Chongqing- Qianjiang is at 30 degrees north latitude in the southeast of Chongqing Municipality, deep in the Wuling Mountains. Blessed with an idyllic environment, folk customs, minority culture, and a wealth of tourism resources, the scenic areas of this district are a top attraction in Chongqing.

The covered corridor of Zhuoshui Ancient Town.

In Qianjiang, you can appreciate the grandeur of canyons and the elegant beauty of river valleys. You can stroll through the ancient towns on a historical journey going back a thousand years, and explore the earthly depths below your feet.

A climb into the mountains offers a serene escape from the summer heat. Here, the idyllic rice paddies offer relaxation amongst the song of birds and aroma of flowers, while the picturesque backdrop fills the heart with a warm sentiment.

Infuse a cup of chloranthus tea, try the famous dish of Qianjiang chicken gizzards or savor Quankong wine. Watch an ancient Houhe opera performance, practice a Tujia minority hand-waving dance, and then sing a Nanxi folk chant.

In recent years, Qianjiang has designated the 2402 square kilometer geographical area as one great scenic destination. The aim is to complete tourism infrastructure, with the central city providing direction, and the river supplying impetus.

Xiaonanhai Lake was formed by a natural dam created by an earthquake landslide.

The district has built eight national 4A rated scenic areas, while the national 5A rated scenic areas of Zhuoshui and Balahu are in the construction phase. From 2017 to 2019, visitor numbers and tourism-related income grew by more than 40% over three consecutive years.

The Apeng River originates in Lichuan, Hubei, and passes through Qianjiang before converging with the Wu River. The total length of 249 kilometers makes the Apeng the most significant tributary and mother river of Qianjiang. The wetland parks of this district source from this river.

Upstream, there lies the ancient town of Zhuoshui that has been here for thousands of years. The ancient town sits right upon the Apeng River and is the focal point connecting the riverbanks, and a hub for transport in all directions.

Zhuoshui originated from the late Tang Dynasty and continued to flourish through the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The old streets offer the chance to appreciate traditional architecture, try the extraordinary cuisine, watch ancient Houhe River plays, listen to the sound of the Apeng waters, reminisce under the covered bridge, stroll the flower fields, explore the long underground river, and witness the serene beauty of deep caves.

The Tujia 13 Villages.

The ancient town of Zhuoshui witnessed the rise and fall of Ba Country, as well as the golden spears and armored horses of ancient warriors.

Qianjiang is a city of canyons and gorges. In the center, Balahu is a must-see destination. The name Balahu means 'canyon' in the Tujia minority's native language.

There are cliff reliefs to admire and hear the magical echoes, where a 208-meter-long glass suspension bridge separates the visitor from a 248-meter drop. There is also a thrilling cliff-edge plank road to experience.

Apeng River Turtle Gorge (Shenguixia) is named after the pair of rock formations at the river mouth, which resemble two turtles lying opposite each other.

The mountains and cliffs either side rise imposingly from the banks, as the river meanders like a snake through the whole course of 27 bends.

Shijituo earthenware pottery is made by hand.

The waters are blue and clear, while lush forests rich in diversity line the shores. Plant and animal species include yews, macaques, leopards, and other rare varieties.

The Qianjiang Santanggai mountain road offers three incredible views through the year, which are the glorious sunrises, seas of ​​cloud, and the magical snowy landscapes in winter.

After a 4 hour trek to the top, you can watch the sunrise as the cloud lines below continually form and scatter. Here, visitors can stay in a farm guesthouse, eat country food, and travel the Lanhe Valley, where the river meanders towards the horizon to a backdrop of beautiful peaks.

In the near future, the Santanggai International Tourism and Health Resort will be unveiled to the public. This attraction encompasses mountain ecology sightseeing rings, leisure areas, health and recuperation, holiday zones, sports and entertainment cultural experiences, and luxury mountain travel.

Xilankapu cloth is a famous Tujia minority product.

Xiaonanhai Lake was formed by a natural dam following an earthquake-induced landslide in 1856 and covers an area of ​​about 30 square kilometers. It is currently the best-preserved natural lake of its kind in China and shines like a pearl amongst the mountains.

The lake is placid and turquoise colored, surrounded by mountains that reflect vividly upon the water's surface. After visitors learn about the geological wonders, they take photos on their mobile phones and capture an idyllic scene of the lake frozen in time.

Around 10 kilometers into the mountains, following the highway that runs along the lake shores, you will arrive at the Thirteen Tujia Villages, where nature and human culture blend seamlessly. It is composed of thirteen original Tujia ethnic minority villages, which are the largest and most picturesque Tujia ecological settlements in China.

Tujia village gates are always open, and you are welcome to enter the village, which you shouldn't leave without trying their Lanmen wine. At Hejiazhai Village, you can experience the Tujia charm through folk songs and hand-waving dances.

Tujia embroidery.

Qianjiang is a place where many ethnic groups live in densely populated communities. The Tujia, Miao and other ethnic minorities account for 74.6% of the district's total population. The customs and languages ​​of different ethnic groups have mutually influenced each other, producing a unique cultural landscape.

On walking into a Tujia cottage, the host dressed in Xilankapu will welcome you inside, serve oil tea, cook rice over a fire, and stir-fry sour and spicy chicken offal. Over the clinking of wine cups, you will gain a deep sense of their warmth and hospitable nature, which will remain forever vivid in the memory.

Covered bridges are the most romantic symbol associated with the civilization of Qianjiang. Covered bridges shelter people from wind and rain, and also provide a convenient venue for rest, chat, song, and dance.

The Zhuoshui Fengyu Covered Bridge is built entirely of wood, including the rivets and pointy eaves. It crosses the Apeng and Puhua Rivers along a total length of 658 meters, connected by pavilions inscribed with couplets, and renowned as the first such building worldwide.

Silk products of Qianjiang.

Song and dance are an innate hobby for the people of Qianjiang. Tujia hand-waving dances, copper bell dances, wooden drum dances, Tujia and Miao folk songs, and musical reed pipes are well-known.

Festivals such as the New Year's, Touching Autumn, and those traditionally held on the third day of the third month, eight of the fourth and sixth of the sixth, are still celebrated according to the lunar calendar and ancient customs.

The national intangible cultural heritage of Nanxi singing is performed with a rough and bright tone of voice. This musical form exudes the diligent and tenacious character of Tujia people. The graceful and moving Luoshui ballad interprets the love beheld by the Tujia minority.

At present, there are 33 items in Qianjiang listed as intangible cultural heritage at the municipal level. Among these are the legend performances named 'Maidens of the Thirteen Villages' and 'Longing for Qianjiang.'

The famous Qiangjiang chicken gizzard dish.

Bizika Forest has a long history and rich Tujia culture listed as intangible cultural heritage. The beautiful patterns of Xilankapu are woven into scarves, handkerchiefs, and soles, which people cannot help but love.

The series of exquisite handmade clay pottery have entered thousands of households nationwide, while the refined silk products are exported all over the world. Traditional Tujia craftsmanship possesses a unique flavor highly sought after by the outside world.

Qianjiang has a mild and pleasant climate with four distinct seasons. The forest coverage rate of the whole district is 68%, the air quality is high for 348 days a year, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 38μg/m3.

The pristine ecology has nourished the creation of many high-quality specialty products, and the topography of the fertile ground for a variety of products such as kiwi fruit, crisp red plums, morel fungus, chloranthus, Malagon rice, kidney beans, myrmeleontid larva, and green-shelled eggs. The unspoiled ecology offers a wide range of natural products free of pollution, rich in nutrition, and brimming with flavor.

Qiangjiang mung bean noodles.

Qianjiang chicken offal is the district's most influential gourmet product, popularly available in various forms such as freshly cooked, fast-food style, and packaged. The people of Qianjiang are highly resourceful with ingredients, such as beef with vegetables, stewed chicken with morel, stewed bacon with dried cowpeas, potato rice with yam, honey, and buckwheat cakes, and fried fish with pumpkin.

Behind each delicacy, there is a clear and tangible affinity between the food and wonderful landscapes.

In December 2017, Qianjiang released the 'Mountain Charm' range of branded products, which represents the creative energy of the Qianjiang people. These have long since emerged from out of the mountains and now flourish on e-commerce platforms nationwide.

The live marketing broadcasts of 'Tujia Sister' and 'Tujia Brother' are held every day. The treasures of Wuling are no longer hidden and are in hot demand.

Xilankapu

The brocade, known as Xilankapu, is the essence of Tujia folk art. It is now widely used to make fashionable handbags, scarves, and ethnic costumes.

Shijituo earthenware

Originating from the Song Dynasty, and inherited over thousands of years, this handmade earthenware has thin chiming walls that look simple yet beautiful. The main products are bowls, saucers, cups, wine jars, and flower bowls, which are widely sold in many provinces.

Tujia Embroidery

This product is embroidered by hand using silk thread. The main characteristics are bold colors that contrast sharply. The main products are shoes, handkerchiefs, corsages, pillowcases, children's hats, and purses.

Silk products

Qianjiang silk is soft, smooth, elastic, and high in quality. The main products include quilts, scarves, pajamas, and carpets, which are sold both at home and abroad.

Qianjiang chicken gizzards

This signature Qiangjiang dish is cooked using traditional Tujia methods, with the heart, liver, and intestines as the main raw ingredients. These are flavored with peppers, pickled radish, potatoes, green onion, ginger, and garlic, which combine for a taste that is delicious, sour, and spicy.

Mung bean noodles

These noodles are made from soy, mung beans, and rice in just the right proportion, then cooked in a large pot at high temperature. The soft and slippery taste is enjoyed by all young and old.