2013 Budget-Chic Spring Trip to Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang, and Changsha
The 'revolutionary underdogs' hadn't gone out for a while due to work, childbirth, and family matters. The plan evolved from Chongqing to Taiwan to Korea, and finally became a Hunan trip. No need to even take a plane.
This article is compiled from the original travel notes on the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com); it is a record of trips from earlier years. Time-sensitive information such as ticket prices, schedules, and accommodation prices is subject to the latest announcements from scenic areas and transportation authorities; the itinerary ideas and attraction introductions still have reference value.
0
2
false
false
false
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
The revolutionary army of diaosi (broke commoners) hadn't set out for some time due to various work, childbirth, and family matters
From the original Chongqing trip, to a Taiwan trip, then to a Korea tour, and finally it actually became a Hunan trip. No need to take a plane either, but the planning was not careless at all, because we wanted to achieve a diaosi petty-bourgeois quality tour. Hahahaha...
A few of us, as planned, headed to the train station right after work on Friday. Although the high-speed rail is fast, detouring to Changsha and then going to Fenghuang and Zhangjiajie seemed a bit time-consuming. But Guangzhou has a direct train to Zhangjiajie, which also allowed us to make full use of our time and experience the journey.
After sleeping through the night on the train, we arrived at Zhangjiajie Railway Station. Before departure, we had booked a two-day, one-night all-inclusive thoughtful service package — including accommodation, one breakfast and three main meals, and a tour guide. After exiting the station, we quickly met the boss, Xiao Yin, who then drove us and our luggage to her shop, and then continued to take us to the scenic area.
Based on our time and requirements, they would help us design the itinerary and arrange the schedule. This was the most convenient and ideal aspect.
Upon arriving at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, after having lunch, we went directly into the Golden Whip Stream scenic area. Anyway, the forest park ticket is valid for 3 days, and with fingerprint registration, you can enter and exit freely.
Spring was warm and flowers were blooming, the sky was clear and bright. Walking along the stream beside the mountain forest on the left, it felt quite comfortable.
0
2
false
false
false
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
0
2
false
false
false
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
According to the guide, the TV series Journey to the West and some other shows like White-Haired Demoness were filmed here. Then we took the cable car up to Huangshizhai. The ride took two or three minutes, and someone in the cable car didn't move at all — haha. From up there, the scenery was fully visible, and Five Finger Peak was clearly in sight. You can also imagine that in rainy and foggy weather, it would have a different kind of charm.
Before dusk, we descended from the back mountain to avoid the crowds. On the way, we even encountered a white snake...
We walked to the historic Longfeng Temple, then took the scenic area shuttle bus directly to the farmhouse where we were staying.
Waking up the next day, we continued to Tianzi Mountain and Yuanjiajie
The He Long statue, Fairy Scattering Flowers, Jade Brush Peak, the Number One Bridge Under Heaven, the Avatar filming location, and so on...
0
2
false
false
false
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
0
2
false
false
false
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
0
2
false
false
false
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
The scenic spots here are all very popular, and people coming to Zhangjiajie should definitely visit them. We also picked some representative ones to see, and then left as planned.
With the route and vehicle already arranged, we gave up Tianmen Mountain, which is in the city area. Maybe another chance to visit Zhangjiajie in the future.
0
2
false
false
false
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
In the afternoon, we took a bus from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang. The bumpiness along the way — those who have experienced it will understand!
Arriving in Fenghuang at night, we found ourselves at the height of the ancient town's ticket-collection controversy. Faced with the introductions on the bus and the guides waiting after we got off, everyone had to tread carefully.
Of course, we cheapskates weren't about to casually fork out the 148-yuan ticket fee. As for how the five of us got around paying those several hundred yuan in tickets, I won't go into detail here—hehe.
In the end, we of course managed to safely check into a guesthouse inside the ancient town. Though it wasn't by the river, both the price and the environment were a comfort to us.
At night, the banks of the Tuo River were bustling and brightly lit.
The next day we slept until we woke naturally, then went back to the Tuo River. The scenery was completely different from the night before.
We cheapskates enjoyed a somewhat bourgeois breakfast, relaxed and at ease.
Wandering around the ancient town some more, we couldn't help but feel that the commercial atmosphere was quite similar to certain scenic spots back home.
Of course, this place still has its own unique charm—but you can only feel it in the uncrowded corners and along the riverbank.
Leaving Fenghuang, we took a long-distance bus straight to Changsha. This bus ride wasn't too bad—probably because the few of us chatted, laughed, and snacked the whole way, and it passed just like that.
Arriving in Changsha, we stayed in the Gaoqiao/Yuhua District area and went to Jiangnan Commune nearby to see if we could get some good Hunan cuisine. It truly didn't disappoint!
Cold dishes, pickled radish skin, bullfrog, eel, sour soup with fatty beef, olive vegetable with green beans, pork liver... Everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves!!!
We'd agreed to sleep until we woke naturally, but one of our cheapskates ruined that plan. After getting up, we thought we'd look around Changsha. The Martyrs' Park is quite large, but unfortunately the museum has been closed for three years—that's way too long, isn't it?
We really couldn't help ourselves with the amusement facilities in the park. In the end, we spent a while boating on the lake, then went to Huangxing South Road Pedestrian Street. Unfortunately, due to subway construction, it wasn't great for strolling.
We foodies don't get that reputation for nothing—especially since everyone in our group loves spicy food.
The noodles were the most substantial; the portion was astonishing to me, but the taste was excellent.
The authentic sweet rice wine was refreshing and thirst-quenching, and the pig's trotters at Da Wan Chu lived up to their reputation.
0
2
false
false
false
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
In the evening, we gathered our thoughts and packed our luggage, heading to Changsha South Station. For one last indulgence, we went full bourgeois at McCafe.
On the two-plus-hour high-speed train ride, we didn't even manage to beat a single level in our games, let alone watch any TV dramas.
Modern transportation networks are truly advanced. I hope the high-speed rail opens to Ningbo soon—it'll be so much more convenient to bring Grandma along when we go back.
Looking forward to the next trip.
0
2
false
false
false
MicrosoftInternetExplorer4