Pingshan Canyon

屏山峡谷

The 'Refuge Gorge' of the Rongmei tusi chieftains in Hefeng County, where boats glide over crystal-clear canyon streams as if floating in the air. It is Enshi's hottest social-media scenic spot.

Pingshan Canyon lies in Pingshan Village, Rongmei Town, Hefeng County, about 120 km from Enshi city. Its ancient name is Duobi Gorge, meaning 'Refuge Gorge'. In the Ming and Qing dynasties it was the political centre of the Rongmei tusi, the local hereditary chieftains. It is surrounded by cliffs, with only one waterway in and out. The water in the canyon comes from underground springs and carries very few suspended particles, so it is crystal clear. Sunlight passes through the surface to the riverbed, and the shadows of boats fall on the stones below, so from above the boats seem to float in the air. After 'floating boat' photos went viral online, Pingshan Canyon became one of Enshi's most popular sites, officially opening to the public in 2019. How to visit: take a sightseeing bus from the visitor centre to the canyon entrance, walk down the boardwalk to the pier at the canyon floor, and then take a small wooden boat through the canyon for about 20 minutes. The boatman poles the boat, with cliffs rising hundreds of metres on both sides, and the narrowest point is only a few metres wide. Then walk the path along the valley floor to see the Baizhang Waterfall, the Yixiantian narrow gorge and the remains of the Rongmei tusi's site. Return by boat or walk out of the canyon. The full visit takes about 3–4 hours. Entry costs about CNY 70–80. The sightseeing bus and boat tickets cost about CNY 80–100. Book in advance through the official 'Hefeng Pingshan' mini-program and choose a time slot, as numbers are limited daily in peak season. The best time is a sunny morning from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when sunlight hits the water surface directly and it is clearest. After rain, the water turns green and murky and takes 2–3 days to clear. Getting there: self-driving from Enshi city takes about 2.5 hours. You can also join a day tour from the city, which includes return transport and entry. The Hefeng county seat is about 10 km from the scenic area, with regular buses. Self-driving from Zhangjiajie takes about 3 hours, and the trip can be combined with a route through western Hunan. Notes: the valley-floor path has many steps and is slippery. Wear a life jacket on the boat, and do not swim. Mobile signal is weak inside the canyon. Mountain weather changes quickly, so bring rain gear. Holiday slots fill up fast, so book several days ahead.

Pingshan Canyon

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby