Furong Town, Western Hunan: A thousand-year-old town

1. Basic introduction: the poetic background of the thousand-year-old town​

Among the lofty mountains of western Hunan, there is an ancient town-Furong Town, which is gently wrapped in time. It is not as famous as the ancient City of Phoenix, but with the unique label of “a thousand-year-old ancient town hanging on a waterfall”, it has become a poetic secret realm sought by countless people. The bluestone slab road here is printed with the footprints of thousands of years, the hanging foot tower is reflected in the turquoise unitary water, and the roar of the waterfall passing through the town seems to be the background sound of the ancient town that will never fade. ​

The history of Furong Town can be traced back to the Western Han Dynasty. At that time, it was called “Youyang” and it was the seat of ancient Youyang County. Because of the benefits of Youshui shipping, it once became an important trading town in northwest Hunan. During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, Peng Shichou, the leader of the Tujia clan, built a city here. For hundreds of years afterwards, it has always been an important node for the integration of Tujia culture in western Hunan and the culture of the Central Plains. Walking around the ancient town today, you can still see the remnants of the city walls left over from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The mottled masonry is engraved with the vicissitudes of time, as if telling of the prosperity and changes of the past. ​

2. Core landscape: the beauty of the collision of nature and humanities​

1. Through the Town Waterfall: the Soul Business Card of the Ancient Town​

The most amazing thing about Furong Town is the great waterfall that passes through the town. The waterfall is more than 60 meters high and more than 40 meters wide. It originates from the upstream stream and pours down from the cliff edge of the ancient town, forming a “hanging waterfall” spectacle. During the rainy season, the water rushes and surges, and the mist fills the entire ancient town. Standing on the observation deck below the waterfall, it seems to be in a fairyland; during the dry season, the water becomes soothing and soft, like a silver curtain falling, side by side with the ancient town’s hanging tower. What’s even more wonderful is that there is a hidden “water curtain cave’ under the waterfall. When you pass through the cave, you can feel the impact of the water flow up close and listen to the deafening sound of water. That kind of shock hits the mind directly. ​

. 2tujia Hanging Foot Building: Solidified Cultural Symbols​

The architecture of the ancient town is a living fossil of Tujia culture. Walking up along the bluestone slab road, the hanging foot towers on both sides are built according to the mountains. The wooden structure has been baptized over the years and has a warm luster. Most of these hanging scaffolding buildings adopt a ”one-front and two-compartment’ pattern. The ground floor is overhead for stacking debris or raising livestock, while the upper floor is a living space. The windows are carved with exquisite Tujia patterns, such as ”Ten thousand characters grid“ and ”butterfly flower’, which means good luck and happiness. Every evening, the afterglow of the setting sun shines on the wooden windows of the hanging foot building, and the warm yellow light reflects the turquoise sea water, forming a beautiful landscape painting scroll. ​

3. Folklore and cuisine: the living fireworks of the ancient town​

In addition to the beauty of nature and architecture, Furong Town also has a very strong cultural atmosphere. This is the settlement of the Tujia people, and many traditional customs are still preserved to this day. If you catch up with the “Autumn Festival’ of the Tujia people, you can see the Tujia compatriots dressed in national costumes singing and dancing, playing ciba, singing folk songs, and dancing hand dances. It is very lively. ​

In the streets and alleys of the ancient town, there are also many specialty shops, some selling Tujia silver jewelry and embroidery, while others offer local cuisine. Among them, ”Liu Xiaoqing rice tofu’ is a must-try signature-this snack, famous for the movie ‘Furong Town’, is made from local high-quality rice. The taste is tender and smooth, and it is served with secret chili, minced garlic, sauerkraut and other spices. It is spicy and sour and appetizing, making people have endless aftertaste. In addition, specialty dishes such as Hunan bacon, Artemisia baba, and Youshuihe Shrimp can also make diners feel the authentic Hunan flavor. ​

3. Tickets and tour information: Practical guide reference​

1. Ticket price​

Adult tickets for Furong Town are usually 80 yuan per person. The specific price may be slightly adjusted depending on the season (such as holidays and peak tourist seasons). It is recommended to check the latest price through the official account of the scenic area or the regular ticketing platform before traveling. ​

• Preferential policies: Children under 1.2 meters tall and the elderly over 70 years old (with valid documents) are free of tickets; children between 1.2 and 1.4 meters, full-time students with undergraduate degrees and below (with student ID cards), and 60-69 years old (with valid documents) can enjoy a half-price discount. ​

2. Opening hours and tour duration​

• Opening hours: generally from 8:00-22:00 (it may be extended to 22:30 in summer and 21:30 in winter, subject to the notice of the scenic area on the same day). ​
• Tour duration: It is recommended to reserve 3-5 hours. If you want to experience in depth (such as watching folk performances, night tours of waterfalls, and staying in a hanging foot tower inn), you can arrange a 1-day and 1-night itinerary to feel the charm of the ancient town at different times. ​

3. Modes of transportation​

Furong Town is located in Yongshun County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province. The transportation is mainly by road.：​

• By car: It takes about 1.5 hours by car from Zhangjiajie, about 2.5 hours by car from Phoenix Ancient City, and about 1.5 hours by car from Jishou City. There is a parking lot in the scenic area, which is convenient for parking. ​
• Public transportation: You can first take the high-speed rail or bus to Yongshun County bus station, and then transfer to the county shuttle bus (Yongshun-Furong Town). The journey takes about 1 hour. There are more shuttle buses and the fare is about 15 yuan / person. ​

4. Precautions for Visiting: Tips to improve the experience​

1. Outfit and equipment​

• There are many bluestone roads in the ancient town, which are easy to slip on rainy days. It is recommended to wear non-slip flat shoes (such as sports shoes and casual shoes) and avoid high heels.；​
• There is a large temperature difference between day and night in the mountainous areas of Western Hunan. Even in summer, it is recommended to bring a thin coat. If you go in the rainy season (April-June), you need to prepare rain gear and pay attention to mosquito prevention. ​

2The. rhythm and safety of the tour​

• The ground in the waterfall area (especially the water curtain cave) is humid, so you need to slow down when walking and pay attention to the safety of your feet.；​
• The streets and alleys of the ancient town are winding and there are many forks. You can download the scenic guide map on your mobile phone in advance, or follow the scenic signs to avoid getting lost.；​
• A night tour of the waterfall is a characteristic experience of Furong Town. The waterfalls under the lights are colorful, but the light on the night trail is weak. It is recommended to walk together. ​

3. Consumption and shopping​

• When buying Tujia silver jewelry, embroidery and other handicrafts, you can negotiate the price appropriately, but you need to pay attention to the quality. It is recommended to choose a regular store to buy.；​
• When tasting food, you can first ask about the price to avoid misunderstandings due to poor communication; snacks such as rice tofu are moderate in weight, so you can try a few more different flavors. ​

Walking around Furong Town, it seemed that time had slowed down. In the early morning, mist enveloped the ancient town, and the sound of the waterfall was particularly clear in the silence; in the afternoon, sitting in the teahouse of the hanging foot building, sipping a cup of local green tea, watching the people coming and going outside the window; at night, the lights of the ancient town are on, and the waterfall is colorful under the reflection of the lights., The cruise ship slowly passed over the unitary water, rippling with ripples. There is no hustle and bustle of the city here, only the quietness of the years, which makes people stop and indulge in this unique gentleness. ​

Furong Town is not only an ancient town, but also a living history, a flowing picture. It uses the majesty of the waterfall, the simplicity of the hanging tower, and the vitality of culture to tell the story of Xiangxi to every visitor, and also allows people to find a peace of mind between the mountains and the landscape.