Shennongjia One Day Tour: Exploring Natural Wonders

Shennongjia is a summer resort in Hubei Province, and as a natural barrier in central China, it is an excellent natural ecological tourism area. Many tourists come here to visit and travel. So, the best plan for a one-day trip to Shennongjia is how to enjoy it

Best Travel Time

The best tourist season in Shennongjia Forest Area is from May to October. During this period, the water is abundant, the springs are clear, the Cangshan Mountains begin to turn green, and flowers bloom one after another. The primitive and natural beauty is abundant before our eyes. At this time, the temperature is stable, and the beauty of the four seasons can be captured by climbing high and looking far. It is the best time to escape the heat, seek secluded places, and explore the mysteries

From November to April of the following year is the frost season in the Shennongjia forest area. If you enjoy the winter scenery, you can choose to travel during this time, where the mountains and fields are covered in snow, skiing, and admiring snow sculptures are all enjoyable

One day tour attractions

Dajiu Lake National Wetland Park:

Dajiu Lake Scenic Area is known as the "high mountain basin" and "natural grassland", with beautiful natural scenery, pleasant climate, and breathtaking scenery. There are abundant alpine meadows and wetland ferns in the scenic area. The sky is dark blue, smoke is falling, clouds are gathering, and the blue water is murmuring in the Big Nine Lake. Watching the peaceful mountains on the other side and watching white doves chasing and playing is not a pleasant experience

Shennongding:

Shennongding is located in the southwest of Shennongjia Forest Area, which is the essence scenic spot in Shennongjia Forest Area. Here is the highest peak in Central China, with lush vegetation, gurgling streams, verdant forests, and the opportunity to see rare animals such as golden monkeys

Xiangxiyuan:

Within the Xiangxiyuan scenic area, there are unique peaks competing for beauty, with clouds and mist swirling in the depths of the forest, and strange flowers and grasses blooming in the woods. The mountains and valleys crisscross, and the fragrance of flowers and plants is refreshing, making it a picturesque place with clear valleys and streams. Legend has it that Wang Zhaojun was born in a village at the source of Xiangxi River, and there is also a legend that this is Shennong's medicinal washing pond

Here, rocks are densely scattered, moss and leaves are mixed together, and the clear stream is blocked by the rocks, dividing into clear streams that flow everywhere. The jade pond at the end of the stream is like a natural bathtub, with water flowing like pearls and tilting. The water in the pond is clear to the bottom, sparkling with waves

The unique caves, bridges, waterfalls, and pools in Tianshengqiao Scenic Area are particularly charming. The flying waterfalls are full of charm, the natural stone bridges are superb, the fragrance of Orchid Mountain wafts for thousands of miles, and the stone walls and plank roads are steep and unique, forming a beautiful scenery. The waterfall cascading down from the rocks rushed down through the forest and arrived at Tiansheng Bridge. The river water pounded against the rocks, creating waves of water and rising a misty white mist

Scenic Area Introduction

Shennongding Tourist Area is located in the southwest of Shennongjia Nature Reserve, known as the "Green Treasury", "Plant Gene Bank", "Natural Zoo", "Hundred Herbs Garden", and "Refuge of Endangered Animals and Plants". The natural ecosystem of Nanlin in the area is well preserved, with diverse biological species. As a natural barrier in Central China, it is an excellent natural ecological tourism area

Overview of itinerary

Shennongjia is located in the northwest of Hubei Province and is a place full of mystery. For one-day tourists, departing from Xingshan Station is a good choice. Xingshan Station is relatively close to Shennongjia Scenic Area, and car rental is available within the station, which is convenient and fast

The main modes of transportation are self driving or chartering, which allows for free time management and better access to various tourist attractions. The main attractions for a one-day tour include Dajiu Lake, Shennong Peak, and Shennong Altar

Depart from Xingshan Station in the morning and drive to Dajiuhu Town. Dajiu Lake is a rare high-altitude wetland with a total area of 30000 acres and an altitude of over 1700 meters. Its scenery resembles the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang. Here, tourists can take a bus to the fourth tier transfer point and then take a small train or continue their tour by bus. Mainly looking at lakes 1-6, getting off the car and taking photos, there are scenery everywhere. The small train will also pass through Luyuan, where children can feed their spotted deer. The whole process takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes

II. Preliminary Preparation

(1) Transportation Options

After getting off the high-speed rail at Xingshan Station, chartering a car is an excellent choice for visiting Shennongjia. Firstly, Xingshan Station is relatively close to Shennongjia Scenic Area, with convenient transportation. The total area of Shennongjia Forest District is 3253 square kilometers, with scattered scenic spots and complex road conditions between many attractions, requiring driving for better sightseeing. Chartering allows tourists to freely arrange their time and itinerary, without being limited by public transportation schedules, allowing them to explore every corner of Shennongjia more deeply

(II) Essential Items

1. Comfortable Shoes: During the day trip to Shennongjia, tourists need to walk to visit many scenic spots. Comfortable shoes can alleviate foot fatigue and allow tourists to better enjoy their travels. The terrain of Shennongjia is complex, and some scenic spots may require climbing or walking long distances, so choosing a pair of comfortable, non slip shoes that fit the foot is crucial. It is recommended that tourists choose sports shoes or hiking shoes to ensure safe and comfortable walking
2. Sunscreen and rain gear: The climate in Shennongjia is unpredictable, and sunscreen and rain protection measures are essential. Shennongjia is located in a mountainous area with strong direct sunlight and high ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, it is necessary to carry sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and other sun protection products to protect the skin and eyes from UV damage. At the same time, the weather in Shennongjia is unpredictable and may suddenly rain, so it is also necessary to carry rain gear. You can choose to carry a lightweight umbrella or raincoat for use whenever needed
3. Medications: Carrying some commonly used medications can be a precautionary measure. The mountainous environment of Shennongjia may cause some tourists to experience physical discomfort, such as motion sickness, colds, gastrointestinal discomfort, etc. Therefore, it is recommended that tourists bring some commonly used medicines such as motion sickness medicine, cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, etc. In addition, due to the relatively primitive natural environment of Shennongjia, there may be mosquito bites and other situations, so it is also possible to carry some anti mosquito bite drugs and disinfectants

   
   

   III. Tourist attractions

   (1) Morning itinerary

   1. Guanmen Mountain Scenic Area: integrating geological landscape, folk culture, and ecological leisure, it is an excellent place to understand the natural history of Shennongjia
   2. Dajiu Lake Scenic Area: High mountain wetlands with stunning scenery. You can take a small train or bus to visit, mainly focusing on lakes 1-6 and passing through Luyuan

   
   

   (II) Afternoon itinerary

   1. Shennongding Scenic Area: There are many representative scenic spots where you can enjoy the primitive forests and rare flora and fauna up close, and feel the magical charm of nature

   
   

   4. Food Experience

   Muyu Town in Shennongjia is a paradise for food. It not only has authentic Hubei cuisine, but also local wild fungi and delicious dishes, allowing tourists to taste authentic food while playing

   (I) Hubei Cuisine

   In Muyu Town, tourists can taste authentic Hubei cuisine, such as Hot dry noodles, bean curd jelly served with sauce, etc. Hot dry noodles are one of the most famous snacks in Wuhan, Hubei Province. The noodles are chewy and fragrant with sesame paste, scallions, dried radish and other spices. Bean curd jelly served with sauce has a delicate taste and a strong bean flavor. It tastes delicious with chilli oil, mustard and other spices

   (II) Wild Fungi

   Shennongjia Forest Area has abundant natural resources, among which wild fungi are one of the local specialties. There are various wild mushrooms such as matsutake, chicken fir, and boletus here, which have a delicious taste and rich nutrition. Wild mushrooms can be used to stew soup or stir fry dishes, such as wild mushroom stewed chicken, chicken fir stir fried shredded meat, etc., all of which are delicious dishes

   (III) Specialty Cuisine

   1. Shennongjia cured meat: cured meat is an essential food for Shennongjia people. Fresh pork is cut into strips, marinated with salt for several days, and placed above a fire pit. The meat is smoked dry and flavorful with firewood, orange peel, Artemisia annua, etc. until it turns golden or black. Preserved cured meat can be stored for several years without any changes in taste or insects. When eating, stir fry the cured meat with garlic and chili, or make it into hotpot. Smoked cured meat has a firm texture and a strong smoky flavor, giving it a unique taste
   2. Bamboo Shoots Stir fried Pork: Using fresh local bamboo shoots and specially made pork, it is carefully stir fried. Bamboo shoots are fresh, tender, and delicious, while cured meat is salty and fragrant. When combined, the two have a rich and unique taste
   3. Five Black Chickens: The five black chickens from Shennongjia have the "five black" characteristics of black fur, black skin, black meat, black bones, and black internal organs. The egg shell is green and is a rare rare rare bird in the world. Wuhei chicken is highly nutritious and has a good taste. It can be cooked using various cooking methods such as frying, steaming, stewing, and stir frying to create a series of delicious dishes with local characteristics
   4. Dry fried Shennong small river shrimp: Fresh river shrimp, one by one, fragrant and crispy, leaving a lingering fragrance in the mouth after eating

      
      

      V. Precautions

      (1) Plan your itinerary in advance

      Due to the scattered distribution of Shennongjia Scenic Area with a vast area of 3253 square kilometers, it is particularly important to plan your itinerary in advance. Tourists can learn about the location, opening hours, and characteristics of various attractions through channels such as the internet and travel books before departure, and arrange the order of play according to their interests and time. For example, if time is limited, priority can be given to must visit attractions such as Dajiu Lake, Shennong Peak, and Shennong Altar. At the same time, it is necessary to consider the traffic conditions and the distance between scenic spots, and reserve enough time on the road. Check the weather forecast and prepare suitable clothing and equipment based on the weather conditions. If encountering severe weather, Shennongding Scenic Area may implement temporary traffic control, time limit or prohibition of passage, so understanding this information in advance can avoid unnecessary trouble

      
      

      (II) Pay attention to environmental protection

      As a world natural heritage site, Shennongjia's ecological environment is extremely precious. Tourists should strictly abide by the relevant regulations of the protected area and respect the natural environment during their visit. Do not randomly collect or destroy plants, which may be rare species that will be difficult to recover once destroyed. Do not chase or startle wild animals, and keep their living environment undisturbed. Do not spit or chew gum anywhere in the scenic area, and do not litter, especially near water sources