Complete Guide to Driving from Guangzhou to Explore Hunan and Xiangxi
A complete guide to a self-drive trip from Guangzhou through Hunan and Xiangxi. "Life is like a journey—what matters isn't the destination but the scenery along the way and the mood with which you take it in." Rolling mountains, bead-like flat basins, deep gorges, and high-altitude glaciers each fulfill our imagination of travel.
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.
A Complete Guide to a Self-Drive Trip from Guangzhou to Hunan and Around Xiangxi
"Life is like a journey; what matters is not the destination, but the scenery along the way and the mood with which you view it." Look at those continuous high mountains, bead-string-like flat basins, deeply cut gorges, and high-altitude glaciers—each one can satisfy our imagination of travel life. Here, the Life Home editor has specially prepared a Life Home travel guide for you who want to set out, enjoying the thrill of exploration while you play. Shoulder your pack and go experience the feeling of being on the road!
Several colleagues (all photography enthusiasts) arranged to go on a trip to Xiangxi. Although preparations were rushed, we did not forget to search online for several travelogues and guides, and also borrowed a GPS from a friend. Six people, two cars, everything ready, off we go.
It took almost a whole day, but from Guangzhou we finally arrived in Zhangjiajie. When we set out, the weather was clear, and we were in a hurry. Although after arriving in Zhangjiajie the weather suddenly changed to rain and fog, so we did not see the beautiful mountain scenery in Zhangjiajie and left with some regret, there were also many gains and moving moments during the trip, worth recording.
Day 1: Set off at 6 a.m., a group of 6 drove to Zhangjiajie. The whole way we took the expressway directly to Zhangjiajie. By the time we arrived, it was already past 7 p.m. The guide we had contacted online, Song Daohong, waited for us half an hour early at the Zhangjiajie expressway exit. The guide arranged for us to stay at a place called Yuping Hotel. There were parking spaces, the price was very reasonable, standard twin rooms, private bathrooms, 24-hour hot water, clean and hygienic, and fairly quiet, right in the city center.
Day 2: Entered the Zhangjiajie scenic area for sightseeing. Along the essential sightseeing route of Golden Whip Stream there are famous scenic spots "Mother and Child Peak" "Zhu Bajie Carries His Wife" "Golden Whip Rock" "Cleaving the Mountain to Save the Mother" "Longevity Spring" "Wenxing Rock" "Zicao Tan" "Qianli Xianghui (Meeting After a Thousand Miles)", we walked along Golden Whip Stream to Water Winding Around Four Gates, took the world's number one elevator (Bailong Elevator) to the Back Garden (those taking the elevator buy a separate ticket at 56 yuan per person), and then toured the boutique sightseeing route of Yuanjiajie"Tianxia Diyi Qiao (Number One Bridge Under Heaven)" "Five Women Going to Battle" "Double Dragon Spring" "Lianxin Bridge" "Divine Turtle Asking Heaven" "Lianxin Bridge" "Mihun Tai" Then stay: Yuanjiajie
Day 3: After breakfast in the morning, it was still raining. We set out at 8 a.m. and visited Helong Park. Because of the fog, landmark scenic spots such as Yubi Peak and Tiannv Xianhua were all shrouded in cloud and mist, so their true faces could not be seen, and many sightseeing tourists could only sigh at the fog. We took the cable car down the mountain and viewed the Ten-Mile Gallery. Although it was still raining, there was no fog at the foot of the mountain, so everyone became interested again. Shizhi Peak and Golden Rooster Crowing at Dawn really did look remarkably alike, and the Herb-Gathering Old Man was even more worthy of his reputation. Lunch at 12, then visited Huanglong Cave. Left the scenic area at 4, and reached the city center an hour later. At 9 p.m. we arrived in Fenghuang Old Town. Everyone was already exhausted, so we had a simple meal and stayed overnight in the old town. The rain gradually stopped.
Day 4: Fenghuang Old Town -- Return. The sky gradually cleared again. Because a friend in our group had matters to attend to and was eager to return, in the morning we arranged only two hours for a hurried tour of the old town. We entered from the East Gate and exited by the Tuo River at Hong Bridge, passing the Fenghuang sculpture, Shen Congwen's Former Residence, and the old city wall. We left the old town at 10:30.
Reflections on transportation:
1. On this trip we fully felt the transportation convenience brought by the expressway. Road conditions were good throughout the entire route. From Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang Ancient Town, the whole way followed mountain roads. Although the road was relatively narrow, with only two lanes, the road conditions were very good.
2. Zhangjiajie city is undergoing construction, and the roads in the scenic area are also being renovated. From Zhangjiajie to Forest Park you have to take a detour, and it takes 1 hour. There are shuttle buses between scenic spots, with a fare of 10 yuan.
Scenic spots and guides:
1. In Zhangjiajie we were very grateful for the generosity and warmth of our independent-travel guide. Originally we had booked a three-day, two-night independent tour of Zhangjiajie, but on the second day after arriving in Zhangjiajie the weather suddenly changed. From the mountaintop we could see nothing at all, all was misty, and the temperature also dropped sharply. Although the guide had reminded us before we came to bring more clothes, it still felt too cold, and one friend even caught a bit of a cold. Several of us discussed whether to go to Fenghuang one day early. We asked the guide whether the fog might disperse in weather like this. The guide sincerely told us: "In a season like this, once it starts drizzling, the fog will not disperse for the whole day." So we tried discussing with the guide whether we could cut one day from the itinerary and go to Fenghuang one day early. Unexpectedly, the guide agreed very readily and said, "This is what is good about independent travel. We completely respect the guests' requests; as long as you feel it is good, that is fine. Guests are always our resource, not our source of money." The two-day itinerary, including one night's accommodation, three main meals and one breakfast, cost us only 410 yuan, which also included the 248-yuan Forest Park ticket and insurance. Everyone felt it was quite cheap. And the guide was indeed, as said online, very down-to-earth and warm. He also understood what guests need. Choosing him as our guide was absolutely right. It can also be said that choosing a good guide is the most crucial part of a happy independent tour. Moreover, the guide and his group now offer a policy where guests travel first and pay later. The guide said, "If the guests are not satisfied, there is no reason to take their money; we have to pay tuition!" Where else would a travel agency do this?
2. The itinerary arranged by the guide is all within the Forest Park. The cost does not include tickets for the Bailong Elevator and the cable car. If you don't take them, you'll have to climb the mountain on foot. In addition, places like Huanglong Cave and Baofeng Lake are scenic spots outside the Forest Park, and you'll need to buy separate tickets to visit them.
3. The Ten-Mile Gallery can be toured either on foot or by sightseeing mini-train. Actually, it's only 5 li one way, and a round trip takes just 40 minutes (quite easy). So there's no need to spend 33 yuan on the mini-train.
4. In Zhangjiajie, there are people posing as police officers to recommend tour guides. They drive an unmarked car and wear a police hat, specifically targeting out-of-town vehicles. A reminder for everyone to be careful.
5. Fenghuang Old Town is a place that requires calming down and wandering slowly. The ancient stone-slab streets, narrow alleys, dim old houses, and the clear and beautiful Tuo River -- although we only made a hurried tour, we were still attracted and enchanted. There are many unofficial guides in the old town. We met one, and it was only 20 yuan for half a day. To be honest, he just played the role of a guide. To visit the old town in detail, you have to buy the 138-yuan combined ticket for the eight major scenic spots (including a boat ride on the Tuo River). Of course, you can also take a private small boat, only 10 yuan per person, but it goes to the farther downstream area, not as good as the river views on both sides of Hong Bridge.
Dining and Accommodation:
1. In Zhangjiajie we stayed inside the scenic area. The conditions were all right. Because of the cold air and rain, it felt very cold, but if you wanted to turn on the air conditioning, the charge was very expensive (40 yuan/night). Because the hotel was not fully occupied, the guide added an extra cotton quilt to each of our rooms, so it felt very cozy. Because it was cold, we asked the owner to add a pickled cabbage fish hot pot, and the group ate quite merrily. To be fair, if it were not for the cold rain and fog, staying here would still be very comfortable: beautiful scenery right outside the door, affordable prices, and very simple, honest people.
2. Fenghuang Ancient Town has many inns, especially along the Tuojiang River, with varying standards and prices. Since we arrived late and were too tired, eager to rest, we stayed at the Xinhui International Hotel. The price was quite high—240 yuan for a standard room including breakfast. If you have enough time, you can take your time searching and stay by the river, where opening the window reveals beautiful scenery—that would be truly delightful. The standard double rooms there cost only 40 yuan per room. As for food, everyone online recommends the blood duck, but I don't know if we went to the wrong place—it was really tasteless.