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Best Things to Do
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Xiangxi Prefecture [2025]
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Fenghuang Ancient Town
4.3
/5
8405 reviews
8.0
Based on 2,065 reviews
42.5 km from downtown
Phone 0743-3221111
Address: Fenghuang Ancient City, Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Selected for 2 years in a row
Highlights:
Boat ride: Fenghuang's night charm
Boating & stilted buildings view
Saved by 1431 users2455 positive reviews
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Shen Congwen once said, "I have crossed bridges in many places, beheld clouds many times, and drunk many kinds of wine, yet I have only loved one person at the prime of life." The city he described embodies this same romance and poetry: Fenghuang Ancient Town.
Entering Fenghuang Ancient Town is like stepping into a slowly unfolding ink painting. The Tuojiang River flows gently, its surface reflecting the stilt houses scattered along its banks. Like guardians of time, they quietly tell stories of the past. Strolling along the riverbank, the ancient bluestone pavement beneath your feet feels like touching the texture of history with every step. The distant mountains loom in the mist, contrasting with the river and buildings before you, creating a fairyland-like scene.
As night falls and the lights come on, the ancient town takes on a captivating new look. Lights blaze ablaze on both sides of the Tuojiang River, their reflections on the water's surface creating a shimmering, dreamlike scene. Melodious songs emanate from streetside bars, intertwining with the gurgling sound of flowing water to create a beautiful nocturne. Meanwhile, aboard a small boat, gently gliding along the river, the gentle breeze caressing your face, and feeling the charm of the ancient city's nighttime charm, it's as if time has slowed down.
Fenghuang Ancient Town boasts not only breathtaking scenery but also a rich cultural heritage. Shen Congwen's former residence displays his manuscripts and books, allowing visitors to step into the world of this literary master and experience the unique charm of Xiangxi as he portrayed them. Traditional Miao handicrafts, such as silver jewelry and batik, are exquisitely crafted, showcasing the wisdom and creativity of this ethnic minority.
In Fenghuang Ancient Town, you can also enjoy a variety of authentic cuisine. The blood-baked duck is crispy and delicious, the blood-baked duck absorbing the umami flavor of the duck, while the duck itself is enhanced by the softness of the blood-baked duck. The Miao fish in sour soup is spicy and sour, the tender fish stewed in the sour broth leaving a lasting aftertaste. There's also the sweet rice tofu and crispy mugwort baba... every bite is a true delight.
Fenghuang Ancient Town, a place brimming with poetry and romance, a place where the soul can find peace. Here, you can slow down, appreciate the beauty of life, and find inner peace. If you haven't been yet, you must visit and experience its unique charm firsthand.
- Beautiful scenery: the Lijiang River is like a green ribbon passing through the city, the river is clear, the water grass swaying, the green mountains on both sides of the Straits and the ancient city buildings are against each other, forming a picturesque landscape painting. The antique hanging foot building is arranged along the Lijiang River, and the wooden structure of the hanging foot building is mottled, but it adds a simple charm, and the night is even more beautiful under the light. - Deep cultural heritage: This is the former residence of Shen Congwen, Xiong Xiling and other celebrities. When you walk into Shen Congwen's former residence, you can feel the scene of his life. The ancient city museum lets people know the historical evolution and cultural heritage of the ancient city of Phoenix, and other buildings such as Yangjia Temple also show the Miao nationality culture and traditional customs. - Rich food: Phoenix's food is lingering, the blood duck duck meat is fresh and tender, the blood is soft and sweet, and the taste is spicy and delicious; Miaojia sour soup is sour and hot and sour, and there are special snacks such as fried shrimp cakes, seedling cakes, bamboo tube glutinous rice, full of rich Xiangxi flavor. - Strong national customs: local Miao people wear bright national costumes to shuttle through the streets and alleys. There are often Miao singing and dancing performances in the ancient city square. They express their love for life and welcome to tourists with warm songs and dances. People can deeply feel the strong national customs. Disadvantages - strong commercial atmosphere: most of the shops on both sides of the street serve tourists, the price of goods is high, and there are many nationally unified Yiwu small commodities, homogenization phenomenon is serious, affecting the ancient city's quaint atmosphere. - Crowded tourists in peak season: In the peak tourist season, the number of tourists in the ancient city is large, and it seems crowded and noisy, which will affect the experience of playing. - Some scenic spots are unreasonable: although the ancient city cancels the big tickets, there is still a charge to some core attractions, which disappoints many tourists.
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Furong Town
4.2
/5
3271 reviews
7.8
From AU$ 20.43
Based on 39 reviews
Furong Ancient Town | 52 km from downtown
Phone 0743-5854532
Address: 150 meters south of Furong Road, Yongshun County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
No.1 of Water fun & Cool Retreats in Xiangxi Prefecture
Highlights:
Waterfall & stilt houses
Glass walkway & river view
Saved by 1924 users2266 positive reviews
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Furong Town: A Millennium-Old Town Hanging on a Waterfall—Is It Worth a Visit?
Roaring waterfalls, shimmering lights, and captivating Xiangxi charm
I visited Furong Town one summer day. This "millennium-old town hanging on a waterfall," as made famous by the movie "Furong Town," left a deep impression on me.
The waterfall is undoubtedly Furong Town's most spectacular sight. The 60-meter-high and 40-meter-wide cascade cascades down the cliff in two tiers, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Traversing the corridor beneath the waterfall, the splashing water creates a refreshing coolness—a perfect summer experience.
The ancient town is even more captivating at night. As dusk falls, the lights of countless homes illuminate, transforming the town into a fairyland, resembling a celestial palace.
Walking along the five-mile stone-paved street, you'll find quaint Tujia stilt houses and a variety of shops. You can also try the local specialty, rice tofu (the most authentic is said to be at Liu Xiaoqing Rice Tofu Shop, No. 113).
However, Furong Town does have some issues: a strong commercial atmosphere; the river near the waterfall can sometimes be silted and have an unpleasant odor.
📌 Practical Tips:
- Best Season: The waterfall is at its most spectacular during the flood season, from June to August.
- When to Visit: We recommend planning your visit in the afternoon or evening to enjoy the night view.
- Transportation: The high-speed rail goes directly to Furong Town Station, and from there, a taxi takes about 10 minutes to the scenic area.
- Admission: Approximately 108 yuan per person (prices subject to change).
Overall, if you enjoy the blend of natural and cultural landscapes and can avoid the crowds, Furong Town offers a great experience.
It's so beautiful, I've been praising it all over my social media! The night view is especially stunning; it's unbelievably beautiful. In the summer, I recommend entering the park at 7:40 PM, watching the show at the Waving Hands Hall at 8 PM, and then wandering around and taking photos. That's about three hours! If you're not going to see the show, you can just enter at 7:30 PM. Tickets are valid for three days!
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Biancheng Chadong Scenic Area
4.5
/5
189 reviews
7.0
Border City Chatong | 49.9 km from downtown
Address: 湘西土家族苗族自治州花垣县边城茶洞
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No.2 of Water fun & Cool Retreats in Xiangxi Prefecture
101 positive reviews10K views in last month
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The Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture Border Town Chadong Scenic Area, also known as the Border Town Chadong Scenic Area, is a tourist attraction located in Biancheng Town, Huayuan County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province. It faces the Hong'an Border Town Tourist Area in Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, Chongqing City across the Qingshui River. [8]
Chadong is a Miao place name. Cha means Han people in Miao language, and Dong means a small piece of flat land in the mountains. As the name suggests, "Chadong" means "a small piece of flat land inhabited by Han people." [Chadong Town (now Biancheng Town) was built in the eighth year of Jiaqing in the Qing Dynasty (1803). It is known as "one foot in three provinces". It is one of the first batch of national characteristic towns and one of the four famous towns in Xiangxi. It is the prototype of the famous novella "Border Town" by literary master Shen Congwen
The ancient town is simple in style, the price of food and accommodation is not high, the attractions are nearby, just a walk away, and you can enjoy the three provincial food in a circle. It is worth seeing. In particular, you have to sit and cross the river, shake, shake, and transition from Hunan to Chongqing in a few minutes.
No.
4
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Aizhai Bridge
4.6
/5
847 reviews
6.7
From AU$ 24.75
Aizhai Wonder Tourist Area | 13.1 km from downtown
Phone 0743-8758777
Address: Aizhai Town, Jishou City, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Highlights:
World-class suspension bridge & sky-high drive
Giant suspension bridge spans canyon
510 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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The scenery here is definitely worth seeing and will amaze you. The combination of nature and technology is displayed here to the fullest. Even the children say it is worth the trip!
It was worth the trip, very shocking, and you can see people playing high-altitude swings.
It was still quite scary to walk to the middle of the bridge, it was too high.
There are shuttle buses and elevators, so you don’t have to walk a lot.
The ticket price is a bit high, 100 yuan is too much.
No.
5
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Fenghuang Maglev Express
4.4
/5
328 reviews
6.5
41.8 km from downtown
Phone 0743-2139039
Address: 湖南省湘西土家苗族自治州凤凰县内
Recommended sightseeing time: 15-45 minutes
No.1 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Xiangxi Prefecture
Highlights:
Immersive holographic "Border Town" experience
Maglev line: station & ancient city
Saved by 104 users272 positive reviews
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I especially want to commend the staff at Yingbin Station. My child and I got off the train at Yingbin Station at 9:15 PM and wanted to visit the Maglev Science Museum on the first floor. The attendant on the platform reminded us that the last train to Lansheng Station was only 23 minutes away, and the museum on the first floor was closed. However, she quickly contacted the museum through the intercom and escorted us downstairs to reopen it. The attendant also accompanied the three of us throughout our special tour, getting us back to the third-floor platform just in time for the last train back to Lansheng Station. Their dedication to customer service, regardless of the number of guests or the time of day, is truly commendable!
The maglev train in Fenghuang Ancient Town is really enjoyable, adding a beautiful scenery to our trip to Hunan! You can also get off the train to enjoy the view and overlook the beautiful Miao Village! The carriage is bright and the enthusiastic tour guide's vivid explanation allows the children to appreciate the beautiful scenery and gain knowledge at the same time, killing two birds with one stone! It's fun and beautiful!
No.
6
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Red Stone Forest National Geological Park
4.2
/5
704 reviews
6.1
From AU$ 25.83
Based on 8 reviews
50.4 km from downtown
Phone 0743-4726888
Address: Hongshilin National Geological Park, Guzhang County, Xiangxi Tujia Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.2 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Xiangxi Prefecture
Saved by 138 users285 positive reviews
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It's worth a visit. Walking among a group of stones, taking photos, and checking in, it's beautiful and a good exercise. In summer, you must take good sun protection measures, as your head will be exposed to the sun. We brought a child who was afraid of heat, so the shortest itinerary was probably completed in two hours.
The Red Stone Forest is not red, but the various shapes of the stone forest are worth a visit. The scenery is beautiful. It is similar to the Sobuya Stone Forest in Enshi, Hubei, but not as large as the Sobuya Stone Forest. Many ancient fossils can be seen on the stones. The ticket price is relatively expensive.
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