Written by Veronica |
Nestled on a sharp cliff beside the Youshui River, Furong Ancient Town, with a history of more than 2,000 years, used to be a vital transportation hub in Western Hunan. Today, it has become a popular destination for tourists taking on Zhangjiajie tours to have an extended trip.
Nicknamed “a Millennium town hanging on a waterfall”, Furong Ancient Town showcases an incredible combination of natural landscape. Besides, it has been the living place for the local Tujia minority for thousands of years. Distinctive stilted buildings along Flagstone Street will take you into an exotic world, offering an immersive exploration of the customs and traditions of the Tujia minority.
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- Fast Facts of Furong Ancient Town
- Why Visit Furong Ancient Town
- Journey through the History of Furong Ancient Town
- What to See and Do in Furong Ancient Town
- Tujia Ethnic Culture to Experience in Furong Ancient Town
- How to Tour Furong Ancient Town
- Best Time to Visit Furong Ancient Town: March – November
- How to Get to Furong Ancient Town
- Tips for Visiting Furong Ancient Town
- Attractions Nearby Furong Ancient Town
- FAQs about Furong Ancient Town
- Plan Your Zhangjiajie–Furong Tour with China Xian Tour
Fast Facts of Furong Ancient Town
- Location: Yongshun County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
- Size: 225.96 km², with 5 communities and 17 villages
- Population: 34,000 people (as of 2019)
- Recommended Time to Go: March– November
- Time Needed: 1 day
- Opening Hours: 07:30 – 23:00
- Ticket Price: CNY 108(valid for 3 days) including performances in the town
- Highlights: Furong Waterfall, traditional Tujia stilted houses, splendid night scenes, immersive performances reflecting Tujia customs
- Suited to: Photographers, food lovers, and those who are interested in China’s ethnic culture and customs
Why Visit Furong Ancient Town
- It’s a millennium-old Tujia cultural hub, preserving over 2,000 years of ethnic history and traditions.
- It has amazing views like stunning “town hanging on a waterfall,” where cliffside stilted houses meet cascading waters.
- Also known as paradise for night photography, you’ll travel with neon-lit streets and a waterfall illuminated under the stars.
- It offers a culinary journey into Tujia cuisine, offering authentic dishes like rice tofu and preserved meat.
- It’s also a window into Tujia customs, from ancient stilted architecture to vibrant festivals like the Sheba Festival.
Recommended Tour: 6 Days Zhangjiajie Tour to Furong & Fenghuang Ancient Towns
Journey through the History of Furong Ancient Town
As one of the most famous ancient towns in China, Furong Town carries the glorious history of the Tujia Tusi Dynasty, which lasted for 818 years. Formerly known as Wangcun Village, it was established as the center of power of Tujia Tusi Dynasty during Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Here, the successive Hunan chieftain kings met with local leaders, constructed palaces, and hosted important ceremonies. Governed by the chieftain, Furong Town has been renowned as the “Village of Kings” among locals. In history, the chieftain army also sailed from here to Yangtze River to fight against Japan.
Located on the bank of Youshui River, Furong Ancient Town connects Sichuan and Guizhou to the west and Dongting Lake to the east, making it a thriving business hub in ancient. Some golden nanmu rows used during the construction of The Forbidden City and the Ming Tombs in Beijing were shipped from Furong Town. Because of the famous movie “Furong Ancient Town” filmed here in 1986, it became well-known all over China gradually, thus in 2007, it was renamed.
What to See and Do in Furong Ancient Town
1. Enjoy a Breathtaking View of the 2-Tiered Furong Waterfall
The core area of Furong Ancient Town is seated on the top of a cliff, with Furong Waterfall cascading in two tiers from the foot of the town, hence the name “a Millennium town hanging on a waterfall”. Furong Waterfall is the most magnificent one of its kind in Western Hunan, with 60 meters high and 40 meters wide. Seen from afar, it looks like white ribbons floating down through the middle of quaint stilted buildings. And the sound of surging water can be heard miles away.
You can have a bird’s-eye-view of Furong Ancient Town as well as the Waterfall from the Viewing Deck and Tuwang Palace. There is a path against the cliff that will lead you to go behind the waterfall, where you can enjoy the scenery from a different perspective.
2. Sample Tujia Cuisines along Five-Mile Flagstone Street
Walk up the steps from the river dock and you will get to the prosperous Five-Mile Flagstone Street, which goes all through Furong Ancient Town. The winding street is like a time tunnel, along which are all traditional stilted buildings constructed during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), showcasing an unspoiled ethnic ambiance to visitors.
Today, some of the buildings have been converted into Tujia handicraft stores and food booths, where you can pick up characteristic souvenirs and have a taste of authentic Tujia cuisines, such as rice tofu, rice noodles, preserved meat, and steamed mandarin fish.
3. Take in the Dazzling Night Scene of Furong Ancient Town
Furong Ancient Town showcases its most gorgeous scene by night. When darkness falls, colorful neon lights will silhouette the town and illuminate Furong Waterfall and the cliff. Distinctive pumpkin lanterns hanging under the eaves of the stilted buildings will also be lightened up. The bright and light hues as well as warm and cool tones bold the color contrast and turn the whole region into a dazzling realm that often appears in fantasy movies.
Tips: If time permits, it is highly suggested you stay overnight at a riverside hotel in Furong Ancient Town. Ba Bu Tang Hostel (八部堂客栈) settled in Tuwang Palace is strongly recommended as it offers the best angle to capture the panoramic view of Furong Waterfall and the town from any of the rooms.
4. Tuwang Palace – Appreciate the Large-Scale Complex of Tujia Stilted Buildings
Tuwang Palace was originally built in 910 as the residence for the Tusi King, the leader of the Tujia minority in ancient times, and later became the summer retreat for the nobles. The remaining palace was reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty with over 400 years of history.
Different from traditional Chinese architecture, Tuwang Palace is a large-scale castle standing at the edge of the cliff, with distinctive Tujia stilted buildings orderly arranged. While visiting, you can not only gain insight into features of Tujia architecture, but also have a glimpse of the life of nobles in the past.
5. Watch Immersive Performances to Learn the History & Culture of the Tujia Minority
The immersive performance of “Blooming in Furong – Carnival of Bizika” (“Bizika” means “native people” in Tujia dialect) staged at major attractions in Furong Ancient Town takes tourists to delve into the history and culture of the Tujia minority in a vivid way. Through 4 parts, the show reproduces important occasions of the nationality, such as battle scenes, victory celebrations, and grand inspections by the Tusi King, as well as Tujia people’s life and love stories happened around the Youshui River.
√Related reading: Fenghuang Ancient Town
6. Explore Xizhou Bronze Pillar: A Relic of Ancient Sacrifice
The Xizhou Bronze Pillar, a significant historical artifact standing in Furong Ancient Town. It’s story can be dated back to the Western Zhou Dynasty. Once used in Tujia sacrificial ceremonies, it served as a silent witness to the region’s ancient rituals and political significance. Its intricate carvings greatly show the artistic and cultural achievements of the Tujia people.
7. Wander Through Wuli Street: The Heart of Tujia Life
Formerly known as Five-Mile Flagstone Street, Wuli Street is the soul of Furong Ancient Town. With traditional stilted houses on both sides of the street, it once served as a bustling trade route connecting Hunan and Sichuan. Today, it’s dotted with tea houses, handicraft workshops, and family-run eateries, offering a glimpse into daily Tujia life. If you are confident and have help with overcoming language barriers, try to chat with locals and learn about their customs over a cup of home-brewed tea.
Tujia Ethnic Culture to Experience in Furong Ancient Town
Traditions and Customs
In Furong Ancient Town, you can enjoy the Maogusi dance, which is known as the “farthest source of ancient Chinese drama and dance”, and the Sheba Festival, the biggest festival of the Tujia people. During the festival, dozens of performances such as Maogus and waving hand dance will be staged, allowing you to appreciate the unique charm of Tujia culture.
Architecture
Built on the mountain or close to the water, the stilted house in Furong Ancient Town is a typical example of semi-dry columnar architecture and is the traditional home of the Tujia and other ethnic groups. The Tujia also venerate their ancestors and celebrate festivals in the Waving Hands Hall and other buildings, where they have seen innumerable significant historical events.
In addition to Tuwang Palace and Xizhou Bronze Pillar, there are still more architectural highlights for you to explore, such as Baishou Hall, a historic wooden hall which usually used to hold Tujia ceremonies. And other well-preserved stilted houses along the cliff, they can show the quite authentic Tujia style.
Handicrafts
In Furong Town, you can also buy a variety of exquisite handicrafts, such as bamboo woven baskets, Tujia Xilankapu and so on.
Besides bamboo weaving and embroidery, Tujia people also produce other handicrafts like brocade, carved wooden items, and small decorative souvenirs. And if you want to buy some for your friends and family, you can take a look in shops along Wuli (Five-Mile) Street. These crafts are little carriers of the region’s long-standing folk traditions.
How to Tour Furong Ancient Town
Recommended duration:
It would be the best if you can prepare 1 day + 1 night to spend here, so that you can fully experience Furong Ancient Town. Spend the first day visiting the main highlights like Tusi Square, Copper Column Garden, Tuwang Bridge, and Tuwang Palace, then walk along Wuli (Five-Mile) Street. At this stop, you can browse handicrafts and try some local foods. And staying overnight allows you to enjoy the illuminated stilted houses and waterfall at night.
The recommended travel route:
Entrance → Tusi Square → Copper Column Garden → Tuwang Bridge → Tuwang Palace → Waterfall Viewing Deck → Wuli Street (crafts & food) → Overnight stay for night photography.
Combined itinerary:
Many travelers would plan 2–3 days in Zhangjiajie to see the Avatar Mountains, Tianzi Mountain, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, and the Glass Bridge, then 1 day/1 night in Furong to explore the waterfall, Tujia stilted houses, and local culture, followed by 1 day in Fenghuang Ancient Town to enjoy Riverside Old Streets, Phoenix Ancient City, and Tuojiang River scenery – making a 4-5 day West Hunan cultural and nature trip.
Best Time to Visit Furong Ancient Town: March – November
Generally speaking, Furong Ancient Town is suitable for traveling all year round, but you can capture the most enchanting views from March to November.
In spring (March – May), the weather warms up gradually and the town looks full of vigor with plants sprouting and flowers blooming. Sheba Festival, the most important sacrificial festival among Tujia people, is held in March where you can enjoy Maogusi dance, hands-waving dance, Tima songs, and other folk arts which have been listed as intangible cultural heritage.
Furong Ancient Town enters into its rainy season in summer (June – August). At that time, the frequent rainfalls will swell the Youshui River to its highest level in a year, making Furong Waterfall downstream even more spectacular.
Autumn (September – November) is another ideal period to visit Furong Town, with clear skies and pleasant sunny weather. Plants around the waterfall and cliff will turn golden yellow. Also, there will be fewer tourists and you can have a relaxing sightseeing experience.
How to Get to Furong Ancient Town
From Changsha:
Take a high-speed train at Changsha South Railway Station to Furongzhen. You will arrive at Furongzhen Railway Station in 3 hours. Then charter a car to the ancient town at a cost of CNY 20 or so.
From Zhangjiajie:
- Take a 35-minute high-speed train ride from Zhangjiajie West Railway Station to Furongzhen, and then charter a car to get to Furong Town.
- Visitors traveling in Zhangjiajie can board a long-distance bus at Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station to the ancient town directly. The bus ride takes about 1.5 hours and costs CNY 30.
- If you reach Zhangjiajie by flight, get on a taxi at the airport to Zhangjiajie West Railway Station or the Central Bus Station to board a train or bus to Furong Ancient Town.
Related reading: How to Plan a Trip to Furong Ancient Town from Zhangjiajie
From Fenghuang Ancient Town to Furong Ancient Town:
- Public Bus: A direct public bus journey from Fenghuang Ancient Town to Furong Ancient Town Bus Station takes approximately 2.5 hours on the way and costs around CNY 40 for each person.
- Taxi: A taxi ride from Fenghuang Ancient Town to Furong Ancient Town offers a direct and private journey, lasting about 2 hours with a fare of roughly CNY 200, making it ideal for small groups prioritizing convenience.
- High-Speed Rail:For faster and more convenient travel, first take a short transfer to the nearest high-speed rail station, then board a high-speed train to Furong Ancient Town Station (33–40 minutes, ~CNY 38, varying depends on date and class); after arrival, take a taxi or shuttle bus to the town.
Tips for Visiting Furong Ancient Town
Stay Overnight to Enjoy Stunning Night Views of Furong
The night view in Furong Ancient Town is spectacular. Book accommodation in advance, especially riverside hotels like Ba Bu Tang Hostel for the best waterfall views. Prices rise on weekends/holidays. However, except for some most famous hotels, the accommodation option could be limited. If you prefer better living experience, you can choose to go to nearby major cities like Zhangjiajie.
Enjoy a tour combining Furong with Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang
Furong is perfectly positioned between Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang Ancient Town. As a result, many tourists would combine all three destinations for a quintessential West Hunan experience. One of the most popular itinerary would be Zhangjiajie – Furong Ancient Town – Fenghuang Ancient Town – other Hunan cities like Changsha.
A recommended 4-5 day itinerary could cover Zhangjiajie’s mountains (2-3 days), Furong’s waterfall town (1 day + night), and Fenghuang’s riverside charm (1 day + night). If you WANT to follow this journey, you’ll get to visit a lot famous and marvelous attractions, contact us to tailor your own private Zhangjiajie-Furong Ancient Town tour.
Ticket in Furongzhen
Main scenic area and performances: CNY 108, valid 2–3 days. Children/students/seniors may get discounts.
Accommodation in Furong Ancient Town
Riverside or waterfall-view hotels/homestays are recommended for night scenery photos. Prices usually CNY 200–500, higher in peak season.
Top Delicacies You Should Try
Rice tofu, Tujia preserved meat, sour fish soup, and local tea are must-tries. Small handicrafts like embroidered bags and bamboo items make excellent souvenirs..
Attractions Nearby Furong Ancient Town
- Mengdong River: The turbulent river offers visitors a thrilling rafting experience through primitive forests and lush cliffs.
- Red Stone Forest National Geopark: The geopark is praised as “an open-air museum” displaying the incredible underwater world 500 million years ago.
- Aizhai Bridge: Being a highway bridge, Aizhai Bridge is one of the longest bridges in the world. It crosses the Dehang Grand Canyon and spans 1,176 meters, making it an engineering marvel in China.
FAQs about Furong Ancient Town
Is it better to visit Furong Ancient Town during the day or at night?
The highlight of Furong Ancient Town is its night scenery, especially when the lights are on after 19:30. The 60-meter-high waterfall and stilt houses enhance beauty of each other under light, forming a anime-like dreamy scene. So it is usually recommended to visit at night.
What kind of food and souvenirs can I find in Furong Ancient Town?
Food in Furong Town are of great characteristic flavors. The sour and spicy rice tofu is the most recommended snack which is the same snack as in the movie. Tujia cured meat and sour fish soup are famous local dishes. About drinks, grinding tea and osmanthus wine are special. Tujia embroidery bags are unique souvenirs. If you want to buy food, cured meat, rock mushrooms and honey are nice choices.
How much time should I plan to spend in Furong Ancient Town?
For only night scenery viewing, about 1 hour is enough. If you plan to explore the ancient street in the town, another one hour is needed.
Are there any recommended viewpoints for photography?
Waterfall Viewing Platform is the best place to overlook the waterfall and enjoy night view of the stilt houses. At Tuwang Bridge, you can take the picture of a hundred red lanterns.
What types of accommodations are available in the town?
Inside the town, the most common is homestay. Most homestays integrate the characteristic tile houses and modern facilities, but sound insulation may be poor. The price ranges from 200 – 500, and will be about 30% higher in peak seasons. While near the town, there are economy and high-end hotels with standard facilities and service available.
Can I visit Furong and Fenghuang Ancient Town in one day?
Theoretically, it is feasible, the travel time between two towns is about 1.5 – 2 hours. You can spend half day on each place, but due to the tight schedule, you can only have a glance at the core scenic spots. So two days will be better choice to enjoy a relaxing and in-depth tour.
Plan Your Zhangjiajie–Furong Tour with China Xian Tour
If you are planning a China tour to Furong Ancient Town and want to have a tailor-made itinerary, please feel free to contact us. We are willing to help you customize your trip! Having a Zhangjiajie-Furong can usually give visitors a more profound and comprehensive exploration of the local cultural heritage. To make the most of your time here, consider joining a customized trip offered by China Xian Tour. Our local experts will take you to see most iconic sites and taste the most authentic flavors. And with us taking care of everything along the way, you’ll get to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Zhangjiajie and Furong town.
