon, we moved on to Xianren Valley Waterfall, where cascading waterfalls plunge into clear pools. Playing in the cool water by the stream was incredibly relaxing, and it was free to take photos in the forest setting 💦. We stayed overnight at a farmhouse at the foot of the mountain (60 yuan per person per night). Dinner consisted of local wild vegetables and Hunan-style cured meats, costing about 25 yuan per person for a taste of authentic local flavor. After dinner, we took a walk in the mountain breeze, enjoying the tranquility of the countryside. Day 3: Exploring Longmen Creek → Souvenir Shopping 🌊 In the morning, we explored Longmen Creek, visiting ancient stone bridges and mysterious caves. We also visited the giant salamander ecological base to see these rare and adorable creatures; the entrance fee was only 15 yuan, and two hours was just right. For lunch, we enjoyed stir-fried river delicacies at a farmhouse restaurant by the creek, costing about 30 yuan per person. Before heading back in the afternoon, we bought Chenxi pickled radishes and handmade glutinous rice cakes as souvenirs at the county market 🥨, averaging 10-20 yuan per serving – excellent value! Precise cost calculation (per person): Carpooling/public transport within the county 100 yuan + entrance fee 45 yuan + accommodation 110 yuan + food 245 yuan + souvenirs 100 yuan = 700 yuan. No extra expenses throughout the trip. This affordable itinerary is perfect for students and budget travelers. Chenxi's less-traveled mountains and rivers, authentic Hunan cuisine, and undisturbed local atmosphere reveal the most genuine beauty of western Hunan. There are no crowds at popular tourist spots, only a leisurely travel pace. Aren't Chenxi's karst cave wonders and rice paddy fish hotpot appealing? Which attraction here would you most like to visit? Share your travel expectations in the comments!

Only when you drive up the hairpin turns of Bamianshan do you truly understand the power of the "Ridge of Western Hunan" — 1.5 hours of winding mountain roads that make you dizzy, but once you reach the 1400-meter plateau, you are instantly stunned by the "sky prairie" before your eyes: green grass stretching to the horizon, cattle and sheep scattered all over the hills. Shen Congwen’s description of a "different country" really wasn’t an exaggeration. Choosing the right mountain top guesthouse is key! Open the window to see the sea of clouds rolling by, awakened by the light at 5 a.m., the mist flows swiftly beneath your feet. No wonder this place is called the "oasis suspended in the air." Change into your sneakers and head to Swallow Cave, where four cave entrances are hidden in the greenery on the cliff. Inside the cave are kilns where bandits once made gunpowder. Touching the hand-carved characters feels like flipping through the script of the old movie "The Battle of Wulong Mountain." All the food is wild mountain flavor! The farmhouse restaurant’s stir-fried cured meat with bracken is so fragrant you’ll lick the plate clean. The smoky cured meat’s aroma hits your nose, and the bracken is so crispy it makes a sound when you bite. In the evening, enjoy barbecue skewers at the "Cloud Sea Beach." The owner says this flat meadow is actually a remnant of a glacier. Looking up, the Milky Way slowly spreads out, and the guide points to Scorpio while explaining the constellations. The wind carries the sweet aroma of roasted corn. On the second day, follow a Tujia brother along the ancient salt road, where horse caravan hoofprints remain on the stone steps. The natural bridge is amazing; beneath the stone arch is a deep pool, and looking up you can see a "pin"-shaped skylight. Sunlight pours down like scattered gold. Before descending, buy a jar of wild honey. The owner says it’s brewed from the "Fountain of Youth" water, so thick it can stretch into threads. A few practical tips: drive slowly and find wide spots to pass other cars; the ultraviolet rays at the summit are strong, so sunglasses and hats are a must; even in summer, bring a light jacket—eating hot pot in the mountain breeze at night feels cold without one. When leaving, look back and the mist is already creeping over the mountain peak again. There are no crowded tourists here, only the sound of wind passing through the meadow and the flickering campfire under the starry sky — this is the true "escape from the city."

Xikou Village in Huaihua is a hidden treasure nestled by the Yuan River. When the morning mist gently caresses the river, the entire village resembles an ink painting. Spanning 3,000 acres, lush forests and clear waters coexist, with the shimmering reservoir and ancient buildings’ flying eaves complementing each other. The Eastern Han Dynasty Fubo Temple and Tang Dynasty Wanfu Temple carry the charm of a thousand years of history. Strolling here, you can listen to Yang opera singing and savor the unique aroma of the intangible cultural heritage dish, Huokang fish. Come to Xikou Village to experience this tranquility and rustic charm, and appreciate the gentle allure of a millennium of time!

Chengbu Nanshan Pasture - Transportation: Drive from Changsha, take the Jingzhu Expressway to Xiangtan, transfer to the Tanshao Expressway, then to the Shaohuai Expressway, exit at Longhui County, and take Provincial Road 219. The whole trip takes about 6 hours. You can also take a direct bus from Changsha South Bus Station to Nanshan Pasture, with one departure daily at 10:00 AM. - Admission: 70 RMB per person, open year-round from 07:00 to 18:00. - Must-Do Activities: Horseback riding and grass sliding on the Nanshan grassland; visit Gaoshan Hongshao to experience historical changes; tour Maoping Lake to enjoy the beauty of the grassland and high gorge lake; climb Ziyang Peak for a panoramic view of the 80-li Nanshan grassland. - Food: Yogurt with wild berry jam, stone slab zanba, jueba black-bone chicken soup, cured beef, and more. - Accommodation: In summer, you can choose Mongolian yurts; in winter, homestays with floor heating are recommended; you can also experience the pasture night watchman’s cabin. Yanling Shennong Valley - Transportation: Drive from Changsha via Changsha Ring Expressway, Hukun Expressway, Wushen Expressway, etc. Alternatively, take a train or bus to Yanling County, then take a bus from Xiaoxiyuan Station in Yanling County to Shennong Valley, departing daily at 15:30. - Must-Do Activities: Check in at Zhulián Waterfall, play on the water platform, and if lucky, see a rainbow under the waterfall; try stand-up paddleboarding; hike along Jinghua Creek to enjoy the “forest breath”; participate in Hakka mountain song duets every weekend at 11:00 AM. - Food: Taste local delicacies at Jingmi Chinese and Western Restaurant in Shennong Valley Haolivilla International Hotel or Tingyu Restaurant at Zhulián Mountain Villa. - Accommodation: Shennong Valley Haolivilla International Hotel offers complete facilities; Zhulián Mountain Villa has a swimming pool and other amenities; you can also choose homestays like Deep Breath Inn. Bamian Mountain - Transportation: Drive directly to "Longshan County Bamian Mountain Scenic Area." Refuel when passing through Liye Ancient Town. Alternatively, take a bus to the Liye Ancient City Ruins Square, then transfer to a direct bus to Bamian Mountain. - Admission: Free. - Must-Do Activities: Enjoy the scenery along the self-driving loop road; watch the sunrise and sea of clouds from the Zisheng Bridge viewing platform; explore Swallow Cave; climb Cup Rock; horseback ride and run wild on the 50,000-mu aerial grassland. - Food: Must-try Bamian Mountain roast whole lamb (advance reservation required), and local Xiangxi snacks like rice tofu, fried glutinous rice cakes, and stinky tofu. - Accommodation: Options include Yunshang Cottage, Xingyun Residence, RV Tribe, Tingtao Residence, or camping on the mountain top. Liuyang Dawei Mountain - Transportation: From Changsha, take the Changliu Expressway north, then transfer to Dawei Mountain Tourist Road. Driving takes about 1.5 hours. - Admission: Specific ticket prices not mentioned; some attractions like Jinshoutang Scenic Area are free. - Must-Do Activities: Enjoy alpine meadows and waterfall springs at Limuqiao Scenic Area; experience Dawei Mountain canyon rafting and high-altitude colorful glass rafting; play at Dawei Mountain Valley Park’s popular water play and aerial magic net; visit Honglian Temple Scenic Area; climb Qixingling Scenic Area to see the sea of azaleas. - Food: Local specialties are available but not detailed. - Accommodation: Homestays in Dawei Mountain Town such as Moye Banshandu Yinzhu Li Homestay and Moye Xiahe Wanwan Homestay are options.

Pushi Ancient Town was once the first of the four ancient towns in western Hunan and an important border town at the junction of Jilin and Huaihai. With the changes of the times and the construction of road networks, the ancient town gradually declined. Today, the ancient town has a visitor center and a complete parking lot, but the basic conditions are relatively weak and there are not many well-preserved ancient buildings. Except for a few attractions that require tickets, the rest are free to visit. However, the ancient town is more like a commercial street in a township than a scenic spot, and it has a strong atmosphere of life.

If you come to Pushi Ancient Town, you must go to Pushi Zui Inn. Even if you don't stay overnight, you should have a meal here to try the fresh river fish and homemade Tujia bacon. The spacious and bright restaurant 🍴 can be used for banquets, the outdoor lawn can be used for wedding celebrations 🎎, and the homemade dragon boat can be used for long table banquets. It's really unique! The poem "Pu Shi Zui" in front of the main gate is a street distribution map of the ancient town of Pushi.

➰Route: Take the high-speed train to Yiwu Station / Transfer to a bus to Lingyun Subway Station / Take the subway to Mingqing Palace and then take a taxi to your desired destination. Hengdian Film and Television City is composed of several scenic spots, which are not far from each other. ➰Hengdian travel recommendations: During the day, visit the Qin Emperor Palace, Along the River During the Qingming Festival, Mingqing Palace, and at night, enjoy the night view at Dream Bund. ➰Gourmet: Wansheng Street

📍Detailed address: Yanzi Cave in Shanqin Bay, Wanning. It is recommended to drive there. 📝Attention tips: There is a dedicated parking lot for self-driving. There are handwritten signs. After getting off the car, purchase a shuttle bus ticket for 30 yuan/person round trip. Get on the shuttle bus and go directly to the scenic area. 🌟Highlight features: 1. After getting off the car, you need to walk through a sandy beach covered with reefs. If your child loves to catch sea creatures, there are many soldier crabs on the rock walls here, which will make them very happy. 2. Yanzi Cave is great for taking portraits. Many beautiful ladies are there posing for photos. 3. The sea is very blue. The scenic area is basically in its original state. 5.1 holiday season is not crowded either. 📝Attention tips: 1. Foot soaking in fresh water available, 1 yuan per time. 2. The sand is so hot...everyone please wear appropriate shoes.