Things to do in Shiyan

Wudang Mountain is a place of great beauty. The 80-kilometer winding mountain road from the visitor center to the scenic area is served by shuttle buses – a service that deserves praise, as the drivers are highly skilled. This Taoist holy site boasts a rich cultural heritage and is well worth a visit.

On the first morning of the National Day holiday, there weren't too many people, but there was only one path to the mountaintop, and it got congested shortly after getting off the cable car. You can imagine how bad the congestion would be later. It was raining at the summit, so there was practically nothing to see, and with the traffic jam, I think there could be a sign below the cable car station clearly explaining the situation at the top; that might have reduced the congestion. However, the cafes and shops in the plaza before the cable car station deserve praise; beautiful scenery and delicious coffee made for a great experience.

Standing atop the Danjiangkou Dam, overlooking the vast expanse of water, is truly awe-inspiring! This is the world's longest water diversion project, benefiting the largest population and covering the widest area. Strolling along the dam's viewing platform, the distant blue sky and white clouds reflect beautifully on the water, which shimmers in the sunlight. The dam's magnificent structure blends seamlessly with the surrounding stunning scenery, making every snapshot a cinematic masterpiece, as if each frame tells its own story.

Visit the immersive performance "A Dream of Wudang" during the National Day holiday! The stage design and special effects are stunning, with high-altitude wire work and Tai Chi performances creating a truly immersive atmosphere. The story recounts the history of Wudang's construction. The only downside is the crowds during the holiday; early arrival is recommended.

There are no wild men in Yeren Valley. Yeren Valley is located in Yeren Valley Town, Fang County, Shiyan City, not in the Shennongjia Forest District. The forest district is an administrative concept; Fang County borders the Shennongjia Forest District. In fact, the Shennongjia Forest District was formed by carving out areas from Fang County, Xingshan County, and Badong County. Yeren Valley is located on the northern edge of the Shennongjia Forest District, and it is named after the numerous sightings of wild men (Yeren) throughout history. Leaving aside the legends of wild men, Yeren Valley is actually a typical mountain valley, with similar landscapes found in many parts of my country, both north and south. In Northeast China, the Maolangou Valley in Yichun, Heilongjiang Province, is highly similar, both being valleys in the mountains with a stream flowing down from above, featuring waterfalls, deep pools, and streams along the way. The main differences lie in the flora and fauna of the north and south, and also in the formation of the valleys—northern valleys are mostly formed by water erosion, while southern valleys are mostly formed by karst topography. The middle section of Yeren Valley is a sinkhole formed by the collapse of a huge karst cave. The Yeren Valley tour route is well-designed. After taking a bus to the scenic area exit, you transfer to a sightseeing bus to reach the entrance, which is also the highest point of the scenic area. Following the stream downhill, you return to the parking lot where you arrived. The trail winds for 5 kilometers, almost entirely downhill and level, with only a few steps, so it's not strenuous. The valley is densely vegetated, and the mountains on both sides are high, so it's not sunny on a clear day. Two hours is usually enough for a visit. On the day we visited, it was drizzling, and although the path was slippery and we walked slowly, our group of 30 people all exited the valley in an hour and a half. The main attractions in the scenic area are water features: Dragon Saliva Waterfall, Dragon Beard Waterfall, Chuanzi Waterfall, Wild Valley Cascade, Pot Bottom Pool, and Yeren Lake. Not far past the sinkhole, an underground river flows out from a karst cave, forming a waterfall—a common sight in my country's karst regions, but quite rare to us northerners. There is also a wild spring in the middle of the valley, a naturally flowing mountain spring with sweet, refreshing water, perfect for hydration. The remaining scenic spots rely more on imagination and explanation. Swallow Rock is named after the swallows that nest there. Dragon Gill, the Cliffside Forest, the Sinkhole, the Valley-Suppressing Jade Seal, and various medicinal herbs within the valley all require a guided tour to fully appreciate. Near the exit of the scenic area is a suspension bridge, a good vantage point for viewing Huancai Ridge, but its beauty depends on the season. It's most beautiful in spring when wild cherry blossoms and dove trees are in bloom, and in autumn when the colorful forests appear; the seasons are quite seasonal. To prevent visitors from getting bored, the scenic area has placed signs and sculptures about the legend of the Wild Man in various locations within the canyon. They also set up camping and photo-taking areas in the middle of the canyon and arranged a Wild Man tribe performance, but it was canceled due to rain. If you're planning a trip there, you'll need to add time for the performance to your two-hour itinerary. These are roughly the highlights. The guides and staff at the scenic area were very enthusiastic and friendly. There weren't many tourists; on a light rainy day, we were the only group in the scenic area, making for a very good experience. Visiting the Yeren Cave, which is not far away, together makes a complete one-day tour. However, the scenic area is still a bit far from Shiyan city. Whether or not to visit depends on personal preference.

Wudang Golden Summit is the most worthwhile place to visit in Wudang Mountain. Especially after climbing the steep stairs with trembling legs, listening to the crows' calls, and seeing the small house on the top of the mountain, you will feel emotional. What's more, the Golden Summit is built with oriental aesthetics, very beautiful and noble.

On March 22, we went sightseeing at Daming Peak. Standing at the foot of the mountain, before setting off, we could already see the winding plank road, which was ingenious. The suspended plank road has nine links from north to south, with a total length of 999 meters, like a silver snake winding around, but walking on it is safe. Confucius said: "The benevolent enjoy the mountains." Climbing up the steps, we can quite understand the fun of climbing the heights of the ancients. Standing on the mountain, looking into the distance, surrounded by thousands of mountains, layers of mist, pavilions and towers, and the layers of mountains are magnificent.

The Wulong River Scenic Area is divided into upstream and downstream. The total distance between the upstream and downstream is 10 kilometers. Most tourists enter and exit from the downstream, because the Wulong River Waterfall and the high-altitude glass plank road are concentrated in the downstream. My husband is quite stubborn. He insisted on walking the 10km, so he chose to enter the scenic area from the upstream. It was very cool along the way, walking in the mountain stream. Finally, the tour ended from the downstream. I saw the waterfall and the high-altitude glass plank road, which needs to be charged separately. The waterfall is very spectacular.

玉虚宫，隐匿在武当山脚下的宫殿，真的太震撼了！​玉虚宫保存着永乐年间的“三朝五门”建制。玉宫门的门钉多为横九路、竖九路，九路门钉是皇家宫殿独有的标识，象征着皇权的至高无上。据说武当山总共就12座御碑亭，玉虚宫就有4座。

This long journey is truly worth experiencing. The boat makes a brief stop at the farthest point, offering breathtaking views of the endless expanse of water, making one marvel at the sheer scale of this understated yet impressive water conservancy project.