The Shennongxi Trackers Culture Tourism Area is located in Badong County, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei Province. As a national 5A-level tourist attraction covering 300 square kilometers, it's renowned for pristine natural scenery and unique trackers culture. Shennong Stream, a perennial tributary on Yangtze River's north bank stretching 60 kilometers with towering peaks and deep valleys, is praised as a "landscape painting".
History and Culture
Shennongxi's tracker culture dates back thousands of years. When ancient land transportation was underdeveloped, the stream served as a vital waterway connecting Bashu and Jingchu regions. Trackers pulled boats with their bare strength, developing distinctive tracker culture and work chants. This primitive human-powered transport continued until the 1990s, becoming the last living fossil of tracker culture in Three Gorges region.
The Tracker Culture Exhibition Hall meticulously documents trackers' lives and work, preserving valuable tools and historical photos. Tracker work chants are listed as national intangible cultural heritage, offering important insights into Yangtze shipping history.
Main Attractions
Tracker Culture Corridor
A 5-kilometer cultural experience zone featuring tracker sculptures, ancient towpaths, and plank roads. Visitors can learn tracker history, enjoy chant performances, and experience towing hardships.
Shennong Stream Rafting
The core 20-kilometer rafting experience offers wooden boat and rubber raft options. Passing Mianzhu Gorge, Parrot Gorge, and Longchang Gorge, visitors immerse in pristine ecology with "monkeys chanting endlessly from both banks".
Tujia Folk Custom Park
A theme park showcasing Tujia traditions with stilt houses and covered bridges. Daily activities include Tujia song-and-dance and wedding custom shows with visitor participation.
Mianzhu Gorge
One of Shennongxi's most beautiful gorges with lush bamboos. The narrowest section (under 10 meters) reveals just a slit of sky, creating spectacular views.
Parrot Gorge
Named for wild parrots inhabiting the steep, densely vegetated gorge - an ideal spot to observe rare flora and fauna.
Tracker Chant Performance
Daily cultural shows by veteran trackers and artists recreate the powerful chants that united trackers overcoming rapids.
Cuisine
Shennong Stream Small Fish
Local stream fish with tender, delicious meat. Traditional preparations include fried small fish and spicy fish.
Tujia Bacon
Tujia traditional food made from local free-range pork through curing and smoking, featuring firm texture and unique aroma.
Corn Cake
Tujia snack made from fresh corn paste, crispy outside and tender inside with natural sweetness.
Recommended Nearby Cuisine
Other western Hubei specialties worth trying include Enshi Potatoes, Hezha (tofu residue dish), and Oil Tea Soup, available at nearby restaurants or in downtown Enshi.
Ticket Information
Admission is 150 yuan per person (including round-trip cruise). Seniors over 60 and students with valid IDs enjoy half-price discounts, while children under 1.2 meters enter free. Rafting requires additional fees.
Opening Hours
Open year-round from 8:00-17:00 during peak season (April 1-October 31) and 8:30-16:30 during off-season (November 1-March 31). Ticket sales stop one hour before closing at each attraction.
Recommended Itinerary
Suggested one-day itinerary: Visitor Center → Shennong Stream Cruise → Tracker Culture Corridor → Tujia Folk Custom Park → Tracker Chant Performance → Rafting (optional). The full tour takes about 5-6 hours.
Transportation
- By car: From downtown Enshi, take Huyu Expressway to Badong exit, then Provincial Highway 209 for about 60 km
- By bus: Take Badong-bound buses from Enshi Bus Station and alight at the scenic area
- By air: The nearest airport is Enshi Xujiaping Airport, about 120 km away
Must-See Attractions
- Shennong Stream Rafting: Experience primitive gorge thrills
- Tracker Culture Corridor: Understand Yangtze trackers' history and culture
- Tracker Chant Performance: Feel the powerful work chants
- Tujia Folk Custom Park: Immerse in rich Tujia folk culture
Travel Tips
- Summer is ideal for rafting experiences
- Wear comfortable anti-slip shoes for some wet paths
- Wear life jackets when rafting for safety
- Allow 5-6 hours; two days permit deeper experiences
- Rent traditional Tujia costumes for memorable photos
Precautions
- Mountain weather changes frequently; check forecasts
- Respect ethnic minority customs
- Protect the environment; no littering
- Secure valuables when rafting
- Follow staff instructions for safety