Xiangxi Travel: Top Ten Most Worthwhile Scenic Areas
Xiangxi has long been a destination for travelers, known for its unique history and culture, rich ethnic customs, and stirring natural landscapes. Corpse-driving in Chenzhou, Miao poison legends, the ancient city of Qianzhou, poetic Fenghuang... What a vivid picture of Xiangxi! Whether it's the 'Number One Drift Under Heaven' at Mengdong River, the Miao capital of Qianzhou Ancient City, or the simple...
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.
Xiangxi has always been a travel destination for countless backpackers, thanks to its unique history and culture, rich ethnic customs, and stirring natural landscapes. Chenzhou corpse-driving, Miao territory poison arts, the ancient town of Qianzhou, poetic Fenghuang... what a vivid picture of Xiangxi's mountains and rivers! Whether it's the 'Number One Drift Under Heaven' at Mengdong River, or the Miao capital of Qianzhou Ancient Town; whether it's the simple and natural Dehang Miao Village, or the world-astonishing Aizhai Suspension Bridge—Xiangxi never fails to captivate the heart. Here, let's step together into mysterious Xiangxi and take stock of those top ten 'must-visit' attractions:
NO.1 The Miao Capital—Qianzhou Ancient Town
Location: Jishou City, Xiangxi Prefecture. Take a bus from Jishou Railway Station and arrive in just 15 minutes.
'Fenghuang's soldiers, Qianzhou's city'—this is a saying widely circulated in Xiangxi. If someone were to ask me what the difference is between Fenghuang Ancient Town and Qianzhou Ancient Town, I could only answer this way: Fenghuang is merely a small garrison town—petty and refined. But Qianzhou was the capital of the Miao territory—grand, magnificent, and the place where Miao culture converged and was passed down. Stepping into Qianzhou Ancient Town, what unfolds before your eyes is a living, three-dimensional scroll of Xiangxi folk customs.
As the saying goes: To tour Xiangxi, head to Qiancheng. As early as 4,200 years ago, Qianzhou City had already become the capital of the vast Miao territory. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, in order to suppress Miao uprisings, the court's top generals were always stationed at Qianzhou. Figures such as Beizi Fukang'an (also the prototype for Fu Erkang in 'My Fair Princess'), He Lin (younger brother of Heshen), the late Qing general Luo Rongguang, and Shaanxi-Gansu Governor Yang Yuebin all stationed troops at Qianzhou at various times, giving the ancient town a regal air with its civil officials and military generals.
Through the vicissitudes of time and weathering countless storms, the ancient town remains as imposing as ever. Its ancient architectural complex is well preserved, with stone-paved ancient streets, ten-li riverways, lotus ponds in moonlight, and many other historic sites of unique character that make visitors linger and forget to leave.
When you come to Qianzhou, you'll find every household nestled along the river. Strolling through the town, you feel the rustic charm of a Xiangxi border town; by night, wandering through Qiancheng—'lotus ponds, moonlight, lanterns, small bridges, flowing water, households'—it brims with the tranquility of a Jiangnan water town. —Qianzhou Ancient Town, a place you simply must visit when traveling in Xiangxi.
Development level: Rustic and natural, not yet commercialized—the rising star of Xiangxi tourism.
Sightseeing index: ★★★☆☆
Leisure index: ★★★★☆
Mystery index: ★★★★★
Overall recommendation index: ★★★★★
Industry evaluation: Through the ages, it has been the foremost of the four great ancient towns of Xiangxi (Qianzhou, Pushi, Liye, Chadong). In Shen Congwen's work 'Xiangxi,' Qianzhou Ancient Town is described thus: 'Qianzhou, though not large, is a small stone city yet neat and clean, and has produced famous figures over the past thirty years...'
NO.2 'Number One Drift Under Heaven'—Mengdong River Rafting
Location: Within Yongshun County, Xiangxi Prefecture. Departing from Jishou City, the capital of Xiangxi, it takes 2 hours by car.
'Number One Drift Under Heaven' is not a self-proclaimed title, but a well-deserved accolade given by the tourism industry to Mengdong River rafting. Mengdong River gets its name from 'mountains fierce as tigers, waters swift as dragons, and caves wondrously numerous.' The Mengdong River has abundant water volume, a steep river gradient, swift currents, many rapids, spectacular waves, and deep gorges. Along both banks, ancient trees reach the sky with lush verdant greenery, exotic rocks are scattered throughout, and flowing springs and waterfalls can be seen everywhere. Downstream, the water is emerald and the mountains green all the way, with beautiful scenery, troops of wild monkeys, and extraordinary karst caves.
The Mengdong River basin is an area where Tujia people live in concentrated communities, with unique folk customs and a rich and colorful traditional ethnic culture.
Development level: Mengdong River rafting is one of the earlier-developed and relatively mature tourism projects in Xiangxi.
Sightseeing index: ★★★★☆
Leisure index: ★★☆☆☆
Mystery Index: ★★★☆☆
Overall Recommendation Index: ★★★★☆
Duration: 2.5 hours
Industry review: "The Number One Rafting Experience Under Heaven." "See the mountains in Zhangjiajie, play in the water at Mengdong River" is already a classic itinerary recognized throughout the tourism industry.
NO.3 A Ancient Town Tour of Mixed Reviews — Fenghuang Ancient Town
Location: Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Prefecture. About a 40-kilometer drive from Jishou, the capital of Xiangxi.
A small town praised by the famous New Zealand writer Rewi Alley as "the most beautiful in China."
If Fenghuang were to be given a gender, it would certainly be "her." Many people come to Xiangxi just for her, and with her presence, romantic encounters are naturally an indispensable part of the travel experience. As "the dream hometown of Chinese literati," Fenghuang's status is beyond doubt. However, with the end of the free-admission era, countless travelers who dreamed of "returning to their hometown" now hesitate. And the 148-yuan "new ticket policy" has also left this famous ancient town with mixed reviews. Fortunately, the flaws do not overshadow the virtues — the various unpleasantness caused by the ticket issue has not in the slightest affected her charm in the hearts of travelers.
Development level: A very mature tourism project, so much so that the government considers not charging admission to be a waste of resources.
Sightseeing index: ★★★★☆
Leisure Index: ★★★★★
Mystery index: ★★★★★
Overall Recommendation Index: ★★★☆☆ (Although the 148-yuan ticket is not too expensive, as a leisure vacation destination, it will undoubtedly be greatly discounted in the overall recommendation.)
Industry review: The Zhangjiajie–Fenghuang travel route has always been listed as one of the classic travel routes. Fenghuang Ancient Town is a Chinese Historical and Cultural City, one of the first batch of China's Top Tourism Counties, and a National 4A-level Scenic Area.
NO.4 Road and Bridge Wonders, Miao Village Charm — Dehang Scenic Area
Location: A 24-kilometer drive from Jishou, the capital of Xiangxi.
"Dehang" means "beautiful grand canyon" in the Miao language. Dehang Scenic Area is a National 4A-level Scenic Area. The entire scenic area can be summarized in three phrases: century-old road and bridge wonders, millennium-old Miao village charm, and ten-thousand-year-old canyon scenery. Approaching Dehang, the world road wonder "Aizhai Sky Road" winds and spirals, and the "World Sky Bridge" Aizhai Bridge spans the canyon, an awe-inspiring sight.
Walking into the Miao village, the entire settlement is built along the mountains, surrounded by countless waterfalls cascading from the peaks, with residences featuring upturned eaves and raised corners; fire-sealing walls, stilted houses, carved windows, and other Xiangxi folk dwelling styles are uniquely shaped, distinctive in style, and rich in color, all revealing an atmosphere of ancient inhabitants. The "Gate-Blocking Wine," "Miao Specialty Banquet," "Maru Bonfire Evening Party," and other attractions within the scenic area are renowned throughout Xiangxi, leaving visitors lingering with fond memories.
Experience Miao village charm and feel the mysterious Xiangxi. Dehang — a must-visit place in mysterious Xiangxi.
Development level: A relatively mature tourism project.
Sightseeing index: ★★★☆☆
Leisure Index: ★★★☆☆
Mystery Index: ★★★★☆
Overall Recommendation Index: ★★★☆☆
Industry review: A National Key Scenic Area. An important window into understanding mysterious Xiangxi.
NO.5 Commercial Town Relics — Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town
Location: Southwest of Huaihua City, at the confluence of the Yuan River and Wu River.
Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town originated in the Spring and Autumn period, took shape in the High Tang, and reached its peak in the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was a distribution center for goods from the five provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Hunan, and Sichuan, and was the economic, cultural, and religious center of southwestern Hunan. It has long been known by the laudatory titles "Pearl of Xiangxi," "Little Nanjing," and "Great Metropolis of the Southwest." The ancient architectural complex preserved in Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town can be called a classic of ancient residential architecture in Jiangnan, China — a living version of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" — and is rare nationwide.
On June 10, 2006, the State Council promulgated the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units, and Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town was listed under the name "Hongjiang Ancient Architectural Complex."
Development level: Tourism development is currently underway...
Sightseeing index: ★★★☆☆
Leisure index: ★★★★☆
Mystery Index: ★★★☆☆
Overall Recommendation Index: ★★★☆☆
Industry review: This is a specimen of the development of modern Chinese commerce, praised by relevant experts as "a living fossil of the sprouting of capitalism in China's inland regions," with extremely high value for historical and cultural preservation and tourism development.
NO.6 The Oldest Extant Buddhist Academy — Longxing Temple
Location: At the foot of Huxi Mountain in the northwest corner of Yuanling County, Huaihua.
Longxing Temple was first built in the second year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (628 AD), with a history of more than 1,370 years. It is the oldest extant Buddhist academy in the world. Its architectural art is extremely rich and varied; in particular, the openwork stone-carved lotus seat for sutra lectures in the Mahavira Hall is exquisitely delicate and extremely beautiful. It is said to have been made in the Ming Dynasty and is a rare object in China. When the great Ming scholar Dong Qichang passed through Yuanling, he wrote "Buddha Land Before the Eyes" in his own hand and presented it as a gift.
The great Neo-Confucian master Wang Yangming passed through Yuanling and lectured in the temple for more than a month, leaving behind the eternally celebrated lines: "With a staff of quinoa I pass the head of Huxi, where shall I ask the monk's cell for Huixiu? Clouds rise among peaks, sinking the pavilion's shadow; the woods are sparse, the ground low, and the river flows into view. In the warm sunlight of misty flowers, rain still lingers; gulls and egrets in spring leisure fill the whole isle. Fine scenery shared in travel but not in appreciation — the poems are still kept for an old friend." In addition to Longxing Temple, Yuanling County also has well-known Xiangxi attractions worth seeing, such as "Eryou Mountain," "Eryou Cave," "Fenghuang Mountain," and the "Xiangxi Bandit Suppression Heroes' Monument."
Development level: A mature tourism project.
Sightseeing Index: ★★☆☆☆
Leisure Index: ☆☆☆☆☆
Mystery Index: ★★★☆☆
Overall Recommendation Index: ★★☆☆☆
Industry review: Listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1996.
NO.7 City of Peace — Zhijiang Japanese Surrender City
Location: Zhijiang County, Huaihua City.
Zhijiang Japanese Surrender City is a symbol of the victory of the Chinese people's War of Resistance and an important historical witness to the world's victory over fascism. It includes the Zhijiang Anti-Japanese Surrender Memorial Arch — one of the world's six triumphal arches (Rome, Milan, Pyongyang, Paris, Berlin, and Zhijiang) — the Surrender Site Exhibition Hall, and the world's largest wind-and-rain bridge as recognized by Shanghai Guinness Records — Longjin Wind-and-Rain Bridge — as well as the best-preserved and largest Mazu temple in the inland region — Tianhou Palace — and Peace Square.
Development level: A mature tourism project.
Sightseeing Index: ★★☆☆☆
Leisure index: ★★☆☆☆
Mystery Index: ★★☆☆☆
Overall Recommendation Index: ★★☆☆☆
Industry evaluation: A city of peace. It has long been known as the 'Gateway to Yunnan and Guizhou, Throat of Guizhou and Chu.'
NO.8 Travel with the Movies — Furong Town
Location: Yongshun County, Xiangxi Prefecture. From Jishou, the capital of Xiangxi, it's just a 1-hour drive.
Furong Town is an ancient town with a history of two thousand years. Its original name was Wang Village, the place where the Tujia 'Great King' lived in ancient times, hence the name Wang Village. It was later renamed and became famous because of the film 'Furong Town.' Nowadays, besides the ancient architecture and Tujia customs, the town has a golden signboard: 'Liu Xiaoqing Rice Tofu.' Everyone who comes here wants to eat a bowl of rice tofu — the point is not the eating, but taking a photo with the signboard while eating. It lies on the golden route of the Zhangjiajie–Xiangxi journey, though with changes in transportation, this golden corridor has gradually cooled down.
Development level: A mature tourism project.
Sightseeing Index: ★★☆☆☆
Leisure Index: ★★★☆☆
Mystery Index: ★★★☆☆
Overall Recommendation Index: ★★☆☆☆
Industry evaluation: Enjoying the reputation of the mighty town of Youyang and one of the 'Four Great Famous Towns' of Xiangxi, it is home to the nationally protected cultural relic 'Xizhou Bronze Pillar,' which records Tujia political and military history.
NO.9 Compel You, Strengthen You — Zuolong Gorge Scenic Area
Location: Hexi Town, Guzhang County, Xiangxi Prefecture, separated from Furong Town by a single stretch of water.
Zuolong Gorge was formed over 3 million years by the wind and water erosion of nature, and has long been hidden among the vast ten thousand mountains of Xiangxi. Within the gorge, sheer cliffs rise in layered succession, streams and waterfalls hang across, cliffside trees lean at angles, and rare plants cover every slope.
Zuolong Gorge has China's first special adventure trail. The rough chestnut wood plank walkway lets you get up close to that emerald green pool and hear the tinkling of mountain springs; the delicate stepping stones let you play among flowing springs and touch the streams and waterfalls; the pristine stone-step path forces you to summon all your physical and mental energy to climb carefully and feel the gorge; the thrilling yet safe iron ladders let you, accompanied by the roaring stream below your feet, savor a sense of exhilaration amid the fright.
Development level: A relatively mature tourism project.
Sightseeing Index: ★★☆☆☆
Leisure Index: ★☆☆☆☆
Mystery Index: ★★★☆☆
Overall Recommendation Index: ★★☆☆☆
Industry evaluation: A great place for adventure, seeking seclusion, exploring mysteries, and enjoying scenery.
NO.10 A Legend of 450 Million Years — Red Stone Forest
Location: Guzhang County, Xiangxi Prefecture, on the opposite bank of 'Furong Town.'
Earlier in Zhangjiajie, the mountains there were formed 380 million years ago, and I thought that was incredibly impressive. Now that I've come to the Red Stone Forest, I realize what it means that time waits for no one. The Red Stone Forest sits right in the middle of the golden tourism corridor from Zhangjiajie to Xiangxi. In the scenic area there are formations like 'Sichuan Dog Barking at the Sun,' 'Swallow Fledglings Waiting to Be Fed,' 'Snail Moving House,' 'Loulan Ancient City,' and the 'Seven-Color Maze,' as well as underground karst caves, cliff-top sinkholes, and thousand-year-old ancient trees. The entire scenic area blends red, elegant, steep, bizarre, superb, and ancient into one, and can be called the 'First Wonder of Wuling.'
Development level: A mature tourism project.
Sightseeing Index: ★★☆☆☆
Leisure Index: ☆☆☆☆☆
Mystery Index: ★★★☆☆
Overall Recommendation Index: ★★☆☆☆
Industry evaluation: The Red Stone Forest is currently the world's only red carbonate rock forest scenic area formed during the Cambrian Period.