Furong Ancient Town

Furong Town, about 1.5 hours’ drive from Zhangjiajie, Hunan, is an ancient town with a history of more than 2,000 years. Furong Town is surrounded by water on three sides and has a waterfall flowing through, earning it the nickname “The Thousand-Year-Old Town Hanging on a Waterfall.” Its unique ancient town atmosphere, profound historical and cultural heritage, magnificent waterfall scenery, and dazzling night view have attracted countless tourists.
 

Furong Town is home to the Tujia and Miao people, ethnic minorities in China, a place that is simple and peaceful, with traditional Tujia buildings called “stilted buildings” scattered along the sides of the waterfalls. Along the streets, there are ancient shops selling traditional handicrafts such as Tujia embroidery and Miao silver jewelry, snacks, and local specialties.
 

The Furong Waterfall, 60 meters (200 feet) high and 40 meters (130 feet) wide and located in the town center, is majestic and breathtaking, standing as the most prominent feature of Furong Town. The Furong Waterfall Observation Deck is the prime spot for waterfall viewing. Standing there and looking out, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire ancient town. The waterfall, with its rushing torrents and splashing water, resembles a magnificent painting. Especially at night, when the lights are lit, the waterfall scenery becomes even more enchanting, making you feel as if in a fairyland.
 

The Tusi Palace is a landmark building in Furong Town, built on a cliff. It was a summer retreat for the Tusi King over thousands of years ago, with a unique architectural style and all wooden structure, a masterpiece and wonder of Tujia architecture. It houses precious relics from various dynasties of the Tujia people, showing 5,000 years of survival documents of the Tujia history. At night, when the lights are on, the entire palace looks like a dazzling throne.
 

The Wuli Slate Street is the oldest street in Fuling Town, stretching for about 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) and only 2-3 meters (7-10 feet) wide, paved with smooth slates, running through the entire town and lined with century-old houses and shops with flying eaves and upturned corners on both sides, extending all the way to the wharf.
 

Tuwang Bridge, with its unique five-arched stone bridge body and wooden structure covered walkway, showcases the charm of the Tujia people’s traditional architecture. It is not only connecting the ancient town with the outside world, but also providing the best view for appreciating the panorama of the stilted buildings.
 

The Xizhou Copper Pillar, now preserved in the Folk Scenery Museum, features a round bottom and an octagonal top. With each side being 15 cm (6 inches) wide and the diameter measuring 39 cm (15 inches), it is well-preserved except for the damaged top. There are inscriptions of more than 2,600 words engraved on the eight sides of the pillar. Regarded as a sacred object by the local Tujia people, this copper pillar holds great significance in their culture.
 

Located under the Furong Waterfall, the Tujia Ancestors’ Cave Relics are the dwelling place of the early Tujia people, capable of accommodating thousands of them. Besides the cave, the site also boasts rich cultural relics and exhibits. Here, visitors can view traditional Tujia costumes, farming tools, and daily necessities, thus experiencing the wisdom and creativity of the Tujia people.
 

In Furong Town, traditional folk performances of the local Tujia and Miao people are available for you to enjoy. These performances, including folk dances, singing, and demonstrations of traditional handicrafts, vividly display the rich folk culture of Xiangxi.