[2025 Yongshun ] Travel Guide for Xiangxi Mengdong River Drifting (Updated Oct)

🌟 I. Key Highlights 1. A Millennium-Old Town on a Waterfall: The waterfall cuts through the town, and the nighttime illuminations create a fairyland-like silhouette. The scene is most breathtaking from dusk to nightfall. 2. Rich Historical Heritage: During the Qin and Han dynasties, the town was once the Tusi capital, known as "Wangcun." It gained fame after the film "Furong Town," and carries the glorious history of the Tujia Tusi Dynasty. 3. Living Tujia Cultural Displays: Intangible Cultural Heritage includes the waving hand dance, stilt houses, and the Xizhou Bronze Pillar (a national treasure documenting the Tujia-Han alliance). 📸 II. Must-See Attractions and Experiences Highlights • Furong Town Grand Waterfall: The most spectacular waterfall in western Hunan. You can detour behind the waterfall to experience the wonders of the "Water Curtain Cave," which shimmers brilliantly under the lights at night. • Tuwang Bridge: A Tujia stilt house with a double dragon carving, it offers the perfect vantage point for panoramic views of the cliff waterfall. • Wuli Stone Slab Street: An ancient street paved with bluestone slabs, flanked by Tujia stilt houses and shops. It was the filming location for the movie "Furong Town." You must try Liu Xiaoqing's rice tofu. • Xizhou Bronze Pillar: A national key cultural relic, engraved with the historical covenant between the Tusi and the King of Chu, now housed in the Folk Customs Museum. • Baishou Hall: The Tusi meeting place, where bonfire waving dance performances are held during festivals, offering an immersive experience of ethnic customs. 📅 Recommended Itinerary • Day 1: Scenic Area Entrance → Baishou Hall → Xizhou Bronze Pillar Garden → Tuwang Bridge (for panoramic photos) → Tingtao Road Ancient Street → Waterfall Viewing Platform (for dusk and night views) → Waterfall Plank Road Crossing → Youyang Palace. • Day 2: Wuli Stone Slab Street (morning market snacks) → Tuwang Palace (ruins of the Mountain Resort) → Chengmen Wharf (boat cruise on the Youshui River) → Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition Hall (hand-woven brocade/embroidery experience). 🍜 3. Food Recommendations • Liu Xiaoqing Rice Tofu: Smooth, tender, sour, and spicy, a classic from the movie. • Tujia Bacon Hotpot: Smoky and fragrant, with firm meat, even better with rice wine. • Sedge Baba: Fragrant, soft, and glutinous, a traditional sacrificial food. • Sour Soup Fish/Sour and Hot Noodles: A Hunan specialty with a spicy and sour flavor, appetizing and refreshing. • Tujia Ox Head Banquet: The highest level of hospitality, with tender meat and a secret sauce. 🏨 4. Accommodation Recommendations • Within the scenic area: Choose a stilt house inn or a B&B with a view. Open your window to the waterfall and fall asleep to the sound of the water (such as "Cliff Waterfall" or "Hanging Garden Viewing Courtyard"). • Outside the scenic area: Quiet and cost-effective, most offer shuttle service (such as "Huazhu Baihe Flower Valley Inn," nestled against the canyon and family-friendly). ⚠️ V. Practical Tips 1. Best Season: Spring and autumn for cooler weather, avoid peak flooding during the rainy season. 2. Nighttime Must-Sees: Waterfall light show and Tujia performances (such as "Kazka Carnival"). 3. Camera Positions: ◦ Tuwang Bridge: Panoramic views of the cliff waterfall. ◦ Glass Observation Deck at the Waterfall: Upward shots of the rushing water. ◦ Youshui Corridor Bridge: Reflections of the night view. 4. Precautions: ◦ Wear non-slip shoes as the stone pavement is slippery; bring rain gear near the waterfall. ◦ Respect Tujia customs (e.g., do not step on door thresholds or point at statues). 🌿 VI. Nearby Tours • Mengdong River Rafting: Exciting canyon rafting and viewing pristine monkeys (short drive). • Red Stone Forest National Geopark: Explore the unique red rock formations on foot.

“3 days and 3 nights in Furong Town, budget 4000! Stay in a Tujia stilt house on a thousand-year-old waterfall, take a night tour of the ‘thousand-year-old town hanging on the waterfall’—this is the most magical way to experience Western Hunan!” 🌊🏮🌙 You think Hunan only has Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang Ancient Town? Wrong! The real secret of Western Hunan is hidden in Furong Town, Yongshun County—here lies a thousand-year-old ancient town built directly on a 60-meter-high waterfall. At night, the lights shine brightly, mist rises, resembling the floating mountains in "Avatar"! This time, with a budget of 4000 yuan, we’ll take you on a 3-day, 3-night deep trip full of Tujia culture, cliffside scenery, and Miao village fireworks! ✅ Stay in a stilt house guesthouse by the waterfall ✅ Night tour of the brightly lit “First Town of Southern Chu” ✅ Walk the cliff plank road, drink rice wine, eat blood duck, and dance the Baishou dance ✅ Stop by the [Red Stone Forest] + [Mengdong River Rafting] (optional) All-inclusive for about 4000 yuan per person, excellent value, 100% photo-worthy! 🌿 Furong Town 3 Days 3 Nights · Budget 4000 Yuan Travel Guide 📍 Theme: “Stay one night above the waterfall, fall asleep to the sound of water” 📅 Best time: April-June | September-November (spring has misty rain, autumn has red leaves) 🌡️ Temperature: 18-28℃ | 🌧️ occasional light rain, bring umbrella + non-slip shoes 📌 Transportation: High-speed train/plane + local carpool | Attractions are scattered, carpool recommended for 1-2 days 💰 Total budget: 4000 yuan/person (cheaper for two traveling together) 🚄 1. Transportation Arrangement | About 1200 yuan | Item | Cost | Tips || ✈️/🚄 Round-trip major transport (first-tier cities → Changsha) | ¥800-1000 | Recommend flying to Changsha Huanghua Airport || 🚕 Changsha → Furong Town (carpool/bus) | ¥150/person | Carpool about 3.5 hours, direct to ancient town entrance || 🚙 One-day carpool tour (Red Stone Forest/Mengdong River) | ¥200/person | Red Stone Forest ¥138, Mengdong River rafting ¥168 (choose one) || 🎫 Scenic area tickets | ¥100/person | Furong Town scenic area ¥128 (buy online in advance ¥98), Red Stone Forest ¥138 (optional) ✅ Transportation + tickets total: about 1200 yuan> 💡 > - There is a direct bus/carpool from Changsha South Station to Furong Town, recommend “Longxiang Group” carpool platform> - If time is tight, you can just visit Furong Town + Red Stone Forest; Mengdong River rafting takes more time 🏡 2. Accommodation Recommendations | About 900 yuan Don’t stay in chain hotels, stay in a Tujia stilt house guesthouse by the waterfall, open the window to see water, listen to the waves at night—this is the right way to experience Furong Town! | Days | Recommended Accommodation | Price | Features || D1 | [Furong Town · Waterfall View Stilt House Guesthouse] | ¥400/night | Room faces the waterfall, stunning night view || D2 | [Furong Town · Cliffside Tea House Guesthouse] | ¥300/night | Drink tea and watch mountains by day, shoot star trails at night || D3 | [Furong Town · Folk Culture Inn] | ¥200/night | Experience Tujia Baishou dance, join bonfire party | ✅ 3 nights accommodation: 900 yuan (can be compressed to 700 by choosing dorm or basic room) > 🔥 Must-stay experience: >- [Guesthouse facing the waterfall] choose a high-floor room, night view like the movie “Spirited Away” > - Book in advance! Rooms are tight in peak season, especially “waterfall view rooms” 🗓 3. Itinerary | Food + Activities ≈ 1900 yuan 🟡 Day 1 | Arrive at Furong Town → Night tour of the “thousand-year-old town hanging on the waterfall” - Afternoon: Carpool from Changsha to Furong Town (about 3.5h) → Check in to stilt house guesthouse - Evening: Walk the [Colorful Stone Slab Street] → See the [Tusi City Ruins] - Night: The highlight! ✅ Lights turn on, the waterfall is dyed golden, the whole town looks like it’s floating in the air ✅ Take photos of the [waterfall panorama] → Recommended “Viewing Platform No. 2” or “Lover’s Valley plank road” - Dinner: Eat [Tujia Three Pot Stew + Rice Wine] ¥68 (must order! Bacon, tofu, radish stewed together) ✅ Cost: Food ¥70 + Transport ¥150 = ¥220 🟡 Day 2 | Cliff plank road + Red Stone Forest geological wonder (optional) - Morning: Walk the [Cliff Plank Road] → Pass through the waterfall curtain, feel the “water flooding Jinshan” ✅ Climb the [West Gate Cave City Wall] to overlook the whole town, shoot aerial photos - Noon: Eat [Liu Xiaoqing Rice Tofu] ¥15 (same as in the movie “Furong Town”!) - Afternoon: Carpool to [Red Stone Forest National Geopark] ¥138 ✅ See China’s only red carbonate rock landform, like Mars surface ✅ Check in at “Golden Nail,” “Old Snake Cave,” “Heavenly Pool” and other wonders - Evening: Return to town to join the [Bonfire Party] → Dance Baishou dance, drink gate-blocking wine ✅ Cost: Tickets ¥138 + Food ¥50 + Carpool ¥100 = ¥288 🟡 Day 3 | Slow life + Return - Morning: After breakfast at guesthouse, visit [Tujia Brocade Workshop] → Experience [Xilankapu weaving] ¥60 - Noon: Eat [Blood Duck + Hot and Sour Noodles] ¥50 (Western Hunan specialty, so delicious you’ll lick the plate) - Afternoon: Buy souvenirs: ✅ Furong Town rice tofu dry ¥40, bacon ¥80, Tujia embroidery keychains ¥50, Red Stone Forest mineral specimens ¥60 - Evening: Carpool back to Changsha, or continue to Zhangjiajie (on the way) ✅ Cost: Food ¥50 + Souvenirs ¥230 + Transport ¥150 = ¥430 🍜 4. Food + Experience Total Budget | About 1900 yuan - Daily food ¥60 × 3 days = ¥180 - Specialty meals + snacks = ¥300 - Experiences + tickets = ¥350 - Souvenirs = ¥230 - Emergency = ¥100 (stomach medicine, mosquito repellent, raincoat) - Others (tea, photography, cultural products) = ¥740 ✅ Total: About 1900 yuan 🎯 Total Expense Summary: | Item | Cost || Transport + Tickets | ¥1200 || Accommodation | ¥900 || Food & Entertainment | ¥1900 || Total | ¥4000 ✅ (Precise budget control, full experience) 💡 1. The night view is 10 times more beautiful than the day! Be sure to stay one night, the best state is after the lights come on at dusk 2. Wear non-slip shoes! Stone slabs + mist = super slippery, don’t wear white sneakers 3. Liu Xiaoqing Rice Tofu shop is at the entrance, look for the “Filming location of the movie ‘Furong Town’” sign 4. Tujia people avoid stepping on door thresholds and whistling; respecting customs makes you more welcomed by locals 5. Want photos without people? Before 7 am or after 10 pm, when there are the fewest tourists

When I went to Zhangjiajie, I discovered that there was such an interesting river nearby. [Xiangxi Mengdong River Rafting]: Located in Xiangxi Prefecture, Hunan Province, next to Zhangjiajie, it is a winding river with beautiful scenery along the way, especially famous for its strange peaks and rocks, deep valleys and pools, and clear streams. Mengdong River rafting is one of the famous attractions in Xiangxi area, and it is also a good choice for experiencing natural scenery and seeking excitement. Moreover, there are many folk legends and allusions in Mengdong River, which add a mysterious color to the rafting. ⛺【Local recommended check-in】: The Mengdong River rafting attractions are Mengdong Grand Canyon and Shibadu. Mengdong Grand Canyon has steep rock walls and crystal clear streams. Drifting in the narrow canyon feels like being in a fantasy world. Shibadu is the best starting point for rafting, where you can enjoy spectacular waterfalls and pristine forest landscapes. 🛬【Travel Tips】: It is recommended to visit in summer, because the water flow is stronger in summer and the rafting experience is more exciting. Generally speaking, it takes a whole day to go rafting on the Mengdong River. You can set out in the morning, start rafting at Shibadu, enjoy the scenery along the way, and finally end the rafting at the Mengdong Grand Canyon. 🏨【Accommodation Guide】: If you want to stay nearby, it is recommended to choose a local inn or homestay to fully experience the local folk customs. If you pay more attention to comfort, you can also choose star-rated hotels in the surrounding areas. 🧡【Tips】: Be sure to take sun protection and waterproof measures before rafting, pay attention to safety, and follow the instructions of the staff. In addition, since Mengdong River is located in a remote mountainous area, it is recommended to plan transportation and routes in advance to avoid getting lost or wasting time.