Xianren Brook in Zhangjiajie

Xianren Brook (张家界仙人溪) is located south of Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province, just 4 kilometers from the city center. According to legend, a fairy was once seen bathing and dressing by the stream, hence the name “Xianren Brook,” also known as “Fairy Brook” (仙女溪).

The brook boasts over 200 species of trees and more than 180 species of animals, with a forest coverage rate of approximately 98%. The air is rich in phytoncides, creating a refreshing and invigorating atmosphere. The scenic area features a constantly changing landscape, showcasing:

• Three Majestic Waterfalls: Galaxy Waterfall (银河瀑布), Three-tiered Waterfall (三叠瀑布), and Fairy Waterfall (仙女瀑布)
• Four Serene Pools: Jade Girl Pool (玉女潭), Reflection Pool (摄身潭), Twin Moonlit Pools (双潭映月), and Boatman Pool (纤夫潭)
• Other Attractions: Baren Rock House (巴人岩屋) and the Monkey Nature Reserve (猿猴自然保护区)

Xianren Brook is famed for its “Seven Wonders”: dangerous peaks, peculiar rocks, mysterious caves, graceful waterfalls, clear pools, abundant fog, and lush forests.

The Qing Dynasty poet Yi Shunding (易顺鼎) once described the scenery:

“Looking up, I hear the clear cries of the gibbons; looking down, I see fish swimming leisurely. Mist floats in colorful hues, and strange rocks take on various forms. Green trees flourish through winter and spring, and red flowers bloom from crescent to full moon. Vines hang upside down, and waterfalls compete in their flight.”

Surrounded by mountains and blessed with beautiful scenery, Xianren Brook’s landscape grows more unique and mystical the further you venture. Particularly after a rainfall, mist rises, and the mountains and waters reveal themselves faintly, giving visitors the sensation of stepping into a fairyland.

Travel Routes

Since Xianren Brook is still under development, it remains less crowded than the major tourist sites, making it ideal for self-driving tours or outdoor adventures. While transportation is not as convenient as more established spots, reaching Xianren Brook is not difficult.

• Getting there:
  
  Visitors can take Bus No. 8 from the city center to Xianren Brook Station (仙人溪站). A 10-minute walk leads to the Xianren Brook Reservoir (仙人溪水库), where you can take a ferry (20 RMB per ride). The ferry ride is short, lasting only 7–8 minutes, bringing you to the entrance of Xianren Brook Village (仙人溪村), where you can fully immerse yourself in the unspoiled, mysterious scenery.

According to the village chief of Xianren Brook Village (仙人溪村村长), most visitors only stay near the village entrance, enjoying activities like barbecuing and swimming in the creek. Few venture deep into the area. The most breathtaking sights are hidden along a tributary called Xiami Brook (虾米溪).

• Hiking Route:
  
  Following Xiami Brook upstream reveals incredible spots like:
  • Dragon Pool (龙潭)
  • Flying Waterfall (飞瀑)
  • Qixing Mountain (七星山)
  • Liu Mingdeng’s Military Training Ground (刘明灯练兵场)
  • Nantian Gate (南天门)

However, the paths are rugged, and only well-equipped outdoor enthusiasts attempt this hike.

Highlighted Attractions

Xianren Cave (仙人洞)

For those unwilling to tackle the risky trails in search of exotic sights, a more accessible route leads from Xianren Brook Village into Heidu Bay (黑度湾). Here, a natural stone Buddha, standing proudly in a cave known as Hollow Shell Cave (空壳洞), has an ethereal presence. Locals fondly call this figure the Immortal (仙人), giving the cave its name, Xianren Cave.

In the past, villagers often came here to burn incense and pray for the Immortal’s protection.

Nantian Gate (南天门)

Following the stream deeper into the valley, you can spot the mystical Nantian Gate (南天门) hidden among the clouds. Unlike Tianmen Cave (天门洞) on Tianmen Mountain (天门山), this gate stands alone among the peaks, resembling a heavenly portal.

Beyond Tianmen Cave, travelers must pass through Nantian Gate to achieve true transcendence, according to local legend.

Surrounding Nantian Gate are fantastically shaped peaks, naturally forming a series of striking mountain scenes.

• General Rock (将军岩) — resembling heavenly soldiers guarding the gate
• Candle Peak (蜡烛峰) — symbolizing the immortal aura of Nantian Gate

These unique formations blend seamlessly into the larger mountain landscape.

Development Progress

On June 29, 2010, Huatian Group (华天集团), Zhangjiajie Municipal Government (张家界市政府), and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (湖南工商银行) signed a strategic cooperation agreement. Their first joint project aimed to develop a comprehensive leisure, vacation, and tourism resort at Xianren Brook.

The Xianren Brook Ecotourism Resort (仙人溪生态旅游度假区) was planned for a 3–5 year development period with an estimated investment of 1 billion RMB.

To advance the South Gate and Xianren Brook Specialty Street Project (南门口及仙人溪特色街区项目), a special planning meeting was held on February 24, 2014, led by Xu Xianhui (许显辉), the deputy secretary and mayor of Zhangjiajie City.

The project covers the Chongwen (崇文) and Yongding (永定) subdistricts, integral parts of Zhangjiajie’s “Two Zones, Two Belts” urban development strategy. The plan includes various functional zones such as:

• Resettlement area
• Commercial and residential area
• Bar district
• Ethnic cuisine district
• Tourism shopping zone
• Folk performance area
• Traditional crafts exhibition zone
• Cultural corridor (highlighting Zhangjiajie’s heritage)
• Historical sites and ancient inns area

A new planning and design scheme has been finalized, and the project was expected to be completed and operational between 2014 and 2016.

Travel Tips

1. Sun protection:
   
   The Xianren Brook valley is relatively open with sparse vegetation along its banks. Visitors should prepare for strong sunlight and bring sunscreen and hats.

2. Accommodation:
   
   The most beautiful parts of Xianren Brook are located between Xianren Brook Village (仙人溪村) and Xiniu Village (犀牛村). Since tourism infrastructure is still developing, local accommodation and services are currently unavailable.
   
   The scenic tributary, Xiami Brook (虾米溪), contains many of the highlights, but the trails are challenging. Visitors who wish to explore this area should bring appropriate outdoor gear.

3. Time required:
   
   To fully explore all the key attractions of Xianren Brook, a visit of around two days is recommended. Make sure to pack all necessary supplies according to your travel needs.