Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture

Fenghuang Ancient Town lies in the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and became famous worldwide through Shen Congwen's novel Border Town. The ancient town nestles against the mountains and the water, with the Tuo River running through it, rows of stilt houses arranged in pleasing disorder on both banks, and bluestone-slab lanes crisscrossing the town. The Rainbow Bridge spans the Tuo River, the Ten Thousand Names Pagoda stands on the riverbank, and the city gate towers and old forts are well preserved. Miao and Tujia customs are strong here, and the silverwork, Miao embroidery and batik crafts are exquisite, making it an outstanding place to experience Xiangxi culture. A National Historical and Cultural City, with the Tuo River running through it and stilt houses, the Rainbow Bridge and the Ten Thousand Names Pagoda dotted along its banks. A night cruise on the Tuo River to enjoy the lights and a stroll along the stone-slab old streets show the ink-wash charm of Xiangxi to the full. Highlights include the Tuo River night scene, the Rainbow Bridge Wind-and-Rain Tower and boating on the Tuo River. Tip: it is best to arrive towards evening, when the Tuo River night scene is most enchanting as the lights come on. Practical info: located at Tuojiang Town, Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Prefecture, Hunan; the ticket is free entry to the ancient town (combo tickets for sights inside the town and Tuo River cruise tickets are purchased separately, with prices subject to the scenic area's notices on the day); opening hours are all day.

Tip: It is best to arrive towards evening, when the Tuo River night scene is most enchanting as the lights come on.

• Address: Tuojiang Town, Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Prefecture, Hunan
• Ticket: The ancient town is free to enter (combo tickets for sights inside the town and Tuo River cruise tickets are purchased separately; prices are subject to the scenic area's notices on the day)
• Opening: Open all day

Furong Town was originally called Wangcun and was renamed after the film Hibiscus Town. The old town was built along the Youshui River and the waterfall, with Tujia stilt houses rising in tiers and the waterfall running through the middle of the town; it is one of the most picturesque waterside old towns in Xiangxi. A thousand-year-old town hanging over a waterfall, with Tujia stilt houses built along the Youshui River; the film Hibiscus Town made it famous. Highlights include the waterfall running through the town and the film locations. Tip: combining it with Fenghuang Ancient Town in one day is rushed, so staying one night is recommended; in the rainy season the waterfall carries a large volume of water. Practical info: located at Furong Town, Yongshun County, Xiangxi Prefecture, Hunan; the ticket is about ¥100 (subject to the scenic area's notices); opening hours are 08:00–18:00. Best season: April–October is best; Fenghuang and Furong Town are most comfortable in spring and autumn; summers are rainy, so watch your footing in the gorges. It can be combined with Fenghuang Ancient Town, Aizhai Bridge and Dehang Miao Village in the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture for a half-day or one-day itinerary. It is advisable to confirm the day's opening and reservation policy before setting out and to allow sufficient visiting time.

Tip: Combining it with Fenghuang Ancient Town in one day is rushed, so staying one night is recommended; in the rai…

• Address: Furong Town, Yongshun County, Xiangxi Prefecture, Hunan
• Ticket: About ¥100 (subject to the scenic area's notices)
• Opening: 08:00–18:00

Aizhai Bridge is in Aizhai Town, Jishou City, spanning the Dehang Grand Canyon, with a main span of 1,176 metres and a deck about 355 metres above the valley floor; it opened to traffic in 2012. Together with the Aizhai switchback road below and the Miao villages in the canyon, the bridge forms a “bridge–road–gorge” landscape, and the viewing platform overlooks the Dehang canyon and the spectacle of the Aizhai road. A steel truss suspension bridge spanning the Dehang Grand Canyon, with the deck about 355 metres above the valley floor; it was once among the highest bridges in the world, and the viewing platform offers views of the canyon and the switchback road. Tip: combine it with Dehang Miao Village on the same day; it is windy on the bridge, so those afraid of heights should judge their own limits. Practical info: located at Aizhai Town, Jishou City, Xiangxi Prefecture, Hunan; the ticket is about ¥100 (includes the sightseeing bus, subject to the scenic area's notices); opening hours are 08:30–17:30. Best season: April–October is best; Fenghuang and Furong Town are most comfortable in spring and autumn; summers are rainy, so watch your footing in the gorges. It can be combined with Fenghuang Ancient Town, Furong Town and Dehang Miao Village in the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture for a half-day or one-day itinerary.

Tip: Combine it with Dehang Miao Village on the same day; it is windy on the bridge, so those afraid of heights sho…

• Address: Aizhai Town, Jishou City, Xiangxi Prefecture, Hunan
• Ticket: About ¥100 (includes the sightseeing bus; subject to the scenic area's notices)
• Opening: 08:30–17:30