Zhangjiajie and Furong Town Travel Notes
With a special feeling, I started a leisurely lifestyle. I set off alone from my home in Jiangxi to embark on a journey to beautiful Zhangjiajie and mysterious Xiangxi. I had long yearned for the spiritual essence and natural beauty of the landscapes in Xiangxi.
Day 1: Yingtan to Changsha by high-speed rail. I met my classmate in Changsha and took a stroll at Orange Isle. This internet-famous city has become popular thanks to its entertainment culture and Chayan Yuese. It's truly not easy. I had a very engaging chat with my classmate.
Day 2: Changsha to Zhangjiajie by bullet train. I spent 3 days visiting Wulingyuan, Huanglong Cave, Tianmen Mountain, and Baofeng Lake. During those three days, every scenic spot satisfied my angles as a photography enthusiast. Additionally, driven by my long-standing interest in arts, I watched 'Zhangjiajie Millennium Love', 'Charming Xiangxi' in Wulingyuan, and the large-scale live landscape performance 'Tianmen Fox Fairy', each with its own characteristics.
In Wulingyuan Scenic Area, the mountains, rocks, and trees are all exquisite. Viewed horizontally, they appear as ridges; from the side, as peaks.
The magnificent scenery inside Huanglong Cave is breathtaking—the Creator has the most divine brush!
Tianmen Mountain was shrouded in clouds and mist, majestic in momentum!
The water scenery of Zhangjiajie's Baofeng Lake is even more magnificent, echoing with the mountains. Amidst the wonder, it is incredibly charming.
'Zhangjiajie Millennium Love' is performed in a dedicated grand theater, with good lighting and sound effects!
'Charming Xiangxi' is a series of ancient-style Xiangxi songs, dances, acrobatics, and situational dramas. It is more enjoyable than 'Zhangjiajie Millennium Love'.
'Tianmen Fox Fairy' has a cast of over 500 performers, grand and extremely beautiful!
Day 5: Zhangjiajie to Furong Town by bus from the coach station. I spent three days wandering around Furong Town and its surrounding areas, Red Stone Forest and Qifeng Lake. Furong Town is famous for its thousand-year-old town hanging on a waterfall. The tourism environment is not as mature as Zhangjiajie, but it is not as commercialized as Fenghuang Ancient Town. That was an important reason for me to choose Furong Town for this trip.
Perhaps because I am usually exposed to culture a lot, I enjoy watching performances everywhere—they are condensed history and humanities. In Furong Town, I watched two performances: 'Bizi Ka's Carnival' and 'Furong Blossoms'. 'Bizi Ka's Carnival' is free, available during the day and night, with richer content at night. It is performed at several spots, with the shaman spitting fire and warriors' exploits especially captivating for children. Furong Town is only a 4A scenic spot, but relying on waterfall development, night light shows, and ethnic performances... it makes people linger and forget to leave. Its popularity surpasses many 5A scenic spots!
The Tujia stilted houses are built along the mountain. The waterfall against the cliffs is exceptionally colorful and beautiful.
Walking under the waterfall, I experienced the unique karst landform and felt the isosceles layout of the river gorge ancient town.
Eternal and the earth's miracle from 500 million years ago—the Red Stone Forest, more beautiful than Yunnan's Stone Forest.
Mysterious Xiangxi is a history of Tusi (local chieftain) autonomy. The Peng clan's Tusi king goes on patrol!
Stills from 'Furong Blossoms'—the folk customs of Tujia daughters getting married.
As for sightseeing, I'll share up to here. Many friends may wonder why I spent three days in such a small town like Furong. First, I like to immerse myself in a place. Second, there are indeed many scenic spots around Furong Town. Worth it!
As for food, Zhangjiajie's Sanxia Guo (three-pot dish) and giant salamander are local specialties. In Furong Town, it's cured meat and osmanthus fish.
As for accommodation, there are many homestays in Zhangjiajie and Furong Town with local characteristics. On my first night in Furong, to see the waterfall view, I booked an inn with a waterfall view. To be honest, the value for money was really low, and it was too noisy for me to sleep. The next day, I shouldered my backpack and looked around the entire scenic area. Following my instinct, I arrived at the Baihe Huagu Inn. First, I was attracted by its exquisite decoration. I stayed there for one night. It was clean and hygienic, and the toiletries and bedding were more enjoyable than a five-star hotel. The room was arranged with a literary taste, and the breakfast was delicious and plentiful. So I stayed two more nights at Huagu. It happened to be the Dragon Boat Festival, and the landlady handmade zongzi for every guest. That was the warmest memory of my trip in Hunan.
Day 8: Huaihua to Yingtan by high-speed rail, returned home smoothly. As for this leisurely trip in Xiangxi, I felt quite enjoyable. I recommend friends to go and play when you have time. Besides the landscapes and culture of Xiangxi, the air and pace of life there are full of a leisurely flavor.
