Xishui County

Xishui County is located in the eastern part of Hubei Province, on the north bank of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and the southern foothills of the Dabie Mountains. It is under the jurisdiction of Huanggang City, situated between 115°—115°38′E and 30°12′—30°49′N. The county covers an area of 1,949 square kilometers and has a permanent population of approximately 870,000 (2023 statistics). It is a populous county and a strong agricultural county in eastern Hubei. Xishui has a long history, established in 442 AD during the Yuanjia period of the Liu Song Dynasty, and named after the Xishui River that runs through the county. It is the hometown of the famous poet Wen Yiduo and an important birthplace of the "July Poetry School" in modern Chinese literature. Xishui boasts profound cultural heritage, with national intangible cultural heritages such as "Xishui Folk Songs" and "Xishui Acrobatics," as well as natural and cultural attractions like the "Third Spring under Heaven"—Xishui Lanxi Spring. As a transportation hub in eastern Hubei, Xishui relies on the Yangtze River golden waterway and major transportation routes such as the Beijing-Kowloon Railway and the Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway, earning it the reputation of "Gateway to Eastern Hubei." Its unique "Bashui Culture" and "Xichuan Culture" blend together, forming an inclusive regional characteristic. Agriculture is known for high-quality rice, double-low rapeseed, and tea cultivation, while industry focuses on pharmaceutical chemicals and machinery manufacturing. The county's economy and society continue to develop, making it an important economic growth pole in Huanggang City.

## Xishui County Travel Guide

Although Xishui County is not a traditional tourist hotspot, its profound cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and unique folk customs offer distinctive experiences for deep travelers. The following recommendations are organized by theme:

### I. Cultural and Historical Exploration

**1. Wen Yiduo Memorial Hall** Located in Qingquan Town, Xishui County, it is an important venue commemorating the patriotic poet and scholar Wen Yiduo. The hall displays a large collection of manuscripts, photos, and personal items, comprehensively showcasing his life and academic achievements. - Address: No. 1 Hongzhu Road, Qingquan Town, Xishui County - Opening Hours: 8:00—17:30 (closed on Mondays) - Admission: Free (registration with ID card required) - Transportation: 15-minute walk from the county center, or take Bus No. 1 to "Wen Yiduo Memorial Hall" stop

**2. Xishui Confucian Temple** First built in the Northern Song Dynasty, the existing structures were rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty. It is one of the best-preserved Confucian temples in eastern Hubei. The Dacheng Hall, Lingxing Gate, and other buildings are simple and dignified, with lifelike statues of Confucius and his four disciples. Traditional Confucian ceremonies are held in spring and autumn. - Address: Xinhua Street, Qingquan Town, Xishui County - Opening Hours: 9:00—17:00 (open on holidays) - Admission: 10 yuan - Transportation: 20-minute walk from the county center or take Bus No. 2 to "Confucian Temple" stop

**3. Doufangshan Zen Temple** Located on Doufang Mountain by the Bailian River, it was built in the Tang Dynasty and is a site of the Linji school of Chan Buddhism. The temple features ancient trees, and halls such as the Mahavira Hall and Sutra Library are scattered in an orderly manner, with morning bells and evening drums. - Address: Doufangshan Village, Bailian Town, Xishui County - Opening Hours: 6:00—18:00 - Admission: 20 yuan - Transportation: Take a minibus from the county to Bailian Town (about 30 minutes), then transfer to a local tricycle or walk uphill (about 4 km)

### II. Natural Scenery

**1. Sanjiao Mountain National Forest Park** The main peak is 1,055 meters above sea level, part of the Dabie Mountains. The forest coverage rate is as high as 92%, and the average summer temperature is 5-8°C lower than the county, making it a summer resort. The park features natural attractions such as "Jinbian Stream," "Chessboard Rock," and "Fairy Cave," as well as a red revolutionary site—the former headquarters of the Liu-Deng Army. - Address: Lüyang Township, Xishui County - Opening Hours: 7:00—18:00 - Admission: 60 yuan (including scenic area shuttle bus) - Transportation: Take a bus from the county bus station to Lüyang Township (about 1 hour), then walk or drive up the mountain; self-driving can reach the mountain gate via S201 provincial road

**2. Bailianhe Reservoir** The third largest reservoir in Hubei Province, with a capacity of 1.28 billion cubic meters and a water area of 40 square kilometers. It offers lake and mountain scenery, vast blue waves, and activities such as boating, fishing, and bird watching. The nearby Bailian Town is famous as a "land of fish and rice," known for Bailian fish head and silverfish. - Address: Bailian Town, Xishui County - Best Experience: Boat tour (about 150 yuan per hour for a 6-person boat) - Transportation: Take a minibus from the county to Bailian Town (about 30 minutes), then walk to the dock

**3. Lanxi Spring (Third Spring under Heaven)** Located in Lanxi Town, it was rated as the "Third Spring under Heaven" by the Tang Dynasty tea sage Lu Yu in his "Classic of Tea," alongside the Water Curtain Spring at Kangwang Valley in Lushan and the Stone Spring at Huishan Temple in Wuxi. The spring water is clear, sweet, and never dries up. The surrounding Lanxi Park offers tea tasting, spring viewing, and leisurely walks. - Address: Lanxi Town, Xishui County - Opening Hours: All day - Admission: Free - Transportation: Take Bus No. 6 from the county to Lanxi Town terminal (about 40 minutes), then walk 10 minutes

### III. Food and Specialty Guide

**1. Xishui Bahe Lotus Root Starch** Made from the nine-hole lotus root specialty of Bahe Town, the starch is fine and turns translucent when brewed, with a smooth texture. It has effects of clearing heat, cooling blood, and strengthening the spleen and appetite. - Purchase: Major supermarkets and specialty stores in the county, or direct-sale stores at Bahe Town lotus root starch processing factory - Price: 30-50 yuan per jin (0.5 kg)

**2. Bailian Fish Head Hotpot** Made with wild bighead carp heads from Bailianhe Reservoir, cooked with tofu, chili, and Sichuan pepper. The soup is fresh and spicy, and the fish meat is tender. - Recommended Restaurants: "Reservoir Fish Village" in Bailian Town (about 60 yuan per person), "Xishui Flavor" restaurant in the county (about 50 yuan per person)

**3. Xishui Soybean Skin** Handmade from local soybeans, thin as a cicada's wing, golden in color. It can be served cold, stir-fried, or in soup, with a fragrant taste. - Purchase: County farmers' market (South Gate Vegetable Market) - Price: 15-20 yuan per jin

### IV. Transportation and Accommodation

**External Transportation:** - High-speed rail/train: Xishui Station (Beijing-Kowloon Railway) is in the northern suburbs of the county. From Wuhan Station, it takes about 1 hour by high-speed rail; alternatively, take a bullet train to Huanggang East Station (about 40 minutes), then transfer to a bus or taxi to Xishui county (about 30 minutes) - Self-driving: From Wuhan, take G45 Daguang Expressway or S5 Wuying Expressway to the Xishui exit, about 1.5 hours - Long-distance bus: Buses from Wuhan Fujiapo Bus Station and Huanggang Donghua Bus Station to Xishui county run about every 2 hours

**Internal Transportation:** Within the county, buses (1-2 yuan, covering major attractions), taxis (starting fare 5 yuan), and shared e-bikes (scan to ride, 2 yuan per 30 minutes) are available. To reach township attractions, take minibuses or rural passenger lines from the county bus station.

**Accommodation Recommendations:** - County: Xishui Hotel (three-star, standard room 200 yuan/night including breakfast), Wen Yiduo Hotel (budget, standard room 120 yuan/night) - Sanjiao Mountain Scenic Area: Sanjiao Mountain Resort (standard room 280 yuan/night including scenic area ticket), Lüyang Township homestays (80-150 yuan/night, with farmhouse meals)

### V. Festivals and Events - Wen Yiduo's Birthday Anniversary (November 24 each year): Poetry recitals, academic seminars, etc., at the memorial hall - Xishui Folk Song Festival (the third day of the third lunar month): Held at Doufang Mountain or Bailian River, showcasing the provincial intangible cultural heritage "Xishui Folk Songs" - Bailianhe Fishing Festival (September each year): Reservoir fishing season opens, with activities like fishing participation and all-fish banquets