According to a report by Chutian Metropolis Daily on August 23 (by reporter Chen Jun), Dongxiacao Village in Baiyangping Town, Enshi City, is nestled amid lush green mountains and clear waters. A stream called Longgan Creek, flowing down from the mountains, merges into the village, forming Longgan Lake. In the past, this once isolated and impoverished mountain village suffered from population outflow and land abandonment, and its lake water was on the verge of drying up.
　　Last weekend coincided with the 37th anniversary of Enshi’s founding, and reporters, along with numerous tourists, visited Longgan Lake—the newly renovated attraction that has just reopened to welcome visitors. Amidst the rolling hills, the emerald-green and crystal-clear Longgan Creek flows from south to north like a white ribbon, eventually emptying into Longgan Lake and leaving behind a sparkling pearl in Dongxia Cao. As we strolled past the village homes, towering ancient trees came into view. By the creek, two century-old sweet osmanthus trees are especially cherished; stepping beneath them, we were greeted by a delicate fragrance that stirred up deep-seated homesickness in countless visitors.
　　The distinctive Tujia stilt houses, imbued with ethnic characteristics, rise and fall here one after another, while dance halls and stage platforms shift dramatically with every step. The indoor sports courts by the lakeside and the water-based tourist facilities attract numerous children who come here to play and have fun. “I never expected to find such a well-equipped court in a mountain village—now I’ve got a great place to kick the ball!” Mr. Liu, a passionate football fan, plays a match with his buddies every week, and the court at Longgan Lake has him thoroughly excited. The old street of Longgan Lake retains the unique charm of Tujia stilt houses: small blue-tiled roofs, ornate lattice windows, overhanging eaves, and gracefully curved corners—all set amidst green stone and wooden buildings, creating an atmosphere that’s both poetic and picturesque, brimming with local warmth and endless delight. The rhythmic sounds of gongs and drums, mingled with soft musical melodies, can be heard from afar, drawing people toward the lively scene.
　　The flower gongs and drums of Longgan Lake are also a distinctive percussion ensemble. When played together with the suona, they create a beautiful and enchanting sound that showcases a unique artistic charm. Every evening around 6 o'clock, as the drumbeats begin to ring out in the square in front of the village committee, villagers gather to play music and dance the square dance. After tea and dinner, this place becomes a popular spot for tourists as well. On cool autumn nights, you can quietly savor the captivating nighttime scenery of Longgan Lake and feel the harmonious blend of nature and life.
　　Yang Jia Shou, the leader of the Longganhu Agricultural and Tourism Industry Specialized Cooperative in Enshi City, said, “Longganhu has caught up with a great era—rural revitalization has brought about a bright future!” He explained that the Longganhu Cooperative uses integrated rural complexes and ecological agriculture as its platforms, adopting the cultural theme of “Lantern Opera in a Water Town, a Dreamlike Paradise.” By integrating Enshi lantern opera with local folk culture, the cooperative promotes the integrated development of six key industries: environmental wellness, ecological eldercare, cultural mental nourishment, folk-based emotional enrichment, agricultural enjoyment, and sports for physical health.
　　In December 2017, Yang Jiashou, who had achieved great success in his career outside the village, returned home and founded the Longganhu Agricultural and Tourism Industry Specialized Cooperative. All seven villagers’ groups under the village’s jurisdiction are now members of the cooperative. Guided by the revitalization strategy of “integrated cultivation of fruits, vegetables, and tea with tourism, culture, and entertainment,” after three years of dedicated effort, the village has now become one of the first national key villages for rural tourism, a National Forest Village, a National Ecological and Cultural Village, a Chinese Ethnic Minority Characteristic Village Settlement, and a Model Village for Beautiful and Livable Rural Areas in Hubei Province.
　　The Tujia mountain villages nestled deep in the mountains have now become a tranquil pastoral paradise. Visitors here can stroll along the shores of Longgan Lake, admiring the lush greenery of towering mountains and listening to the melodious chirping of birds echoing through the serene hills. They can also unwind at the water park, savoring the thrilling excitement of the glass bridge, or simply settle down comfortably and immerse themselves in the rustic charm of daily life—where roosters crow at dawn and dogs bark at dusk. Come join the villagers of Longgan Lake and experience the boundless allure of authentic Tujia ethnic life!
　　What villagers and tourists are most looking forward to is the opening of the Tujia Daughter’s Festival at Longgan Lake in Enshi City on August 29. The people of Dongxiacao will celebrate this Eastern Valentine’s Day with their most distinctive lantern opera performances.
　　Dongxiacao is the birthplace of Enshi Lantern Opera and has been included in the second batch of China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Today, Dongxiacao Village still preserves old houses that are over a hundred or even two hundred years old. The Cui Family Old House Courtyard here was once the stage for the century-old Enshi Lantern Opera performances. Meng Yongxiang, a ninth-generation inheritor who is now in her seventies, has been devoted to this art form for more than 50 years. Even today, she still performs on stage with remarkable vitality and grace—truly embodying the spirit: “Don’t laugh at an elderly lady wearing flowers in her hair; time never defeats a beautiful woman.”
　　Calm your mind, savor the tea, and reflect on the profound truths of life—feeling deeply moved by the lines: “When golden breezes meet jade dew in a single encounter, it surpasses countless earthly pleasures.” When inspiration strikes, set out to explore the tea hills of Dongxia Cao; amidst the ethereal mist, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into the fairyland of Penglai. More than ten pavilions, large and small, dot the landscape. Ascend to the lofty Lingyun Tower and gaze into the distance—there, the Shenling Xianqi Pavilion unfolds its divine aura. From the lofty Julong Pavilion, you’ll have a panoramic view, seeing all other mountains as mere foothills.
　　In early summer and early autumn, a gentle breeze slowly rises, instantly shattering the hustle and bustle of the mortal world within this tranquil valley. Like a poem or a painting, Longgan Lake unfolds an endless tale of poetry and distant horizons.
　　Wu Xiuzhong, Vice Chairman of the Enshi Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Director of the Municipal Poverty Alleviation Office, said: “Enshi City in Enshi Prefecture has now completely lifted itself out of poverty and is joyfully striding toward a moderately prosperous life. Thanks to the joint efforts of Jianggan District in Hangzhou and Enshi City in Enshi Prefecture under the East-West poverty alleviation cooperation framework, Longgan Lake has undergone tremendous transformation. Here, one can truly feel the modern, refined, beautiful, and comfortable charm of a picturesque countryside.”