Water Town Leisure Lakeside Entertainment Tour Route

Route: Zhenxing Building (Visitor Center) – Longgan Lake – Julong Island – Feilong Island – Multi-Purpose Sports Field – Bicycle Loop Trail Around the Lake – Centennial Osmanthus Tree (Longgan Double Osmanthus) – Dongxia Cao Ancient Street – Shiyi Ancient Road Post Station – Lotus Pond – Shiyi Pavilion
　　 Revitalization Building (Visitor Center): The Tujia-style buildings soar high into the clouds, where ancient charm and modern flair blend seamlessly. We set off from the Zhenxing Tower Visitor Center—the primary service hub for the Longgan Lake Scenic Area—covering an area of 5,000 square meters. Drawing inspiration from the Tujia “walking horse corner towers,” the center features interconnected indoor and outdoor corridors, with beautifully landscaped rock gardens and fish ponds that ensure ample natural light. The designers struck a delicate balance between preservation and sustainable development, enhancing the distinctive features of the Tujia stilt houses while integrating local traditions with contemporary architecture, thus creating a multifunctional, modern public space. The Zhenxing Tower includes dining areas, conference facilities, and guest rooms, perfectly catering to travelers’ needs. Alongside the Dengxi Tower, it has become a landmark of the scenic area. We’ll take some photos here as a memento before happily setting off on our journey.
　　 Dragon Chasing Lake: Longgan Lake is located in Enshi. Its crystal-clear waters originate from Longgan Creek and are formed as the creek winds through mountains and valleys. After villagers carried out renovation efforts in 2018, the lake now boasts a picturesque landscape of 200 mu of shimmering blue water and wetlands. With one lake and three islands, this waterside paradise offers a scene straight out of a poem or painting. Legend has it that Longzi Qiu Niu, in an act of kindness to save the mother of a tea-picking girl, violated heavenly rules and was imprisoned beneath a mountain rock by the Dragon King. Day after day, the girl would fetch water to douse the stone, and eventually, the Dragon King was moved by her devotion and released Qiu Niu. Using a jade ring, Qiu Niu gathered vast amounts of water, thus giving rise to Longgan Lake. Today, Longgan Lake is embracing rural revitalization. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking views of the lake and mountains, experience thrilling water parks and glass bridges, and even share with local villagers the vibrant, modern lifestyle of Tujia villages.
　　 Ji Long Island: The emerald waves gently ripple, and the spring willows sway gracefully. The scenery of Jilong is breathtaking—visitors are so captivated that they forget to return home. Jilong is one of the three islands in the lake; it consists of two landmasses situated in the middle of the lake, connected by a small bridge, while another small bridge links it to the lakeshore. The island covers an area of about one hectare. It features family-friendly recreational facilities such as a kids’ playground and boat tours, making it one of the most popular attractions for families. Now, let’s all head over to the island and take a stroll!
　 　Flying Dragon Island: Longgan Lake is a popular photography and check-in spot featuring an island surrounded by a lake and a flying dragon resting gently on the waves. Covering an area of 1,500 square meters, the site boasts a memorial landscape stone at its western end. The island offers outdoor adventure activities, including a glass suspension bridge that connects it to Julong Island, capable of accommodating over 200 people. The multi-functional sports field, a model project supported by the Hubei Provincial Sports Bureau, features three standardized courts suitable for basketball, volleyball, badminton, and futsal matches. Open to both villagers and tourists, it also serves as a key venue for outdoor study and research activities.
　　 Bike Loop Greenway Around the Lake: The lakeside greenway boasts picturesque scenery, with willows gently swaying along the banks and a charming water town landscape. This greenway is beloved by villagers, tourists, and outdoor sports enthusiasts alike. It stretches for 5.8 kilometers, features a blackened surface, and is lined with lush vegetation on both sides. Visitors can choose from eco-friendly, sporty, or sightseeing tandem bicycles; alternatively, they’re welcome to bring their own bikes and ride along. On the western shore of Longgan Lake Wetland stand two century-old osmanthus trees—a unique natural landmark recognized on the conservation list. Legend has it that these trees were planted during the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty. After being planted by a couple surnamed Tan, they were blessed with twin sons who both went on to become top scholars in the imperial examinations, thus becoming a legendary tale.
　　 Dongxia Cao Ancient Street: The ancient Tujia-style street features traditional folk murals. The ancient street of Dongxia Cao originated during the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty when “local governance was replaced by direct imperial administration.” Thanks to the thriving salt and tea industries, the Shi Yi Ancient Road passed through this area, giving rise to the neighborhood. Located on the southern bank of Longgan Lake, the ancient street is renowned for its cluster of buildings in traditional Tujia architectural style and its rich cultural heritage. The residential houses exude an antique charm, and the murals vividly capture the unique spirit of the Tujia people. Along the covered walkways sheltered from wind and rain, honeysuckle and morning glories are in full bloom, making this a commercial district steeped in traditional Tujia customs and folk culture.
　　 Shiyi Ancient Road Post Station: The Shi Yi Ancient Road Post Station, a cultural landmark nestled in Dongxia Cao Long Gan Hu, bears witness to the rise and fall of the ancient road and carries forward its timeless charm. As a base for traditional culture research and learning, it promotes humanities and history, disseminates social science knowledge, and enables visitors to gain an intuitive understanding of Long Gan Hu’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Today, the post station serves as a popular spot for travel photography and check-in, as well as a workshop for exploring traditional crafts. Visitors can enjoy hands-on experiences such as weaving Xilan Kapu brocade, handcrafting Yulu tea, and riding mules and horses—recreating the prosperity of bygone days. This plays a crucial role in enhancing the scenic area’s image and strengthening cultural exchange.
　　 Lotus Pond: Strolling along the corridor, one is greeted by the fragrant scent of lotus carried on the breeze. To reach the Shi Yi Ancient Trail from the post station, you must pass through the Lotus Pond. In summer, the pond boasts lush green leaves stretching endlessly toward the sky, with blossoms in full bloom and a heady fragrance—truly a quintessential example of Longgan Lake’s agricultural landscape. As visitors gaze down from the corridor at the lotus flowers, their spirits are lifted, and they can also fully appreciate the breathtaking beauty of this modern Tujia countryside as well as the vibrant energy and vitality of “China’s Villages with Distinctive Ethnic Minority Characteristics.”
　 　Shi Yiting: At Dongxia Cao on the Shiyi Ancient Road, near Longgan Lake, mules and horses bustle about. This was once a resting place for salt and tea merchants—a spot where time seems to stand still within the boundary-marker pavilion. In olden times, this site served as the starting point of the mountain trail along the Longgan Lake section of the Shiyi Ancient Road, where salt and tea merchants—and their mule and horse caravans—would pause to rest. Back then, a boundary marker of the Shiyi Ancient Road stood proudly in the pavilion. Today, local villagers have rebuilt the Shiyi Pavilion to commemorate those unforgettable years along this stretch of the ancient road.