Top 10 Things to Do in Xintian 2026

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Hunan Jiangxi Fujian Region

Orange Isle Scenic Area

9

13.7k reviews

Orange Isle Scenic Area is a narrow sandbar lying across the heart of the Xiang River in Changsha, stretching approx. five km. It faces Yuelu Mountain to the west and borders Changsha's old city to the east, surrounded by water on all sides. Named after the abundant orange trees planted on the isle, it was historically called Shuiluzhou. Formed by river alluvium, this sandbar has existed for over a millennium, where the "River and sky in evening snow" scenery was once among the Eight Views of Xiaoxiang. In 1925, the poem "Spring in a pleasure garden - Changsha" was composed here, with its iconic line "Alone I stand in the biting fall, watching the Xiang River flow north past Orange Isle's head," which made this riverine landmark widely renowned. The highlights of the visit are concentrated at the islet's head: A granite art sculpture over 30 m tall, modeled after the 1925 youth image, stands facing the river as Changsha's highly recognizable landmark. Nearby, the Questioning Heaven Platform extends toward the river center, where leaning on the railing reveals the mighty Xiang River flowing northward, with Yuelu Mountain and the city skylines on both banks facing each other across the water. The Songju Pavilion, white marble poetry stele, and the 200-year-old ancient phoenix tree at the islet head are all in this area. Heading north from the islet head, a hundred-acre orange orchard bears golden fruits in fall, while bamboo groves, peach orchards, plum gardens, and osmanthus groves take turns showcasing seasonal flora. The historic Zhuzhang Ferry (where Zhu Xi and Zhang Shi once crossed the Xiang River for lectures) and the Huxiang Culture Exhibition Hall are scattered along the way. At the islet's tail, the reconstructed Jiangshen Temple and Gongji Tower area was precisely where ancients admired the "River and sky in evening snow" scenery. The island is long and narrow, making round-trip walks quite tiring. A sightseeing train is available for transportation, with multiple stops along the way for hopping on and off. Travelers with limited time are advised to head straight to the island's tip to see the sculpture and river views, then stroll leisurely along the riverside path. At dusk, watching the sunset over the Xiang River and seeing the lights gradually illuminate both shores from the island's tip is especially worth setting aside time for.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Guilin

Elephant Hill Scenic Area

8.9

25.7k reviews

The Elephant Hill Scenic Area is located in the heart of Guilin, at the confluence of the Li River and the Peach Blossom River. It derives its name from its resemblance to a giant elephant stretching its trunk to drink from the sweet waters of the Li River. In his work "Records of Elephant Hill," Shu Shu, a Qing Dynasty official from the Ministry of Works, wrote: "The marvels of Guangxi lie in its mountains; the marvels of Guangxi's mountains lie in their rocks, and the elephant-shaped hill facing the provincial capital is the most marvelous of all." With its lifelike form, the attraction captivates visitors and stands as a quintessential representation of Guilin's landscape. In 1995, it was designated as the city emblem of Guilin. The main attractions in the scenic area include: Elephant Hill and Water Moon, Puxian Pagoda, Elephant Hill Scenic Area and Guilin Sanhua Liquor, Elephant Hill Scenic Area - Love Island, and Elephant Hill Scenic Area - Yunfeng Temple Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Exhibition Hall. Elephant trunk hill and water moon cave "Elephant trunk hill and water moon" is a spectacular wonder here, as described in the poem by Ji Bei Hermit of the Song Dynasty.Harmony of water, moon and caveThe poem reads: "The moon is beneath the water, the moon floats upon the water. The water flows but the moon stays, the moon departs yet the water still flows." On a moonlit night, visiting the Water Moon Cave at the Elephant Trunk Hill attraction presents a magical scene where the moon in the sky, the cave, and the water reflect each other beautifully. Inside the cave, you can find the "Poem and Preface of the Morning Sun Pavilion" by Zhang Xiaoxiang from the Song Dynasty and works by Fan Chengda.Inscription on the water and moon caveAnd over 50 precious cliff carvings including Lu You's poetry manuscripts. Xiangshan scenic area - Puxian pagoda Winding up along the rocky cliffs, you can see the Puxian pagoda standing tall amidst the greenery from afar. Built during the Ming dynasty, this 13.6m-high solid brick lama-style pagoda has a history of over 400 years. On the northern side of the pagoda, there is a line-engraved bluestone statue of a bodhisattva, with the mantra "Namo Puxian Bodhisattva" inscribed above it, hence the name Puxian pagoda in the Xiangshan attraction. Buddhist scriptures record that Puxian bodhisattva's mount is a six-tusked white elephant, making the pagoda's location atop Xiangshan mountain a perfect embodiment of this scripture. Elephant Hill Scenic Area and Guilin Sanhua liquor This is a natural wine cellar, with two-thirds of the mountain being hollow. It stays warm in winter and cool in summer, maintaining a constant temperature of 19°C and humidity above 90% year-round. Since the Song Dynasty, it has served as an official cellar for storing Sanhua wine. Sanhua wine is colorless and transparent, with a fragrant yet spicy taste. It drawsLi RiverWith the essence of the mountains and the soul of the Li River, it has become a representative of China's rice-aroma liquor. The cellar liquor was designated as a tribute to the imperial court as early as the Northern Song Dynasty and is one of the three treasures of Guilin. To date, nearly a thousand tons of liquor are stored in the caves. Love island Love island is located on the north side of the attraction, adjacent toLi RiverIt is another scenic viewpoint for distant viewing. The island boasts a beautiful environment and lush vegetation, making it a popular dating spot for locals in the 1970s, hence the name "love island". Today, it serves as an outdoor photography base for wedding celebrations against the backdrop of Guilin's landscape, where couples make their vows of love under the witness of the elephant trunk hill and the moon reflected in the water.

China · Guilin

Xintian · 12.7 km from downtown

Courtyard of Family Long, Hunan

2.6

5.0/5

21 reviews

Long Family Courtyard is located 15 km southwest of Xintian County, nestled deep in the mountainside of the Daguanling range. The lines "The village connects to secluded paths winding through dark green, the gates overlook mountains embraced by emerald mist" are a true reflection of its elegant environment. The entire village shares the surname Long and are descendants of Long Bogao, the Administrator of Lingling during the Eastern Han Dynasty. They migrated here during the Yuanfeng era of Emperor Shenzong of the Song Dynasty, marking a history of a thousand years. Built against the mountain and surrounded by hills on three sides, the courtyard features a layout of "three halls, nine wells, twenty-four alleys, and forty-eight buildings." The courtyard contains 128 couplets; the existing calligraphy is exquisite, and the themes are serene and elegant. They embody the "eight virtues" of the ancestor Long Bogao—"honest and prudent, speaking without fault, humble and frugal, incorruptible and dignified"—as well as the serene and natural lifestyle of farming culture. It is hailed as the "Village of Couplets," "Village of Calligraphy," and a "Museum of Couplet Culture." "Listening to Stories in the Hall," "Red Phoenix Facing the Sun," "Fishing from the Pavilion," "Two Pearls Chasing the Morning," "Lion Gazing at the Tower," "Five Generations Under One Roof," "Hidden Dragon in the Beautiful Stream," and "Morning Moon over the Gourd" are the eight ancient scenic spots of Long Family Courtyard, which, despite passing through a millennium, still retain their fascinating charm.

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Hunan Museum

8.8

4.8/5

16.3k reviews

Hunan Museum is a relatively large history and culture museum in Hunan Province, and among its collections, the artifacts unearthed from the Mawangdui Han Tombs are particularly representative. "The Changsha Mawangdui Han Tombs Exhibition" is the museum's permanent exhibition, presenting in a concentrated way the precious artifacts unearthed from three Western Han tombs. One of the most striking exhibits in the exhibition is the plain silk unlined robe with straight-cut front, as thin as cicada wings and weighing less than 50 grams, whose weaving technique is astonishing. In addition, visitors can see well-preserved printed silk padded robes, fine and elegant embroidery, brightly glossy painted lacquerware, and an exquisite T-shaped painted silk painting. More than 100,000 characters of silk manuscripts were unearthed from Tomb No. 3, among which are many lost texts long since gone from circulation, covering fields such as philosophy, history, astronomy, and medicine. The "Topographic Map of the Southern Part of the Changsha Kingdom," also from Tomb No. 3, was drawn using techniques broadly similar to those of modern maps and holds important value in the study of ancient maps. The well-preserved body of Lady Xin Zhui unearthed from Tomb No. 1 has survived intact for more than two thousand years and is another major highlight of the exhibition. The museum also features permanent exhibitions such as "Hunan People: A Historical and Cultural Exhibition of the Three Xiang Regions," displaying collections including Shang and Zhou bronzes, ceramics from famous Hunan kilns, and Ming and Qing calligraphy and paintings, presenting the historical and cultural threads of Hunan from different dimensions. The Mawangdui Han Tomb Exhibition and the Three Xiang Historical and Cultural Exhibition together form the museum's two core exhibitions, and are well worth setting aside ample time to view in detail.

No. 2 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Yongzhou

Yangmingshan National Forest Park

5.3

4.1/5

192 reviews

Located in Shuangpai County, Yongzhou City, Yangmingshan National Forest Park is replete with trees, with clear streams in mountains, forming impressive surroundings. The main peak in the forest park, Wangfotai, has an altitude of 1,600 meters and travelers can climb up the peak and overlook the vast scenery. It will be ideal period for admiring azaleas from late April to early May, and tourists can stand in a high place to enjoy a sea of azaleas.

Shuangpai · 33.4 km from Xintian

No. 1 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Hunan

Mount Yuelu

8.3

5.5k reviews

Mount Yuelu stands on the west bank of the Xiang River and is a landmark mountain in Changsha. At its foot lies the Yuelu Academy, founded during the Northern Song Dynasty, a millennium-old institution sharing the mountain's name. Ascending from here leads to Qingfeng Gorge, where the Aiwan Pavilion, named after Du Mu's poetic line "I stop my carriage to admire the maple woods at dusk," is surrounded by maple trees. Midway up the mountain, the ancient Lushan Temple, established in the Western Jin Dynasty over 1,700 years ago, features a lush six-dynasty-era podocarpus tree in front of its sutra repository. At the summit stands the Yunlu Palace, a Taoist temple built during the Ming Dynasty, offering panoramic views of the Xiang River and Changsha's urban area. The mountain's historical sites extend further, with the Yu King Stele, Python Cave, and Changsha Battle Memorial Stele scattered along its trails. Modern figures such as Huang Xing, Cai E, and Chen Tianhua are also buried here, making the mountain a condensed repository of profound modern history. Most cultural attractions are concentrated near the south gate, where you can visit major historic sites in sequence from Yuelu Academy to Aiwan Pavilion. For those preferring not to hike, a cableway station near the east gate allows easy ascent, eliminating most uphill climbing. With an elevation of about 300 m and well-developed trails, reaching the summit on foot is manageable. Ancient trees like Jin dynasty podocarps, Tang dynasty ginkgos, Song-Yuan era camphor trees, and Ming-Qing maple-chestnuts line the paths, making the entire mountain resemble a natural botanical museum. In late fall when maple leaves turn red across the slopes, it becomes an ideal time for hiking. Allocate half a day to leisurely photograph Aiwan Pavilion and the mountaintop viewpoints.

2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions

Du Fu Pavilion

8.2

10.9k reviews

Du Fu Pavilion is a Tang-style garden architecture built to commemorate the great Tang dynasty poet Du Fu. It stands on the Xiang River scenic belt in Changsha, gazing across the river at Orange Isle and Yuelu Mountain. In his later years, Du Fu lived in Changsha twice, renting a simple building by the Xiang River; because the house faced the river, he named it "River Pavilion," where he spent the final years of his life and wrote a large number of poems. The present pavilion was completed and opened to the public in 2005. Its main structure has four stories and stands approx. 18 m tall, with vermilion columns paired with antique lattice windows and a roof covered in dark blue-green glazed tiles, making it a highly recognizable landmark on the east bank of the Xiang River. The pavilion houses a Du Fu memorial hall, with a statue of Du Fu standing in the center. The poet's life is depicted on the walls in the form of paintings, and works by renowned calligraphers and painters such as Zhang Daqian and Lin Sanzhi are also displayed in the hall. The exhibitions on each floor follow Du Fu's travels and poetic works in Hunan as the main thread, presenting the wandering trajectory of the Poet Sage in his later years and the poems he composed during his time in Hunan through steles, calligraphy and paintings, and multimedia means. The pavilion also features a tea room where visitors can sip tea while gazing at the scenery on both banks of the Xiang River in the distance. After nightfall, the pavilion lights up, and the warm yellow glow reflects on the surface of the Xiang River, making it a popular night-view photo spot along the river. The pavilion also offers an immersive night tour experience, based on Du Fu's life experiences wandering in Xiaoxiang in his later years. With the help of digital light-and-shadow technology, the artistic conception of Du Fu's poems is transformed into real-life scenes. As visitors stroll through the corridors, they may unexpectedly encounter "people in the poems" dressed in ancient-style costumes, experiencing a thousand years of poetic charm among the corridors and pillars of the pavilion.

No. 1 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Guangxi

Longji Rice Terraces

8.2

4.5/5

8.4k reviews

Longji Rice Terraces is a massive cluster of terraced fields in the Guilin area. Several ancient ethnic minority villages are located here, inhabited by the Zhuang and Yao peoples. The famous villages arePing'an Village, Longji Rice Terraces Jinkeng Dazhai, Guzhuang Village, and Huangluo Yao Village. It is relatively convenient to take a self-drive trip to Longji Rice Terraces. Sightseeing here mainly involves hiking, enjoying the views, and taking photos. You can also taste local farmhouse dishes, stay in a homestay with beautiful scenery, and experience the customs of ethnic minorities. Ping'an Zhuang Rice Terraces scenic area: a classic picturesque pastoral landscape Visit Longji Rice Terraces,Ping'an VillageIt is a classic destination, as tourism was developed here early and the dining and entertainment facilities are more complete. There are 170 households and over 700 residents in this Zhuang village, mostly a settlement of the Zhuang people with the last name Liao. The terraced fields are mostly composed of small plots, and the scenery is quiet and beautiful. In fall, when the crops mature, the fields turn golden, and the fall-colored terraced fields are especially beautiful at this time. The viewing platforms in the attraction are "Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon" and "Nine Dragons and Five Tigers," though visitors need to use some imagination when enjoying them. "Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon" refers to the seven small hills left over from when the fields were first opened, like seven little stars accompanying the moon-shaped terraced fields. "Nine Dragons and Five Tigers" refers to the nine small ridges branching off from the main Longji ridge here, and the five slightly protruding hilltops like five tigers, which surround the terraced fields and guard this land. Longji ancient Zhuang village terraced fields: a time-honored pristine landscape Longji ancient Zhuang villageIt is one of the ancient villages with a long history in the attraction, dating back to the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty.Longji ancient Zhuang villageWith more than 200 households and over 1,000 residents, this Zhuang village is mostly a settlement of the Zhuang people with the three last names Pan, Liao, and Hou. Due to poor transportation and late development, the original terraced field view is preserved here, and the traditional stilted wooden houses distributed along the mountain ridge are authentic and form a unique view. When visiting, you can walk up along the bluestone path, admire the stone bridges, stone tablets, stone carvings, and other relics that tell of the past, pass by the "Ancestral Field," and reach the "Longgou" viewing platform to overlook the beauty of the entire village. On the way down, you can stand at the "Youlong Xiajiang" viewpoint to see the terraced fields spiraling down like a giant dragon all the way to Jinjiang, which is truly spectacular. Jinkeng Hongyao rice terraces: majestic curves of the fields In addition to the spectacular and grand rice terrace scenery, the long hair of the Red Yao women here is also a beautiful sight. Dazhai Village has 245 households and a population of over 1,130. It is a Yao village, mostly a settlement of the Yao people with the last name Pan. When visiting, you can choose to walk up along the stone path and first go to the "Longji Rice Terraces - Thousand-Layer Sky Ladder" viewing platform to see the terraced fields stacked layer upon layer like a sky ladder reaching the clouds, which is very magnificent. Continuing upward, there is the "Xishan Shaoyue" viewing platform, where you can overlook the panoramic view of the terraced fields, which is truly spectacular. If you want to go to the "Golden Buddha Peak" viewing platform to enjoy the amazing view of the entire mountain sitting upright like a Maitreya Buddha, you need to take the cable car directly from Longji Rice Terraces Jinkeng Dazhai at the foot of the mountain to reach it. Travel route: 1-day tour:Ping'an Zhuang Rice Terraces or Ancient Zhuang Village Rice TerracesOr Longji Rice Terraces Jinkeng Dazhai + Huangluo Yao Village. If you only have one day to visit Longji Rice Terraces, it is recommended to head straight to one of the villages after purchasing the admission ticket to enjoy the scenery and taste the local farmhouse cuisine. 2-day/multi-day tour: Jinkeng Hongyao Rice Terraces-Ping'an Zhuang Rice Terraces-Longji ancient Zhuang village terraced fields. If you plan to stay for a few more days, you can visit in order from the farthest to the nearest to Guilin city. Admire the terraced fields, explore ancient villages, and experience the customs of ethnic minorities. Enjoy sunrise and sunset: Watching the sunrise over the rice terraces is a must-do for many visitors here, and even many photography enthusiasts come specifically for the sunrise. In the Jinkeng Red Yao Rice Terraces, there are three sunrise and sunset viewing spots: "Xishan Shaoyue" is a viewing spot that is farther away but offers a broader field of view, making it great for both sunrise and sunset — many promotional videos of Longji Rice Terraces were filmed here; the "Longji Rice Terraces - Thousand-Layer Sky Ladder" viewing platform is relatively close to the foot of the mountain, where you can see the Yao villages and feel the integration of culture and nature, making it suitable for watching the sunset; "Golden Buddha Peak" is a spot for photographing the sunset. Because it is relatively far, not many people used to take photos here, but since the cable car from the entrance of Longji Rice Terraces Jinkeng Dazhai directly to Golden Buddha Peak opened, taking photos here has become much more convenient.

China · Longsheng

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Guangxi

Li River Three-star cruise ship

8.2

4.5/5

6.2k reviews

Basic information about the three-star cruise The Li River cruise has undergone a comprehensive upgrade, setting new standards for high comfort, aesthetics, and personalized service. With star-rated cruises now fully equipped with Wi-Fi coverage and real-time networked security monitoring, these high-tech and safety features cater to diverse traveler needs. The upgrades fully incorporate environmental and cultural elements, showcasing Guilin's quality as an international tourist destination. Layout structure and decoration The three-star cruise has been designed with careful consideration of visitors' sightseeing experience and expectations, implementing strict regulations for cabins, seats, dining table specifications, and deck space per person. While using high-standard materials to enhance visitor comfort, it also provides more activity space. The upgraded cruise presents a new "one cruise, one view" concept that harmonizes with Guilin's magical landscapes, offering visitors an experience of "sailing through paintings, touring within scenery, with beauty both inside and outside the cruise." This creates a lower‑carbon, comfortable, and fantastically beautiful sightseeing experience. The three-star cruise features double-deck cabins and double-deck promenade decks with spacious views, providing at least 0.9㎡ of space per person. The deck is equipped with a sunshade and surrounded by 1.2m-high aluminum alloy safety railings. Meal The three-star cruise ship meals meet the standards of airline or high-speed rail prepared meals, featuring standardized production from a central kitchen and cold chain logistics throughout transportation. After secondary heating, the meals are distributed to visitors, ensuring food hygiene with all tableware being recycled and biodegradable. By implementing unified meal distribution, this approach addresses the emission pollution caused by cooking on older Li River cruises and resolves the frequent visitor complaints about cruise dining quality over the years.

China · Lingchuan