Plan at a glance
Choose which part to visit
Enshi Grand Canyon is in Tunbao Township, about 60 km from Enshi city. All visitors should first go to the Enshi Grand Canyon Visitor Center for admission and park transport. The site includes Qixingzhai, known for mountain scenery and cliffside paths, and Yunlong Ground Fissure, known for waterfalls, streams and sheer rock walls. First-time visitors do not need to complete both areas; choose a combination that fits your time and energy.
Time and energy budget
A quick visit takes about 3–4 hours and focuses on Qixingzhai's cliffside paths and Yizhuxiang (一炷香), the iconic stone pillar. A highlights visit takes about 5–6 hours and adds Yunlong Ground Fissure. Both walking and stairs are demanding. Even with the cableway, escalator or vertical elevator, you will still walk a considerable distance, so this is not a light sightseeing stop.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
View Visit Optionsvia Trip.comChoose your visit
Qixingzhai for mountain views
If you want cliffs, canyon views and cliffside paths, give your time to Qixingzhai. Its highlights include about 1,700 m of cliffside walkway, the Yizhuxiang stone pillar, about 150 m high, and Yingkesong (迎客松). On a clear day, the layers of the valley are easier to see; in rain or mist, the view may be mostly cloud and fog.
Add Yunlong Ground Fissure for more water scenery
Visitors with a full day and the stamina for sustained walking can combine Yunlong Ground Fissure with Qixingzhai. The current recommended order is to visit Yunlong Ground Fissure first, then return to Cableway Plaza and take the cableway up to Qixingzhai. Yunlong Ground Fissure usually takes about 2–2.5 hours and centres on waterfalls such as Rainbow Waterfall; with older adults, children or anyone with knee problems, choosing only one area may be more practical.
Choose tickets for the day
In the peak season, Qixingzhai admission is CNY 105 and Yunlong Ground Fissure is CNY 50, for CNY 155 for the two core areas. The funicular and park shuttle combination costs another CNY 50. The scenic-area admission ticket is currently valid for two days; check the ticketing page for the packages and discounts available on your dates.
For a separate canyon experience near Enshi, see Luyuanping Scenic Area.
Build your day
3–4-hour Qixingzhai express route
Start at the Visitor Center, take the funicular and park shuttle into the core area, then take the uphill cableway. At the top, follow the signs to the cliffside walkway and Yizhuxiang; if time allows, add Yingkesong. Take the downhill escalator to the exit, then the park shuttle back. This route skips the latter part of Qixingzhai and Yunlong Ground Fissure, making it suitable when time or energy is limited.
5–6-hour Qixingzhai + Yunlong Ground Fissure route
Follow the current recommended order: Visitor Center → funicular → Cableway Plaza → Yunlong Ground Fissure → back to Cableway Plaza → uphill cableway into Qixingzhai → the cliffside walkway, Yizhuxiang and other core mountain sights → downhill escalator → park shuttle back to the Visitor Center. In Yunlong Ground Fissure, a vertical elevator costing about CNY 30 can reduce the 999 steps, but you will still walk for about 20 minutes after the ride. Follow the day's on-site directions for the exit and transport connection.
Mobility options reduce only part of the effort
The uphill cableway costs about CNY 105 and can reduce roughly 1–2 hours of climbing. The downhill escalator at the Qixingzhai exit costs about CNY 30 and reduces the descent stairs; the vertical elevator in Yunlong Ground Fissure costs about CNY 30 and reduces the 999-step section. These options cover different parts of the route, and you will still walk the cliffside paths, transfers and exit paths.
Get there
Direct shuttle bus from Enshi city
Take the Grand Canyon shuttle bus from the long-distance bus terminal opposite Enshi Railway Station. The ride takes about 1.5 hours and costs about CNY 25 one way, with buses usually departing at intervals. For the return, follow the day's park transport and bus schedule; arriving late and relying on the last city-bound bus is not a workable plan.
Drive to the Visitor Center
Drive directly to the “Enshi Grand Canyon Visitor Center”; parking costs about CNY 10 per day. Use the Visitor Center as the navigation target. Qixingzhai or Yunlong Ground Fissure alone will not take you to the admission, ticketing and park-transport hub.
Know before you go
Opening hours and reservations
As a guide, opening hours are about 08:00–16:00 from March to October and 08:30–15:00 from November to February; arriving at the Visitor Center before 07:30 is advisable. Use the official “Enshi Grand Canyon” WeChat mini program for real-name reservations, and follow the day's notice for opening and last-entry arrangements. Foreign visitors using a passport or another travel document should confirm in advance that their chosen official or OTA channel accepts it and how on-site verification works.
Clothing, weather and walking
Wear shoes with good grip, and consider bringing a hiking pole if you are not used to long climbs. Rain and mist can obscure the Qixingzhai views, while rain may also lead to temporary closure of Yunlong Ground Fissure. Small shops on the mountain sell basic food and drinks, but you should still carry enough water for the route.
Plan the return into the route
The Qixingzhai escalator exit, the Yunlong Ground Fissure elevator and the park-shuttle stops are not at the same walking point. After the vertical elevator, you still need to walk for about 20 minutes. If you visit both areas on the same day, follow the current order of Yunlong Ground Fissure first and Qixingzhai second, then manage your return time around the day's transport schedule.