Shuiraosimen in Zhangjiajie

Shuiraosimen in Zhangjiajie

Shuiraosimen (水绕四门) is located in the heart of Wulingyuan Scenic Area (武陵源景区), positioned at the eastern gateway of Zhangjiajie Forest Park (张家界森林公园) and the western gateway of Suoxi Valley Scenic Area (索溪峪风景区). It is named after the convergence of four streams—Jinbian Creek (金鞭溪), Kuangdong Creek (矿洞溪), Yuanyang Creek (鸳鸯溪), and Longwei Creek (龙尾溪)—that flow through a small, lush valley of less than 200 square meters. The landscape within this area is so unique that it is often described as “Water flows through the mountains, and people seem to swim in the water,” making it one of the most stunning natural sights in the world.

Scenic Features

Shuiraosimen is a rare natural landscape where water flows through four mountain gates from different directions—north, south, east, and west—creating a stunning display of nature’s beauty. The area is often referred to as a “paradise” due to its harmonious environment. The name “Shuiraosimen” refers to the water meandering around four natural rock gates, and the area offers visitors views of crystal-clear water, surrounded by lush vegetation and dramatic cliffs.

Surrounding Scenic Spots

Jinbian Creek (金鞭溪)
Ten-Mile Gallery (十里画廊)
Southern Sky Gate (南天门)
Longevity Star Welcoming Guests (寿星迎宾)
The Herbal Medicine Gatherer (采药老人)
The Fairy Worshiping Guanyin (仙女拜观音)
Conch Peak (海螺峰)
Two-Faced God (两面神)
Monkey Hill (猴子坡)
Fairy Cave and Fairy Bridge (仙女洞与仙女桥)
Tiger Roaring Sky (猛虎啸天)
Husband and Wife Holding Child (夫妻抱子)
Golden Mouse Watching the Sky (锦鼠观天)

Feng Shui Significance

Shuiraosimen is considered a feng shui treasure. According to local legend, the famed Han Dynasty general Zhang Liang (张良) is said to have been buried in this area. In May 1992, two UNESCO officials visited the area and were so impressed by its pristine environment and clear water that they remarked, “The clear streams and well-preserved vegetation, without any human habitation for such a long stretch, are rare in Asia!”

Shuiraosimen connects radiating paths to various scenic spots and tourist sites in the region. To the right, visitors can travel by car to Longweiba Village (龙尾巴村) and then continue to Zhangjiajie Park (张家界公园) or descend into the city. Straight ahead leads to Ten-Mile Gallery, the Tianzi Mountain Cableway Station, and various other attractions like the Military Field (军地坪), Huanglong Cave (黄龙洞), and Baofeng Lake (宝峰湖). On the left, an elevator leads to Yuanjiajie (袁家界) and then to Tianzi Mountain (天子山).

Historical Significance

Shuiraosimen was originally known as Zhimata (止马塌) or Paper Horse Pit (纸马塌), later referred to as Tianzi Island (天子洲). It is located about 2 kilometers from the entrance to Ten-Mile Gallery (十里画廊). The name Shuiraosimen comes from the three streams that flow from the western, northern, and southern valleys, eventually converging to join Suoxi Creek (索溪), creating a network of streams surrounding four natural gates in the valley.

There are two local legends associated with the area. The first legend tells that during the Western Han Dynasty, General Zhang Liang (张良), after witnessing the tyranny of Empress Lü (吕后) and the purging of loyal officials, resigned from his post and traveled to find a retreat. After passing through various locations, he arrived at this area and was struck by its unique natural beauty. He decided to remain here, dismounting his horse, which led to the naming of the site as Zhimata (止马塌), meaning “stop the horse.”

The second legend is from the Ming Dynasty, where the local leader, Xiang Dakun (向大坤), dissatisfied with the imperial rule, raised a rebellion in this area. He used paper figures of soldiers and horses, calling himself the “Emperor,” leading to the name Tianzi Island (天子洲) or Paper Horse Pit (纸马塌).

Major Scenic Spots in Shuiraosimen

Shuiraosimen is a central feature in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, located in the heart of Zhangjiajie Forest Park (张家界森林公园) and Suoxi Valley Scenic Area (索溪峪风景区).
The area is famous for its breathtaking rock formations and surrounding streams, with Jinbian Creek (金鞭溪), Suoxi Creek (索溪), Yuanyang Creek (鸳鸯溪), and Longwei Creek (龙尾溪) all converging in the valley.
The area is home to striking peaks, clear streams, lush bamboo forests, blooming flowers, and chirping birds. The landscape within Shuiraosimen provides an oasis of green surrounded by towering rock formations, making it an exceptional site for nature lovers and photographers.

Festivals and Events (节庆活动)

Tujia People’s Three New Year Celebrations (土家三过年)

The Tujia people celebrate New Year three times a year:

“Guo Gan Nian” (过赶年): On the 29th (or 28th) of the twelfth lunar month, the villagers light bonfires and gather around to perform the “Bai Shou Dance” (摆手舞) and sing the “Nian Ge” (调年歌), a song celebrating the new year.
“June New Year” (六月年): On the 25th day of the 6th lunar month, commemorating an important migration of the Tujia people, they perform a cow sacrifice to honor their gods.
“October New Year” (十月年): On the 1st of October, they celebrate the first harvest after migration, with the villagers visiting each other to exchange greetings and celebrate the “October New Year.”

Bai People’s Torch Festival (白族火把节)

This festival, celebrated by the Bai people (白族), is related to pest control and crop protection. On the night of the 25th day of the 6th lunar month, families light torches, which are then gathered to form a community bonfire. People jump over the flames to pray for protection from disasters.

Other Traditional Festivals (其他传统节日)

Second Day of the Second Lunar Month (二月初二): Land God’s birthday, celebrated with a “Land Ritual” (土地会).
Flower Festival (花朝节) on the 15th day of the second month, where girls get their ears pierced and many marriages take place.
“Haozi Festival” (蒿子节) on the 3rd of March, when people eat “Haozi Bapi” (蒿子粑粑), a traditional food made from a wild herb.
Qingming Festival (清明节): People place willow branches at doorways for good luck and hang colorful banners on ancestral tombs.
Buddha Bathing Day (浴佛节) on April 8th, where people rest for a day to celebrate an ancient agricultural festival.
Dragon Boat Festival (端午节): On the 5th of May, people eat rice dumplings (粽子) and hang herbs on doorways. In areas like Yongding and Cili, dragon boat races are held on the Li River (澧水).
Tujia National Day (土家族大节日) on the 6th of June: Tujia people commemorate the death of their leader in the Ming Dynasty with a “Tujia National Holiday.”

7th Lunar Month (七月七夕)

Women wear embroidered silk under the moonlight to honor the legend of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl. People also leave fruits along the road to offer prayers.

Travel Tips for Zhangjiajie (张家界)

Rainy Season in July: Rain can make trails slippery, and heavy fog can obscure mountain views. It’s best to wait 1-2 hours after the rain for clearer views.
Winter Snow: Zhangjiajie receives snow in winter, creating a magical atmosphere. However, the mountain is not closed, and snow creates a unique charm.
Best Travel Times: April and October are the best times to visit Zhangjiajie due to the stunning natural beauty during these months.

Food (美食)

Zhangjiajie cuisine is rich with local flavor, featuring spicy and tangy dishes. Some specialties include:

Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐)
Spring Rolls (春卷)
Dragon Fat Pork Blood (龙脂猪血)
Red-braised Pig Trotters (红烧猪蹄)
Spicy Chicken (麻辣子鸡)
Tujia Preserved Meats (土家腊肉) such as pork, lamb, beef, and dog meat.
Stone Frog and Rock Ear Chicken (石蛙、岩耳烧鸡)
Pickled Fish (侗家腌鱼)
Wild Vegetables (野菜) like wild ginger, and Jiaozi (蕨粑) made from fern flour.

Zhangjiajie’s food stands are mostly found around the tourist areas, offering local snacks such as spicy sauces and Tujia hot pot (土家火锅). Prices within the scenic area can be expensive compared to the outskirts.

Accommodation (住宿)

While staying in Zhangjiajie, it is best to choose accommodation within the scenic area to save time and energy. Some notable hotels include:

Xianglong International Hotel (祥龙国际酒店) and Zhangjiajie International Hotel (张家界国际大酒店) for city stays.
Tianzi International Hotel (天子国际大酒店) and Gengli International Hotel (亘立国际大酒店) for scenic area stays.

Shopping (购物)

Zhangjiajie is home to many local products, such as:

Kiwi (猕猴桃), Green Tea (青岩茗翠茶), and Lobster Flower Tea (龙虾花茶).
Kudzu Root Products (葛根宝), natural green drinks for health benefits.
Mao Ping Maojian Tea (茅坪毛尖茶), a refreshing and aromatic tea.
Local specialties like Tujia Chili (辣妹子辣腊) and preserved meats are also great souvenirs.

Tourist Attractions (景区介绍)

Zhangjiajie’s most famous attraction is the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (张家界国家森林公园), famous for its pillar-like formations, often depicted in the movie Avatar. Other must-see sites include the Glass Bridge (玻璃桥), the Tianmen Mountain (天门山) with its breathtaking “Heaven’s Door” (天门洞), and the Yellow Dragon Cave (黄龙洞).