[2024 Huayuan Attraction] Travel Guide for Biancheng (Updated Sep)

National Geographic's must-visit destinations are amazing.

It's my second time visiting the underrated gem of Xiangxi. Here, you'll find the setting of Shen Congwen's "Border Town" and the Chang'an of "Chinese Paladin". Countless dramas have been filmed here, making it feel like a real-life fantasy world. This 5-day, 4-night guide will help you make the most of Xiangxi!

Border Town

The border town under Shen Congwen's pen, a treasure town that straddles three provinces|||"From Sichuan to Hunan, there is an official road to the east. When this official road reaches a small mountain town called 'Chadong' near the western border of Hunan, there is a small stream, and by the stream stands a white pagoda. Under the pagoda lives a solitary family." This is the opening line of Shen Congwen's 'Border Town', and the customs and traditions of Chadong gradually unfold in the reader's mind. Chadong is located at the junction of Hunan, Chongqing, and Guizhou, and is known as the town that 'straddles three provinces'. The ancient town still preserves old-style buildings and docks. The mountain town stands majestically, and the river flows gently. In this fast-paced era, it still maintains its slow pace and simple customs and traditions. 1⃣Transportation ✅ Take the high-speed train to Jishou East, then take a bus from Jishou East Bus Station to Huayuan County (42💰, 75 minutes), and transfer to the border town bus at Huayuan Bus Station (6💰, 1 hour) ‼️Taking the bus is quite troublesome as it requires transferring between buses and public transport, so it is personally recommended to carpool directly to the scenic area from the high-speed train station (50-60💰); or rent a car at the car rental point at the high-speed train station for self-driving. ✅ Take the high-speed train to Chongqing Xiushan Station, then take a taxi to the ancient town, which is 36 kilometers away. 2⃣Sightseeing Chadong is not big, suitable for leisurely wandering without a purposeful itinerary. ✔️'Three No-Government Island': On the island's Wind and Rain Bridge, there is a couplet that reads, 'Hunan doesn't govern, Guizhou doesn't govern, I govern; the mountains turn, the waters turn, the culture passes on.' ✔️'Lala Ferry': For thousands of years, it has carried passengers and goods across the borders of Hunan, Guizhou, and Chongqing. Now, it only costs 2 yuan to experience this. ✔️Boat Tour of Three Provinces: 20 yuan per person, about half an hour, can directly reach the stone monument where the three provinces meet. ✔️Three Provinces Boundary Monument: There are two places, the one for checking in is next to the Longshao Restaurant. The real one was issued by the State Council in 1997. ✔️Cuicui Island: The small island is named after the heroine Cuicui in Shen Congwen's work. You need to take a boat to the island, where there is a statue of Cuicui and murals themed on the content of 'Border Town'. ✔️White Pagoda: One of the symbols of the ancient town, frequently described in the book, witnessing the quiet passage of time and the stories of Cuicui and others. ✔️River Street: Stilted buildings stand in rows, high and low, many of which are century-old houses built of stone. ✔️Chahong Bridge: The bridge connects Chongqing and Hunan, with a monument commemorating the 'Border Town of Sichuan, Hunan, and Guizhou'. ✔️Stamping: There is a stamping point in the bookstore where you can stamp your copy of 'Border Town'. 3⃣Food Rice tofu, Xiangxi pickles, cold noodles, rice noodles, oil cakes, and ice powder are all worth trying. The prices here are not high; you can buy four sugar oil cakes for one yuan. Among them, 'One Pot Cooked Three Provinces' combines Hunan's spiciness, Chongqing's numbness, and Guizhou's sourness, cooking a fish from an unknown province, which is fresh, fragrant, sour, and spicy, worth a try.

The small town of Xiangxi has many stories

In the 18th year of the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, Lu Jie, the Imperial Censor of Huguang, inspected the military defenses and passed through Luqi, where many people were infected with malaria. After a difficult journey to Lvdongshan Village in the Miao Village of Lengzhai River, an old woman used local tea leaves to make a soup for them to drink. Half an hour later, the symptoms of the soldiers infected with malaria disappeared. Lu Jie was very pleased and gave the old woman one tael of gold, and reported the details to the court. To reward the Miao Village, the court named Lvdongshan Village as Golden Village, and the tea produced here was called 'Golden Tea.' Since then, the story of 'one tael of gold for one tael of tea' has been widely spread in Xiangxi. This is my first time in Xiangxi. Walking through the ancient city, I found that it still retains the bluestone roads and the small river flows calmly, giving it a unique charm. It is said that small towns have many stories. Mr. Shen Congwen's 'Border Town' almost won the Nobel Prize in Literature. I think it must have its literary value and content. In addition, the yellow peaches of Xiangxi are also very delicious, 3 jin/10 yuan, very affordable. The surrounding attractions; Phoenix Ancient City, Zhangjiajie, Furong Town, each have their own characteristics...

The world in the book

Biancheng Chadong Ancient Town, located at the junction of Hunan, Guizhou, and Chongqing provinces, is a unique ancient town where one can step into three provinces at once. This place is the prototype of the town in the literary master Shen Congwen's novel 'Border Town'. The town in the novel is called Chadong, a simple and quiet small town in western Hunan. Chadong Ancient Town is nestled by the mountains and rivers, with clear waters, black awning boats, ancient bluestone paths, and ferrymen, everything still looks like it does in the book, bringing you back to your childhood. Here, you can experience the 'Lala Ferry', where for just 2 yuan, you can take a boat from Hunan to Chongqing, and after a 15-minute walk, you will reach Guizhou. The cost of living is low; 1 yuan can buy 4 oil cakes, 5 yuan for a bowl of rice noodles, and with 300 yuan, you can explore three provinces. The 'Three No-Government Island' and 'Cuicui Island' in the ancient town are also must-see attractions, drawing many tourists to check in.

Border Town Chadong, a journey to a secret place with ancient charm

🍃In this noisy world, I found a corner where my soul can be at peace—Border Town Chadong.🌿 Every step feels like stepping into a historical painting, experiencing that unique tranquility and beauty. 🏞The mountains are lush and green, shrouded in mist, as if you are in a fairyland. The river is crystal clear, winding its way, making one feel relaxed and happy.🌊 The stilted houses of the ancient town are built along the water, telling stories of a thousand years. Walking here, it feels like you can travel through time and converse with the ancients. 🍵The tea culture of Chadong is also unique. Tasting a sip of the local fragrant tea, it feels like you can sense the essence of nature and the charm of humanity blending on your tongue. Here, you can slow down and enjoy a leisurely time. 📸Of course, this is also a paradise for photography enthusiasts. Whether it's the landscape or the ancient town's charm, you can capture stunning photos. Every place is a scenery, and every corner is full of stories. 💖Border Town Chadong, a place that makes you linger. Here, you can find inner peace and tranquility, and also feel the magic and charm of nature. Come and explore this ancient and charming secret place with me!🌿

Hunan: The Land of Unknown Surprises, how many have you explored?

Mention Hunan, and many people first think of the bustling Changsha. But on this land, there are many little-known treasures waiting for you to discover. 🌟 Shaoyang Nanshan Pasture: Stroll in the green ocean, feel the tranquility and vastness from nature. 🌟 Gaoyiling: The peculiar terrain is like the masterpiece of nature, breathtaking. 🌟 Chenzhou Yangtian Lake: The lake surface is like a mirror, reflecting the sky and white clouds, as if you are in a fairyland. 🌟 Biancheng Chadian: Experience the peaceful life of the border town, listen to the stories of the ancient town. 🌟 Dongjiang Lake: The lake and mountains are beautiful, each spot is a beautiful painting. 🌟 Tianmen Mountain: The towering peaks, the thrilling glass walkway, challenge your courage and guts. 🌟 Fenghuang Ancient City: The ancient walls, the long alleys, as if taking you through time, back to that distant era. 🌟 Zhangjiajie: The peculiar peaks and misty clouds, like a fairyland on earth, make people linger and forget to return. 🌟 Langshan: The magnificent landscape of the Danxia landform, amazing the magical charm of nature. 🌟 Dongting Lake: The lake surface is sparkling, vast and boundless, feel the tranquility and depth of the lake water. Travel Tips: During travel, transportation and accommodation are often the biggest expenses. Why not try using the price comparison feature of the Smart Travel APP, which allows you to clearly see the prices on various platforms, and usually at a more favorable price. Even if you paid more, you can get a refund for the difference! Making your travel more worry-free and economical.

Biancheng Tea Valley Scenic Area

⛱️ Must-visit attractions: The size of the scenic area is subjective, depending on how you choose to explore. The typical spots to check in first are the Border Square and the place of Lala Ferry, then take a boat to the opposite Cuicui Island, which has a garden. Remember that there are no boatmen if it gets too late. There's also the ancient Tea Valley Pier, with boats to the opposite side of Guizhou. Additionally, there are various travel photography spots on the streets, with many girls renting clothes for photo shoots. 🌄 Travel tips: It's best to drive here, as the transportation isn't very convenient. It's often possible to legally park on one side of the street when entering the town. It's advisable to book accommodation in advance and have the host designate a parking spot. Remember to cleverly use Guizhou's half-price ETC discount for out-of-province cars on highways. If coming from Guizhou, it's best to exit the last toll station in Guizhou to enjoy the half-price discount, then take a provincial road before entering the Hunan highway. I took that highway to charge my electric car because charging near the scenic area is inconvenient and expensive. It's better to charge at the highway service area before heading to the scenic area. 🏨 Accommodation tips: It's recommended to book early, as there aren't many inns in the town. Some that look nice are not located in the main scenic area of Hunan, so be sure to check the location carefully. I hesitated and didn't book the inn I liked the day before, and it was gone the next day, forcing me to book a slightly more distant inn, which was inconvenient for walking around and drinking at night 😕. Many inns don't have elevators, so you need to ask if luggage assistance is available. 💗 Other tips: There are many small taverns on the main street at night, with an ancient red light ambiance that's quite flavorful. Or you can enjoy the cool breeze by the river, drinking and eating fish barbecue, or dine in a restaurant with special dishes. Overall, it's not expensive. Try their special rice wine; it's delicious. Their street breakfasts are also tasty, including a kind of fried dough with chili rings, whose name I don't know, but it's quite good.

Explore the Beauty of Xiangxi

👣If you're interested in a journey to Xiangxi, join us to explore this mysterious land! Let's discover the beauty and charm of Xiangxi together! Here, you can stroll through the lush mountains and clear waters, experiencing the wonders of nature; you can visit ancient villages and experience the local lifestyle; you can also participate in local folk activities and feel the rich ethnic customs. ⛺【Local Highlights】: 👍Aizhai Bridge: Aizhai Bridge holds four records and spans the Dehang Grand Canyon. When the mist rises, the deep red bridge appears and disappears in the ethereal clouds, like a 'sky bridge' suspended in the air, leaving people in awe. 👍Cliff Walkway: With a total length of 1.5 kilometers and a vertical drop of 500 meters, every step offers a new view, creating a spectacular blend of human and natural beauty in the canyon. 👍Dehang Miao Village: Explore the history and culture hidden in the mountains and waters, and feel the simplicity and sincerity of Miao ethnic customs. 👍Liusha Waterfall: The waterfall cascades like a white ribbon from the sky, resembling silver gauze hanging on the cliff, with a drop of 216 meters. 👍Dehang Illusion Show: The first of its kind 'show + banquet + drama' cultural tourism performance, blending Miao cuisine and wine with the drama, allowing you to empathize and drink with the characters in the ups and downs of the plot. 👍Xiangxi Cave Exploration + Paddleboarding: Enter the mysterious underground world, search for blue tears in the cave, see stalactites, experience cave paddleboarding, take photos, jump into pools, swim... 👍Border Town Chadong: A unique experience where one small town is actually three cities. 👍Qianzhou Ancient City: This ancient city has a history of over 4,000 years, with the clear Wanrong River, thick bluestone roads, and ancient city walls... At night, the lights are dim, and the stars are twinkling. 👍Xiangxi Prefecture Museum: Start your exploration of Xiangxi from the museum. Here, you can find beautifully patterned brocade Miao embroidery, the densest bamboo weaving paintings, ancient and mysterious intangible cultural heritage, and the footprints of Xiangxi's ancestors... 🛬【Travel Guide】: D1 Arrive at Jishou by high-speed train, transfer to Xiangxi Prefecture Museum, night tour of Qianzhou Ancient City, check into hotel D2 Jishou Hotel - Cliff Walkway - Aizhai Bridge - Tianwen Platform - Dehang Miao Village (watch folk performances) - evening Dehang Illusion Show, stay at Dehang Miao Village homestay D3 Liusha Waterfall - Cave Exploration & Paddleboarding - Border Town Chadong, stay at Chadong Hotel D4 Visit Shen Congwen's Former Residence in Chadong - take the ferry to Hong'an, Chongqing - visit the Three Provinces Border Monument - Jishou High-Speed Train Station 🧡【Tips】: 1. Transportation in Xiangxi is inconvenient, so plan ahead. 2. Arrange your time reasonably to fully enjoy each attraction. 3. Respect local cultural customs and be a civilized tourist. If you want a unique trip, let us customize a Xiangxi tour for you! We will tailor a unique itinerary based on your preferences and needs, allowing you to fully experience the charm of Xiangxi! Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan

The true essence of a border town, Chatao Ancient Town

Passing through Hong'an in a hurry, after the rain in the border town, with wet trouser legs, I finally understood why Mr. Shen lingered here. Chatao Huayuan border town is much quieter than most ancient towns. Apart from the local residents, few outsiders come to disturb, so you can sit at the ferry port and contemplate the nature of love at ease. The reputation of the border town has been given to Fenghuang, so much so that the border town Chatao has been overshadowed and deprived of the halo that should belong to it; The border town straddles three provinces, located in Biancheng Town, Huayuan County, Xiangxi Prefecture, Hunan Province, bordered by the river, west to Xiushan County of Chongqing, south to Songtao County of Guizhou, bordered by the river, west to Xiushan County of Chongqing, and south to the border with Songtao County of Guizhou. Transportation guide: The nearest airport is in Changsha, then there is a direct bus, the nearest train station is Jishou, with buses going there, no admission ticket, and on the 2nd and 8th days of the lunar calendar, you can also catch the 'border market'. Biancheng Chatao Scenic Area

I finally figured it out, the Tea Tuo Ancient Town and Hong'an Ancient Town actually refer to the same place

Located at the junction of Hunan, Chongqing, and Guizhou in western Hunan, there is a place called Biancheng, which is said to be the background for Shen Congwen's novel 'Border Town'. It is just an inconspicuous small river that spans three provinces, giving birth to two famous scenic spots. One is called Tea Tuo Ancient Town, which belongs to Huayuan County in Hunan; the other is called Hong'an Ancient Town, which belongs to Xiushan County in Chongqing. The two towns face each other across the river, not only connected by a bridge but also featuring a special 'Lala Ferry' to help tourists cross, so if you want to visit Biancheng, whether you choose Tea Tuo Ancient Town or Hong'an Ancient Town, it's actually the same thing.

Departing from Changsha on holidays to escape the crowd and knock on the less-traveled routes

Departing from Changsha by car🚗❗️ On holidays, to escape the crowd and find less popular routes||| A less-traveled self-driving🚗 route that has been tested by the last National Day ⚠️⚠️ This route is only suitable for those who don't like crowded scenic spots, don't want to waste holidays, and want to go out to see the scenery Changsha-Yunsheshan Village-Zhaishadongzhai-Biancheng-Jishou-Loudi Meijiang-Changsha The scenery along the way is great and there are few people (except for Biancheng, which has more people, but it's completely ok if you don't take the lala ferry, just that it's crowded) ✨Yunsheshan Village✨ The first Tujia village in China, located at the foot of Fanjing Mountain (you need to make a reservation in advance to go to Fanjing Mountain, there are quite a few people, I personally skipped it, not liking crowds). The village is not big, the scenery is pretty, with clear mountains and waters. Inside there is a Shenlong Pool with emerald green water, and there is an observation deck on the mountain next to it🉑 overlooking the village ✨Zhaishadongzhai✨ It's near Yunsheshan Village, it's suggested to go for a casual stroll in the evening. The newly built Dong village is quite commercialized, and there is a bonfire party in the evening, which has a good atmosphere ✨Biancheng✨ Biancheng from Shen Congwen's writings, not too few people during holidays, but still acceptable. The most fun part is that you can locate three places at once: Chongqing, Guizhou, and Hunan The city is full of travel photography, those who like to take pictures can try it. The food prices are reasonable, the 2 yuan lala ferry is the most crowded place in the city (I personally recommend the 20+💰 cruise boat more) Didn't do much in Jishou, just a place for a mid-way rest, had a delicious and cheap barbecue, and casually strolled around the city district ✨Loudi Meijiang✨ Originally wanted to see the Ziquejie terraces, bought tickets and went up, but it was all foggy, so I left. Then came to Meijiang, really chao surprise. I had posted notes about this place before, almost a thousand likes now, really worth it! The scenery is beautiful and special, not many people, it's already on my list to visit again🧾 Had a lot of fun along the way, also ate chao delicious Guizhou beef, Jishou barbecue, and with the right person, anywhere is good

How beautiful is the Border Town in Shen Congwen's writing?

In the 1930s, the famous writer Shen Congwen's novel 'Border Town' was published. The novel, set in the border town of Chadian, tells a pure and poignant love story, while also presenting to readers a Chadian like a pastoral song, pushing the border town Chadian, and even the entire Xiangxi to the world. Shen Congwen wrote in 'Border Town': 'The place of Chadian is built by the water and the mountains. On the side near the mountains, the city wall is like a long snake, climbing along the mountains. On the side facing the water, a dock is set up outside the city by the river, where small tents are moored... There is a river street running through all the docks, where most of the houses are half on land and half on water. Because of the limited space, all these houses have stilted buildings.' Shen Congwen's 'Border Town' is as beautiful as a landscape painting, reading it makes people feel as if they have entered the Peach Blossom Spring.

Two-day tour of Biancheng Chado

Come to Biancheng in Shen Congwen's writings for the Spring Festival holiday, with the spring blossoms adding much joy to the holiday. 🌟Highlights: 1. Step into three provinces at once, and enjoy the specialties of each; 2. The quiet ancient town, with relatively few tourists; 3. Experience Lala Du. 🕙Business hours: All day, lights on after dark, the night view has its own flavor. ✅Must experience: 1. Lala Du 2. One pot eats three provinces 3. Dress up for photos 🚉Transportation strategy: We drove there, parking is free, arrive early for easy parking, it's hard to park if you go late. 🧳Preparation before departure: 1. Sunscreen, the sunlight is already strong this season 2. Umbrella. The weather is changeable, with plentiful rain. 📝Note tips: Wear comfortable shoes, the roads here have a large slope, many steps, and lots of ups and downs.

Border Town - Chama Ancient Town

The 'Border Town' under the pen of the literary giant Shen Congwen, the mysterious Chama - quiet, peaceful, and tranquil, the beauty of Chama is more of a natural beauty in its original state.

Stop crowding into Phoenix! The real Border Town in Shen Congwen's writing is in Chado

Hello ~ I am Qinghe, always on the road of taking photos Sharing the beauty under the lens with you Half poetic and picturesque, half worldly In Chado, I found the real Border Town in Shen Congwen's writing Don't go to Phoenix anymore Chado has more Border Town's artistic conception and feeling "Wait for a city of misty rain, just for you; spend a lifetime of love, only with you" Strolling in Chado Step into Shen Congwen's words again How to play in Border Town. 🌆Stroll in the ancient town Chado is really a treasure, quiet with few people, strolling around is really too feeling, you can slowly appreciate the beauty of Shen Congwen's words. 🚢Take the two yuan ferry You must experience the two yuan ferry, sit to the other side is Chongqing, you can also stroll around in Chongqing, but there are many people queuing for the boat. 📷Check in at the three-province boundary marker The experience of the cruise is also great, the scenery on both sides of the river is the imagined Border Town, and you can also check in at the "one foot across three provinces" boundary marker How to eat Border Town food restaurant|Eat three provinces in one bite🍽️Special dish Corner Fish Combining the food characteristics of Sichuan, Hunan and Guizhou provinces, the sour and spicy taste is quite delicious~ 🏠Accommodation strategy There are many inns in Border Town, you can stay in a river view room and experience the slow life of Chado !If you don't stay, it is recommended to play for half a day 🚘Traffic strategy 🚄High-speed rail|Changsha South-Jishou East 2.5h Carpooling|Carpooling from Jishou East to Border Town Chado is sixty yuan per person, and from Phoenix Ancient City to Border Town is about eighty Self-driving rental car|The transportation here is very inconvenient, it is strongly recommended to drive by yourself or rent a car after arriving at the high-speed rail station 🚌Tourist bus|There is a tourist bus directly to Border Town Chado from Jishou East, it is recommended to drive by yourself! Address|Xiangxi Huayuan County Border Town Chado Ancient Town Scenic Area

From Sichuan to Hunan, there is an official road in the east. This official road is near the Xiangxi border to a small mountain town named Chayu. There is a small stream with a small white tower on the side of the stream. This family has only one old man, one girl, one yellow dog." I believe that this passage will not be unfamiliar to Shen Congwen's "Border Town". This is the opening phrase of "Border Town", and it is also the source of my growing interest in the customs of the tea. The samovar in my dreams is about a clear water, away from the hustle and return to the truth. When you take a solid and heavy stone steps with a revered heart, you can go up to the level and seem to slowly fade away from the world. The samovar in my dreams is about a clear water, away from the hustle and return to the truth. When you take a solid and heavy stone steps with a revered heart, you can go up to the level and seem to slowly fade away from the world.