A Thousand-Year-Old Town on the Waterfall: A Slow Travel Guide to Furong Town
Furong Town, a thousand-year-old town hanging on a waterfall, hides the most original tranquility and simplicity of Western Hunan. It lacks the hustle and bustle of Fenghuang but offers a charm that remains undisturbed. If you are tired of crowded places and want to experience a truly immersive trip to Western Hunan, this 【Five Days and Four Nights In-Depth Slow Travel Guide】is perfect for you.
【Itinerary Overview】
Core Theme: Deeply experience the "quiet" and "pure" of Western Hunan, seeking dreams through the sound of waterfalls.
Pace: Slow travel, immersive, no rushing through.
Route Plan: Furong Town (2 days in-depth) Laosi City (1 day exploration) Red Stone Forest / Zuolong Gorge (1 day wonder) Return (1 day leisurely farewell)
Preparation Before the Trip
Best Travel Time:
Spring and autumn (April-May, September-October) offer the most comfortable weather with less rain, ideal for exploring ancient towns and outdoor hiking.
Summer (June-August) has abundant waterfall flow and spectacular scenery but is hot and rainy.
Winter (December-February) sees fewer tourists, making the town especially quiet, but temperatures are low and some homestays may have unstable hot water supply.
Transportation Guide:
Long-distance: Take high-speed rail or flight to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport or Huaihua South Station.
Transfer: From Zhangjiajie or Huaihua, take a bus or carpool to Furong Town, about 2-3 hours.
Local transport: The ancient town is mainly explored on foot; some attractions can be reached by local sightseeing buses or rented electric carts.
Accommodation Suggestions:
Recommended to stay in stilted wooden houses within the core scenic area of Furong Town, where you can see the waterfall or You River right from your window.
Popular homestays include: Tu Wang Palace · Ba Bu Tang, Furong Town Inn, Waterfall Family.
Book in advance, especially during holidays.
Essentials to Bring:
Comfortable non-slip shoes (the town’s stone paths can be slippery).
Rain gear (weather in Western Hunan is changeable).
Mosquito repellent, sunscreen, power bank, some cash.
【Daily Detailed Itinerary】
Day 1: Arrive at Furong Town, first encounter with the ancient town’s charm
Arrive in the morning, check into a stilted wooden house homestay. Drop off your luggage and start strolling through the town. Bluestone paths, Tujia stilted houses, flying eaves and upturned corners—scenery everywhere. Walk to the Furong Town Waterfall and feel the cool mist on your face. This waterfall runs through the town and is its soul.
At noon, taste authentic rice tofu at Liu Xiaoqing Rice Tofu Shop. In the afternoon, walk along the You River, watch fishing boats at dusk, and listen to locals tell old town stories. In the evening, climb to a high point in town to overlook the silhouette of the ancient town at sunset. When the lights come on, the waterfall’s night view is dreamlike.
Day 2: In-depth exploration of Furong Town, traveling through time
Wake early to avoid crowds and walk alone on the empty stone paths. The town is especially quiet in the morning mist. After breakfast, visit the Tusi King’s Palace to learn about Tusi culture history. Then head to Xizhou Copper Pillar Park to touch the marks of a thousand years of history.
At noon, try the local specialty of stir-fried cured meat with fern cake. In the afternoon, visit Wuli Stone Street to see artisans making silver jewelry and batik crafts. Return to the homestay at dusk, brew tea on the balcony, and listen to the waterfall as night falls.
Day 3: Explore Laosi City, feel the pulse of the Tusi dynasty
After breakfast, take a car to the Laosi City ruins, a World Cultural Heritage site. This was once the political, economic, and military center of the ancient Xizhou Tusi. The ruins are vast, with city walls, palace foundations, and ancient tombs scattered among green hills and clear waters. Standing on the ruins, you can almost hear the clashing of swords and horses from the past.
Have lunch at a farmhouse near Laosi City, tasting Tujia-style dishes. In the afternoon, return to Furong Town and visit the Buer Men Hot Springs on the way to relax. In the evening, enjoy free time in the ancient town and consider watching the live-action show "Furong Town."
Day 4: Red Stone Forest or Zuolong Gorge, nature’s masterpiece
Choose one today: Red Stone Forest National Geopark or Zuolong Gorge.
Red Stone Forest features karst landforms with red stone formations that look like an alien world.
Zuolong Gorge is known for its canyon streams and primeval forest, perfect for hiking and adventure lovers.
Have lunch near the scenic area. In the afternoon, return to Furong Town, pack, and buy souvenirs. Recommended gifts include wooden hammer crisps, ginger candy, and rice wine. Enjoy your last night in the ancient town, perhaps listening to locals sing mountain songs in a stilted wooden house.
Day 5: Leisurely farewell, full of memories
Take a final morning stroll in the town and photograph the waterfall in the morning mist. After breakfast, leave Furong Town at your own pace according to your return transportation schedule, heading to the high-speed rail station or airport to end your Western Hunan journey.
【Food List】
Top 3 must-eats:
1. Rice tofu: the soul of Furong Town, smooth and refreshing.
2. Cured meat: a Western Hunan specialty, smoky flavor, fatty but not greasy.
3. Blood rice duck: tender duck meat, glutinous blood rice cake, rich soup.
Other recommendations: sour soup fish, fern cake, community rice, ginger candy, wooden hammer crisps, rice wine.
【Blogger Tips】
The town’s prices are relatively transparent; be cautious when buying silver jewelry or other valuables and shop at reputable stores.
The best times for photographing the waterfall are at night and early morning mist; bring a tripod and wide-angle lens.
Locals are simple and friendly; chatting with them will reveal many stories not found in guides.
The beauty of Furong Town lies in "slowness." Put aside the rush, treat yourself like a local, daydream in a stilted house, and feel the breeze by the river to truly understand it.
Furong Town is a dream where you can rest your soul. Here, time seems to slow down, giving you a chance to talk with yourself and resonate with history. I hope this guide helps you start an unforgettable journey in Western Hunan. If you go, feel free to share your stories and beautiful photos in the comments.
Follow me to see a more beautiful world. Goodbye!