Fang County

Hometown of Yin Jifu, the "Source of the Book of Songs," and ancient place of exile known as Fangling; Wild Man Cave, Shennong Grand Canyon and Wild Man Valley form its southern route, with famous Fang County rice wine and flower mushrooms—the northern gateway to Shennongjia.

Fang County lies in northwestern Hubei in the south of Shiyan, in the eastern Daba Mountains between Wudang Mountain and Shennongjia. Anciently called Fangling, it is the hometown of Yin Jifu of the Western Zhou and is known as the "Source of the Book of Songs." It was also a famous place of exile: after Emperor Zhongzong of Tang (Li Xian) was deposed and made Prince of Luling, he lived here for 14 years, leaving behind the ruins of the Prince of Luling's city and many legends. The county covers more than 5,000 sq km of high mountains and dense forest, and summers are much cooler than on the Jianghan Plain.

There are three main areas. Around the county seat, visit Xiguan Impression Old Street, the Book of Songs Culture Square, the Fang County Museum and Guanyin Cave south of town, and try Fang County rice wine and flower mushrooms. The southern route follows National Highway 209 toward Shennongjia, passing Nantan rural tourism area, Wild Man Cave, Shennong Grand Canyon and Wild Man Valley in turn—Fang County's most developed scenic belt, easily combined with the northern gateway to Shennongjia. The eastern route leads to the Qingfeng Grand Rift Valley, Shijingyuan National Forest Park and the Yin Jifu Ancestral Temple (Baotang Temple) in Yinjifu Town, while the western route takes in Jundian Old Street, Xiansheng Hall and the ruins of the Prince of Luling's city at Hualongyan.

The best times are Apr–May (mountain flowers and new tea), Jul–Aug for escaping the heat, and Oct–Nov for autumn colors; in winter mountain roads may ice over and some canyon attractions close certain activities. Driving is the most convenient way around: from downtown Shiyan, the Shiyan–Fangxian Expressway reaches the county seat in about 1.5 hours. Buses run from the county seat to towns such as Yerengu and Qingfeng, but public transport between scenic areas is scarce. Allow 2–3 days: one day for the county seat and Guanyin Cave, one for the southern route of Wild Man Cave, Shennong Grand Canyon and Wild Man Valley, and more time for the Book of Songs sites on the eastern route if you're interested. Fang County rice wine is low in alcohol but packs a punch—never drink and drive. Mountain roads are winding, so watch for falling rocks in the rainy season.

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