Furong Ancient Town Scenic Area is located in Yongshun County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province. Formerly known as Wangcun, it is an ancient town with a history of more than 2,000 years and the starting capital of the Xizhou Tujia Tusi Dynasty, carrying the glorious historical origin of the Tujia Tusi Dynasty for 818 years. The total area of the town is 249.7 square kilometers, governing 17 villages and 5 communities, with a total population of 32,800, among which ethnic minorities dominated by the Tujia people account for more than 80% of the total population. In December 2012, the scenic area was approved as a national 4A-level tourist attraction. With its beautiful and unique natural landscapes and unique folk customs, it is also known as the "Millennium Ancient Town Hanging on a Waterfall" because a waterfall runs through the town.
History and Culture
In the fifth year of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty (202 BC), Youyang County was first established, and its administrative office was located here. From 910 to 968 AD, it was once the location of the palace of Tusi King Peng Shichou. In 1986, the famous director Xie Jin filmed the movie Furong Town here. With the successful broadcast of the movie, the town became famous, and the name "Furong Town" gradually replaced Wangcun, and was officially renamed in 2007.
Furong Town is a settlement of the Tujia people, with a high proportion of Tujia population. Tujia culture is distinctive. The Xizhou Bronze Pillar, regarded as a sacred object, is an important document for studying the ancient history of the Tujia people. After Peng Shichou's defeat, in the fifth year of Tianfu (940 AD), he formed an alliance with Ma Xifan and cast a bronze pillar weighing 5,000 jin (2,500 kg) with an oath inscribed on it. Nowadays, this history has been adapted into film and television works, becoming a window for people to understand the cultural history of the Tujia people.
Intangible cultural heritage programs such as Tujia folk customs dances, Maogusi Dance, Hand-waving Dance, Daliuzi, and Tujia folk songs are regularly performed in the core scenic area. Intangible cultural heritage projects such as Tujia brocade and bamboo weaving are also displayed. As the essence of Tujia culture, each pattern of Tujia brocade contains a unique story.
The traditional festivals of the Tujia people are rich and colorful, among which the "Sheba Festival" is the most enthusiastic and grand. Dozens of performing arts such as Maogusi Dance and Hand-waving Dance during the festival are all listed in the national and provincial intangible cultural heritage protection lists. In addition, local festivals such as the "Tujia Maogusi Culture Festival", "Hand-waving Dance Competition", and "Mud-touching Festival" are held to attract tourists and expand the influence of Tujia culture.
Main Attractions
Xizhou Tusi Square
This is where the past "Tusi Kings" received guests from various states and performed the Hand-waving Dance. Locally known as the Hand-waving Hall, it is an important cultural activity place for the Tujia people, carrying rich national cultural connotations.
Xizhou Bronze Pillar Garden
The Xizhou Bronze Pillar in the garden is a powerful historical witness of Tusi culture. In 939 AD, after more than a year of the Xizhou War between King Ma Xifan of Chu and Tusi King Peng Shichou, they made peace and cast a 5,000-jin (2,500 kg) bronze pillar as a boundary. Now, the bronze pillar quietly tells the past history, allowing visitors to feel that magnificent era.
Tuwang Bridge
As part of the scenic area, Tuwang Bridge has a unique architectural style, connecting different areas of the ancient town. It not only facilitates the passage of residents and tourists but also becomes a unique landscape itself, witnessing the daily life and historical changes of the ancient town.
Tuwang Palace
It was the summer palace of the past Tusi Kings. The existing palace is a Ming Dynasty building with a history of more than 400 years. The palace is built against the mountain and by the water, standing on a cliff. Below the palace are natural landscapes such as the "Water Curtain Cave", and beside the palace are poetry and calligraphy treasures left by celebrities such as Tang Bohu and Shen Congwen. It also has Song Zuying's singing platform, Liu Xiaoqing's teahouse for enjoying the waterfall, and outdoor filming locations for movies and TV shows, full of historical and cultural charm.
Waterfall
The largest and most spectacular waterfall in Xiangxi, 60 meters high and 40 meters wide, pours down from the cliff in two stages. During the peak season of the river, the waterfall is majestic, as if pouring down from the sky, and its roar can be heard within a ten-mile radius. Under the sunlight, the waterfall is like a bright pearl, with mist filling the air, like a fairyland.
Wangcun Wharf
The wharf was built during the Qin and Han dynasties and became the busiest commercial wharf in Yongshun Prefecture during the Ming and Qing dynasties, where both water and land goods were imported and exported. Mr. Shen Congwen once praised it as "the most beautiful and unique wharf of mountains, waters, trees, and stones in the Baishui River". The wharf witnessed the important position of the ancient town in commercial trade and also reflects its history of prosperity due to water transportation.
Wuli Stone Slab Street
Starting from the bank of the Youshui River and slanting upward, it is built with 25 large steps and 308 small steps, like a long ladder leaning against the slope until Wulipai. It is the best-preserved ancient stone slab street building in Hunan, with panel door shops and Tujia stilted buildings on both sides. The movie Furong Town was filmed here. Now, the street is lined with shops, full of worldly life atmosphere, witnessing the thousands of years of historical changes of the ancient town.
Delicacies
Rice Tofu
Made from high-quality rice, mountain spring water, etc., it has a delicate and smooth taste. Because the image of the "Tofu Beauty" in the movie Furong Town is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, the Wuli Green Stone Slab Street is lined with "Liu Xiaoqing Rice Tofu Shop" and "Hu Yuyin Rice Tofu Shop", becoming the characteristic food business card of Furong Town.
Tujia Bacon
A traditional Tujia food, through special curing and smoking processes, the meat is firm, with a bright red color and a unique smoky fragrance. It can be eaten directly or cooked with other ingredients, with a mellow taste.
Sour Meat
Pork is pickled and fermented with glutinous rice flour, salt, and other seasonings. It has a slightly sour taste, is fatty but not greasy, and has a strong national flavor. It is a common food on the Tujia dining table.
Surrounding delicacies also include bull head banquets, Yongshun pickles, small river shrimps, and other agricultural special products, as well as various snacks with Xiangxi characteristics, allowing visitors to fully taste the local unique flavors.
Tickets
The ticket price is 108 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "湘西芙蓉镇旅游" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open from 07:30 to 23:59. Subject to the actual opening hours of the scenic area.
Tour Route
After entering from the scenic area entrance, walk along Wuli Stone Slab Street to admire the Tujia stilted buildings and various shops on both sides of the ancient street and feel the life atmosphere of the ancient town. Then go to Xizhou Bronze Pillar Garden to understand the historical culture of the Tujia people. Next, visit Tuwang Palace to appreciate its unique architectural style and historical charm. Then go to the waterfall to watch the spectacular waterfall scenery. After that, you can go to Wangcun Wharf to feel the style of the former commercial wharf. Finally, go to Xizhou Tusi Square to experience the cultural atmosphere of the Tujia people. If time permits, you can stay longer in the ancient town, enjoy the night view, and watch the folk performances in the scenic area.
Transportation
- High-speed Railway: After the Zhangjihuai High-speed Railway was opened, Furong Town entered the high-speed railway era, and you can take the high-speed railway to Furong Town Station.
- Bus: You can take a minibus to Furong Town at the bus terminal next to Zhangjiajie Railway Station and the North Bus Station next to Jishou Railway Station; there are also buses from Guzhang and Yongshun.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Furong Town Grand Waterfall: 60 meters high and 40 meters wide, pouring down from the cliff in two stages, with a magnificent momentum. It is the iconic landscape of Furong Town, and the name "Millennium Ancient Town Hanging on a Waterfall" comes from it. Its spectacular scenery is shocking.
- Wuli Stone Slab Street: The best-preserved ancient stone slab street building in Hunan, with a total length of five li (2.5 kilometers), built with 25 large steps and 308 small steps. The panel door shops and Tujia stilted buildings on both sides of the street are full of ancient charm, and you can also experience the rich commercial atmosphere and local life. The fact that the movie Furong Town was filmed here adds to its popularity.
- Tuwang Palace: A Ming Dynasty building with a history of more than 400 years, built on a cliff by the mountain and water. With unique natural landscapes around and poetry and calligraphy treasures of celebrities, as well as film and television shooting-related relics, it allows visitors to deeply feel the thickness of historical culture.
Tour Tips
- You can choose to enter the scenic area in the late afternoon, first admire the ancient style of the town during the day, and when night falls, watch the bright night view of the waterfall and the town when the lights come on, feeling the charm of different periods.
- Understand the cultural customs and historical background of the Tujia people in advance, which can better help you understand the attractions and folk performances in the scenic area and enhance the tour experience.
- Participate in the folk activities in the scenic area, such as watching intangible cultural heritage program performances like Tujia Maogusi, Hand-waving Dance, and Daliuzi, and deeply experience the local national culture.
- Set aside enough time to walk along Wuli Stone Slab Street, taste special foods, and choose Tujia characteristic handicrafts as souvenirs.
Notes
- Comply with the opening hours of the scenic area, reasonably arrange the tour itinerary, and avoid delaying the tour.
- Take care of the environment in the scenic area, do not litter, and protect the ancient style and natural environment of the town.
- When watching the waterfall, pay attention to safety, do not approach dangerous areas, and avoid being splashed by water or having accidents.
- When purchasing souvenirs and tasting foods, pay attention to the price to avoid unnecessary disputes.
- When encountering local folk activities, respect the local customs and cultural traditions, and do not disturb or act inappropriately.