Furong Ancient Town

Furong Ancient Town

Furong Ancient Town, situated in the southern part of Yongshun County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, borders Changguan Town to the east and Hexi Town to the south. This region boasts a unique topographical landscape, with its terrain sloping gently from northeast to southwest. The highest point reaches an altitude of 927 meters, while the lowest point stands at 139 meters. The climate here is characterized as subtropical monsoon humid, featuring distinct seasons and abundant rainfall.

This is a region where Tujia and Miao ethnic groups gather, where folk activities are vibrant and diverse, such as dragon and lion dances, and hillside singing, all filled with a strong local flavor. Moreover, Furong Ancient Town is also home to the largest waterfall in Xiangxi - Furong Waterfall, which adds immeasurable charm to this small town.

Furong Ancient Town, with its unique geographical location, rich historical culture, and beautiful natural scenery, has become a renowned tourist destination in Hunan Province and even throughout the country. Here, you can find not only the quaint and elegant Tujia Diaojiaolou (stilted buildings), but also the winding and zigzagging green slabstone roads. The warm and hospitable local residents, along with the enchanting folk activities, create an atmosphere that is both captivating and heartwarming. This charming Town exudes a pure and heartfelt sentiment that deeply touches you.

 

Furong Waterfall

Furong Waterfall

Furong Waterfall is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the western Hunan region. Standing at approximately 60 meters tall and 40 meters wide, the waterfall rushes down with a mighty force and a thundering sound. Under the light of the sun, the waterfall cascades downward, forming white curtains of water, with mist hovering around, creating a feeling as if you are immersed in a fairyland. Surrounded by lush trees and chirping birds, the waterfall's grandeur complements the serene surroundings, painting a beautiful natural landscape. Standing on the observation deck, you can see the stunning scene of the waterfall up close, listen to its deafening roar, and immerse yourself in the magnificence and tranquility of nature.

 

Wuli Slate Street

Wuli Slate Street is the heart and soul of Furong Ancient Town, with a history spanning over 2,300 years, witnessing the historical evolution of the town from ancient times to the present. Stretching approximately five Li (2.5 kilometers), the entire street is paved with green slabstones, which have been polished by the passage of time, exhibiting a cool and ancient luster. Along both sides of the street, the buildings are predominantly Tujia's Diaojiaolou, neatly arranged in rows, creating a harmonious and picturesque landscape.

Wuli Slate Street

The streets are lined with shops, preserving the traditional architectural style of the Tujia people. This street is also a vital hub for both water and land transportation in Furong Ancient Town, and has always been a prime commercial port. During the reigns of Emperor Qianlong, Jiaqing, and Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty, this Town flourished with over 560 shops, attracting a daily influx of over a thousand mules and horses and a gathering of merchants, creating a bustling and prosperous scene. The shopkeepers on the slate street are almost entirely local residents, with many inheritors of  intangible cultural heritage steadfastly upholding their ancestral crafts and passing down the culture of the Tujia people. As you wander through the slate street, you seem to travel through time and space to feel a strong flavor of Tujia’s life and cultural charm of the ancient Tujia people.

 

Xizhou Bronze Pillar

Xizhou Bronze Pillar 

Xizhou Bronze Pillar serves as an important evidence of cultural exchange and integration between the ancient Tujia and Han ethnic groups in China. This bronze pillar, originally built during the Later Jin Dynasty, stands approximately 4 meters tall and weighs about 2,500 kilograms. It is a hollow octahedron shape, well-preserved, and boasts a dark and lustrous color. The pillar is inscribed with over 2,600 characters in regular script, all of which are beautifully crafted. These inscriptions document the oath and numerous treaties between the Monarch of Chu, Ma Xifan, and the Chief of Xizhou, Peng Shichou, making them of significant historical value.

The erection of the Xizhou Bronze Pillar not only witnessed the successful resolution of a major ethnic conflict in the western Hunan region, but also embodied the wisdom of border governance based on local customs under the concept of "unification" in ancient China. Today, it has become an important cultural heritage of Furong Ancient Town, not only a precious cultural relic but also a historical witness to the formation of the diversified yet unified pattern of the Chinese nation.

 

Tusi Bridge

Tusi Bridge 

Tusi Bridge is one of the landmark buildings in this ancient town. It is a typical Tujia shelter bridge with a five-hole stone arch structure and a wooden corridor above the bridge floor. The inscription "Tujia Shelter Bridge" and the couplets on the bridge exhibit the profound cultural heritage of the Tujia people. The name stems from its geographical location and historical significance, as the bridge leads directly to the palace of the chieftain throughout history. With its soaring eaves and majestic appearance, twin dragons coil around the stone pillars at the bridgehead, symbolizing the majesty of the chieftains and serving as a talisman to ward off evil spirits.

>>>Tusi, the chieftain, also known as the land officer, was a hereditary official post set up by the minority leaders in the northwest and southwest regions during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties

 

Tusi Palace

Tusi Palace, also known as Youyang Palace, perched on the cliffs of Furong Town, is one of the historical and cultural relics in the western Hunan region. Constructed in 910 AD, the palace was built during the early establishment of the Tusi Kingdom. With a history spanning over 400 years, it represents the architectural style of the Ming Dynasty. Nestled between mountains and rivers, the palace boasts exquisite architectural techniques and is considered one of the many treasures of ancient architecture.

Tusi Palace

Inside the palace, there are numerous historical artifacts and cultural relics. These precious artifacts document the political and military history of the Tujia people. Among them, Xizhou Bronze Pillar is a hollow octahedron structure, standing approximately 4 meters tall and weighing 2,500 kilograms. It is inscribed with the truce agreement between the Monarch of Southern Chu and the Tusi, serving as evidence of their peaceful coexistence and being the only preserved bronze pillar boundary marker in China.

Tusi Palace is not only an important attraction in Furong Ancient Town, but also a crucial site for studying the history and culture of the Tujia people. During the visit, you can gain a deeper understanding of the Tujia history and culture, immersing yourself in the unique charm of this ancient town.

 

Travel Information

 

Location: Yongshun County in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of western Hunan Province

Open hours: 8:00am--24:00pm

Recommended visiting hours: 3-4 Hours

Admission: RMB 108

There are performances from 10:00am to 22:00pm, and the best show is at 20:00pm.

Lighting time: 19:30pm

Note: The above information is for reference only. The specific prices and preferential policies may be adjusted according to the season, holidays and other factors, we recommend tourists to check the latest information through official channels before travel.

 

How To Get There

From Zhangjiajie:

Zhangjiajie West Railway Station - Furong Town

23 Minutes; RMB 32

 

From Changsha:

Changsha South Railway Station - Furong Town

3 Hours; RMB 248.5

 

From Fenghuang Ancient Town:

Fenghuang Ancient Town Railway Station -- Furong Town

40 Minutes; RMB53