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
- What to See and Do in Furong Ancient Town
- How to Tour Furong Ancient Town
- How to Get to Furong Ancient Town
- Attractions Nearby Furong Ancient Town
- History of 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.
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.
Best Viewing points:
- Free Viewing Deck: Coming out from Yinan Theater and follow the path on the right side
- Tuwang Palace.
2. Sample Tujia Cuisines along Five-Mile Flagstone Street
Walk up to the river dock and you will get to the lively Five-Mile Flagstone Street, it travels all through Furong Ancient Town. This street is the soul of Furong Ancient Town, and it once served as a bustling trade route connecting Hunan and Sichuan. There are traditional stilted buildings on both sides, most of them were constructed during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). Today, some of the buildings have been converted into stores, selling Tujia handicraft or food booths.
Recommended dishes include: rice tofu, rice noodles, preserved meat, and steamed mandarin fish.
3. Take in the Dazzling Night Scene of Furong Ancient Town
Furong Ancient Town is most gorgeous at night. When darkness falls, colorful neon lights will silhouette the town while also illuminating Furong Waterfall and the cliff. The bright hues as well as warm and cool tones make a bold contrast. They turn the whole region into a dazzling realm.
Tips: from our local guide’s experience, stay overnight at a riverside hotel provides a unique experience.
Ba Bu Tang Hostel (八部堂客栈) settled in Tuwang Palace. Ideal for capturing the panoramic view of Furong Waterfall and the town.
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. Later it became the summer retreat for the nobles. The remaining palace was reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty.
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. It’s the best place to gain insight into features of Tujia architecture and the life of nobles in the past.
5. Watch Immersive Performances to Learn the History & Culture of the Tujia Minority
You can also enjoy the immersive performance “Blooming in Furong – Carnival of Bizika” (“Bizika” means “native people” in Tujia dialect). It is staged at major attractions in Furong Ancient Town, and it presents the history and culture of the Tujia minority in a more vivid way. The show reproduces important occasions of Tujia Minority, 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.
Tip: Remember to check the performance schedule and arrange your tour around the performances you’re most interested it.
6. Explore Xizhou Bronze Pillar: A Relic of Ancient Sacrifice
The Xizhou Bronze Pillar is a significant historical artifact in Furong Ancient Town. It’s story can be dated back to the Western Zhou Dynasty. It served as a silent witness to the region’s ancient rituals and political significance. Its carvings greatly show the artistic and cultural achievements of the Tujia people.
7. Experience Tujia Culture
Furong Ancient Town is a perfect place to learn Tujia culture through its traditions, architecture, and handicrafts. Instead of simply wandering in the town, visitors can actually experience the ancient Maogusi dance, which is regarded as one of the earliest forms of Chinese drama, and the lively Sheba Festival.
The town’s iconic stilted houses, built along cliffs and waterways, reflect traditional Tujia life. Cultural sites such as Tuwang Palace and Baishou Hall highlight ceremonial practices and historical significance of the town. Local handicrafts is another good way for visitors to get close to local culture. Popular choice are bamboo weaving and Tujia Xilankapu brocade.
How to Tour Furong Ancient Town
How Long to Spend in Furong Ancient Town: Overnight Necessary?
1 day + 1 night offer the best experience, allowing you to fully experience Furong Ancient Town. Use 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. 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.
Pair 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). This journey will take you to travel through a lot famous and marvelous attractions. Contact us to tailor your own private Zhangjiajie-Furong Ancient Town tour.
Best Time to Visit Furong Ancient Town: March – November
Generally speaking, Furong Ancient Town can be visited all year round, but March to November provide the most enchanting views.
- In spring (March – May), the weather warms up gradually and the town is also with plants sprouting and flowers blooming. The most important sacrificial festival among Tujia people,Sheba Festival, is held in March.
- Summer is the rainy season (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.There will be clear skies and pleasant sunny weather. The whole landscape will be covered in golden yellow. Also, attractions can be less crowded.
Tips for Visiting Furong Ancient Town
- Stay Overnight for Night Views: Best experience appears at night, book hotel early in peak season. Riverside or waterfall-view stays (CNY 200–500). Nearby Zhangjiajie offer more choices of
- Tickets: Main area + shows: ~CNY 108, valid 2–3 days, Children/students/seniors discounts available.
- What to Eat: Try traditional Tujia flavors like rice tofu, preserved meat, sour fish soup, and local tea.
- Souvenirs: Bamboo crafts and Tujia embroidery are popular picks.
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.
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.
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.
FAQs about Furong Ancient Town
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. There are also special local drinks, grinding tea and osmanthus wine are special. Tujia embroidery bags are one of thee most unique and popular souvenirs.
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.
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.
