8-Day Tour of Chadong Ancient Town, Fenghuang & Zhangjiajie

Itinerary summary

days	Morning itinerary	Noon arrangement	Afternoon itinerary
Day1	Arrive at Chadong Ancient Town, check in at Linjiang Inn, and take a simple rest (adapt to the climate and environment)	For dining in restaurants in the ancient town, horned fish and sour soup fish are recommended	Experience the 2 yuan Lala Crossing (across the Qingshui River), stroll through the ancient wharf; stroll through the alleys of the ancient town and see the hanging foot buildings
Day2	Climb to Cuicui Island (admire the statue of Cuicui, visit the White Tower); visit Shen Congwen’s former residence (learn about the literary background)	For dining in ancient town restaurants, Blood baba duck is recommended	Punch in the “Stele across the Three Provinces with one foot’ (take a photo as a souvenir); visit the main street of the ancient town and choose the characteristic souvenirs of Western Hunan (such as Miao Yin ornaments)
Day3	From Chadong to Hong’an Ancient Town, Chongqing (Lala Crossing / 10 minutes by car), visit the former site of Liu Deng’s army’s “Advance into the Great Southwest” Command.	Hong’an Ancient Town eats special meals, rice tofu and braised vegetables are recommended	Drive to Deming Miaozhai (30-40 minutes by car) to enjoy the quicksand waterfall; you can choose to experience Miao costumes and take pictures
Day4	Go to Aizhai Bridge (30 minutes by car), climb to the observation deck to enjoy the bridge, and experience the cliff plank Road (optional)	For a light meal near the bridge, Tujia bacon and stir-fried bamboo shoots are recommended	Drive to the ancient City of Fenghuang (1.5-2 hours by car), check into the Tuojiang Inn; after a break, visit the outskirts of Hongqiao
Day5	Rafting on the Tuojiang River (there are few people in the early morning, enjoying the morning mist on the river); visit the former residence of Shen Congwen and Xiong Xiling	For dining in the Ancient City of Fenghuang , Miaojia sour fish soup is recommended	Visit Dongzheng Street and Cross Street to buy ginger candy and silver jewelry; climb the Ten Thousand Towers (overlooking the panoramic view of the ancient city)
Day6	From Phoenix to Zhangjiajie (2.5-3 hours by car /chartered car), stay in hotels around the city / Tianmen Mountain	For dining in Zhangjiajie City, three pots and slag are recommended	Climb Tianmen Mountain: Take the cableway up the mountain, take the glass plank road, and check in to Tianmen Cave (you can choose to take the mountain escalator)
Day7	Go to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (1 hour drive), take the Bailong Ladder to Yuanjiajie, and check in at the ‘Avatar Suspended Mountain” (Qiankun Pillar)	Light meals in Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (such as burgers, bento)	Visit the Yangjiajie Scenic Area to see the “Natural Great Wall” and ‘Wulongzhai’; take an environmentally friendly car back to Wulingyuan District
Day8	Wulingyuan District purchases specialty products (Eucommia tea, Pueraria mirifica powder); pack your bags	Light meal at airport/high-speed rail station (such as Changde rice noodles)	Go to the airport / high-speed rail station, take a flight / high-speed rail return trip

Detailed itinerary

Day1: First sight of the border city/ Floor-to-ceiling tea house, night tour of the hanging foot building with lights

• Afternoon: Arrival and check-in

High-speed rail: Changsha South Railway Station→ Jishou East Railway Station→ Chadong Ancient Town

Note: Visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan can take high-speed rail directly from Kowloon Station in Hong Kong, Shenzhen North Station, or Guangzhou to Changsha South Station. By air, arrive at Changsha Huanghua International Airport, then transfer to the subway or take a taxi for a 20-minute ride to South Station.

• Evening: River breeze and cross-border experience​

• Strolling along the ancient wharf of Chadong, blowing the wind of the Qingshuijiang River, overlooking the first light of the ancient town of Hong’an, Chongqing, on the other side​

• Experience the Lala Crossing (2 yuan /person): Cross the river with a cable in your hand, and take the same framed photos of both sides of Hunan and Chongqing while sailing the river.​

• Evening: Food and night tours​

• Dinner: Taste authentic horned fish (freshly stewed without fishyness, the soup is fresh and tender) or sour fish soup (spicy and sour appetizer, relieve greasy meal)​

• Night tour of the ancient town: stroll along the stone road to the dimly lit streets and alleys, watch the lights of the hanging foot tower reflect the river, and feel the tranquility of the border city​

Pass by Shen Congwen’s former residence (check in for the appearance, you can visit in depth the next day)

• Food recommendation​
• Horned fish, sour soup fish (live fish in local ponds, freshly made)​

Practical tips​

• It’s slightly cooler by the river at night, so it’s recommended to bring a thin coat even in summer.​

• If you want to take beautiful photos of an unmanned ancient town, you can walk on the wrong peak at 6-7 o’clock in the morning or 5-6 o’clock in the evening.

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Day2: Dreaming of Cui Cui: Visit Cui Cui Island, Explore Shen Congwen’s Former Residence, and Check Out the “One Step Across Three Provinces” Monument

Morning: Literature and Geography check in

12:00 Check in to the ”One foot across Three provinces’ monument: stand in front of the monument and take a picture, step on the two provinces (Hunan + Chongqing), and compare the word “3” with your hands to freeze the geographical wonders.

Noon: Special lunch

Eat Xiangxi’s signature blood baba duck: glutinous rice is steamed with duck intestines and fried. It is crispy on the outside and waxy on the inside. It is stir-fried with green peppers. It is so fragrant that you can eat an extra bowl of rice.

Afternoon: In-depth tour of ancient town

Optional experience: Take a cruise (about 25 yuan /person) to see the hanging foot towers and the green mountains on both sides of the Strait from the water

Evening: enjoy time slowly

Day3: Exploration of the three provinces: walk to Hong’an Ancient Town, Chongqing in the morning; enter Dezhan Miaozhai in the afternoontoenjoy the quicksand Waterfall

Morning: Trip to Hong’an Ancient Town, Chongqing​

• From Chadong: take Lala Ferry (2 yuan) or drive (10 minutes) to Hong’an Ancient Town, Chongqing​

• Visit the site of “three provinces with one foot”: Find the boundary monuments of the three provinces of Hunan, Chongqing and Guizhou, and take creative photos of “three provinces with one foot”​

• Visit the former site of Liu Deng’s army’s “Advance into the Great Southwest” command: look at the combat maps and military equipment of the year, and listen to the narrator tell the historical story of the liberation of Southwest China​

• Noon: Hongan Special Meal​

• Eat Hongan rice tofu (5 yuan /bowl): tender white rice tofu with spicy oil, sour soup, crushed peanuts, refreshing and greasy​

• With braised pig’s trotters (25 yuan /piece): the braised trotters are soft and rotten, the bite is boneless, and the salty flavor is delicious.​

• Afternoon: Waterfall viewing in Miaozhai, Dejiang City​

• Return to Chadong from Hong’an and drive to Deming Miaozhai (about 20 kilometers, 30-40 minutes by car)​

• Visit Miaozhai: look at Bluestone Board Road and Hanging Foot Building, listen to Miao grandmothers singing folk songs, and feel the fireworks of ‘Gaoshan Miaozhai”​

• Enjoy the quicksand waterfall: Walk along the trail to the foot of the waterfall, the 80-meter-high water flows down like white gauze, and the water vapor is super cool on your face. Take a fairy photo of “people in front of the waterfall”.​

• Optional experience: rent a Miao costume to take pictures (30 yuan /hour), silver headdress + embroidered skirt, with waterfall background sequins; if you encounter a Miao village folk performance, you can see Miao inspiration and love song duets.​

• Evening: accommodation and dinner​

• Accommodation options: live in the Miaozhai of Deqing City (experience the Miaojia Hanging foot Building, listen to insects at night) or return to Chadong / Jishou City (more convenient transportation)​

• Dinner: Eat Tujia bacon fried bamboo shoots (bacon mountain smoked flavor is strong, bamboo shoots are crispy and tender), Miaojia sour soup vegetables (wild vegetables boiled sour soup, fresh and refreshing to relieve greasy)​

Food recommendation​

• Hong’an rice tofu, braised pig’s trotters, Tujia bacon fried bamboo shoots​

Practical tips​

• The trail to quicksand Waterfall is slippery for a short time, wear non-slip shoes​
• Shopping in Miaozhai can be appropriately priced, for example, Miaoyin trinkets can be priced from 50 yuan to 20-30 yuan.

Day4:Journey to Fenghuang : Experience the breathtaking heights of the Aizhai Bridge, stroll along the Rainbow Bridge at night, and lose yourself in the enchanting night views of the Tuo River.

• Morning: Exploring the Dazhai Bridge​

• Depart from your accommodation and drive to the Aizhai Bridge (Dehang Miao Village → Bridge: approx. 20 minutes; Chadong → Bridge: approx. 1 hour).

• Stroll around the observation deck of the bridge: Standing on the glass observation deck and looking down, the bridge spans the canyon, and the 99 winding roads below are entangled like silver snakes. It’s super spectacular to take pictures.​

• Optional Experience: Walk the Aizhai Cliffside Plank Road (¥68 per person): A plank road built along the cliff face, with a sheer drop at your feet—thrilling and exhilarating. Or witness the marvel of the Aizhai Highway and learn about the construction history of this “road wonder.”

• Noon: Eat near the short village​

• Tujia-Style Smoked Pork Stew with Potatoes (¥35 per serving): The rich aroma of smoked pork permeates the potatoes, rendering them tender and starchy. Each bite delivers ultimate satisfaction..​

• With stir-fried seasonal vegetables (15 yuan /serving): local cabbage, pumpkin tips, simple stir-fry and fresh​

• Afternoon: Go to the Ancient City of Fenghuang ​

• Drive to Phoenix Ancient City (about 1.5-2 hours by car)​

• Upon arrival, check into a characteristic inn by the Tuo River: choose a riverside room (push the window to see the Tuojiang  River), put down your luggage to rest, and apply sunscreen.​

• Evening & Evening: Phoenix Night Tour​

• Strolling in Hongqiao: Standing on the bridge and looking at the hanging towers on both sides of the Tuojiang River, the sunset is super beautiful on the river.​

• Dinner: Eat Miaojia sour fish soup (freshly killed rice field fish, which is spicy and tender after cooking the sour soup), blood baba duck (the Phoenix method is more spicy, fragrant and waxy)​

• Night tour of the Tuojiang River: Walk along the side of the river and jump rocks (Shidun Bridge, steady when walking), watch the lights on the hanging foot buildings on both sides of the river, the lights reflect the river like a galaxy, and take a large picture of the ‘Night view of the Tuojiang River”​

• Visit Hongqiao Night Market: buy Phoenix ginger candy (10 yuan / bag, made and sold now, chewed with ginger fragrance), batik small square scarf (20 yuan /piece, can be used as a scarf or decoration)​

Food recommendation​

• Tujia bacon stewed potatoes, Miaojia sour fish soup, Phoenix Ginger candy​

Practical tips​

• If you plan to go to Bafuanshan (optional meal itinerary): Bafuanshan is about 1,400 meters above sea level, and the temperature difference between day and night is large. Whether you live in a tent or a hanging foot building, you should bring a warm jacket; The Wukong restaurant has no guardrail, so stand firmly when taking pictures; if you want to watch the sunset in Swallow Cave, arrive 1 hour in advance.Best seat​

• There are many stone roads in the ancient city of Phoenix, so wear comfortable flat shoes

Day5: Leisurely Exploration of Fenghuang Ancient Town: Cruise the Tuo River, Visit Famous Figures’ Former Residences, Spend the Afternoon Strolling Dongzheng Street for Souvenirs

Morning: Dawn Cruise and Historical Exploration​

• Tuojiang River rafting (80 yuan/person, about 40 minutes): Take a boat when the fog has not dissipated in the early morning, the boat floats in the river, the hanging towers on both sides of the river are looming, and the boatmen occasionally sing folk songs, like a fairyland.​

• Visit Shen Congwen’s former residence: it is more complete than Chadong’s former residence. Look at his desk and manuscripts in his youth, and learn about his growth story in Phoenix.​

• Visit Xiong Xiling’s former residence: See an exhibition of the life of the Prime Minister of the Republic of China. The former residence is a typical southern courtyard with exquisite woodcarving.​

• Climb to Wanwan Pagoda: Wanwan Pagoda climbs to the top to see the Tuojiang River around the ancient city, Nanhuamen overlook the panoramic view of the ancient city, and the red tiles and green trees reflect the river super beautifully.​

• Noon: Lunch in the ancient city​

• Eat Phoenix’s characteristic ‘social rice’ (15 yuan / bowl): glutinous rice mixed with wild artemisia, bacon, and peanuts, it is uniquely fragrant.​

• With “Miaojia sour radish’ (5 yuan /serving): sweet and sour, crisp and refreshing, anti-greasy and appetizing​

• Afternoon: Ancient street Taobao​

• Visit Dongzheng Street: visit Miaoyin Shop, choose Miaoyin bracelets (50-100 yuan /piece, sterling silver can be engraved), Miaoyin necklaces, and the boss will demonstrate silver jewelry polishing on the spot.​

• Visit Cross Street: buy freshly made ginger candy (you can try it, choose a softer one for sweeter), batik cloth (can be used as tablecloth or clothes, 50-100 yuan / piece)​

• Optional experience: visit the Ancient City Museum (30 yuan/person) to see the historical changes of the ancient City of Phoenix; or go to Qiliang Cave (60 yuan/person, 20 minutes by car) to see the stalactites in the cave, like a crystal palace under the light​

• Evening: Nightlife time​

• Find a clear bar after dinner: order a ”Phoenix Story’ cocktail (35 yuan /cup), listen to the resident singers singing folk songs, and relax the fatigue of the day​

• Go to a stall by the river: buy a ‘wishing lamp” (10 yuan / 2 pcs), write down your wish and light it, and watch the lamp float into the night sky.​

Food recommendation​

• Shefan, Miaojia sour radish, Phoenix Ginger Candy​

Practical tips​

• Choose early morning or evening for Tuojiang River rafting to avoid the scorching noon sun​

When buying Miaoyin, ask if it is “999 sterling silver”, and the store can show the test certificate.

Day6: Journey to Zhangjiajie｜A Cloud-Top Feast at Tianmen Mountain, Glass Walkway Challenge

• Morning: From Fenghuang to Zhangjiajie​

• 08:00 Departure from Phoenix Ancient City: Drive /charter to Zhangjiajie (about 2.5-3 hours by car), see the scenery of the mountains of Western Hunan along the way, and take a break in the service area once​

• 11:00 Arrival in Zhangjiajie: Check in to a hotel in the city or around Tianmen Mountain (choose the one near the cableway station, it is convenient to go up the mountain the next day), let go of your luggage and have a simple lunch​

• Noon: Zhangjiajie Special Meal​

• Eat “Zhangjiajie three-under-the-pot’ (68 yuan /serving): bacon, sausage, chicken cut into pieces, stewed in an iron pot with potatoes and green peppers, and eaten with rice. It is so fragrant that it licks the plate.​

• With hop residue (10 yuan /bowl): Tofu residue cooks vegetables, which is refreshing and relieves greasy. Locals often drink it.​

• Afternoon: In-depth tour of Tianmen Mountain​

• 13:30 Take the Tianmen Mountain cableway up the mountain (tickets are reserved 1 day in advance, and entry is divided into stages): The total length of the cableway is 7,455 meters. When you pass through the sea of clouds during the ascent, your feet are white and white, which is as shocking as “flying into the sky”. Remember to record a video as a souvenir.​

• 14:30 Walk the glass plank road (free, you need to rent a shoe cover for 5 yuan /pair): Choose the glass plank road on the Western front (there are few people and the scenery is good), you can look down at the abyss, and you can take pictures of each other when you walk together to relieve tension.​

• Check in at Tianmen Cave at 15:30: Walk from the plank road to Tianmen Cave. If you have good physical strength, take 99 curved ladders (a total of 999 steps). After reaching the top, you can feel the majesty of the ”Gate to the Sky’; If you want to save effort, take the mountain escalator (32 yuan/person, divided into two stages).)​

• 17:00 Take the cableway down the mountain: when you go down the mountain, watch the sunset shining on Tianmen Cave, the golden light is super beautiful​

• Evening: Leisure in the city​

• Dinner: Eat ‘rock ear stewed chicken” (88 yuan /serving): Rock ear is a specialty fungus of Zhangjiajie, and the stewed chicken is so fresh that it loses its eyebrows.​

• Explore Dayong Ancient City in Zhangjiajie’s downtown: Admire the replica ancient architecture, Purchase Eucommia tea (¥30 per box, promotes health and relieves fatigue), Experience the nightlife of Zhangjiajie city.

Food recommendation​

• Zhangjiajie three-pot, hop slag, rock ear stewed chicken​

Practical tips​

• Tianmen Mountain tickets need to be booked on the official website of “Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain Tourist Area” 1-3 days in advance. Tickets are required during peak season (April-October).​

• The glass plank road will be a bit slippery in case of rain, so slow down when walking

Day7: Wulingyuan Depth:Take the Bailong Ladder to Yuanjiajie and see the ‘Avatar Universe Pillar’；

Core highlights​

• Bailong Ladder: 88 seconds of ‘vertical flight’, overlooking the peak forest, super shocking​

• Yuan Jiajie: The prototype of the floating mountain in ‘Avatar’, full of fantasy​

• Yang Jiajie: The peak wall of the ‘Natural Great Wall”, natural ingenuity​

Time-sharing small itinerary​

• Morning: Yuan Jiajie searches for ‘Avatar”​

• 07:30 from Zhangjiajie City to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Wulingyuan Core Scenic Area, about 1 hour by car, self-driving / chartered / scenic through train)​

• 08:30 Take the Bailong ladder up the mountain (one-way 65 yuan/person, tickets are valid for 4 days): 88 seconds to the top of Yuanjiajie Mountain. When the elevator rises, the peaks and forests outside are exposed a little bit, as if suddenly breaking into the Pandora planet of ‘Avatar’, remember to stick to the glass to take pictures.​

• 09:30 Check in to “Qiankun Pillar”: The prototype of the suspended mountain in ‘Avatar’, the peaks and pillars are independent in the canyon, and the clouds and mists are even more fantasy. Take a photo of the ”People standing observation deck in the same frame as the Qiankun Pillar’.​

• 10:30 Visit the Vertigo Platform: 12 peak pillars stand side by side, standing on the observation deck to see the peaks and forests, making people ‘vertigo”, suitable for panoramic photos​

• 11:30 Visit the ‘No. 1 Bridge in the world”: The natural stone bridge spans two peaks and pillars, and the deck is about 2 meters wide. Walking on the bridge to see the canyon below, it is spectacular and thrilling.​

• Noon: Light meal in scenic area​

• Have a light meal at Yuanjiajie Restaurant: you can choose a burger (35 yuan /piece), a bento (40 yuan /piece, two meats and one vegetarian), or bring your own dry food (such as bread, ham sausage) to save time​

• Afternoon: Yang Jiajie appreciates the ‘Natural Great Wall”​

• 13:00 Take the scenic environmental protection car from Yuanjiajie to Yangjiajie (about 15 minutes, the environmental protection car is free, and the ticket is included)​

• 14:00 Visit Wulongzhai: take the “three Ghost Gates’ (narrow alleys, steep stairs, cliff walks) to feel the steepness of the bandit village back then. After climbing to the top, look at the ‘Tianbo Mansion”, with 4 peaks and pillars arranged like a castle.​

• 15:30 Look at the ‘Natural Great Wall”: The core attraction of Yangjiajie. Rows of peak walls stretch for several kilometers, about 100 meters high and about 10 meters wide. They are as neat as a artificially built Great Wall. Stand on the observation deck and look at it. Marvel at the ingenuity of nature.​

• 17:00 Take the Yangjiajie cableway down the mountain (one-way 72 yuan /person), or walk down the mountain (about 1.5 hours, suitable for tourists with good physical strength), and then take an environmentally friendly car back to Wulingyuan District​

• Evening: Leisure in Wulingyuan District​

• Check into a hotel / inn in Wulingyuan District (choose the one near the ticket station to facilitate the return trip the next day)​

• Dinner: Eat ‘bacon fried ferns’ (38 yuan /serving): Ferns are wild vegetables in the mountains, crispy and refreshing, and they are super fragrant with bacon; ‘Kudzu noodles fried meat’ (45 yuan /serving): Kudzu noodles Q bomb, full of meat flavor​

• Visit Xibujie, Wulingyuan: see the Tujia style architecture, buy Pueraria mirifica powder (25 yuan / bag, nourishing stomach and healthy), taste ‘sugar oil Paba’ (5 yuan / 3 pcs), crispy on the outside and soft on the inside​

Food recommendation​

• Bacon, stir-fried ferns, kudzu noodles, stir-fried meat, sugar and oil paba​

Practical tips​

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park has a large area. Download the official APP of “Zhangjiajie National Forest Park” in advance to view the operation route of environmentally friendly vehicles.​

• Some sections of the “Three Ghost Gates” of Yangjiajie are narrow, so you need to line up to pass, and wait patiently.

Day8: Heading Home with a Full Load｜Bringing the Flavors of Western Hunan Back Home

• Morning: Procurement and rest​

• 08:30 Visit Wulingyuan Specialty Store：​

• Buy Eucommia tea (30-50 yuan /box, a specialty of Zhangjiajie, soaked and drunk to relieve fatigue, suitable for the elders)​

• Buy Pueraria mirifica powder (25-40 yuan/bag, breakfast brewed to nourish the stomach, suitable for family members)​

• You can choose to buy Miao Yin trinkets (the price is slightly lower than that of Phoenix Ancient City, you can bargain)​

• 10:00 Go back to the hotel to pack your luggage: check if you have missed your ID and charger, and pack the specialty products (fragile items can be packed by the store)​

• If you have plenty of time, you can take a simple stroll in Wulingyuan District: you can see the peaks and forests in the morning, breathe in the fresh air, and finally feel the natural atmosphere of Western Hunan.​

• Noon: Light meal before return​

• Eat Changde rice noodles (15 yuan/bowl) near the airport/high-speed rail station: beef noodles and pork ribs noodles are delicious. After eating the noodles, return to the journey and keep the fragrance of Xiangxi in mind.​

• Afternoon: Return departure​

• Traffic connection：​

️️ To Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport: Wulingyuan District→ The airport is about an hour’s drive away. It is recommended to leave 2.5 hours in advance.​

Go to Zhangjiajie West Railway Station (High-speed rail Station): Wulingyuan District→West Railway Station is about a 40-minute drive away. It is recommended to leave 1.5 hours in advance.​

Zhangjiajie West Railway Station → Changsha South Railway Station High-speed Rail

Self-driving return trip: Check the high-speed routes in advance to avoid congested sections​

• After arriving at the airport/ high-speed rail station, go through the boarding /boarding procedures and end the pleasant 8-day tour of West Hunan​

Food recommendation​

• Changde rice noodles (beef noodles, pork ribs noodles)​

Practical tips​

• Specialty products are recommended to buy on the last day to avoid inconvenience in carrying​

• Check in / pick up high-speed rail tickets on your mobile phone in advance to save on-site time

end

This 8-day tour, from the slow time in the border city of Chadong, to the fireworks of the ancient city of Phoenix, to the natural wonders of Zhangjiajie, each section has an exclusive experience: the cross-border romance of the 2 yuan Lala crossing, the sense of wonderland of rafting on the Tuo River, the flying shock of the Tianmen Mountain cableway, YuanjiajieAvatar fantasy… No need to rush in, just follow the rhythm and enjoy slowly-the river breeze, lights and peaks and forests in western Hunan will become your most memorable travel memory~

If you want to continue to explore more attractive places, our team of professional travel consultants can serve you. The consultants are familiar with the attractions, terroir and popular routes in various regions of the mainland, and can tailor exclusive trips according to your preferences, budget and time, so that the journey is full of surprises.

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