Huaihua + Nanny-Level Guide to Explore Stunning Attractions

🗺️3-Day Tour in Huaihua | Classic Combo of Phoenix Ancient Town and Qianyang Ancient Town・Suitable for All Groups 1. Introduction Explore Huaihua in 3 days! Take your parents to Phoenix Ancient Town to enjoy the Tuojiang River night view, accompany friends to Qianyang Ancient Town to seek ancient charm, and bring kids to Hongjiang Ancient Commercial City to learn business stories. The itinerary is leisurely without rushing, enjoy sour radish and Zhijiang duck to your heart’s content, the whole family can have a pleasant time~ 2. 🗓️ Itinerary Overview D1: Arrive in Huaihua → Phoenix Ancient Town → Stay inside the ancient town D2: Phoenix Ancient Town → Qianyang Ancient Town → Stay in Qianyang D3: Hongjiang Ancient Commercial City → Return trip 3. Daily Detailed Plan 🏮Day 1: Dreaming by Tuojiang River · Ancient Town Night Charm 📍Phoenix Ancient Town (4A) Highlights: "China’s Most Beautiful Small Town," Tuojiang River runs through the town, stilted buildings built along the mountain. Elderly can take a boat ride (50 RMB/person) to enjoy the river view, kids love chasing the old ladies washing clothes by the river and watching lanterns float on Tuojiang River. 🕙Open all day (core scenic area 8:00-18:00) 💰Free (Nine-scenery combined ticket 148 RMB, free for seniors over 60, free for children under 1.4 meters) 📸Photo spot: Tuojiang Jumping Rocks (stand on stone piers, stilted buildings + Rainbow Bridge in one frame, fewer people in the early morning for better photos) 🍖Lunch: "Ambassador Restaurant" inside the ancient town (40 RMB per person, must-try blood rice duck + steamed pumpkin, mild dishes suitable for kids) 💡Tips: The ancient town’s stone slab roads are steep, recommend non-slip shoes for elderly; lantern floating on Tuojiang River at night (10 RMB/lantern), very atmospheric 🏯Day 2: Qianyang Ancient Charm · Taste the Old Streets 📍Phoenix Ancient Town (morning revisit) Highlights: The ancient town is quieter in the early morning, see the morning mist over the stilted buildings, perfect for serene ancient-style photos 🕙6:00-8:00 (least crowded) 📍Qianyang Ancient Town (4A) Highlights: A more niche thousand-year-old town than Phoenix, birthplace of the phrase "If friends from Luoyang ask about me," clean and flat bluestone roads, elderly can stroll slowly, kids love touching the moss on the ancient city walls 🕙8:30-17:30 💰Free (some attractions charge, combined ticket 60 RMB, half price for seniors/children) 📸Photo spot: Zhongzheng Gate City Tower (stand on the tower overlooking the ancient street, the flying eaves and green tiles are beautifully staggered) 🍜Dinner: "Old Brand Restaurant" in Qianyang Ancient Town (35 RMB per person, Zhijiang duck + cold sour radish, mildly spicy and appetizing) 💡Tips: Travel time from Phoenix to Qianyang is 1.5 hours, car rental recommended (200 RMB/day); there are old teahouses in the ancient town, 10 RMB per cup of tea, good for resting 🏬Day 3: Business Path Exploration · Flavorful Finale 📍Hongjiang Ancient Commercial City (4A) Highlights: "China’s First Ancient Commercial City," well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty shops, escort agencies, and banks, live business path performances, elderly can listen to historical explanations, kids can role-play as "little shopkeepers" 🕙8:00-17:30 💰90 RMB (half price for seniors/children) 📸Photo spot: Yujiashong Archway (entrance of the ancient commercial city, carved beams and painted rafters, great for vintage-style photos) 🍖Lunch: "Farmhouse Cuisine Restaurant" outside the commercial city (40 RMB per person, Xuefeng Mountain cured meat + rice tofu, authentic farmhouse flavor) 💡Tips: Free guided tours inside the commercial city (10:00/14:00); many stone slab roads, don’t let kids run too fast 4. ✨Huaihua Survival Guide 1️⃣Transportation: Taxi starting fare in the city is 6 RMB, car rental recommended from Phoenix Ancient Town to Qianyang and Hongjiang (worry-free); mostly walking inside ancient towns, bring a folding stool for elderly to rest 2️⃣Clothing: Spring wear thin sweatshirt + jacket (big temperature difference morning and night), summer short sleeves + thin long pants (mosquito protection), autumn knitwear + trench coat, shoes must be non-slip (many stone slab roads in ancient towns) 3️⃣Taboos: Swimming is prohibited in Tuojiang River at Phoenix Ancient Town; do not carve on Qianyang Ancient City walls; do not touch exhibits inside Hongjiang Ancient Commercial City 4️⃣Accommodation: Stay in Phoenix stilted building inn on D1 (300-500 RMB/night, river view from window, choose first floor for elderly convenience), stay in Qianyang Ancient Town homestay on D2 (200-300 RMB/night, quaint and charming) 5. 🛍️Must-Buy Souvenirs ①Vacuum-packed Zhijiang Duck (50 RMB each, mildly spicy, 7-day shelf life, good for gifts) ②Qianyang Rock Sugar Oranges (10 RMB per jin, sweet and juicy, loved by elderly and kids) ③Hongjiang Ancient Commercial City Business Path Cultural Creative Bookmarks (30 RMB per set, printed with shop patterns, meaningful souvenirs) ④Xiangxi Sour Radish Pickling Sauce (20 RMB per bottle, can make at home, appetizing and refreshing) 6. Closing Interaction The stories of Huaihua are hidden in the Tuojiang River of Phoenix, in the verses of Qianyang, and in the abacus sounds of Hongjiang. If you come, would you most want to take your parents to see the ancient town night view or accompany your kids to be "little shopkeepers"?