Xiushan

Xiushan’s mountain areas are fairly cool in summer, and the temperature difference between morning and evening is worth keeping in mind.

Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County in Chongqing is a county town with a strong everyday local feel. Located near the junction of Chongqing, Hunan and Guizhou, it has the distinctive setting of “standing in three provinces with one step” and has preserved many local flavors. Below is a guide to attractions, food and itinerary ideas to help you plan your trip.

Top Attractions

• Hong’an Border Town: This is considered the prototype for Shen Congwen’s *Border Town*, and the scenic area is free to enter. Visitors can take the 2-yuan hand-pulled ferry to the boundary marker area known as “standing in three provinces with one step.” In the early morning, mist often rises over the river, and the old street with stilted houses has a strong border-town atmosphere.
• Chuanhegai Tourist Resort: Known as “China’s Table Mountain,” it sits at an altitude of 1,200 meters, with an average summer temperature of about 20°C. The resort features vast alpine grasslands, wind turbines and seas of clouds. It is suitable for hiking, camping and stargazing. You can also experience the winding “45 Turns” mountain road or take the Cloud Ladder cableway up the mountain.
• Xiushan West Street: This Ming- and Qing-dynasty old street is free to visit and is close to the Meijiang River, Xiushan’s mother river. The area retains the layout of the old county town, with Huizhou-style fire walls interwoven with Tujia stilted houses. You can also visit Tianhou Temple and Bagua Well along the way to experience the everyday atmosphere of this century-old street.

Must-Try Foods and Local Specialties

In addition, you baba (fried rice cakes), tufei guoba (crispy rice crust), lamb rice noodles with skin and malatang are also worth adding to your meal list. For gifts to take home, consider Xiushan fermented tofu, Border Town Gongfu black tea and lonicera flower.

Classic Itinerary

• Day 1 (County Town Food and Strolling): Arrive in Xiushan in the morning. At noon, try rice tofu and pickles near Huadeng Square. In the afternoon, explore Xiushan West Street on foot and get a feel for the old county town’s lanes and streets. In the evening, go to the night market for crispy potatoes and barbecue, and stay overnight in the county town.
• Day 2 (Border Town and Highlands): In the morning, head to Hong’an Border Town, take the hand-pulled ferry, and try jiaojiao fish hotpot. In the afternoon, continue to Chuanhegai to see the alpine meadows and sea of clouds. At night, you can stay at a stargazing hotel or choose to camp, then return the next day.

If you have three days, you can add another day to visit nearby Youyang Taohuayuan or Mount Fanjing.

Transport and Accommodation Tips

• Transport: Visitors from outside the area can first take a train or high-speed rail to Xiushan Station. Taxis and buses are both convenient within the county town. To reach Hong’an Border Town, take a coach from the main bus station (17 yuan per person). To reach Chuanhegai, self-driving is recommended; you can take the route via the “45 Turns,” or take Bus No. 10 to Shuiyuantou Station and then transfer to the cableway.
• Accommodation: In the county town, consider staying around Huadeng Square or the railway station first, as dining and transport are both convenient and prices are relatively affordable (150–300 yuan per night). If you plan to stargaze at Chuanhegai, you can choose a stargazing hotel or a camping base. There are also characterful guesthouses inside the Border Town scenic area; advance booking is needed during holidays, and prices may rise.

Things to Note

• What to Wear: If you are going to Chuanhegai or Border Town, wear shoes suitable for walking. In the mountain areas, the temperature difference between morning and evening is noticeable, so bring a windproof jacket even in summer.
• Flavors: Xiushan food often has sour and spicy flavors. If you do not eat spicy food, say so before ordering. The traditional way to eat local malatang usually includes a bowl of soup and garlic water.
• Reservations: During peak season, if you are going to Chuanhegai or nearby Mount Fanjing, it is best to scan the code and reserve tickets in advance to avoid queues affecting your plans.