Things to do in Xupu

XUEFENG MOUNTAIN CABLEWAY

Xuefeng Mountain - Hunan's "home mountain" Xuefeng mountain is the father mountain of Hunan, Hunan's "home mountain", the core of Huxiang culture, and the heroic mountain of the world, where the decisive battle of Xuefeng took place. Stretching across the central-western part of Hunan province, the Xuefeng mountain range spans four cities - Huaihua, Shaoyang, Loudi and Yiyang - extending for hundreds of miles and connecting 16 counties and districts including Xupu county, Hongjiang city, Longhui county, Dongkou county, Suining county, Anhua county and Xinhua county. As Hunan's giant mountain range, it serves as an important ecological barrier and geographical landmark for Hunan's "western gateway". With its verdant peaks and rolling sea of clouds, the magnificent natural views make it a treasure where nature and culture intertwine. Xuefeng mountain cableway The Hunan Xuefeng mountain cableway project has a total investment of 418 million CNY and officially commenced trial operations in September 2025. The route spans 7,600 m with a vertical elevation difference of 1,158.5 m, designed for a capacity of 1,200 travelers/hr and a one-way travel time of 23 min. Utilizing mid-station drive technology, the cableway ensures safer, smoother operation and provides travelers with comfortable high-altitude sightseeing experiences. The Xuefeng mountain cableway features three stations: Shejiang station, Jiuge station, and Tianwen station. The Shejiang station achieves seamless three-dimensional connection with Xupu south station on the Shanghai-Kunming high-speed rail, making it the only cableway project directly linked to a high-speed rail hub (Xupu south station). The Tianwen station provides direct transportation access to both the Xupu Shanbei Huayao rice terraces attraction and the Longhui Tiger-shaped mountain Huayao scenic area. This "sky road across mountains and rivers" constructed by the Xuefeng mountain cableway serves as a cross-regional tourism route, transportation line, livelihood project, and happiness corridor, seamlessly weaving the cultural tourism landscapes of Huaihua and Shaoyang into one magnificent panoramic scroll. The cableway connects Xupu's key tourism resources including Chuanyan mountain, the ancient resistance war village Yangquepo, Shanbei Huayao rice terraces and Xuefeng mountain Huayao Tiger-shaped mountain. Travelers can conveniently traverse sea of clouds, enjoy aerial views of terraced canyons, and immerse in Xuefeng mountain's year-round attractions: spring azaleas, summer coolness, fall's colorful forests and golden fields, and winter snow activities. High-speed rail travel guideGet off at Xupu south station – take the free Xuefeng mountain shuttle bus – Xuefeng mountain cableway Shejiang station – Xuefeng mountain cableway Jiuge station – Xuefeng mountain Tianwen station. Take the scenic shuttle bus to visit: Shanbei Huayao rice terraces attraction, the ancient resistance war village Yangquepo, and Xuefeng mountain Huayao Tiger-shaped mountain. Private car route:Navigate to the Jiangshe station of Xuefeng mountain cableway, where you can park for free and take the cableway directly to the Jiuge station of Xuefeng mountain - the Tianwen station of Xuefeng mountain.

Shanbei Huayao Terraced Fields Scenic Area

Xupu Fengxiang Yaozhai

Xupu Fengxiang Yaozhai is located in Xupu County, Huaihua City. As the name suggests, the village is full of maple trees. Every autumn, the scenery is breathtaking. The stockade is filled with wooden houses, which are connected to each other by fences. Most of the people who come here are to take a dip in the infinity mountain top swimming pool. This is an infinity pool built into the mountains and on the cliffs. Here you are bathed in sunshine and the breeze is blowing, letting the sky, mountains and clear water give you a pure experience from nature and enjoy a different water park. In addition to the swimming pool, the stockade also has a variety of cultural and sports squares, farming culture museums, tourist leisure fishing areas, children's playgrounds, etc. There are all kinds of play items. In addition to the red and green maple forest and bamboo garden in front of the stockade, the back of the stockade is continuous. Pine Forest Tea Garden is a leisure and entertainment resort and a summer vacation paradise. When night falls, the lanterns in the stockade are lit, the bonfires are lit, and the Huayao girls in full costumes will dance and sing folk songs, which is very lively. If you have enough time during the tour, you may wish to stay here for one night, experience the unique stilted building, and feel the different folk customs and special food.

Simeng Bishui Danxia Scenic Area

Chuanyan Mountain National Forest Park

The Chuanyan Mountain National Forest Park is located in Xupu County in Hunan Province and is characterized by rows and rows of undulating hills and mountains. The area includes such scenic attractions as Chuanyan Mountain, Puyan Chong, Yanhejie, Fengxiangping, Guanyin Cave, Jiulongtan, Maolitun and Shizhen Garden. The park features an abundance of tourism resources, including ancient villages, terraces and mountain peaks. Visitors can take part in sightseeing, recreational activities and a variety of outdoor sports.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park

Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park is named after the natural wonder "Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park - Tianmen Cave." When visiting the attraction, you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of the winding Heaven-Linking Avenue and the stunning mountain scenery from the cable car. The brave can also walk along the cliff-hugging glass skywalk for an exhilarating aerial experience. Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park is located close to Zhangjiajie city. The Tianmen Cave in the park is a natural karst cave, and locals believe it leads directly to heaven. For ordinary travelers, Tianmen Cave is not open year-round. During winter each year, due to snow and icy roads, both Tianmen Cave and the Avenue toward Heaven (a winding mountain road with 99 turns) leading to it are closed. The lower station of the attraction's cableway is located in Guanliping, Yongding District, and the upper station isTianmen MountainTop. In 2020, the attraction opened the express cableway. The lower station of the express cableway is near the entrance to Tianmen Mountain, and the upper station is atTianmen CaveNear the parking lot. Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park is filled with ancient towering trees and intertwined vines. The attraction is divided into several main areas, including Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park - Tianmen Cave, central route, eastern route and western route. Travelers can choose different routes and areas to explore based on their preferences and physical condition. The core attraction along the central route is Tianmen Mountain Temple. Nearby lies the "Child-seeking cave," where folk legends claim Guanyin, the child-giving bodhisattva, manifested her divine power—devout prayers here are believed to grant offspring. The western route's highlight is a 60 m-long glass walkway clinging to sheer cliffs, with fully transparent flooring that induces both vertigo and exhilaration as visitors tread above abysses. Currently, the eastern route and Panlong Cliff each feature their own approx. 60 m glass walkways. No stay is allowed in the attraction, so it can only be visited within one day. There is a "Cherry Bay Restaurant" near Tianmen Mountain Temple, which offers snacks and fast food. Near the lower station of Tianmen Mountain cableway, there is transportation to the "Grand Canyon Theater", where you can watch the live show and magical musical "Tianmen Fox Fairy". Adapted from the mythological tale "Liu Hai cuts firewood", it tells a touching love story between a human and a fox. With live music, lighting effects, and captivating scenes like a giant moon, fox spirit transformations, snowflakes filling the sky, and high-altitude flying bridges, this legendary romance is vividly brought to life.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is where Zhangjiajie tourism starts. "The world knows Zhangjiajie, but who knows Wulingyuan?" Many travelers cannot distinguish the relationship between Zhangjiajie and Wulingyuan. Generally, Zhangjiajie has two concepts: Zhangjiajie City and Zhangjiajie Scenic Area. Zhangjiajie Scenic Area refers to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, which together with Tianzi Mountain, Suoxiyu, and Yangjiajie forms the Wulingyuan attraction. Because Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was developed early and is well-known, even Zhangjiajie City was renamed after it, and people are accustomed to using Zhangjiajie National Forest Park or Zhangjiajie Scenic Area to refer to the Wulingyuan attraction. "Three thousand exotic peaks and eight hundred beautiful waters." The three thousand exotic peaks, in particular, are renowned worldwide. The mountains of Wulingyuan are entirely different from famous mountains around the world. Within its 398-square-kilometer area, more than 3,000 dense and intact sandstone peak pillars are scattered throughout, including 243 peak pillars over 1,000 meters tall. When the sea of clouds surges, these peak pillars appear to have no base, rising abruptly from the ground and piercing straight into the sky. Together with the redwood forests of North America and the glacial landscapes of Greenland, they constitute one of the world's four major natural geological wonders. Wulingyuan has a low elevation and is located in the subtropical zone. The area features lush forests and abundant water sources, and is home to a large number of endangered animal and plant species. Every peak pillar is full of vitality. Peak pillars, natural bridges, gorges, waterfalls, streams, pools, caves, and dense broad-leaved forests are often shrouded in mist and clouds on site, enhancing the beauty of the view. Together with the unique landforms, they form a distinctive view characterized by "steep mountains, elegant waters, wondrous peaks, secluded gorges, and beautiful caves," and are hailed as "an enlarged bonsai and a miniature fairyland." On December 14, 1992, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee unanimously approved the inclusion of Wulingyuan in the World Heritage List, filling the gap of China having no World Natural Heritage sites. The recognized outstanding universal value is: the quartz sandstone peak forest landform is rare in the world and has extremely high aesthetic value. UNESCO points out: "In terms of scenery, Wulingyuan can be compared with several national parks and monuments in the United States, such as the Grand Canyon, and can also be compared with the prominent sandstone peak areas of the Kimberley in Western Australia. However, because Wulingyuan has a lower elevation and is located in the subtropics, it has lush forests and abundant water sources. It also possesses a large number of peaks, displaying a more vertical profile than the heritage sites of the United States and Australia." At the end of 2009, the mesmerizing planet Pandora in the globally popular movie "Avatar" attracted countless viewers, and the prototype of its floating mountains originated from Wulingyuan. Meanwhile, Wulingyuan is also a live-action filming location for the Chinese classics "Dream of the Red Chamber" and "Journey to the West," as well as for films and TV dramas such as "Zhong Kui: Snow Girl and the Dark Crystal" and "Monster Hunt." In 2010, the unique landform of Wulingyuan was named "Zhangjiajie landform," becoming a globally recognized term and a rare landform type in the world named after a region. Attraction highlights Yuanjiajie: Landing on Pandora, the planet of Avatar Yuanjiajie is the filming location for the "Hallelujah Mountain" in the movie "Avatar," where you can explore the magical world of floating and scattered mountains from the film. If you happen to encounter a light rain in the mountains, or wait until the sky clears after the rain, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of misty fog and layered peaks even more. The Mihun Platform is an ideal viewing spot; standing on it, you are surrounded by hundreds of towering stone peaks with magnificent momentum. Tianzi Mountain: once you've seen Tianzi, no other mountain will do When visiting Tianzi Mountain, you will see various uniquely shaped geological views and oddly formed peaks, such as Yubi Peak, Fairy Presenting Flowers, Dianjiang Terrace, Hanging Garden, and Immortal Bridge. There is no need to worry too much about whether these natural formations resemble what they are named after, because "the primitive scenery and natural beauty" are what make Tianzi Mountain so captivating. Especially in the hazy fog after a fresh rain, it feels as if you are in a fairyland. By winter, when the mountain is covered in silvery white, the scenery becomes even more enchanting. Huangshizhai: see all the other mountains as small from the summit "If you don't climb Huangshizhai, your trip to Zhangjiajie is in vain." Huangshizhai is a viewing platform in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, surrounded by sheer cliffs and lush trees, and the top of the village is often shrouded in mist and clouds. Standing atop Huangshizhai and looking around, you can experience the lofty sentiment of "seeing all the other mountains as small." Yangjiajie: Thrills found in danger Yangjiajie is primarily known for its pristine natural beauty. With high mountains and narrow paths, it is famous for being "perilous" and is deeply favored by backpackers and adventurers. Wulong Village within the attraction is a very magical place in Zhangjiajie. It was once inhabited by bandits from western Hunan, and was later renamed after the TV series "Tales of Suppressing Bandits in Wulong Mountain." The village is built along the mountain, and there is a path up and down the mountain that requires using both hands and feet to climb to the summit. Suoxiyu: A natural ink wash landscape painting Suoxiyu is also called Suoxi, named because the stream within the attraction is shaped like a rope. Unlike other parts of the forest park, which are so steep and rugged, this place is shrouded in mist and clouds year-round, with clear streams flowing continuously through all four seasons and graceful peaks visible everywhere. Ten-Mile Gallery is the highlight attraction of Suoxiyu; within the 5 km-long gorge, wildflowers fragrance the air and fantastic peaks and unusual rocks abound. Walking through it is like stepping into a natural landscape painting. Golden Whip Stream: filming location of Journey to the West Jinbian Stream Gorge is the earliest developed area in the attraction. A clear stream runs through the valley, with towering peaks on both sides and lush greenery as far as the eye can see. This is also one of the filming locations for the classic version of Journey to the West, where fans can come and see iconic scenes such as the Water Curtain Cave and Cleaving the Mountain to Save the Mother.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Hunan Jiangxi Fujian Region

Orange Isle Scenic Area

Orange Isle Scenic Area is a narrow sandbar lying across the heart of the Xiang River in Changsha, stretching approx. five km. It faces Yuelu Mountain to the west and borders Changsha's old city to the east, surrounded by water on all sides. Named after the abundant orange trees planted on the isle, it was historically called Shuiluzhou. Formed by river alluvium, this sandbar has existed for over a millennium, where the "River and sky in evening snow" scenery was once among the Eight Views of Xiaoxiang. In 1925, the poem "Spring in a pleasure garden - Changsha" was composed here, with its iconic line "Alone I stand in the biting fall, watching the Xiang River flow north past Orange Isle's head," which made this riverine landmark widely renowned. The highlights of the visit are concentrated at the islet's head: A granite art sculpture over 30 m tall, modeled after the 1925 youth image, stands facing the river as Changsha's highly recognizable landmark. Nearby, the Questioning Heaven Platform extends toward the river center, where leaning on the railing reveals the mighty Xiang River flowing northward, with Yuelu Mountain and the city skylines on both banks facing each other across the water. The Songju Pavilion, white marble poetry stele, and the 200-year-old ancient phoenix tree at the islet head are all in this area. Heading north from the islet head, a hundred-acre orange orchard bears golden fruits in fall, while bamboo groves, peach orchards, plum gardens, and osmanthus groves take turns showcasing seasonal flora. The historic Zhuzhang Ferry (where Zhu Xi and Zhang Shi once crossed the Xiang River for lectures) and the Huxiang Culture Exhibition Hall are scattered along the way. At the islet's tail, the reconstructed Jiangshen Temple and Gongji Tower area was precisely where ancients admired the "River and sky in evening snow" scenery. The island is long and narrow, making round-trip walks quite tiring. A sightseeing train is available for transportation, with multiple stops along the way for hopping on and off. Travelers with limited time are advised to head straight to the island's tip to see the sculpture and river views, then stroll leisurely along the riverside path. At dusk, watching the sunset over the Xiang River and seeing the lights gradually illuminate both shores from the island's tip is especially worth setting aside time for.

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Fanjing Mountain

Fanjing Mountain is located in Tongren City in the northeastern part of Guizhou Province. It is the main peak of the Wuling Mountains, spanning the junction of three counties: Jiangkou, Yinjiang, and Songtao. Its highest peak, Fenghuang Mountain, rises over 2,500 meters above sea level; the Old Golden Summit is over 2,400 meters, and the New Golden Summit, also known as the Red Cloud Golden Summit, is over 2,300 meters. The three peaks stand side by side in majestic grandeur. Fanjing Mountain was originally named "Three Valleys Mountain," derived from "Fanjing Pure Land." Buddhism was introduced to this area during the Song Dynasty and flourished in the Ming Dynasty, when temples and monasteries dotted the mountain. Because its towering height rivaled the Five Great Mountains, the ancients honored it as "the patriarch of famous mountains." The Red Cloud Golden Summit is the iconic view of the entire mountain—a solitary peak rising straight from the ground and piercing the sky. The Golden Knife Gorge splits the summit from top to bottom into two halves, with only a narrow canyon where one can climb up along iron chains, and the gorge tops are connected by a flying bridge, making it extremely precipitous. At the summit, the Shakyamuni Hall and the Maitreya Hall face each other, serving as the core symbol of the Maitreya sacred site. The three main peaks connect to form a reclining Maitreya statue stretching over 10,000 m, which locals call "Fanjing Mountain." The Mushroom Stone is another representative view—a sandy slate pillar that is large at the top and small at the bottom, shaped like a mushroom, approx. 10 m tall, appearing on the verge of toppling yet having stood for many years. The surrounding stone forest peak clusters, such as the Ten Thousand Scrolls of Scriptures and Eagle Rock, are geological relics formed over a billion years ago and sculpted by wind and rain erosion. The mountain also preserves a well-intact subtropical primary ecosystem, where the Guizhou golden snout monkey is distributed, and ancient rare plants such as the dove tree also thrive and reproduce here. In fall, the layered forests are dyed in brilliant colors, and the red leaves in the mountains set off the ancient temple; you can take a cable car to overlook the autumn colors across the mountain, or follow the mountain trails to experience them up close.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Guilin

Elephant Hill Scenic Area

The Elephant Hill Scenic Area is located in the heart of Guilin, at the confluence of the Li River and the Peach Blossom River. It derives its name from its resemblance to a giant elephant stretching its trunk to drink from the sweet waters of the Li River. In his work "Records of Elephant Hill," Shu Shu, a Qing Dynasty official from the Ministry of Works, wrote: "The marvels of Guangxi lie in its mountains; the marvels of Guangxi's mountains lie in their rocks, and the elephant-shaped hill facing the provincial capital is the most marvelous of all." With its lifelike form, the attraction captivates visitors and stands as a quintessential representation of Guilin's landscape. In 1995, it was designated as the city emblem of Guilin. The main attractions in the scenic area include: Elephant Hill and Water Moon, Puxian Pagoda, Elephant Hill Scenic Area and Guilin Sanhua Liquor, Elephant Hill Scenic Area - Love Island, and Elephant Hill Scenic Area - Yunfeng Temple Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Exhibition Hall. Elephant trunk hill and water moon cave "Elephant trunk hill and water moon" is a spectacular wonder here, as described in the poem by Ji Bei Hermit of the Song Dynasty.Harmony of water, moon and caveThe poem reads: "The moon is beneath the water, the moon floats upon the water. The water flows but the moon stays, the moon departs yet the water still flows." On a moonlit night, visiting the Water Moon Cave at the Elephant Trunk Hill attraction presents a magical scene where the moon in the sky, the cave, and the water reflect each other beautifully. Inside the cave, you can find the "Poem and Preface of the Morning Sun Pavilion" by Zhang Xiaoxiang from the Song Dynasty and works by Fan Chengda.Inscription on the water and moon caveAnd over 50 precious cliff carvings including Lu You's poetry manuscripts. Xiangshan scenic area - Puxian pagoda Winding up along the rocky cliffs, you can see the Puxian pagoda standing tall amidst the greenery from afar. Built during the Ming dynasty, this 13.6m-high solid brick lama-style pagoda has a history of over 400 years. On the northern side of the pagoda, there is a line-engraved bluestone statue of a bodhisattva, with the mantra "Namo Puxian Bodhisattva" inscribed above it, hence the name Puxian pagoda in the Xiangshan attraction. Buddhist scriptures record that Puxian bodhisattva's mount is a six-tusked white elephant, making the pagoda's location atop Xiangshan mountain a perfect embodiment of this scripture. Elephant Hill Scenic Area and Guilin Sanhua liquor This is a natural wine cellar, with two-thirds of the mountain being hollow. It stays warm in winter and cool in summer, maintaining a constant temperature of 19°C and humidity above 90% year-round. Since the Song Dynasty, it has served as an official cellar for storing Sanhua wine. Sanhua wine is colorless and transparent, with a fragrant yet spicy taste. It drawsLi RiverWith the essence of the mountains and the soul of the Li River, it has become a representative of China's rice-aroma liquor. The cellar liquor was designated as a tribute to the imperial court as early as the Northern Song Dynasty and is one of the three treasures of Guilin. To date, nearly a thousand tons of liquor are stored in the caves. Love island Love island is located on the north side of the attraction, adjacent toLi RiverIt is another scenic viewpoint for distant viewing. The island boasts a beautiful environment and lush vegetation, making it a popular dating spot for locals in the 1970s, hence the name "love island". Today, it serves as an outdoor photography base for wedding celebrations against the backdrop of Guilin's landscape, where couples make their vows of love under the witness of the elephant trunk hill and the moon reflected in the water.