This is the Border Town described by Shen Congwen, a homeland where stilt houses nestle amidst misty clouds. Strolling through Fenghuang Ancient Town, the Tuo River flows like a ribbon. Gentle nightfall bathes the water in lantern light, whispering centuries of tranquility and poetry. Ascending Furong Town, waterfalls cascade through the village, suspended between sheer cliffs like a Milky Way spilling to earth. Venture deep into Miao villages where ancient ballads echo through drum towers, silver ornaments jingling like a thousand-year migration epic. Explore Dehang Miao Village—a deep, untamed gorge where every brick and tile embodies nature’s wildness and life’s resilience.
Western Hunan(or Chinese Xiangxi), with its green mountains as bones and emerald waters as soul, its Miao songs and native dialects as melody, paints a vast ink-wash scroll hidden deep within the Wuling Mountains. Here, every weathered stone slab bears the imprint of time, and every wisp of rising smoke carries the rich nostalgia of cured pork—a poetic sanctuary untouched by clamor, waiting for you to listen to the whispers of its landscapes and people.
Tourist Attractions
- Fenghuang Ancient Town: The Past and Present of the Pearl of Western Hunan
- Chadong Ancient Town: The Border Town in Shen Congwen’s writings
- The ancient city of Qianzhou
- The Ancient City of Qianyang
- Morong Miaozhai, Western Hunan (Moronggu Town)
- Furong Town, Western Hunan: A thousand-year-old town
- Ai’zhai Bridge : A Majestic Miracle on the Western Hunan
- Dehang Grand Canyon
- Xiangxi Hongshilin National Geopark
- Phoenix Maglev Sightseeing Express
Curated Itinerary Routes
- 8-Day Tour of Chadong Ancient Town, Fenghuang & Zhangjiajie
- Perfect counterattack strategy for 5 days and 4 nights in Western Hunan | Fenghuang Ancient City starts a dream journey
- Changsha Zhangjiajie Fenghuang Ancient Town Seven-Day Tour Guide: A fantasy Journey through the style of Hunan
- Zhangjiajie five-day and four-night in-depth tour: exploring the forest park, strolling the Golden Whip Stream, conquering Tianmen Mountain, and encountering the ancient City of Fenghuang
Western Hunan Cuisine
FAQ
The distribution of attractions in Western Hunan is shown in the figure below:
1.Fenghuang Ancient Town
The real-life inspiration for Shen Congwen’s “Border Town” is traversed by the Tuo River, with stilted houses lining its banks. By day, visitors glide through the scenery by boat; by night, they stroll through the ancient city where lanterns reflect upon the river, creating a poetic flow where every frame captures a snapshot of time.
2.Town of Hibiscus
“A millennia-old town suspended above a waterfall.” The cascade plunges through the village, while Tujia wooden houses cling to the cliffs. At night, the scene becomes ethereal, like a dream, as if you’ve stepped into a celestial realm.
3:Ai’zhai Bridge
A world-class engineering marvel spanning the deep Dehang Canyon. Ascend the “Sky Bridge” viewing corridor to gaze down upon a hundred-meter abyss and winding mountain roads, witnessing the magnificent dialogue between human ingenuity and nature.
4:Dehang Grand Canyon
Explore the pristine landscapes of Xiangxi’s ancient Miao villages, hike along cliffside walkways, visit the Shifting Sands Waterfall and Tianwen Terrace, experience the traditional welcome wine ceremony, Miao drum performances, and long table banquets, immersing yourself in the rich culture of the Miao people.
5.Biancheng Chadong (Border Town)
The authentic setting of the story “Border Town” lies at the junction of Hunan, Guizhou, and Chongqing. Take a ferry across the Qing Shui River, walk along the Lala Ferry, and seek out Cui Cui’s “White Pagoda” to experience the tranquil and deeply affectionate days of Western Hunan described in the novel.
6.Ancient City of Liyue & Liyue Qin Bamboo Slips Museum
A Qin Dynasty town that lay dormant for a millennium stunned the world with the discovery of 37,000 bamboo slips. Step into “China’s oldest urban archive” to unveil the mysteries of grassroots governance during the Qin Dynasty—a treasure that stands alongside the Terracotta Army in the north and the Qin bamboo slips in the south.
Accommodation options in Western Hunan are quite diverse. In Fenghuang Ancient Town, you can opt for distinctive homestays along the Tuo River, where opening your window reveals the ancient town’s beauty and immerses you in a romantic atmosphere—though prices may be relatively higher. Alternatively, consider guesthouses or hotels slightly further from the town center that offer better value for money. Near Zhangjiajie scenic areas, various hotels and homestays provide convenient access to attractions. Ethnic-style homestays within Miao villages also offer immersive experiences, allowing you to get up close to local life. We recommend selecting accommodations based on your itinerary and budget. If you plan to visit multiple scenic areas, consider staying in a location with convenient transportation to facilitate your travels.
- Western Hunan(Xiangxi) features four distinct seasons, each offering unique scenery. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) boast pleasant weather, making them the best times for travel, especially for outdoor activities and photography.
- Summer (June to August) brings intense heat but offers the chance to experience traditional festivals of ethnic minorities like the Miao people, such as the June Sixth Festival. Winter (December to February) reveals serene landscapes blanketed in snow, with Phoenix Ancient Town particularly enchanting when draped in a silver coat.
You may choose to fly into Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport or Tongren Fenghuang Airport, then transfer by bus or train to major tourist cities in western Hunan such as Jishou and Fenghuang.
If departing from Changsha, you can take a high-speed rail or regular train directly to Jishou City (approximately 2-3 hours; both Changsha Railway Station and Changsha South Railway Station offer services—trains departing from Changsha Railway Station are intercity trains via Changde and Yiyang, while those from Changsha South Railway Station are high-speed trains, which are faster). From there, transfer to local transportation to reach your destination.
Blood-Braised Duck: One of the traditional signature dishes of Western Hunan, beloved by tourists for its unique cooking method and delicious flavor.
Sour Soup Fish: Made with locally sourced river fish as the main ingredient, cooked in a specially prepared sour broth. Tangy and spicy, it’s incredibly appetizing and delicious.
Preserved Meat: Xiangxi preserved meat is renowned for its unique curing and smoking techniques, featuring firm texture and rich aroma.
- June 6th: This is one of the Miao people’s most important festivals, featuring grand song and dance performances along with sacrificial rituals. Visitors can participate in the festivities and immerse themselves in the rich ethnic cultural atmosphere.
- Autumn Festival: A harvest celebration featuring various folk activities such as dragon and lion dances, swing-riding, and more. Visitors are welcome to join in the festivities.
- Honor local customs and traditions. Before entering the Miao village, familiarize yourself with and observe relevant taboos, such as refraining from touching items on the altar.
- When attending Miao weddings or other important ceremonies, you should ask in advance whether photography is permitted and maintain a respectful distance to avoid disrupting the proceedings.
“Corpse-carrying” is a folk legend prevalent in western Hunan, emerging as a mystical narrative from the funeral customs of the Miao and Han ethnic groups living in adjacent regions. Historically, no scientific evidence supports its actual existence. It largely stems from the mountainous terrain’s poor transportation, the custom of returning those who died away from home to be buried in their ancestral lands, and the fusion of shamanic rituals and belief in talismans and incantations. Today, “corpse-driving” has become one of the cultural symbols of Western Hunan. It is presented in scenic areas like Fenghuang and Qianzhou Ancient City through live performances or cultural exhibitions, serving as an important window into the region’s mysterious culture. However, please view it rationally and avoid blindly believing in superstitions.