The Aizhai Wonder Tourist Area is located in Jishou City, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province. With a total area of 8.1 square kilometers, it is the core scenic area of Dehang National Scenic Area and is 19 kilometers from the city proper. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction that integrates natural wonders, ethnic culture, and engineering marvels. Here, the mountains rise and fall dramatically, with towering cliffs, soaring peak forests, and crisscrossing streams and rivers. It boasts many precipices, stone walls, waterfalls, and primitive forests. The Aizhai Grand Suspension Bridge in the scenic area was, at the time, the steel truss suspension bridge with the largest span across a canyon in the world, with a main span of 1,176 meters, setting four world records.
Historical Culture
Since ancient times, the Aizhai area has been an important transportation route in western Hunan and historically served as the "throat between Sichuan and Hunan." During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the famous "Aizhai Highway" (the Xiangchuan Highway) was built here and was called a "wonder of Chinese highways." This place is also associated with the Chu poet Qu Yuan. Legend has it that after Qu Yuan was exiled to western Hunan, he once stood at Tianwentai facing the countless mountains and valleys, questioning heaven and earth, nature, and all worldly phenomena, and wrote the eternally famous long poem "Tianwen" ("Heavenly Questions"). In addition, many Miao people live in the surrounding area of the scenic spot, preserving complete traditional Miao customs, such as the Ganqiu Festival held on the first day of autumn in the lunar calendar each year.
Main Attractions
Aizhai Bridge
The Aizhai Bridge is the core landscape of the scenic area. It was, at the time, the steel truss suspension bridge with the largest span across a canyon in the world, with a main span of 1,176 meters, setting four world records. The bridge has a transparent glass viewing platform from which visitors can overlook the Dehang Grand Canyon more than 300 meters deep. At night, the Aizhai Bridge is brilliantly illuminated, like a rainbow over the canyon. In addition, there are thrilling high-altitude activities such as a 355-meter-high bungee jump, cloud walks, high-altitude matrices, high-altitude swings, and via ferrata.
Jidou Miao Village
Jidou Miao Village is a Miao village on the back of an eagle. Visitors can explore the primitive Miao village here and see the purest way of life of the Miao people. The Tianwentai viewing platform is a place where the Miao people pray for blessings. It is also the source of Qu Yuan's "Tianwen" and a filming location for "Wonder Woman." Here, visitors can take stunning canyon photos and see the internationally certified "Golden Spike" section.
Dehang Canyon
Dehang Canyon means "beautiful canyon" in the Miao language. It is surrounded by dramatic mountains, towering cliffs, layered waterfalls, and deep, secluded gorges. The most spectacular is the Liusha Waterfall deep in the Jiulongxi Canyon, 216 meters high and more than 80 meters wide. It is one of the largest waterfalls in China by drop and one of China's top ten most beautiful waterfalls. Visitors can also stroll along Jiulongxi and enjoy the mountain flowers and fresh greenery along the way, or walk through the Farming Culture Park and experience the charm of the stilted buildings and the craftsmanship amid the sound of waterwheels.
Tour Route：
In the morning, visitors can drive or take a special bus to the Jidou Miao Village scenic area, tour Jidou Miao Village and Tianwentai, explore the primitive Miao village, and enjoy the canyon scenery; afterward, walk along the cliff plank road and check in at the Aizhai Bridge to experience the charm of this world-class suspension bridge. At noon, visitors can dine at the Miao King Banquet Guest House in the Dehang Miao Village scenic area and taste traditional western Hunan cuisine. In the afternoon, stroll through the Jiulongxi Canyon, enjoy natural landscapes such as the Liusha Waterfall, and also visit the Farming Culture Park to experience Miao culture.
Travel Tips：
Learn in advance about the scenic area's opening hours and ticket information, and plan your itinerary reasonably.
Wear comfortable shoes to make walking tours in the scenic area easier.
If you want to experience high-altitude activities, choose carefully according to your physical condition and courage.
You can watch Miao song and dance performances in the scenic area to gain a deeper understanding of Miao culture.
Precautions：
Observe the rules and order of the scenic area, and do not damage the environment or facilities at will.
When playing on the cliff plank road and the bridge, pay attention to safety and do not lean on or climb over the railings.
If bringing children, keep an eye on them and prevent them from running and playing around in the scenic area.
In summer, take sun protection and mosquito repellent measures; in winter, keep warm.
Transportation：
By car: Navigate to the "Aizhai Wonder Tourist Area Visitor Service Center" via the Baomao Expressway and other routes.
Public transportation: Special bus No. 18 is available from places such as Qianzhou Ancient City, the Prefecture Hospital, and the Jishou City Finance Bureau in Jishou City. It takes about 1.5 hours to reach the "Jidou Village Visitor Service Center" station.
Opening Hours：
Open all year round, Monday to Sunday, 08:30-17:30. Specific opening hours may be adjusted due to special circumstances, subject to the scenic area's actual announcement on the day.
Tickets：
Scenic area all-inclusive ticket: 280 yuan per person.