How Adventure Tourism is Transforming Lives and Landscapes in China's Enshi Mountains

In the mountainous region of Enshi, located in central China's Hubei Province, a surge in adventure tourism is transforming previously isolated villages. This transformation is fueled by "via ferrata," a climbing system that utilizes steel cables and footholds secured to cliff faces.

"Via ferrata," meaning "iron way" in Italian, originated in the European Alps and has gained popularity in China. These climbing routes are drawing significant numbers of visitors to the dramatic karst landscapes of the Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture.

One popular route, located on Jigongling Mountain in Enshi's Huaping Township, offers a challenging 2.8-km course with a vertical drop of approximately 650 meters. Opened in 2017, it has seen a steady increase in visitors, attracting over 30,000 in 2024 alone. Another course along the Enshi section of the Qingjiang River has also proven popular, drawing around 1,000 visitors since its opening in early May, particularly among young travelers and families.

The influx of tourists has created employment opportunities, increased local incomes, and spurred rural development in Enshi, a region that once faced isolation and poverty. Huaping Township, with its high altitude and historical lack of transportation, serves as a prime example.

Guo Qing, a 29-year-old instructor at the Huaping "via ferrata" route, leads a team of local guides. He noted that some of his colleagues, who previously worked far from home, have returned and trained as certified climbing coaches. They now earn a stable income, with monthly earnings ranging between 7,000 and 8,000 yuan, a respectable amount by local standards.

The adventure tourism boom has also revitalized local services and small businesses. In Huaping, over 150 jobs have been created in the hospitality and retail sectors. Xiang Longping, a local farmer, converted his home into a guesthouse after the "via ferrata" route opened. He now hosts approximately 3,000 tourists annually, earning over 100,000 yuan from tourism.

Xiang's success has inspired other villagers to establish new homestays, restaurants, and shops. Local agriculture is also benefiting. Liu Xiaolin, a grape grower, reported a significant increase in sales since the opening of the "via ferrata" route, with sales jumping by over 40 percent.