Enshi Tujia And Miao Autonomous Prefecture (恩施土家族苗族自治州)

1. Introduction

Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, abbreviated as Enshi Prefecture, is an autonomous prefecture under the jurisdiction of Hubei Province, People's Republic of China, located in the southwestern part of Hubei Province. The prefecture borders Yichang City to the east, Shennongjia Forestry District to the north, Chongqing Municipality to the west, and Xiangxi Prefecture, Zhangjiajie City, and Changde City of Hunan Province to the south. It is situated in the mountainous area of southwestern Hubei, on the eastern edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, with the Wushan Mountains in the north, the Wuling Mountains in the southeast, and the Qiyao Mountains in the west. The Yangtze River flows through the northeastern part, the Qingjiang River runs through the central area, and the Yujiang River is in the west. The total area of the prefecture is 24,060 square kilometers, with a population of 3.4561 million, comprising 29 ethnic groups. The proportions of Han, Tujia, and Miao ethnic groups are approximately 45%, 48%, and 5%, respectively. The capital of the autonomous prefecture is located in Enshi City. The famous folk song "Dragon Boat Tune" originated in Lichuan City, Enshi Prefecture, which is why Enshi Prefecture is also known as the "Hometown of the Dragon Boat Tune." The People's Government of the Autonomous Prefecture is located at No. 21, Lane 1, Wuyang Avenue, Enshi City.

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2. History

During the ancient Xia Dynasty, the area now known as Enshi Prefecture was called the State of Shi. In the Spring and Autumn period, it belonged to the State of Ba, and during the Warring States period, it was part of the Wu Commandery of the State of Chu. From the Tang Dynasty to the Song Dynasty, western Hubei implemented the Jimi Prefecture and County system. From the Yuan Dynasty until the 13th year of the Yongzheng reign in the Qing Dynasty, the Tusi system (native chieftain system) was in place in western Hubei. In the 13th year of the Yongzheng reign, western Hubei underwent the "Gaitu Guiliu" policy, replacing the Tusi system with the Liuguan system (system of appointed officials), and establishing the Shinan Prefecture, which governed six counties.

After the establishment of the Republic of China, Shinan Prefecture was abolished, and the counties were directly under the province. In the 4th year of the Republic of China, it belonged to the Jingzhou Circuit. In the 15th year, it was changed to the Shihe Circuit, governing seven counties. In the 17th year, it was renamed the Western Hubei Administrative Region. In the 21st year, it became the Seventh Administrative Inspection District, overseeing eight counties. After the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Hubei Provincial Government relocated to Enshi in 1938.

In 1949, the Enshi Special District was established, with its administrative office located in Enshi County, governing eight counties. In 1970, the Enshi Special District was renamed the Enshi Region, with its administrative seat still in Enshi County. On August 19, 1983, the Western Hubei Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture was established, and on April 4, 1993, it was renamed the Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture.

3. Geography

Enshi Prefecture is located in the southwestern part of Hubei Province, at the junction of Hunan, Hubei, and Chongqing municipalities.

It lies between 108°23′12″–110°38′08″ east longitude and 29°07′10″–31°24′13″ north latitude. To the west, it borders Qianjiang District of Chongqing; to the north, it neighbors Wanzhou District of Chongqing; to the south, it adjoins Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Hunan; to the northeast, it connects with Shennongjia Forestry District of Hubei Province; and to the east, it borders Yichang City of Hubei Province. The prefecture spans approximately 220 kilometers from east to west and about 260 kilometers from north to south.

The entire autonomous prefecture is mountainous, forming an extension of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. It is composed of the Wushan, Qiyue, Wuling, and Dalou mountain ranges, which run from southwest to northeast, creating a terrain that slopes from southwest to northeast.

The climate is a monsoonal mountain climate, characterized by cool summers without intense heat, mild winters with little severe cold, frequent fog, and abundant rainfall. Due to the complex topography and significant elevation differences, the average altitude in Enshi Prefecture is around 1,000 meters, with the highest point exceeding 3,000 meters and the lowest point just over 60 meters. Karst landforms are well-developed, and there are numerous sunken basins among the mountains.

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-------------------|-----------|-----------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|----------|----------|-----------|------------| | Avg high °C | 8.6 | 10.8 | 15.6 | 21.9 | 26.2 | 29.1 | 31.8 | 32.4 | 27.9 | 21.5 | 16.1 | 10.1 | 21.0 | | Avg high °F | 47.5 | 51.4 | 60.1 | 71.4 | 79.2 | 84.4 | 89.2 | 90.3 | 82.2 | 70.7 | 61.0 | 50.2 | 69.8 | | Daily mean °C | 5.2 | 7.1 | 10.9 | 16.4 | 20.7 | 23.9 | 26.5 | 26.5 | 22.6 | 17.0 | 11.9 | 6.7 | 16.3 | | Daily mean °F | 41.4 | 44.8 | 51.6 | 61.5 | 69.3 | 75.0 | 79.7 | 79.7 | 72.7 | 62.6 | 53.4 | 44.1 | 61.3 | | Avg low °C | 2.7 | 4.4 | 7.5 | 12.5 | 16.8 | 20.1 | 22.8 | 22.4 | 18.9 | 14.1 | 9.1 | 4.3 | 13.0 | | Avg low °F | 36.9 | 39.9 | 45.5 | 54.5 | 62.2 | 68.2 | 73.0 | 72.3 | 66.0 | 57.4 | 48.4 | 39.7 | 55.3 | | Avg precip. mm| 30.4 | 42.0 | 61.2 | 132.0 | 183.8 | 207.1 | 263.3 | 163.8 | 131.0 | 113.9 | 67.4 | 28.8 | 1,424.7 | | Avg precip. in| 1.20 | 1.65 | 2.41 | 5.20 | 7.24 | 8.15 | 10.37 | 6.45 | 5.16 | 4.48 | 2.65 | 1.13 | 56.09 | | Avg precip. days| 11.5 | 11.4 | 15.1 | 15.9 | 16.3 | 16.6 | 16.3 | 12.8 | 12.6 | 14.4 | 11.9 | 11.2 | 166.0 | | Avg humidity (%)| 83 | 80 | 78 | 78 | 79 | 79 | 80 | 76 | 78 | 84 | 84 | 85 | 80 | | Mean monthly sunshine hrs| 37.9 | 44.6 | 63.1 | 105.7 | 124.8 | 124.4 | 166.5 | 204.1 | 125.7 | 96.5 | 69.4 | 49.2 | 1,211.9 | | Percent possible sunshine| 12 | 14 | 17 | 27 | 30 | 30 | 39 | 50 | 34 | 27 | 22 | 16 | 27.3 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Enshi Prefecture currently administers 2 county-level cities and 6 counties.

• County-level cities: Enshi City, Lichuan City
• Counties: Jianshi County, Badong County, Xuan'en County, Xianfeng County, Laifeng County, Hefeng County

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Ethnic Townships | |----------|------------|----------|--------------|-------------------|----------|----------|-----------|-------|-------|------------| | 422800 | Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture | Ēnshī Tǔjiāzú Miáozú Zìzhìzhōu | 24,060.26 | 3,456,136 | Enshi City | 445000 | 5 | 53 | 30 | 4 | | 422801 | Enshi City | Ēnshī Shì | 3,967.30 | 836,781 | Xiaoduchuan Subdistrict | 445000 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 1 | | 422802 | Lichuan City | Lìchuān Shì | 4,605.52 | 750,670 | Duting Subdistrict | 445400 | 2 | 7 | 5 | | | 422822 | Jianshi County | Jiànshǐ Xiàn | 2,664.92 | 411,622 | Yezhou Town | 445300 | | 7 | 3 | | | 422823 | Badong County | Bādōng Xiàn | 3,351.62 | 395,376 | Xiling Town | 444300 | | 10 | 2 | | | 422825 | Xuan'en County | Xuān'ēn Xiàn | 2,737.17 | 284,955 | Zhushan Town | 445500 | | 5 | 4 | 2 | | 422826 | Xianfeng County | Xiánfēng Xiàn | 2,523.42 | 318,827 | Gaoleshan Town | 445600 | | 7 | 3 | |

5. Economy

The primary agricultural products include rice, wheat, and corn, while the industrial sector is supported by pillars such as coal, tobacco, and leather. The region boasts a wide variety of local specialties. Selenium-rich tea and Zhonglu Wudong tea were historically offered as tribute to the royal court. Zhonglu Huatai rice and Moudao Zhiluo rice were also ancient royal tribute grains. Lichuan City is renowned as the "Hometown of Metasequoia," "Hometown of Water Shield," "Hometown of Ostrich Fern," "Hometown of Ba Lacquer," and "Hometown of Coptis." It is also one of the country's 13 high-quality flue-cured tobacco production bases.

Enshi Prefecture is rich in distinctive resources, with abundant selenium resources that are unparalleled nationwide, earning it the title "World Capital of Selenium." It hosts the world's only independent selenium deposit and is the first high-selenium area discovered in mainland China to date. "Golden Silk Tung Oil" ranks first in the country, and "Maoba Raw Lacquer" is renowned both domestically and internationally. Wild mountain vegetables such as water shield, ostrich fern, bracken, kidney beans, konjac, Nostoc sphaeroides, Fengtou ginger, Minghe, and Chinese yam are also famous overseas. With over 400,000 mu of high-quality tea gardens, Enshi is a key tea production and export base in Hubei Province. Enshi is also known as the "Tobacco Kingdom," with 600,000 mu of high-quality tobacco leaf bases. Its precious medicinal herbs are celebrated nationwide, earning it the reputation of "Central China's Medicinal Treasure House." The tourism resources are unique, making it a "Leisure Destination," and together with Zhangjiajie and the Yangtze River Three Gorges, it forms the "Golden Triangle" on China's golden tourism route.

6. Transportation

• Aviation: Xujiaping Airport. According to information from the airport's official website in March 2020, during the 2019/2020 winter-spring flight season, Enshi Xujiaping Airport had 27 routes operated by 11 domestic and international airlines, connecting to 22 cities across China and abroad.
• Highways: The Shanghai–Chengdu Expressway, Shanghai–Chongqing Expressway, National Highway 318, National Highway 209, National Highway 242, and 11 provincial highways traverse the Enshi Prefecture. Many of these roads cross over mountains and are known for their steep and challenging terrain. Enshi Bus Station offers coach services to various counties within the prefecture, cities within Hubei Province such as Wuhan and Yichang, and other provincial cities like Chongqing, Guangzhou, and Wenzhou.
• Railways: The Yichang–Wanzhou Railway runs east-west through Enshi Prefecture, providing train services to cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, and Wuhan. Additionally, the Qianjiang–Zhangjiajie–Changde Railway passes through the area, and the newly planned national Yangtze River Railway's Yichang–Fuling section also runs through Enshi.

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7. Population

At the end of 2022, the registered population of the entire prefecture was 4.0025 million. Among them, the male population was 2.0828 million, accounting for 52.0% of the total population; the female population was 1.9197 million, accounting for 48.0%. The annual number of births was 21,300, with a birth rate of 5.04‰; the number of deaths was 24,800, with a death rate of 5.89‰; the natural growth rate was -0.85‰.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the permanent resident population of the entire prefecture was 3,456,136. Compared with the 3,290,294 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 165,842 people over the ten years, a growth of 5.04%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.49%. Among them, the male population was 1,767,569, accounting for 51.14% of the total population; the female population was 1,688,567, accounting for 48.86%. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 104.68. The population aged 0-14 was 619,171, accounting for 17.92% of the total population; the population aged 15-59 was 2,126,685, accounting for 61.53% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 710,280, accounting for 20.55% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 543,981, accounting for 15.74%. The urban population was 1,609,251, accounting for 46.56% of the total population; the rural population was 1,846,885, accounting for 53.44%.

7.1. Ethnic Groups

There are 29 ethnic groups living here, including the Han, Tujia, Miao, and Dong ethnicities. Among the permanent resident population of the entire prefecture, the Han population was 1,466,906, accounting for 42.44%; the Tujia population was 1,727,873, accounting for 49.99%; the Miao population was 183,098, accounting for 5.3%; and the populations of other ethnic minorities totaled 78,259, accounting for 2.26%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han population decreased by 24,401, a decline of 1.64%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 2.88 percentage points; the combined population of all ethnic minorities increased by 190,243, a growth of 10.58%, and their proportion of the total population increased by 2.88 percentage points. Among them, the Tujia population increased by 164,925, a growth of 10.55%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 2.49 percentage points; the Miao population increased by 18,254, a growth of 11.07%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.29 percentage points; the Dong population increased by 2,410, a growth of 4.8%, while its proportion of the total population remained unchanged.

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8. Culture

8.1 Tourism

Enshi Prefecture's scenery is primarily characterized by picturesque landscapes and fantastical caves and caverns. Major attractions include the Enshi Grand Canyon, Qingjiang River Gallery, Tenglong Cave, Yumuzhai Village, the Dashuijing Ancestral Hall, the Xingdou Mountain Primeval Forest, the Tusi King City, the Tujia Hand-Waving Hall, and the Suobuya Stone Forest. Additionally, the Tujia people's stilted houses, the Dong villages' wind-and-rain bridges, the July Daughter's Festival, the weeding gongs and drums during farming, the Sa'erhe dance performed at funerals, and the Hand-Waving Dance performed during celebrations all showcase the rich and colorful customs of Enshi.

Enshi Prefecture experiences frequent rain and fog, with rainfall and heat occurring in the same season. It is best to avoid the rainy season when planning a trip to Enshi.

Grand Canyon: Located within Tunbao Township and Banqiao Town of Enshi City, the Enshi Grand Canyon features a vast area with coexisting sheer cliffs and peak clusters, creating a majestic and spectacular landscape rare in karst topography. It can be summarized as "white clouds rising over the Qingjiang River, sheer cliffs encircling peak clusters, natural bridges connecting cave groups, underground rivers meeting flying waterfalls, and earth fissures paired with sinkholes."

Tusi City: An architectural complex imitating an ancient Tusi manor, featuring traditional buildings of the Tujia, Miao, and Dong ethnic groups. It is divided into ethnic culture exhibition areas, religious exhibition areas, and entertainment and leisure areas. The core attraction is the Jiujintang Hall.

Xiao Jigongling Hand-Waving Hall: A venue for the Tujia people to perform the Hand-Waving Dance. Built during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty, it covers an area of 500 square meters and is the earliest and best-preserved structure of its kind still in existence.

Wenchang Temple: Also known as Wenchang Palace or Wenchang Temple, it is a Buddhist architectural structure from the Qing Dynasty. It features a double-eave hip-and-gable roof without bracket sets, constructed from brick and wood. Existing structures include the courtyard, the curved hall, and the main hall.

Tenglong Cave: The world's largest single karst cave, stretching 52.5 kilometers. It consists of scenic areas including the Water Cave, Dry Cave, Catfish Cave, Cool Breeze Cave, Dujia Village, three "Dragon Gates," and Huaxian Pit.

Yumuzhai Village: A Tusi royal city situated on cliffs on three sides, with perilous terrain, considered a center of preserved Tujia culture. The castle walls, formidable passes, plank roads, ancient tombs, and stone carvings within the scenic area are all well-preserved.

Longling Palace: A large natural karst cave combining a water cave, a labyrinth cave, and a dry cave, with a total length of over 2,300 meters. It features more than 200 scenic spots, primarily including One Altar, Two Mansions, Three Gorges, Nine Dragons, Thirteen Halls, and Twenty-Eight Wonders.

Suobuya Stone Forest: A typical karst landform covering a total area of 21 square kilometers, it is the second-largest stone forest in China. It is divided into eight major scenic areas, including the Ancient Cypress Folk Amusement Park, Qinglong Temple, Liubuguan, and Lotus Village.

Qingjiang River Rafting: Known as the "Number One Drift in China," it spans 38.5 kilometers, with the narrowest point being only 15 meters wide. Experience thrilling rapids while appreciating the simple and unique Tujia customs. The period from April to October, when the Qingjiang River has higher water levels, is the best season for rafting.

Shennong Stream: Originating from the main peak of the Shennongjia region, it is a typical gorge stream. It flows through Mianzhu Gorge, Parrot Gorge, and Longchangdong Gorge, with the narrowest point having a width of only 7 meters between the banks. Rafting along the stream is exciting and thrilling.

Dashuijing: Comprising the Li Clan Ancestral Hall and the Li Clan Manor, these structures date back to the Qing Dynasty. Their scale is unparalleled among ancient residential buildings in Hubei Province.

King Metasequoia: Known as the "Number One Metasequoia in the World," it is over 600 years old, stands 35 meters tall, and has a breast-height diameter of 2.4 meters.

Lianzhu Pagoda: Built during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, it is a landmark structure in Enshi City. It consists of large and small mountain gates, a fasting hall, a decorative wall, and a stone memorial archway. The pagoda is 40 meters high, constructed with large blue bricks, and contains a hanging staircase inside. The top floor offers a panoramic view of Enshi.

Xingdou Mountain: The area preserves 2,033 plant species and 378 terrestrial vertebrate species, earning it the reputation of the "Natural Botanical Garden of Central China." The Huangjin Cave, located 12 kilometers south of the mountain, is a rare and complex cave system in the world.

Xianfo Temple: One of China's oldest excavated cave temples, constructed in 335 AD. The grottoes house over 100 stone Buddha statues of various sizes, featuring simple, ancient, and exquisite craftsmanship.

8.2 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Dashuijing Ancient Architectural Complex
• Jianshi Hominid Site
• Shizhou City Site
• Tangya Tusi City Site
• Rongmei Tusi Site
• Yumuzhai Village
• Xianfo Temple Grottoes
• Wuliping Revolutionary Site
• Pengjiazhai Ancient Architectural Complex

9. Sister Cities

Enshi Prefecture – Jecheon City, South Korea August 26, 2021 Enshi Prefecture – Waimakariri District, New Zealand April 2019 Enshi Prefecture – Galway City, Ireland January 25, 2019

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Enshi City

Enshi City

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