Ayi River Scenic Area is located at No. 500, Group 6, Ayi River Community, Shaoqing Subdistrict, Pengshui Miao and Tujia Autonomous County, Chongqing. The total length of the scenic area is 21 kilometers. It integrates mountains, waters, forests, springs, and gorges, and combines magnificence, strangeness, danger, beauty, and seclusion. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area. With ancient geology, it has unique animal and plant resources. There are 1,354 species of plants belonging to 625 genera of 161 families, including 908 species of medicinal plants, 115 species of wild edible plants, and 266 species of industrial plants. There are also 16 species of rare and endangered plants such as Distylium chinense, Taxus chinensis, and Davidia involucrata. There are a total of 11 species of first and second-class protected plants and 5 species of third-class protected plants. There are 298 species of animals, belonging to 81 families of 33 orders, and the number of species accounts for more than half of that in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area. The scenic area is divided into 3 sightseeing areas (Gorge Sightseeing Area, Hiking Sightseeing Area, Bamboo Raft Sightseeing Area), 2 leisure and vacation areas (Reception Center Ethnic Style Leisure and Vacation Area, Niujiaozhai Ethnic Style Leisure and Vacation Area), 2 experience areas (Rafting Experience Area, Outdoor Experience Area), 1 passionate rafting area, and 1 characteristic commodity service area.
History and Culture
The original name of Ayi River was Changxi River. It originated from Fenshui Township, Wuchuan County, Guizhou Province, meandered northeastward into Pengshui County, Chongqing, and finally flowed into the Wujiang River. The Miao people call kind, beautiful, and intelligent women "Jiao Ayi", and thus Ayi River got its name.
Ayi River has a long history and tradition, colorful ethnic cultures, and unique regional customs. The Zhubanqiao retains the traditional papermaking technique, inheriting Cai Lun's papermaking process and showing the original charm of the "Four Great Inventions" in ancient China. After the Liu family in Zhubanqiao moved from Jiangxi to Sichuan, they have lived on the bank of Ayi River for more than 250 years. They used the bamboo on the riverbank to manually produce straw paper, which has been passed down from generation to generation. The papermaking process is complex. It is said that it takes 72 processes to make one piece of paper, and all are done by hand. The main processes include cutting bamboo, soaking and rinsing, sweating (fermentation), making pulp, scooping paper, and packaging.
There are also many ancient legends and beautiful myths here, such as the story of the bamboo raft connecting the bridge, the story of the brothers Dajingbang and Erjingbang sacrificing their lives to catch a tiger, the story of the big stalagmite being burned and half of Chongqing Prefecture being burned down, and the story of the Immortal's Footprint.
Main Attractions
Thousand-step Ladder
The Thousand-step Ladder is more than 800 meters long. It was initiated by the local resident Peng Guoliang in the 1920s and was renovated with funds raised by Mr. Peng Yunkai in the 1990s. It is not only a convenient passage for the local people's daily life but also a must-see scenic spot for tourists to experience the thrill and wonder of Ayi River.
Ba Mountain Corridor Bridge
The Ba Mountain Corridor Bridge is built against the rock, with mountain rocks as the foundation, logs as the pillars, and overlapping green tiles, giving it a simple and natural appearance. Here, you can enjoy the scenery of high gorges and deep valleys, shrouded in clouds and mist, and listen to the chirping of apes, birds, and swallows.
Zhubanqiao
It is the main entrance of Ayi River Scenic Area. It got its name because local villagers used bamboo to build a bridge to cross the river in the early years. It is also the confluence of Muzixi and Ayi River. You can go upstream to visit Qilitang, go downstream to raft to Niujiaozhai, explore Muzixi, or go to the opposite side to observe the original papermaking process.
Qinglong Valley
The two mountains on the banks of the valley wind and interweave, and the river in the valley meanders through the cave, stretching for 1.5 kilometers. Here are the ruins of the ancient mountain collision, the fossilized peaks of Fuxi and Nüwa's mating, and the tragic theater where a prince of the Tang Dynasty hanged himself. When you step on the suspended plank road to explore, you can see the narrow valley like a line of sky, and the mysterious realm of "Feilong Cave" winds through the valley along with the gurgling river. The unique landscape of the "One-line Light Curtain" is that according to the changes of solar terms, the sunlight shines into the one-line sky from 12:00 to 14:00 every afternoon, forming a curtain of light in the valley. With the rising mist at the bottom of the valley, it is just like a fairyland.
Qinglong Bridge (Myanmar Bridge)
It is built with steel wires and wooden boards, and at most 3 to 5 people can walk on it at the same time. Participants can fully stretch their hands and feet, feel the feeling similar to walking on a tightrope in acrobatics, exercise their courage, and overcome acrophobia and timidity.
Qilitang
With clear and quiet green water, high mountains and deep valleys, it has strange peaks and rocks, precipices, ancient trees, and rare flowers. There are also stalagmites towering into the sky, playing monkeys, solemn stone Buddhas, unfathomable caves, and strange stalactites. In the river, there are pure natural and pollution-free yellow croakers, carps, catfish, soft-shelled turtles, etc. It takes more than 3 hours to tour by bamboo raft. The main scenic spots include Dishuiyan (Water Curtain Cave), Zhucao Bay, Beautiful Woman's Legs, Dafo Rock, Laohudong Shaba, and Divine Bow Shooting the Sun.
Parrot Gorge
It is located 1.5 kilometers in the direction from Zhubanqiao to Niujiaozhai, with a total length of 500 meters. It got its name because the sound of the flowing water is as beautiful as a parrot singing. After the water rises, the river gurgles, like the chirping of a parrot. The steep and upright rock walls in the gorge are surrounded and divided into multiple layers by lush trees. When the weather changes, the mountains are shrouded in clouds and mist, and the peaks appear and disappear. The clear green stream passes through the valley and forest, and there are also turbulent long beaches.
Niujiaozhai
It is a Miao village surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing water on one side, covering an area of more than 3,000 square meters, integrating the folk customs of the Miao people. The peaks around the village contain the wild and primitive beauty. There are inn service centers, newly built Miao wooden buildings, and hotels equipped with modern bathing facilities. There are also gourmet barbecue areas and sandbar bonfire tent areas, where you can experience camping life. Here, you can enjoy the leisure time in the wooden buildings, barbecues, bonfire nights, and folk custom performances.
Qinglong Cave
The loop line is 1.5 kilometers long. The chemical sedimentary forms in the cave are extremely rich. Landscapes such as stalactites, stone flowers, stalagmites, stone curtains, stone flags, and rimstone dams are densely distributed and in large quantities, ranking first among caves in China. Rare wonders such as the Dragon Scale Stone Waterfall, Chang'e Colorful Curtain, Colorful Jade Pool, and Cave Waterfall are especially rare, and it is known as the "Underground Geological Museum".
Love Letter Corridor
It is set up at the entrance of the scenic area, with a total length of 1.5 kilometers. It is the first love letter corridor in China.
Cuisine
Ayi River Chinese Prickly Ash Chicken
It is cooked with the local free-range native chickens as the main ingredient, and paired with auxiliary ingredients such as Chinese prickly ash and green and red millet peppers. It tastes spicy, salty, and fragrant, with a long aftertaste.
Stewed Chicken with Big-foot Mushrooms
Stew the big-foot mushrooms with the local native chickens. It tastes delicious and is not greasy.
Stewed Miao-style Preserved Pork with Dried Radish
It is a characteristic Miao dish, stewed with dried radish and the Miao's secret recipe preserved pork. It maintains the excellent characteristics of good color, aroma, and taste, with a mellow taste and a crispy and refreshing flavor.
Twice-cooked Pork with Fermented Chili
It is a characteristic Tujia dish, stir-fried with fermented chili, streaky pork, and garlic sprouts. It is an excellent dish to go with rice.
Chicken Bean Curd Flower
It is a unique delicacy of the Miao people in Pengshui, which has been passed down for more than 1,300 years. It got its name because it is made from chicken breast meat and egg white and has the shape and color of bean curd flower. It has a crystal-clear color, a fresh and fragrant taste, melts in the mouth, retains the nutrition of chicken and eggs, and has the effect of appetizing and nourishing the stomach.
Pengshui Rice Noodles
It originated from Yushan Ancient Town and is locally called "Luomifen" or "Lvdoufen". Mix rice flour and mung bean flour with water to make a paste. Heat the pan over a low fire, smear a small amount of cooking oil, pour the rice paste into the pan in a line shape, and bake it into strip-shaped rice noodles. Different ingredients can be added to make heart and lung rice noodles, minced meat rice noodles, pickled vegetable rice noodles, pig intestine rice noodles, beef rice noodles, and spare rib rice noodles.
Pengshui Tujia-style Preserved Pork
It selects the black-haired pigs raised and consumed by local farmers as the high-quality pork material and is smoked with the characteristic "local method" passed down from generation to generation by the Tujia people. It is the signature "New Year flavor" of the Tujia people.
Ayi River Cave-stored Wine
It is an original ecological Miao-style white wine, made from the locally produced tartary buckwheat as the raw material and the high-quality spring water of Ayi River. It is carefully brewed according to the unique process of traditional small-stove white wine, without adding any spices or additives, and is a natural original wine without blending. It has been stored in the Qinglong Cave, which is warm in winter and cool in summer, for many years. It has the unique style of being naturally pure, sweet, mellow, not irritating the throat, not causing a headache, having a strong fragrance, and a long aftertaste.
Admission Tickets
The full-price ticket is 70 yuan, and the half-price ticket is 35 yuan.
Other Charging Items
One-way elevator ticket: 35 yuan
Round-trip elevator ticket: 50 yuan
Singing on the Bamboo Raft: 80 yuan
Qinglong Bridge: 30 yuan
Playing in Bitan Water (Upper Half of the Rafting Route): 80 yuan
Braving the Rapids (Lower Half of the Rafting Route): 180 yuan
Sightseeing Bus (from Niujiaozhai to the Exit): 50 yuan
Sightseeing Bus (from Zhubanqiao to Niujiaozhai): 30 yuan
Important Notice: Tourists participating in "Braving the Rapids (Lower Half of the Rafting Route)" must arrive at the Niujiaozhai Wharf before 14:30.
The scenic area also sells package tickets and has preferential policies. Please search for the official WeChat public account "阿依河旅游" to learn detailed information about the scenic area, purchase tickets, or queue up to buy tickets at the scenic area on-site.
Opening Hours
It is open throughout the year. During the peak season, it is from 08:30 to 18:00, and during the off-season, it is from 09:00 to 17:30.
In case of special weather, the scenic area may be closed. Please pay attention to the weather changes before departure.
Tour Routes
You can first enter the scenic area to visit the Gorge Sightseeing Area and enjoy the gorge scenery; then go to the Hiking Sightseeing Area and stroll to admire the rare flowers, exotic plants, ancient vines, and old trees; after that, go to the Bamboo Raft Sightseeing Area and take a bamboo raft to feel the quietness of the river. If you want to experience rafting, you can start the "First Dangerous Rafting in Chongqing" from Niujiaozhai to Wanzhu Wharf; or you can choose to visit Qinglong Valley first, step on the suspended plank road to explore, and then go to Qinglong Cave to admire the magical scenery inside the cave. You can also participate in the folk custom experience activities in the scenic area, such as experiencing the Miao people's life in Niujiaozhai.
Transportation
- Self-driving: From Chongqing Urban Area—Baomao Expressway—Pengshui West—Pengshui County Town—Ayi River, the whole journey takes about 2.5 hours.
- Public Transportation: You can take a bus from Chongqing Longtousi or Sigongli to Waiheba Bus Station in Pengshui County, or take a train from Chongqing North Station to Pengshui County. There is a second-class highway built from the urban area to the Ayi River Reception Center, and the Pengyou Second-class Road connects to the exit of the scenic area. There are buses and scenic area transport vehicles running throughout the day.
Must-see Attractions
- Rafting Experience Area: The section from Niujiaozhai to Wanzhu Wharf is more than 9 kilometers long, with a drop of more than 60 meters. There are more than 30 turbulent rapids and dangerous shoals, known as the "First Dangerous Rafting in Chongqing", which can bring an exciting and thrilling experience.
- Qinglong Valley: The landscape in the valley is unique, with the narrow valley like a line of sky, the mysterious realm of "Feilong Cave", the "One-line Light Curtain", etc. Stepping on the suspended plank road to explore makes you feel like traveling through time and space.
- Qinglong Cave: The chemical sedimentary forms in the cave are rich, with many rare wonders. It is known as the "Underground Geological Museum" and is definitely worth exploring.
Tour Tips
- Pay attention to the weather in advance and choose a sunny day to visit. When rafting, pay attention to taking waterproof measures and bring a change of clothes.
- If you want to experience folk custom activities, you can learn about the activity arrangements of the scenic area in advance. For example, during the Miao People's Outing Festival on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, you can participate in the "Pan Song" activity.
- When hiking, wear comfortable sports shoes so that you can better enjoy the scenery along the way.
- When tasting the cuisine, you can choose according to your personal taste. If you like sour and spicy flavors, you can try the local characteristic sour and spicy foods.
Notes
- Respect the religious beliefs and customs of the local Miao and Tujia ethnic groups. For example, when visiting a Miao village, follow the local customs.
- Protect the environment of the scenic area. Do not litter casually, and do not damage flowers, plants and trees.
- When rafting, follow the instructions of the staff, wear the life-saving equipment correctly to ensure safety.
- The signal may be poor in some areas of the scenic area. Inform your family or friends of your itinerary in advance.
- In case of bad weather, adjust your itinerary in a timely manner to ensure your own safety.