The First Journey of Spring 2021: The Return Trip Was Just as Exciting

📍 Chongqing · 👁 2 reads · ❤️ 121 likes

I had already explored Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic Area back in late 2017. After finishing Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, I hit the road home, taking the return trip in stages via Furong Ancient Town, Border Town (Chadong and Hong'an), and Chongqing.

Furong Town isn't far from Zhangjiajie; just follow the navigation.

Originally named Wang Village, Furong Town is an ancient town with two thousand years of history. In the fifth year of Emperor Gaozu of Han, it became the seat of Youyang County, historically known as 'Youyang Xiongzhen'.

It gained its current name from the film Hibiscus Town, adapted from the novel of the same name, which was shot here.

Furong Town is a millennium-old Tusi (chieftain) town, meaning 'city of kings.' Cross this Tuwang Bridge and you reach the Tusi King's summer residence.

A thousand-year-old town under the night sky.

Furong Town is not only an ancient town steeped in millennia of history, but also a tourist destination where natural beauty blends with simple ethnic customs. It serves as the gateway to the Mengdong River Scenic Area and is a perfect spot for seeking tranquility and ancient traces. Surrounded by lush hills and clear waters, the town itself features winding, secluded alleys and streets, waterside wooden stilt houses of the Tujia people, and a five-mile-long street paved with bluestone slabs, all exuding the honest, ancient folk traditions of the Tujia.

A crisp morning, a quick stroll, then off we go.

From Furong Town to Border Town.

Took a wrong fork on the highway, had to exit at Mengdong River and turn around before continuing on.

The sky gradually cleared.

Border Town lies on the border between Chongqing and Hunan. Cross this bridge and you're on Chongqing soil, in a place called 'Border Town Hong'an'.

A Quotations Tower built in the 1960s.

At the Chadong Photography Guesthouse (actually located within Hong'an), you get a full view of 'Border Town Chadong' across the river.

Lala Ferry: hop on the Lala boat to cross the river and you enter 'Border Town Chadong' in Hunan.

Border Town Chadong is Biancheng Town in Huayuan County, Xiangxi Prefecture, Hunan Province. Originally called Chadong, it sits at the junction of Hunan, Guizhou, and Chongqing, truly a place where 'one foot treads on three provinces.'

The Border Town in Shen Congwen's writings: characters from his novel, 'Cuicui and the little yellow dog,' stand eternal on Cuicui Island.

Speaking of 'Border Town Hong'an' on the Chongqing side, its cultural relics and architecture are even better preserved.

The quiet night of Border Town.

From Border Town to Chongqing: paused in Qianjiang before continuing to Chongqing.

Rain fell lightly at the Apeng River service area.

Arrived in Qianjiang through wind and rain.

Pushed on to the final destination of this journey: Chongqing.

Night view of Hongya Cave.

In Chongqing, hot pot is a must, but to be honest, it's not as good as the 'bubble-free hotpot' I had over twenty years ago.

A friend's BMW took me back to the hotel. I gave him six words: 'metal wrapper, iron coffin – not safe.'

In the afternoon, swung by Liziba to snap the monorail passing through a building.

Caught a sunset at Guanyin Bridge and got back to the hotel past 9 p.m. Originally planned to return to Chengdu tomorrow, but reconnected with an old friend I hadn't seen in fifteen years, so we arranged to meet tomorrow, extending my stay by another day.

I just love wandering and getting lost on my own.

The Monument of Liberation surviving squeezed between towering buildings.

Tired, sat down for a rest.

Hot pot: check. Old friend: met. Time to go home.

Entering Sichuan Province.

Safely returned to Greater Chengdu. After 23 days and 2,979 kilometers, the first journey of spring 2021 came to a perfect end.

Travelogue Contents

1. Furong Town

2. Border Town

3. Qianjiang

4. Chongqing

Travel Information