Shiyan is a prefecture-level city in northwestern Hubei, set among forested hills and mountains where the Wudang range runs east to west. The city grew up around the automotive industry, and its main urban area sits in the relatively low-elevation geographic centre, while the far northern and southern reaches rise steeply.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple: the built-up urban core is made up of the Maojian and Zhangwan districts, with Maojian typically labelled on maps simply as "Shiyan". Beyond the city, the Wudang Mountains and their Taoist temples and monastic sites are the main draw, and Danjiangkou, a county-level city within Shiyan, sits by the reservoir and dam on the Han River. This guide covers where to base yourself for each of those experiences, and what to expect at different budget levels.
Best areas to stay in Shiyan
1. Maojian District
Maojian is the main urban area of Shiyan and the part most commonly marked on maps as the city itself. If you want to be in the built-up core, with the widest choice of urban accommodation and the easiest access to city services, this is the natural base.
It suits first-time visitors who want a straightforward city base before or after heading out to the mountains, and travellers who prefer an urban setting over a mountain one. Note that the urban core sits in the low-elevation centre of the prefecture, so you are not dealing with the steep hill terrain found further out.
2. Zhangwan District
Zhangwan is the other urban district making up the built-up metro area alongside Maojian. It offers the same broad proposition as the city core: an urban base within the conurbation rather than a mountain or reservoir setting.
It suits visitors who want to stay in the city proper and choose between the two urban districts based on where they need to be. As with Maojian, you are in the relatively low central part of the prefecture rather than the high northern and southern reaches.
3. Wudang Mountains area
The Wudang Mountains are one of the most important cultural centres of the Taoist faith, and the surrounding area is dotted with up to 200 Taoist monastic temples and religious sites. Staying here puts you close to the temples and trails rather than in the city.
This suits travellers whose main purpose is the mountain and its religious sites, including those willing to hike. Be aware that accommodation on Wudang Mountain is by and large very expensive; a cheaper option is to pitch a tent, and there is also a hostel on the grounds of an abandoned temple along a beautiful hiking trail, though the hike to it is long. The mountain terrain is steep, so plan for the walking.
4. Danjiangkou
Danjiangkou is a county-level city within Shiyan, associated with the dam and reservoir on the Han River. It is a separate settlement rather than part of the built-up Shiyan conurbation, so it works as a base only if the dam and reservoir area is your focus.
It suits travellers specifically interested in the water conservancy project and the reservoir landscape. Because it is not conurbated with the urban core, treat it as its own base rather than a neighbourhood of Shiyan city.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: In the Wudang Mountains area, the cheapest documented options are pitching a tent or taking a bed in the hostel on the grounds of an abandoned temple, which involves a long hike. In the urban districts, expect the usual range of simple city accommodation.
- Mid-range: The urban districts of Maojian and Zhangwan are where you will find the broadest choice of ordinary city accommodation, convenient if you want a comfortable base without a mountain setting.
- Splurge: Hotels on Wudang Mountain are by and large very expensive, so this is where the higher-end spending concentrates if you want to stay on the mountain itself.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in Maojian District. It is the main urban area and the part typically labelled on maps as Shiyan, so it gives you the clearest, most central starting point in the city. From there you can arrange trips out to the Wudang Mountains or Danjiangkou without committing your whole stay to a mountain or reservoir location.
Frequently asked questions
Is it expensive to stay on Wudang Mountain?
Yes. Hotels on Wudang Mountain are by and large very expensive. Cheaper alternatives are pitching a tent or staying at the hostel on the grounds of an abandoned temple, which requires a long hike.
Which part of Shiyan is the main urban area?
The main urban area of the prefecture-level city is in Maojian District, which is typically labelled on maps simply as "Shiyan". Together with Zhangwan District it forms the built-up metro area.
Is Danjiangkou part of the built-up city?
No. The built-up metro area is made up of the two urban districts of Maojian and Zhangwan; Danjiangkou is not conurbated with them, so it functions as a separate base.
Do I need to plan for hills?
If you are heading to the Wudang Mountains, yes. Hills and mountains in Shiyan generally have steep inclines, and the hike to the hostel there is long. The urban core, by contrast, sits in the relatively low-elevation centre of the prefecture.
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