Xiaonanhai is located in Qianjiang District, Chongqing City and is a national 4A-level tourist scenic area. It is a mountainous freshwater barrier lake scenic area integrating mountains, waters, islands, gorges and other sceneries, covering an area of about 30 square kilometers, with a water area of 2.87 square kilometers. The lake in the scenic area is more than 5,000 meters long, up to 2 kilometers wide, with an average water depth of 30 meters and a maximum depth of 60 meters, and the maximum water storage capacity reaches 6700×104 cubic meters. There are rich forest resources, with more than 140 kinds of trees and more than 50 kinds of fish, and it is the habitat of many rare species. In the scenic area, the Qianjiang Folklore Museum, the first Tujia folk ecological museum in the Wuling Mountain area, is composed of a display center and 13 Tujia stockaded villages in Banjiaxi.
History and Culture
Xiaonanhai is a canyon flat lake formed by a major earthquake in the Bingchen year (1856) of the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty. It is the most complete ancient earthquake site preserved in China. During the earthquake, the rolling stones formed a natural dam that is 1,170 meters long from north to south, 1,040 meters wide at the bottom, 67.5 meters high of the dam, and 70 meters wide of the overflow weir, blocking the water collection of Banjiaxi and forming a natural lake. The area around Xiaonanhai is a settlement of the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups, and most of the dwellings are stilt houses, with strong ethnic customs. It is also the cradle of early revolutionary activities. There were important revolutionary activities before the Xinhai Revolution and during the Second Chinese Revolutionary Civil War.
Main Attractions
Chaoyang Island
Located in the Xiaonanhai Geopark, it got its name from the Chaoyang Temple on the island. Because of its shape like a butterfly, it is also known as the "Butterfly Island", covering an area of 6.46 hectares. The Chaoyang Temple was rebuilt by Yang Yuncai, a Zhixian (magistrate) of Qianjiang during the 29th year of the Qianlong period (1764) of the Qing Dynasty. It originally had a courtyard of the temple with 60 rooms, enshrining the Goddess of the South Sea, twenty-four celestial gods, and eighteen arhats.
Niubei Island
It is the largest island in Xiaonanhai, covering an area of about 8.33 hectares. On the right is the lying head, and in the middle is like a broad ox back bathing in the water. The ox looks back at the Moon Fort, a small island in the center of the lake, forming the landscape of "the rhinoceros looking at the moon".
Laoguanping Island
It is the smallest island in Xiaonanhai, covering an area of 0.57 hectares. It got its name because there is a long-billed old stork with grayish-white feathers often perching on it, looking like a green snail in the vast expanse of blue waves.
Da Kua Yan and Xiao Kua Yan
The lithology of Da Kua Yan is silty sandstone and shale of the Luoreping Formation in the Silurian System. It is in the shape of a regular triangle, about 200m wide at the bottom, about 120m high, with a section of about 5000m2. It is grand in scale and majestic in momentum, and it is the most typical and largest cliff in the park. The lithology of Xiao Kua Yan is silty sandstone and shale of the Luoreping Formation in the Silurian System, in an irregular shape, about 80m wide at the bottom, about 60m high, with a section area of about 2000m2.
Qianjiang Folklore Museum
An exhibition center of 3,000 square meters was built with an investment of 20 million yuan, centrally displaying architectural culture, farming culture, ethnic culture, natural resources, and cultural resources in their original flavors. An investment of 5 million yuan was made to transform the original 13 stockaded villages in Banjiaxi, maintaining the characteristics of Tujia stilt house villages and courtyards.
Delicacies
Qianjiang Chicken Giblets
The chicken giblets are cooked and eaten while simmering over a low fire. Vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, bean sprouts, wax gourd, and greens can be added to form a unique Tujia dish.
Zhangguan Heza
It is a characteristic Tujia delicacy, mainly made from soybeans, ground and cooked, and often eaten with various side dishes.
Yushan Buckwheat Noodles with Tofu Pudding
It is mainly made from buckwheat noodles and tofu pudding, with a smooth taste and rich bean flavor. Seasonings can be added according to personal taste.
Mung Bean Noodles
The noodles are made from mung beans and rice ground into a pulp. They can be cooked, stir-fried, or served cold, with a delicate taste and a fragrant flavor.
Handmade Noodles
The handmade noodles have a chewy texture and can be served with various minced meat toppings and soup.
Tickets
The ticket price starts from 60 yuan. Subject to the actual price of the scenic area.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are from 8:30 to 18:00. Subject to the actual opening hours of the scenic area.
Tour Routes
In the morning, you can first climb Fengming Mountain to overlook the panoramic view of Xiaonanhai, then take a boat to tour Xiaonanhai, visit the earthquake site of Xiaonanhai, and then climb Niubei Island, Chaoyang Temple Island, and Laoguanping Island. In the afternoon, you can visit the Qianjiang Folklore Museum to learn about the local Tujia culture.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from Chongqing, take the Chongqing-Xiangxi Expressway, get off at Qianjiang and then go to the Xiaonanhai Scenic Area. The road conditions along the way are good and the roads are spacious.
- Public transportation: Take a bus to Xiaonanhai Town at Qianjiang Bus Station, and then transfer to local transportation to the scenic area.
Must-visit Attractions
- Xiaonanhai Lake: The core of the scenic area, with a broad lake surface, clear water, surrounded by mountains, and pleasant scenery. You can take a boat to enjoy the lake view and mountain scenery.
- Earthquake Site: The most complete ancient earthquake site preserved in China, allowing people to feel the power of the earthquake, such as the barrier dam, Da Kua Yan, Xiao Kua Yan and other geological landscapes.
- Qianjiang Folklore Museum: A good place to learn about the Tujia culture, displaying the local architectural culture, farming culture, ethnic culture, etc.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to go in spring and autumn. The climate is pleasant, the scenery is charming, and there are relatively few tourists, allowing you to enjoy the tranquility and beauty better.
- You can taste local delicacies in the farmhouses in the scenic area and experience the Tujia flavor.
- If you have enough time, you can stay overnight around the scenic area and enjoy the night view of Xiaonanhai and the lake view in the early morning.
Precautions
- Xiaonanhai is located in the mountainous area and the weather is changeable. It is recommended to carry rain gear and warm clothes with you.
- Pay attention to personal safety during the tour. Do not climb dangerous areas at will and abide by the regulations of the scenic area.
- Do not litter and keep the environmental hygiene of the scenic area to jointly maintain this pure land.
- Respect the local cultural customs when visiting historical and cultural sites, and do not touch or damage cultural relics at will.
- Since Xiaonanhai is located in the mountainous area and the sunlight is strong, it is recommended that tourists prepare sunscreen, sun hats and other sun protection products to avoid sunburn.
- When tasting local delicacies, pay attention to the freshness and hygiene of the food to avoid food poisoning.
- During outdoor activities, ensure that the mobile phone has sufficient battery power and download offline maps in advance for use when the signal is poor.