Badong: Discover pear blossoms and Tujia culture

Badong can be explored through a range of travel interests: in Xinling, village life, seasonal pear blossoms and reconstructed architecture shape the landscape. In the wider region, the focus shifts to gorge scenery and the culture of boat trackers. To help plan your trip, first decide whether you want to focus on springtime in Tudianzi or on cultural and natural attractions across the wider region.

Pear blossoms and village life in Tudianzi

The village of Tudianzi in Xinling is home to a 500-mu pear orchard. During blossom season, visitors come to admire the flowers and enjoy spring outings. Its appeal lies in the seasonal change: the orchard is a permanent feature of the landscape, while visiting to see the blossoms depends on the flowering period. Families looking for a shared springtime activity can make this connection with nature and village life the focus of their plans.

From 2022 through 2025, the Pear Blossom Festival was held in Tudianzi every year. If you are planning a trip around the blossoms, check the latest festival dates in advance. A rural tourism offering has also been developed in Tudianzi, with sightseeing, fruit picking and leisure activities. These give an idea of the experiences the village offers visitors; do not assume that any particular activity will be available on a specific travel date.

Architecture and culture in Xinling

Eleven traditional Three Gorges and Tujia buildings have been reconstructed in Badong Ethnic Culture Park. Together, the buildings cover a total area of 4,124.775 square metres. The complex brings together two architectural influences in one cultural park: the Three Gorges and the Tujia.

Another notable place is the Wuyuan-Dong Scenic Area in the Bashan mountain region, also known as Jinzishan. It is rated a national 4A-level tourist attraction. Its name and alternative name can help you identify this mountain-region attraction; it also offers a different kind of visit from the seasonal outings around Tudianzi or the reconstructed buildings in the cultural park.

Gorge scenery and boat-tracker culture in the wider region

The Shennong Stream Tourist Area, a national 5A-level tourist attraction, lies in the wider region. The Shennong Stream is over 60 kilometres long and comprises four natural gorge sections. Groups of ancient Ba hanging and cliff tombs are part of its cultural landscape, along with visible traces of an old plank road. The landscape and its historical features offer a different way to experience the region from the focus on village life and blossoms in Tudianzi.

The traditional practice of boat tracking has been preserved along the Shennong Stream. The boat-trackers’ songs are included in China’s intangible cultural heritage register. In 2016, the Shennong Stream Tourist Area also created the micro-performance “巴山恋”, combining Tujia culture with boat-tracker culture.

Local specialities and choosing your holiday rental

Specialities from the Badong area include Badong lamb noodles, beef from Chadianzi, spiced dried tofu from Badong and sweet-aroma corn liquor from Badong.

When searching for a holiday rental, use the topics described here as a guide: Tudianzi and Xinling are associated with seasonal blossoms and village life, while the landscape and culture along the Shennong Stream offer a regional focus. Consider which part of your trip you want to prioritise, and tailor your search accordingly. This will help you narrow down your destination without turning these different experiences into a fixed itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Ezhou, Xiaogan, Huanggang, Wuhan, Xianning, Enshi, Jingzhou, Shiyan

For the full travel overview: Hubei.