Fame for its medicinal plants and lengendary ape-man, Shennongjia is likely to be the wildest of your travel experience in Hubei. Fir and pine forests flourish among more than 1300 medicinal plants across picturesque mountains and valleys. Foreigners are only allowed into one of four sections of national park at Yazikou, and the area is also big enough for trekking and cycling option. You can also camp here. Areas which is worth checking out are Dalongtan and Xiaolongtan, the two biggest place to spot monkeys and Shennongding (3105 meters) is highest peak. Winter here is bitterly cold and snow often block roads.
Where to stay at night
After a tired travel, what independent travelers great desire to find a clean but economical hotel or hostel to have a rest. The hotels are concentrated in Muyu Town range from five star hotels to guesthouses. The 2 star hotels can be found in Shennong Shanzhuang, Tianlu Vacation Villa and living condition here are better but at a moderate price (around 200rmb) for each room.
What to Eat here
Local cuisine is a must-try for tourists who visit a travel destination. In Shennongjia, you should taste moked pork, local potatos and tofu. By the way, the wild vegetables are very tasty.
The Recommended Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrive in Yicang in the morning and get on the coach bus at Yichang Long-distance Bus Station to Xingshan County (30 minutes for one bus with fare 30rmb and 3 hours to Xingshan County). Have a lunch in Xinshan. In the afternoon, you can take the bus to Muyu Town and then walk about 2 kilometers to Xiangxiyuan Scenic Area (admission fee: 8rmb). You can visit the area for one hour. Then walk to Muyu and take taxi to visit thousands-year-old tree. After super, you can watch ethnic music and dance campfire show. After the show, you can return to Muyu to rest.
Day 2:
In the morning, you can rent a mini-bus (200rmb/day) with other independent travelers to Yazikou. It takes you about 1 hours to Yazikou. Then buy the ticket to enter. You can start your journey from Banbiyan. After two hours, you can transfer to Fengjingya to witness the natural view. You can have a lunch at Xiaolongtan. In the afternoon, you can begin your trekking through a virgin forest which need you two hours. Then walk to Hong Ping Natural View Gallery. After two hours, you can arrive in Hong Ping Town. Stay at night in Hong Ping.
Day 3:
Head for Yantian Scenic Area where you can watch cloud see, visit Yanzidong. It will takes you about 4 hours to visit the whole area. As for lunch, you can eat the local cuisine. After lunch, visit Shennongjia Nature Museum (admission fee:15rmb) in Songbo Town. You can stay at night in this town.
Day 4:
Take a bus to Yichang and leave Yichang.
Martin Wynn
