Youshui River, located in the east of Youyang County, is originated from Xuan’en County in Hubei Province, which runs through Youyang Daxi, Youchou, Houxi (known as Youshuihe Town today) and passes Xiushan County in Chongqing before it joins Yuanjiang River and flows into Dongting Lake. It is 81km long with an average width of 12.5m in Youyang County. Tujia people dwell along two banks of the river, which is a cradle of Tujia.
The picturesque Youshui River is reputed as “little Guilin of southeast Chongqing” and “the most beautiful Tujia village”. With silver beach beneath Bijia Mountain, and crystal-clear water beneath Sanwu Mountain, the sunset in Gaobei always intoxicates the fishermen who enjoy the deep and green mountains delightfully. How brilliant the flowers are along two banks, with green in summer, red in autumn and crystal in winter. Rows upon rows of ancient towering Chinese ashes, layers upon layers of tilted houses, melodious leaf love songs, and green stone roads leading to the history reflect the endless charm of Tujia people. The strong folk customs have astonished folklore experts, excited photographers, pleased poets, and intoxicated tourists, attracting them to linger and linger in the picturesque scene.
The amorous Youshui River is pure and beautiful. The folk culture has passed down for long. The simple yet elegant Hand-waving Hall, the melodious folk songs, leaf love songs, the ancient Yang Opera and Nuo Opera, the exotic folk festivals, the unique and mysterious folk customs, and the unique folk culture and food have emitted the special ethnic flavor.
The clear Youshui River has nurtured and nourished Tujia people. On two banks of Youshui River Tujia people drink a big bowl of wine, eat a big piece of meat, taste delicious oil tea soup, deep fry the cake, make tender rice curd and create the unique food culture. Outside the well preserved Hand-waving Hall, Tujia people will light big bonfire in traditional Tujia festivals, weddings, funerals and sacrifices to dance and sing overnight. They perform hand-waving dance that presents the labor, life, hunting and combat of ancestors. The men will perform lantern in female dress and Yang opera that reflects the totem and belief of Tujia. Along the banks of Youshui River there is a tradition to cry in wedding and jump in funeral, vividly revealing the folk features of Tujia to “tear for happiness and smile for sadness”. The traditional folk song, minor, work song, and leaf love song of Tujia are as melodious as the sounds of nature, or rough and bold. One song has recorded one beautiful legend and one dance has described one moving story.
Youshui River, existing in thousands of years, is the mother river of Tujia. The charming nature has nurtured the unique folk culture. Here, you can touch the trace of history and listen to the ancient sounds of nature.
