Shennongjia Scenic Area: An Overview

Details of Shennongjia’s Six Major Scenic Areas:

The Shennongjia Scenic Area encompasses Shennong Peak, Dajiuhu Lake, Tianyan, Shennong Altar, Natural Bridge, and Guanmen Mountain.

Shennong Peak Scenic Area: The Core of Shennongjia

The entrance to the scenic area is located 15 km from Muyu Town; the duration of exploration is 4.5-8 hours, with altitudes ranging from 1800 to 2900 meters.

This area boasts the most breathtaking scenery, the richest biodiversity, and the most important ecological value. Characterized by its “primitive, ecological, magical, and mysterious” attributes, it also features diverse ecological landscapes, including waterfalls, primeval forests, stone forests, karst topography, alpine meadows, arrow bamboo forests, and rhododendron forests.

Dajiuhu Lake Scenic Area

Located 85 km from Muyu Town, the exploration duration is approximately 2.5 hours, with an elevation of 1700 meters.

This area is home to the only well-preserved sub-alpine peat marsh wetland in Central China; a pristine ecological wetland park that is a perfect blend of primeval forests, alpine grasslands, marsh wetlands, military culture, and ancient salt route culture, making it a luminous pearl on the “One River, Two Mountains” of Hubei Province and the Western Hubei Ecological and Cultural Tourism Circle. Its geological wonders, such as typical "sinkholes" and "cirques," resulting from glacial topography, are representative, typical, distinctive, and rare among the country's wetlands.

Tianyan Scenic Area

Located 55 km from Muyu Town, the exploration duration is approximately 2.5 hours, with altitudes ranging from 2200 to 2400 meters.

This area is comprised of the Yanziya Scenic Area, Tianmenya Scenic Area, and Hongping Scenic Area, located in the northwestern part of Shennongjia. It is a pristine ecological tourism zone characterized by the lore of Shennong, the progenitor of Chinese agriculture, the unspoiled mountain culture, and strange trees, flowers, caves, peaks, and the unique customs of its mountain people, offering a glimpse into ancient times, and catering to both the adventurous and the curious.

Shennong Altar Scenic Area

Located 6 km from Muyu Town, the exploration duration is approximately 1.5 hours, with an elevation of 1100 meters.

This area serves as a cultural tourist destination that pays tribute to Shennong's achievements, with an emphasis on tracing ancestry. Among its features, the ancient botanical garden showcases the greatest collection of ancient, rare, and relict plant species of Shennongjia, possessing significant scientific and aesthetic value.

Natural Bridge Scenic Area

Located 10 km from Muyu Town, the exploration duration is approximately 2 hours, with an elevation of 1200 meters.

This area is a recreational, adventurous, and scenic tourist destination, distinguished by its unique caves, bridges, waterfalls, and pools. One will find waterfalls of myriad forms, natural stone bridges crafted by nature’s hand, and precipitous cliff-side paths, all woven together to form a vibrant landscape painting.

Guanmen Mountain Ecological Science Park: A Comprehensive Ecological and Scientific Park

Located 0.5 km from Muyu Town, the exploration duration is approximately 4.5 hours, with an elevation of 1150 meters.

The Guanmen Mountain Scenic Area is situated along the Shicao River, in the southern suburbs of the Muyu Tourist Resort. It is a large-scale ecological science popularization zone, emphasizing the ecological environment, species, scientific research, and cultural displays. Here, one will find abundant species, towering peaks, and tranquil forests, with mountains and water reflecting each other, forming a deep and secluded valley, abundant in geological formations. The pristine natural landscape is enchanting, showcasing the essence of “mountains as the foundation, water as the soul, and the harmonious fusion of mountains and water,” and is home to attractions such as a natural history museum, a wildlife rescue center, and the Zhaojun Waterfront Leisure Area, featuring a conservation garden for rare plants, a traditional Chinese medicine garden, and a sika deer park.