The oldest records of Enshi date the Spring and Autumn Period of 776BC. At that time the area was a state known as Bazi, which lasted until 476BC. Enshi then became a county from 475 to 221, prior to it being absorbed into the Chinese Dynasties during the Qin period. In 1925, the city of Enshi formed the Exi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, which in 1935 became the Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture.
The city is built alongside the Qing River and is surrounded by forest-covered mountains. The city has many hotels, restaurants and spas. Restaurants here in general cater for Chinese tastes; however there is one western style restaurant called "Mac Home" in the city center. The food in Enshi is spicy and includes many "Hot Pot" style dishes as well as smoked pork and chirzo style sausage meat, spicy fried potatoes and lamb skewers. There is a beautiful Forest Park in Enshi which offers splendid scenery and views of the city as well as an amusement park. there is an out-door cafe in the park with hammocks which sells fresh ground coffee. During the summer months there is white water rafting tours available on the river. The City Center has a shopping district catering for most tastes. There is a local night club located under the "shelter bridge" called the "Soho Times".
Economy
In earlier 2013 Enshi's economy appeared to be booming with many multistory building construction sites in operation. The city is home to a busy college and University. Agriculture in and around the city is strong with almost all available land being used to grow vegetables. There are two hospital campuses in the city, many banks, supermarkets and shops. The city also has a tobacco factory.
Climate
Enshi has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate, with short, cool winters, hot, humid summers, and high humidity year-round. The monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from in January to in August, while the annual mean is. More than two-thirds of the annual precipitation of occurs from May to September. With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 12% in January to 50% in August, the city receives only 1,212 hours of bright sunshine annually; winter is especially overcast while July thru September is the sunniest period of the year.
