Furong Town (Hibiscus Town) , situated on cliffs above a waterfall

Furong Town used to be called Wang Village, and is an ancient village that dates back to two thousand years ago. Liye Town in Longshan County, Pushi Town in Luxi County, Chadong Town in Huahuan County and Furong Town are the Four Towns of Xiangxi (northwest Hunan Province region). It also has the names of Youyang Xiong Town and la Petite Nanking (Little Nanking). When the film ‘Hibiscus Town’ was screened, with Jiang Wen starring in the leading role, it caused a sensation, complete with the name, and naturally the town is named after it. Now it is rated an AAAA (four As) scenic area.

Quick Facts

Chinese name: Fúróng zhèn
Constructed: B.C. 202
Estimated visit duration: 3 hours
Ticket: RMB 100
Address: Yongshun County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
Open hours: 8:00 - 18:00
Best time to visit: all year around.
How to get there:
Zhangjiajie City – Furong Town: Take the direct coach from Zhangjiajie Coach Station to Furong Town at RMB 25 per person. The trip will take about 1.5 hours.
Jishou City – Furong Town: Take the direct coach from Jishou New Coach Station to Furong Town at RMB 23 per person. The trip will take about 2 hours.
Fenghuang – Furong Town: Take the coach from Fenghuang Coach Station to Zhangjiajie and get off in the middle way, Furong Town. The trip will take about 2.5-3 hours.

Highlights of Furong Town

The two-thousand-year old ancient town is also an attraction that integrates natural scenery with primitive simplicity. In addition, it is the portal to the Mengdong River Scenic Area, a charming place of karst landforms. As is described in the novel ‘Furong Town’, by Chen Yunhe, the pack basket is swinging on the back of the girl who speaks a Xiangxi dialect, and the life in the Mengdong River Scenic Area has many tales to tell. Located deeply in the mountains and waters, zigzag lanes can be even found in the downtown area. Houses built on stilts are on the waterside. Green flagstones pave the five-mile street. Tourists find the place unforgettable.

Grand Waterfall at Furong Town

1. Grand Waterfall at Furong Town

The grand waterfall is a must-see for all travelers. As three sides of Furong Town are surrounded by water, the grand waterfall traverses the town. The most splendid waterfall is 60 meters in height and 40 meters in width. The water falls from two-step cliff and the roar can be heard from five kilometers away.

2. Tujia (a national minority) Cave Dwelling Site

Right at the entrance of the Furong Grand Fall, there is a cave which was the dwelling place for the early humans. The cave that used to hold thousands of people became what it is now after having been flooded numerous times in thousands of years. According to a study, the ancestors wore long hair and no shoes. Their languages, if any, were probably uttered in bird or beast like noises.

Tusi Palace

3. Tusi Palace

Tusi (appointed national minority hereditary headmen in the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties) Palace is a highlight of a tour in Furong Town. It was built by a well-off Tusi as a summer escape. As it is next to the cliff, the noise from the vigorous stream in front of the palace can be clearly heard.
During the reign of Tusi, the barracks were also stationed here.