This attraction introduction is compiled from historical materials in the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com · Scenic Spots section). Ticket prices, opening hours, transportation, and contact information mentioned in the text may be outdated. Please refer to the latest official announcements from the scenic area before traveling; some content consists of historical background/cultural introductions and is for reference only.
It belongs to Tiemai Village, Ala Town, Fenghuang County, and is located around the historic Tang Dynasty ancient city—Huangsiqiao Ancient City (the best-preserved stone city in China), 500 meters downstream of the moat of Huangsiqiao Ancient City, 26 kilometers from Fenghuang Ancient Town and 10 kilometers from Tongren Airport. The Fenghuang-Daxing Class II Highway passes through the area, making transportation convenient.
The people living in this ancient village all share the surname "Hong." Legend has it that their ancestor was the famous Taiping Heavenly Kingdom leader Hong Xiuquan, and so later generations took his surname. The scenery around this ancient village is truly enchanting, and many cultural attractions are located nearby, among which Huangsiqiao Ancient City is one of the most famous. This ancient city was first built during the Tang Dynasty and later served as an important military fortress during the Ming and Qing dynasties, playing a crucial role; it is therefore of great significance and considerable historical value.
In addition, when visiting the Yanbanyan Water Village Miao Village, you can also go to see the ancient Mawang Temple, the beautiful moat, and the beacon towers, which will surely bring you no small reward. Some have said that this place was the residence of imperial descendants, and so it appears quite sacred. The number of visitors coming to tour the Yanbanyan Water Village Miao Village is also very large; most come drawn by its fame, wanting to experience the mystery of this place for themselves.
The Miao village is composed of several scattered small hamlets with few people, but there are especially many weirs and dams here, and they are particularly distinctive. The weirs and dams are built by standing large bluestone slabs upright, with household millstones placed on top. The Miao people here especially love playing in the water; they even build their houses by the stream, and some are even built over the water. They live with water as their companion, make their living from water, and take joy in water. The most distinctive feature in the water is the bluestone slab weir, and it is also the most indispensable to daily life; hence the village is also named Yanbanyan (Bluestone Slab Weir).
In front of the village, fields crisscross and streams interlace, winding in nine turns. By the water are rows of waterwheels and stone mills; in the water are whole slabs of natural bluestone. Where the water emerges, it forms islets; where it falls, it forms waterfalls, creating many peculiar stepped cascades. On the water are lines of bluestone slab weirs; on the weirs are lines of jumping stones of various shapes; across the ditches lie huge bluestone slab bridges... The mountain-and-water pastoral scenery and the waterwheels, water mills, bluestone slab weirs, bluestone slab bridges, and jumping stones mutually enhance one another, composing one exquisite picture after another.
Getting off at Huangsiqiao Ancient City and taking a boat downstream, you can enjoy the original, ancient, natural scenery of this water village Miao village, full of Miao daily life. The simple and hospitable Miao people welcome you with mellow gate-blocking wine.
Transportation
1. Travelers coming to Fenghuang from various places generally get off the train at Jishou Station. There are minibuses in the train station square going to Fenghuang, with air conditioning, at 10–12 yuan per person. Buses from Jishou to Fenghuang run from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., taking about 1 hour.
2. You can also take a taxi from Jishou Railway Station (about 4 yuan) to the South Bus Station and take a scheduled air-conditioned shuttle bus, departing every 20 minutes, at 12 yuan per person. The total distance is 52 kilometers along National Highway 209, with fairly good road conditions.
