If you’re planning a trip through China and looking for an experience away from mass tourism, you can’t miss what to see in Furong Ancient Town—a charming village in Hunan Province, just a short distance from Zhangjiajie. Known in Chinese as Furongzhen, this hidden gem is often ranked among the most beautiful ancient towns in China thanks to its traditional architecture, stunning natural surroundings, and rich ethnic culture.
Perched on a cliffside along the You River, Furong Ancient Town offers postcard-worthy views, with wooden stilt houses hanging over the water and a spectacular waterfall that lights up at night. It is also home to the Tujia ethnic minority, who preserve their ancestral traditions, offering visitors a unique chance to experience their history, craftsmanship, and cuisine.
In this Furong Ancient Town travel guide, you’ll discover the top attractions, must-do activities, how to get there, where to stay, and where to eat.
🌺 Brief History of Furong
The name Furong means “hibiscus flower,” but this wasn’t always the village’s name. Originally, it was called Wangcun (王村), meaning “Wang Village,” after the founding families in the area. The name changed in the late 20th century following the release of the famous 1986 film Hibiscus Town (Furongzhen in Chinese). The movie’s popularity brought the village so much fame that it was officially renamed Furong.
Today, Furong is officially recognized as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages” in Hunan and holds a 4A scenic area rating. It remains a stronghold of Tujia culture, with colorful traditional costumes, lively music and dance festivals, and a deep connection to nature.
In addition to its cultural value, Furong is famous for its natural beauty—most notably the 60-meter waterfall at the heart of the village, one of the most photographed spots in Hunan. Despite its growing popularity, Furong still feels less crowded compared to other tourist towns in China, making it a perfect destination for those seeking authentic rural charm.
🏯 What to See in Furong Ancient Town: Must-Visit Attractions
To explore Furong Ancient Town, you’ll need to purchase an entrance ticket for 108 RMB. This ticket includes access to all main attractions and performances and is valid for two days, giving you plenty of time to soak in the village’s charm.
Wuli Street
The best way to experience the magic of Furong is by walking through its historic old town. The village has preserved its original cobblestone streets, making you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time to a traditional Chinese settlement.
Wuli Street is especially famous for its smooth stone slabs that shine with blue reflections after the rain. Street vendors sell local specialties like rice with tofu, and the stone stairways climbing up the lane will transport you straight into scenes from the movie Furong Town.
Tuwang Bridge
The typical wooden stilt houses of the Tujia ethnic group are still intact, many with balconies that seem to hang over the river. One of the best spots to admire them is from Tuwang Bridge—a covered bridge that offers some of the most photogenic views in the town.
Stone Bridges
Scattered across Furong are charming old stone bridges, perfect for a leisurely stroll and photo opportunities. Crossing one feels like walking through a living postcard.
The Thundering Waterfall
The town’s main attraction, the Thundering Waterfall, plunges in two tiers from the cliffside into the river below, creating a roar so powerful it can be heard up to ten kilometers away—hence its name. You can even walk behind the waterfall for a unique perspective, but be careful—the path is slippery, and you’ll definitely get splashed!
Tujia Ethnic Performances
Your entrance ticket also includes access to several live shows showcasing the vibrant traditions of the Tujia people. Performances are usually held in Yinan Square and the Baishou Auditorium, with some moved indoors in case of bad weather.
- Revelry of the Blooming Hibiscus – A large-scale theatrical performance celebrating Tujia culture through dance, lighting effects, and projections, staged at the Baishou Auditorium.
- Blossoming Furong: Bizka’s Carnival – An immersive experience where the audience becomes part of the show. It takes place in various locations around the town, including Tuwang Bridge, Yinan Square, and the Baishou Auditorium.
🚄 How to Get to Furong Ancient Town
Planning how to get to Furong Ancient Town from Zhangjiajie is very straightforward. You can either take the high-speed train or, if you prefer a cheaper option, the bus.
🚄 By high-speed train: From Zhangjiajie West Station (Zhangjiajiexi), there are over 10 daily trains to Furongzhen Station. The journey takes about 25–30 minutes and costs around €4. Once you arrive, the scenic area of Furong is only 6 km away — roughly a 10–15 minute ride by taxi or local minibus. Expect to pay around 2 RMB for the bus and 20 RMB for a taxi.
Besides the direct link to Zhangjiajie, Furong is also connected by high-speed rail to other cities on the same line: Changsha (3 hours) and Fenghuang (30–40 minutes).
🚌 By bus: From Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station, several buses depart to Furong throughout the day. The ride takes around 2 hours and costs approximately 40 RMB.
In our opinion, while the bus is cheaper, it’s not worth the extra travel time — the train is much faster, still very affordable, and more comfortable.
🌡️ Best Time to Visit Furong
The best time to visit Furong Ancient Town is during the dry season, in spring and autumn, when the weather is mild. In spring, blooming flowers turn the streets into a colorful spectacle, while autumn offers cooler temperatures and stunning golden foliage.
The waterfall is at its most powerful during the rainy season (May to August), but expect high humidity and frequent storms.
If you visit in winter and plan to stay overnight, make sure your hotel has heating — although temperatures aren’t extremely low, many traditional wooden buildings lack proper heating systems.
🛌🏻 Where to Stay in Furong Ancient Town
Most visitors come to Furong on a day trip from Zhangjiajie. However, we highly recommend spending at least one night here. After sunset, the magic of Furong comes alive, with the houses and waterfall beautifully illuminated.
Choosing the right where to stay in Furong Ancient Town can make a huge difference. Many hotels and guesthouses are located right by the famous waterfall or along the river, offering spectacular panoramic views from their terraces. Most accommodations are within the scenic area, so you can explore the town entirely on foot. Although there are cheaper options outside the tourist area, we don’t think it’s worth the inconvenience — you can still find places for every budget within the scenic zone.
We stayed at Floral Hotel Furong Town Galaxy Heights, a charming hotel with a perfect location: right by the river and very close to the waterfall. From our room, we could hear the sound of the water and step out onto a huge terrace with incredible views.
The rooms are spacious, decorated with wood accents, and equipped with air conditioning. The hotel has a small restaurant, and the owner was incredibly helpful — he got us discounted tickets for the scenic area, personally picked us up from the station, and even arranged a taxi for our return the next day.
🍜 Where to Eat in Furong
When deciding where to eat in Furong Ancient Town, keep in mind that prices are slightly higher than in other parts of China. This is mainly due to its popularity as a tourist destination and its location right next to the famous waterfall. Still, you can find cheaper options if you don’t mind eating at cafés or small family-run restaurants.
黑色经典 长沙臭豆腐 (Heise Classic Changsha Stinky Tofu)
Although the specialty here is the famous stinky tofu, we went for something more “normal”: breaded chicken and a Chinese-style crepe filled with meat, vegetables, egg, and spicy sauce. It’s not a fancy place, but it’s budget-friendly and tasty. They also make delicious fresh orange juice.
💵 Price: €2.50/person
瀑布民宿 (Waterfall minsu)
If you’re looking for something special, several restaurants offer terraces with direct views of Furong Waterfall — perfect for a romantic dinner at night. Prices are higher here. We ordered our go-to dish, stir-fried pork with peppers, and a plate of fried rice.
💵 Price: €5/person
✨ A Magical Journey to the Heart of Hunan
Furong Ancient Town is like something out of a postcard — cobblestone streets, a glowing waterfall at night, and shows celebrating the Tujia culture. It was without a doubt one of the most surprising places we visited in China.
Whether you come from Zhangjiajie or as part of a longer Hunan itinerary, this ancient town deserves at least one night to truly enjoy its unique atmosphere. Furong is a memory that stays with you long after you’ve packed your bags.
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