In the summer in western Hunan, it is the evening breeze of the Tuojiang River, the singing of Miaozhai, and the starry sky of the grassland. It is not a waste to play in this order.
After being busy in the bustling city for a long time, are you particularly eager for a trip that can completely relax your mind and be full of surprises and beauty? Xiangxi is such a great choice! It is like a pearl hidden among the mountains and rivers, exuding a unique charm. Today, I will take you on a 5-day and 4-night counterattack in western Hunan. On the first day, we did not hesitate to rush to the picturesque ancient city of Phoenix. The itinerary after that is also wonderful. What’s more intimate is that at the end of the article, we also prepared a super convenient return plan for lazy people. Let’s come together.Embark on this wonderful journey!
Detailed itinerary
D1: First sight of Phoenix → Immersive tour of the ancient City
In the morning/After arriving at the Phoenix Ancient City High-speed Rail station, a special car will pick up the station and go directly to the selected scenic b&Bs in the middle reaches of the Tuojiang River. When you push the window of the room, you can see the clear water and the hanging towers. The morning mist has not dissipated, like a picture scroll. The location is quiet and quiet, avoiding the hustle and bustle without losing the fireworks, and starting a pleasant time in the ancient city.
At noon/Seeking a taste of the old street, check in to the local private restaurant-‘Old Street Restaurant”. You must order blood baba duck (rich and spicy, intangible cultural heritage flavor), sour radish fried bacon (sour and appetizing, authentic Xiangxi flavor), and taste the customs and customs of Phoenix in one bite.
In the afternoon, stroll along Bluestone Ban Road, visit the former residence of the literary masterShen Congwen, and feel the gentle hometown of “Border City”; walk into the formerresidence of Xiong Xilingand learn about the legendary life of ‘The First Liangxiang of the Republic of China’. Climbingto the East Gate Tower, overlooking the winding Tuojiang River, the distant mountains are like Dai, and you can take a picture of it as a postcard.
In the evening/ around 19:00, go to the vicinity of Jumping Rock to watchthe wedding performance on the Tuojiang River for free. The sound of drums is melodious, the red boat is slow, and the newcomer reproduces the romance of the border city according to the story of “Cuicui”, as if traveling through a novel scene, the atmosphere is full.
At night｜Take a one-leaf boat and cruise the Tuojiang River at night (advance booking is recommended for ferry tickets! ). The lights on both sides of the Strait were lit up again and again, and the reflection of the hanging foot tower swayed like a dream. Don’t missthe light show of Wanshou Palace. In the intertwined light and shadow, the thousand-year-old ancient city is poetic and reborn.
✨ Tip: The river is slightly cooler at night, remember to bring a thin coat; if you want to take beautiful photos of no one, it is recommended to walk on the wrong peak in the early morning or evening.
D2: Wonders of the Canyon + Slow Time in the border City
In the morning/Depart from the ancient City of Phoenix and arrive at the “Yuntian Zhongtian Bridge”-Xiaozhai Bridge at the first stop. Standing on the observation deck and looking down, the bridge leaps above the canyon like a giant dragon, with a panoramic view of the Grand Canyon of Delan. Then experiencethe cliff glass plankroad (shoe cover 10 yuan), the abyss under your feet, your heart beats faster; those who are afraid of heights can choose a safe trail on the side, and you can also enjoy a stunning perspective.
At noon｜ Go deepinto the Miaozhaiof Dejiang City and enjoy an authenticMiao Family banquet. The sour fish soup is fresh and appetizing, the bacon is fried with ferns and vegetables, and the rice is served with a bowl of freshly brewed Miaojia rice wine, which is mellow and sweet, and the tip of the tongue instantly travels into the depths of western Hunan.
In the afternoon, stroll through the ancient alleys of Miaozhai and feel the rich ethnic customs: the enthusiastic ceremony ofblocking the door and drinking, and the sonorousperformance of the Miao drum, people can’t help but dance to the rhythm. Then follow the stream and walk for about 20 minutes to reachthe quicksand waterfall-a natural “oxygen bar” with a height of 216 meters. The water mist is on the face, refreshing and refreshing, as if doing a deep SPA for the lungs.
In the evening, go to the ancient town of Chadong, a border city with “three provinces on one foot”, and takethe 3 yuan Lala crossingacross Youshui to experience the tranquility and poetry of Shen Congwen’s ‘Border City’. Sitting at a stall by the river, have a bowl of soft, smooth and refreshingrice tofu, and quietly waitfor the beautiful sunset at the junction of the three provinces. The golden light shines all over the river, and time stops for it.
Overnight/Stayingin a Linjiang Homestay, you can see Youyou Youshui when you open the window. You dream of the murmur of water on your pillow. You have a good night’s sleep and your dreams are gentle.
D3: Ancient City Miaozhai → Night view of Waterfall Ancient Town
In the morning/Walk into the ancient city of Ganzhou with a thousand-year-old rhyme, stroll by the banks of Hujiatang, watch the blue waves, cast bait and feed the fish with your own hands, and feel the leisurely time in the market. Climb the mottled ancient city walls and touch the traces of history. Every brick and tile is a story. Don’t forget to bring an authenticHunan baconas a souvenir-smoked and mellow, with endless aftertaste, it is the best choice to take away the taste of Hunan.
At noon/Goto Morong Miaozhaiand go to a livelyMiao parents’ table banquet. The twelve flavors are served in turn, fish in sour soup, steamed with wax flavor, fried meat with fern baba… enjoy the freshness of the mountains and the wild on the tip of your tongue. Not to be missed…The toast ceremony of ”High mountains and flowing water’-the Miao girl raised a bowl to greet each other in the song, the wine continued like a stream, and the glass was full of pride! Drink with all your strength, just right to be slightly drunk, drunk in enthusiasm.
Afternoon｜Explore the geological wonder-Guzhang Red StoneForest. This globally rare Ordovician red carbonate rock forest solidifies in the earth like a flame. It is recommended to wearlight-colored clothingand take pictures in minutes to make a big picture! The wonderful thing is thatafter the rain, the rocks will quietly turn fuchsia, like nature’s eggs, waiting for you to unlock them yourself.
In the evening, we arrived at Furong Town, a “thousand-year-old town hanging on a waterfall”. In the afterglow of the setting sun, the waterfall galloped down, the mist rose, and the rainbow loomed. When I checked into the LinshuiHanging Foot Building Homestay, I pushed the window and saw the waterfall flowing silver. The sound of water murmured in my ears, and my heart calmed down.
Night/As night falls,the waterfall light showopens brightly, and the light and shadow are intertwined with the water curtain, like a dream. Looking for an old street stall, checkin Liu Xiaoqing’s rice tofu, which is smooth, tender, sour and spicy, and a bite into the soul. Hold another glass of warmMiaojia rice wine, walk slowly on Qingshiban Street, dimly lit, and encounter the truest night in Western Hunan.
✨ Tips：
- There is no sunshade in the Red Stone Forest Scenic Area, please pay attention to sun protection; remember to bring an umbrella on rainy days, which is more interesting.；
- The night view of Furong Town is the most beautiful. It is recommended to take a walk to watch the waterfall after dinner.；
- Hangjilou Homestay is mostly built according to the mountains, so luggage should be as light as possible.
On this day, traveling through the ancient city, Miaozhai, stone forest and waterfall, from humanities to nature, from taste to vision, is the strongest and most gentle way to open in western Hunan.
D4: Ancient City Miaozhai → Night view of Waterfall Ancient Town
In the morning/Walk into the thousand-year-old townof Liye, stroll through the bluestone alleys, and feel the heritage of Qincheng. Focuson the Kariye Qinjian Museum-there are a collection of 37,000 Qin Dynasty briefs, word by word, restoring the daily life of counties and counties two thousand years ago, which can be called “there are Xi’an Terracotta Warriors and horses in the north, and Liye Qin Briefs in the south.” If you are tired of shopping, go to the “Youshui Family‘ recommended by the locals and have a bowl of freshly ground tofu brain, topped with secret spicy seeds, spicy, smooth and tender, and a bite into the soul. It is an authentic flavor of Western Hunan.
At noon/Drive to the secret realm of the clouds-Eight-sided mountain. When he arrived at the grassland on the top of the mountain, his vision suddenly opened up, as if he had broken into “Hulunbuir in the South.” You can experiencehorse riding on the grasslandand gallop through the green fields; or checkin to the starry sky restaurant on the edge of the cliffto enjoy a light meal while overlooking the 100-meter-deep gorge. Just take a shot and it will be a large area, and the sense of shock will be full.
In the afternoon, walking along the trail around the mountains, I encountered agroup of wind-powered windmills, with white giant wings slowly turning, and the background is rolling mountains and flowing clouds. It is easyto take a large film of ins wind travel. Then goto the Swallow Cave Observation Deckand wait for a magnificent sunset-the sunset slowly sinks into the canyon, the horizon is stained with golden red, and the light and shadow change, picturesque.
At night/Choose to stayin the eight-sided mountain starry sky tented camp.After night falls, you will look up at the bright Milky Way, with the galaxy hanging in the wild, as if it is within reach; or stayin the Jabala Tujia hanging foot buildingon the mountainside, listen to the mountain breeze whispering in the wooden house lights, and feel the original ecological Tujia slow life.
✨ Tips：
- The eight-sided mountain 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, remember to bring a warm jacket.；
- Wukong restaurant has no guardrail, take pictures and pay attention to safety；
- Arrive 1 hour before sunset in Swallow Cave to seize the best seat.
D5: Lying flat on the return journey→ 2 easy plans
Plan 1: Return via Jishou East Railway Station
, sleep lazily in Bafuanshan until you wake up naturally, and enjoy the tranquility and fresh air of the grassland in the early morning. It is recommendedto leave before 10 o’clock in the morningand drive about 2.5 hoursto Jishou East High-speed Rail Station. It can connect to the afternoon train and return easily.
✨ Tip: If you have plenty of time, you can stop by Jishou City and check in for a bowl of authenticGanzhou rice noodles-the soup is fresh enough and the spicy fragrance is overflowing, which will bring the journey to Western Hunan to an end with endless aftertaste.
Option 2: Return from Furong Town High-speed rail station
and depart from Bafuanshan, abouta 1.5-hour drivetoFurong Town. After arriving, you can stop by the waterfall scenic area for another half an hour. The Feishuizhai Village from the perspective of daytime has a different aura. Then walk for about 10 minutes toFurong Town high-speed rail station, with convenient transportation, no need to toss, and easy to embark on the way home.
✨ Tip: Furong Town station is small and exquisite, and it is connected to the ancient town. You can take another set of beautiful photos of the cliff town on the way out or into the station to take the beautiful scenery all the way to the end.
The two return methods have their own convenience:choose Jishoudong, which is suitable for travelers who have more ample time and want to taste the flavor of the city along the way;choose Furong Town Station, which is more time-saving and labor-saving, and is suitable for free travel players who pursue efficient travel. According to your ticket arrangement, choose flexibly, and successfully end this journey to the secret realm of Northwest Hunan!
end
At this point, the five-day and four-night in-depth tour of Western Hunan came to a complete end. In the past five days and four nights, we have strolled on the stone road of the ancient City of Phoenix, feeling the ancient rhyme of the Tuojiang River; explored the mysterious and quaint town of Furong, and saw the unique scenery of the waterfall and the ancient town blending with each other; we have also indulged in the magnificent mountains and rivers outlined by the strange peaks and rocks of Zhangjiajie, enjoyingThe ingenuity of nature; also go deep into the Miaozhai, sing and dance with the hospitable Miao compatriots, and experience the authentic folk customs.
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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