Shiyan Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 十堰 (shí yàn)
Population: 3,406,000
Area: 14,100 square kilometers (5,444 square miles)
Location: in the northwest of Hubei Province, central China
Administrative Division: 3 districts (Zhangwan, Maojian, Yunyang); 4 counties (Yunxi, Zhushan, Fangxian, Zhuxi); 1 county-level city (Danjiangkou)
Area Code: 0719
Zip Code: 442000-442700
GDP (2018): CNY 174.78 billion (USD 26.414 billion)

Shiyan is situated in the northwest of Hubei Province, the upper reach of the Han River. It borders Xiangfan City to the east, at the convergence of Hubei, Shaanxi and Henan provinces and Chongqing. As a juncture of north, southwest and northwest China, Shiyan is of great importance in Hubei. It is the first commercial vehicle production base in China. There are more than 500 vehicle and parts manufacturers in the city, with an annual production capacity of 500,000 vehicles. Shiyan is also famed for the Taoist holy place Wudang Mountains where tourists can learn about Taoist culture and enjoy the wonderful natural scenery and ancient buildings. Shennongjia Nature Reserve near to the Wudang Mountain is the best-preserved subtropical forest in China, which can be packed into your Shiyan trip.

Wudang Mountain, Shiyan, Hubei

Gilt Bronze Hall on Wudang Mountain

 Wudang Mountains: Located in the northwest of Danjiangkou City, the Wudang Mountains are among the most distinguished Taoist mountains in China. Apart from the beautiful natural sceneries, ancient buildings on the mountain make it a cultural treasure-house. And the Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains was listed in the World Heritage in 1994.
 
 Shennongjia Nature Reserve: It borders Fangxian County and Zhushan County in the north, and it is adjacent to the Wudang Mountains. It is the best-preserved subtropical forest in China. Visitors might arrange it in the tourist schedule while traveling Shiyan. For the opening of Hanshi (Wuhan - Shiyan) Freeway, about three hours are needed to cover the distance.
 
Other Scenic Spots: Wulonghe Scenic Area, Danjiang Dam, Saiwudang Nature Reserve

The in-town public buses and taxis are quite convenient in downtown Shiyan. Intercity bus line 202 directly leads to Wudang Mountains. Train, long-distance bus and flight are all possible means of transportation to Shiyan. Currently, people can fly to Wudangshan Airport from Tianjin, Kunming, Hangzhou, Xi'an, Wuhan and some other cities.

Running both normal speed train and high speed train, Shiyan Railway Station has trains to Wuhan, Xi'an, Hanzhong, Chongqing, Chengdu and more cities. Shiyan East Railway Station is a high speed train station operating trains to/from Xiangyang, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Beijing, Shanghai and Shijiazhuang.

 See more Wuhan - Shiyan Train, Beijing to Shiyan Train

 

Enjoying a subtropical continental monsoon climate, Shiyan is warmer in winter and hotter in summer than other places at the same latitudes. June to August concentrates most of the rainfall and heat of a year.
 
 When to Go: Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Shiyan.   History: According to the archaeological discovery of the site of Qinglongquan in Yunxian County, the civilization of Shiyan can be traced back to the Neolithic Age. It belonged to Chu Kingdom before the Qin Dynasty (221BC - 206BC) set up county in the area, and the successive dynasties continued to follow this administrative division. It gained its present name in Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) for the ten dams built to help irrigation.
 
 Geographical Features: Influenced by the Qinling Mountains, Wudang Mountains and Daba Mountains, the terrain of Shiyan undulates obviously. On the whole the landform is higher in the west and lower in the east, inclining from the north and south to the central part. On the banks of Han River, river valleys and basins are distributed in turns.
 
 Local Highlights: Wudang International Tourist Festival (September or October)
 
 Special Local Products: herbal medicine, tea