With only one day to spare, which should I choose between Furong Town and Fenghuang Ancient Town when departing from Zhangjiajie? Can I visit both in a single day? I need to return to Zhangjiajie that evening—any advice?
This is undoubtedly the soul-searching dilemma faced by countless travelers after exploring Zhangjiajie! As the home of the “floating mountains from Avatar,” Zhangjiajie’s breathtaking beauty needs no introduction. Yet the ancient towns of western Hunan are equally enchanting. On one side lies the “millennia-old town suspended over waterfalls,” while the other boasts “China’s most beautiful small city.” Which deserves your precious single day? Don’t worry—this ultra-detailed comparison + itinerary guide will help you decide in seconds!
1. The core highlights of the two ancient towns PK: Pictures of styles with different styles
1. Phoenix Ancient Town — “A Thousand-Year Love Letter in the Lights of the Tuo River”
- Location: Western Hunan near the Guizhou border, approximately a 4-hour drive from Zhangjiajie (high-speed rail takes just 1 hour, offering direct and ultra-convenient access)
- Atmosphere: A Miao ethnic water village built along the Tuo River, with stilted houses winding along the riverbanks and stone bridges spanning the emerald waters. As night falls, thousands of lanterns reflect in the water, weaving light and shadow into a “Chinese version of Venice.”
- Must experience highlights：
Stroll along the Tuo River, watching Miao girls in wedding gowns and children at play, occasionally encountering travelers setting river lanterns adrift.
Climb Nanhua Mountain for a panoramic view of the ancient city, taking in the blue-tiled roofs, white walls, and the winding curves of the Tuo River.
Visit Shen Congwen’s former residence to touch the cultural essence of the ancient city and his novel Border Town through his writings.
Take a night cruise along the Tuo River where lights dance upon the water—every snapshot becomes an atmospheric masterpiece.
- Visitor Volume: A nationally renowned hotspot with substantial crowds during holidays, bustling with activity.
- Ideal for: First-time visitors to Hunan, photography enthusiasts, those seeking romantic ambiance, and travelers drawn to cultural heritage.
Advantages: Renowned reputation, rich cultural heritage, breathtaking night views, high-speed rail access saves time, no admission fees
Drawbacks: High commercialization, core areas can get crowded during peak times
2. Furong Town-“The secret Realm of Tujia where waterfalls pass through the city”
- Location: The golden node between Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang, only a 1.5-hour drive from Zhangjiajie (no high-speed rail, suitable for self-driving/chartered cars)
- Atmosphere: The ancient town is surrounded by mountains and rivers, and a natural waterfall runs down through the town. The Tujia hanging foot building is embedded in the cliffs. The villagers wash and work under the waterfall, full of original ecological life.
- Must experience highlights：
Cross stone bridges and suspended walkways above cascading waterfalls, feeling the refreshing spray of mist.
Venture deep into Tujia villages to experience authentic folk customs and listen to elders recount millennia of ancient town tales.
Savour authentic Tujia cuisine: rice tofu, cured pork trotters, and sour fish—spicy, sour, savory, and aromatic, guaranteed to whet your appetite.
Escape the crowds and discover hidden corners to savor the quiet and rustic charm of the ancient town.
- Visitor Volume: Moderate crowds with minimal commercialization, offering a more authentic experience
- Ideal for: Travelers who prefer off-the-beaten-path destinations, are captivated by natural wonders, and favor slow-paced journeys
Advantages: convenient transportation (closest to Zhangjiajie), unique and scarce landscape, low cost performance of tickets (about ¥108), and parking fees are a bit expensive.
Drawbacks: the ancient town is relatively small in size, and the choice of catering and accommodation is relatively concentrated.
2. Soul torture: Can you visit two ancient towns in one day?
Conclusion: Not recommended! Forcibly punching in will only ‘fail at both ends”
| 路线组合 | 单程耗时 | 往返 + 游览总耗时 | 体验感评价 |
| Zhangjiajie→Phoenix Ancient City | 1 hour by high-speed rail / 4 hours by car | About 8-10 hours | High-speed rail round-trip is feasible, but the itinerary is more compact |
| Zhangjiajie →Furong Town | Self-driving / chartered car 1.5 hours | About 5-6 hours | The pace is relaxed and there is plenty of time to visit |
| Zhangjiajie → Furong Town → Phoenix Ancient City | 1.5 hours + 2.5 hours | Only more than 8 hours by car | There is almost no time to visit, just in a hurry |
Instead of spending the whole day running around in the car, it’s better to focus on one destination and feel the unique charm of the ancient town in depth~
3. 3 sets of practical itinerary plans: accurately match according to your time
Plan 1: 1 day roundtrip・Furong Town (time-saving and labor-saving is preferred)
Suitable for: Travelers with only 1 day, must return to Zhangjiajie that evening, and prefer avoiding high-speed rail ✅
Core Advantages: Shortest travel time, relaxed pace, unique natural scenery 📅
Sample Itinerary:
08:00 Depart from Zhangjiajie city center / scenic area (by private car / chartered vehicle)
09:30 Arrive at Furong Town. Enter the park and explore along the waterfall boardwalk to experience the marvel of the “ancient town suspended over a waterfall”
12:00 Lunch at a Tujia specialty restaurant—must-try dishes include rice tofu and cured pork trotter hotpot
Stroll through the ancient town’s old streets, browse handicraft shops, and capture authentic cultural photos
Return to Zhangjiajie in the evening
Plan 2: 1 day roundtrip・Fenghuang Ancient City (high-speed rail direct access to explosive models)
✅Suitable for: Travelers with only 1 day, must return to Zhangjiajie that evening, and prefer cultural nightscapes
✅ Core Advantages: 1-hour high-speed rail direct access, no admission fees, high success rate for night photography 📅 Sample Itinerary:
- 08:00 Depart from Zhangjiajie to Zhangjiajie West Railway Station
- Take high-speed rail G6429 times at 08:30 (subject to real-time ticketing for details), and go directly to Phoenix Ancient City Station at 09:42
- 10:00 Take a bus from the high-speed rail station to the core area of the ancient city (about 20 minutes)
- 10:30-17:00 Visit the ancient city: Stroll along the Tuojiang River → Shen Congwen’s former Residence→ View of Nanhua Mountain→ Check in at a specialty shop
- 17:00-19:00 Taste Miaojia sour fish soup and wait for night to fall
- 19:00-20:00 Enjoy the night view of Tuojiang River and take a large film of lantern reflections
- Take the return high-speed rail at 20:30 (there are multiple trains available from 20:00-21:00), and return to Zhangjiajie in 1 hour
Plan 3: 2 days and 1 night-Fenghuang Ancient City (in-depth experience version)
✅ Ideal for: Travelers willing to stay an extra night and seeking an immersive experience ✅ Key Highlights: Experience the essence of Fenghuang at dawn and dusk, avoiding daytime crowds to feel the authentic charm of the ancient town 📅 Sample Itinerary:
- Day 1：
- Depart from Zhangjiajie at 14:00 (1 hour by high-speed rail / 4 hours by car)
- 15:30 Arrive at Phoenix Ancient City and check in at Tuojiang Scenic Inn
- 17:00 Stroll slowly along the Tuojiang River to capture the light and shadow of dusk
- 19:00 Taste the Miao Family’s special dinner, and take a night tour of the ancient city after the meal to see the bright lights
- Day 2：
- Get up early at 07:30 to take the morning shots. At this time, the ancient city is sparsely populated and clean, and the light is soft and the most beautiful.
- 09:00 Drink a cup of Miao Family morning tea and eat local specialty rice noodles
- 10:00 Freely visit unfinished attractions or purchase souvenirs
- Check out at 11:30 and return to Zhangjiajie, or go to the next stop
4. Bonus: 2-3 Day Side Trip (Visit Two Ancient Towns Without Rushing)
If you have plenty of time (2-3 days), it is recommended to take the route of ”Zhangjiajie →Furong Town → Fenghuang Ancient City’ and don’t go back to experience the customs of Western Hunan in depth.：
- Day 1: Full-day tour of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Tianzi mountain, Yuanjiajie, Yangjiajie)
- Day 2：
- Morning: Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area (Glass Plank Road, Tianmen Cave)
- Afternoon: Depart from Tianmen Mountain at 14:00 and arrive in Furong Town in a 1.5-hour drive
- Evening: Live in Furong Town, enjoy the night view of the waterfall, and experience the Tujia bonfire party
- Day 3：
- Morning: In-depth tour of Furong Town and visit the surrounding Tujia villages
- Noon: Drive to Phoenix Ancient City after dinner (2.5 hours by car)
- Evening: Stay in the ancient City of Phoenix and tour the Tuojiang River at night
- Day 4：
- Early morning: morning shots of Phoenix Sky mirror
- Morning: Return after free activities, or go to the next stop via Jishou, Changsha, and Guilin
5. Final decision-making guide: help you quickly lock in the answer
- There is only 1 day, and you must go back to Zhangjiajie that night→ choose Fenghuang Ancient City (high-speed rail direct time-saving, no tickets, stunning night view) or Furong Town (short drive, unique natural wonders), depending on whether you prefer “humanistic night view” or “natural secret realm”.；
- Obsessed with Phoenix in my heart, I want to feel the authentic style→ directly choose the 2-day and 1-night plan. It’s better to stay for one night and feel the tranquility of the morning and the romance of the night.；
- Prefer niche secret areas and don’t want to be crowded→ choose Furong Town. The landscape of the waterfall through the city is unique and the original ecological experience is more pure.；
- There is plenty of time (2-3 days)→ close your eyes and rush to the route of ‘Zhangjiajie →Furong Town → Fenghuang Ancient City’. The two styles are unlocked at once, leaving no regrets!
In fact, the two ancient towns have their own merits: Furong Town is a ‘surprise that meets by the way”, and you can feel the collision of nature and humanities in one day; Phoenix Ancient City is a “classic worth a special trip”, and it takes time to slowly taste its charm.
May you meet your own good time in the mountains and rivers of Western Hunan, whether it is the breeze by the waterfall or the lights of the Tuojiang River.
P. S. If you need to charter a car from Zhangjiajie to Furong Town / Fenghuang(Phoenix) Ancient City, you can contact us by private message! Provide Chinese/English bilingual driver service, reliable car conditions and familiar routes to make your trip more worry-free~
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