Xiushan

Chongqing’s Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County is a lively small city full of everyday charm. It not only has the unique geographic appeal of “stepping into three provinces with one foot,” but also hides plenty of authentic local food. Here is a detailed Xiushan travel guide to help you explore this hidden-gem county with ease!

Top Attractions

• Hong’an Border Town: The prototype for Shen Congwen’s *Border Town*, open free of charge. Here you can experience the 2-yuan hand-pulled ferry, check in at the boundary marker where one foot can stand in three provinces, and photograph the morning mist over the river and the old stilt-house street.
• Chuanhegai Tourist Resort: Known as “China’s Table Mountain,” it sits at an altitude of 1,200 meters, with an average summer temperature of 20°C. It has vast alpine grasslands, wind turbines, and seas of clouds, making it ideal for hiking, camping, and stargazing. You can also challenge the thrilling 45-bend mountain road or take the Cloud Ladder cableway.
• Xiushan West Street: A free Ming- and Qing-style ancient street beside the county’s mother river, the Meijiang River. The street preserves the look of the old county town, where Huizhou-style fire walls stand alongside Tujia stilt houses. You can also visit Tianhou Palace and Bagua Well, and feel the down-to-earth atmosphere of this century-old street.

Must-Try Food and Local Specialties

In addition, you baba, bandit crispy rice, mutton rice noodles with skin, and malatang are all well worth trying. For local specialties, you can buy some Xiushan fermented tofu, Border Town Gongfu black tea, and wild honeysuckle as souvenirs.

Classic Itinerary

• Day 1 (County Town Food and Wandering): Arrive in Xiushan in the morning, then have rice tofu and pickles near Huadeng Square at noon. In the afternoon, stroll along Xiushan West Street and take in the atmosphere of the old county town. In the evening, eat crispy potatoes and barbecue at the night market, and stay overnight in the county town.
• Day 2 (Border Town and Highlands): Head to Hong’an Border Town in the morning, experience the hand-pulled ferry, and eat jiaojiao fish hotpot. In the afternoon, go to Chuanhegai to see alpine meadows and seas of clouds. In the evening, stargaze at the Starry Sky Hotel or camp there, then return the next day.

If you have three days, you can add one more day to visit nearby Youyang Peach Blossom Spring or Mount Fanjing.

Transport and Accommodation Tips

• Transport: Visitors from other places can first take a train or high-speed rail to Xiushan Station. Within the county town, taxis and buses are convenient. To reach Hong’an Border Town, take a coach from the bus terminal (17 yuan/person). For Chuanhegai, self-driving is recommended (you can challenge the 45 bends), or take Bus No. 10 to Shuiyuantou Station and transfer to the cableway.
• Accommodation: In the county town, staying near Huadeng Square or the railway station is recommended; food and transport are convenient, and prices are affordable (150-300 yuan/night). If you want to stargaze at Chuanhegai, stay at the Starry Sky Hotel or a camping base. There are distinctive guesthouses inside the Border Town scenic area, but you need to book in advance during holidays, and prices will rise.

Pitfalls and Notes

• What to Wear: Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes when visiting Chuanhegai or Border Town. In the highlands, the temperature difference between morning and evening is large, so bring a windproof jacket even in summer.
• Taste Preferences: Xiushan food tends to be sour and spicy. If you do not eat spicy food, remember to tell the owner in advance. The local traditional way to eat malatang is with a bowl of soup and garlic water.
• Reservations: If visiting Chuanhegai or nearby Mount Fanjing in peak season, it is recommended to scan the code and reserve tickets in advance to avoid delays from queuing.