How to Tour Shennongjia & How Many Days to Stay
The combined ticket for Shennongjia covers six major scenic areas: Shennongding, Shennong Altar, Natural Bridge, Guanmen Mountain, Tianyan and Dajiu Lake. You may refer to the map for their general locations. The red markers indicate Muyu Town, Shennongding, Dajiu Lake and Tianyan Scenic Area (including Swallow Cave and Swallow Pass). The other three spots — Shennong Altar, Natural Bridge and Guanmen Mountain — are situated right around Muyu Town and not marked on the map.
Centering on Muyu Town, the blue route on the left is the West Line, leading mainly to Shennongding and Dajiu Lake. This is the highlight route of Shennongjia, ending at Pingqian Town, the entrance to Dajiu Lake. The white route on the upper side is the North Line, whose core attraction is Tianyan Scenic Area (Swallow Cave and Swallow Pass).
If the map is blurry, you can download it for a clearer view:
A Complete Self-guided Travel Guide to Shennongjia: Accommodation, Transportation & Itinerary Planning
Most group tours arrange a 2-day trip only along the West Line. They rush through Shennongding and Dajiu Lake within one single day, which is quite exhausting. Visitors can barely take a quick glance at Dajiu Lake from its edge, even though they technically set foot there.
In fact, it takes at least 5 hours to see just half of Dajiu Lake, and a full day to explore it thoroughly. The ideal way to enjoy it is to stay overnight nearby and spend two full days sightseeing here. Dajiu Lake is especially beloved by photography enthusiasts. The morning mist over the lake can only be admired before 6:30 a.m., which is nearly impossible to witness if you do not stay locally. The morning mist is widely regarded as one of the most stunning views in Shennongjia.
You can charter a car in Muyu Town. Local experienced drivers are able to help design your travel routes. Weather is also a key factor. On rainy days, heavy fog will greatly reduce visibility at Dajiu Lake, leaving little scenery to appreciate.
Details about the difficulty, physical exertion and visiting time of each attraction are noted above. Generally speaking, you need to set aside 3 full days to tour all scenic areas at a leisurely pace. Below are several recommended itineraries.
Popular 3-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Depart from Muyu Town and take the West Line. Visit Shennongding Scenic Area in the morning and Dajiu Lake in the afternoon, along with other roadside spots. Catch the sunset over Dajiu Lake in the early evening, then head back to Muyu Town.
(This is the toughest day. Start early as it takes the longest time.)
Day 2: Explore Tianyan Scenic Area and minor attractions along the way.
Day 3: Visit the three scenic spots around Muyu Town: Natural Bridge, Shennong Altar and Guanmen Mountain.
(This day is relatively relaxed.)
3-Day Itinerary (Stay in Pingqian Town)
Day 1: Leave Muyu Town and follow the West Line to tour Shennongding. Continue to Pingqian Town and check in. If time permits in the afternoon, enter Dajiu Lake to watch the sunset.
(The combined ticket is valid for 5 days and allows repeated entry.)
Day 2: Sightsee around Dajiu Lake in the morning. Return to Muyu Town and visit one nearby attraction in the afternoon.
Day 3: Tour Tianyan Scenic Area in the morning. Head back to Muyu Town and visit the remaining nearby attractions in the afternoon.
Important Reminders
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There are numerous buses from Muyu Town to Yichang East and frequent high-speed trains from Yichang East to Wuhan, yet tickets tend to sell out quickly. Plan your return trip in advance and book high-speed train tickets as early as possible. Bus tickets from Muyu to Yichang should be purchased one day ahead at Muyu Coach Station.
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Most roads in Shennongjia are winding mountain roads. Travelers prone to motion sickness should prepare remedies: keep a small piece of fresh ginger to suck on, or use motion sickness patches. Both methods work well. It is also advisable to bring a thermos and drink plenty of hot water in the mountain area to stay healthy.
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There is a long distance from the entrance of Dajiu Lake Scenic Area to core sights, and the lakes are also spread far apart. Upon entering the scenic area, you are required to buy an internal shuttle bus ticket for 60 yuan, which is mandatory for all visitors.
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