Enshi Grand Canyon

The Enshi canyon runs over a hundred kilometres through karst limestone in the mountains of western Hubei, cut by the Qingjiang river, with cliffs, sinkholes, caves and pinnacles along it. Its emblem is Yizhuxiang, the incense stick, a limestone column standing about a hundred and fifty metres high and only four metres thick at its narrowest, which has survived earthquakes that should have toppled it, its stability attributed to the strength of the rock at the base. Walkways run along the cliffs at high level with sections cut into the rock and glass floors. The Tenglong Cave and the Enshi Tusi city are in the same district, which is largely Tujia country.

What you actually see

• The incense stick pillar - a 150-metre limestone column four metres wide.
• The cliff walkways - paths cut and bracketed along the canyon walls.
• The karst formations - sinkholes, caves and pinnacles along the gorge.
• The Tujia villages - the local culture of western Hubei.

When to go

April to June and September to November; summer is hot and crowded, winter cold with possible closures for ice. Cloud and rain are frequent in these mountains, and the walkways close in bad weather.

Honest expectations

The site involves long walking plus cable cars and shuttles, each charged. Steps are numerous and steep. Cloud can hide the canyon entirely. Holiday crowds are severe.

Nearby

Tenglong Cave lies at Lichuan; Enshi city is east.