Private Furong Waterfall & Fenghuang Night Tour from Zhangjiajie

Furong Ancient Town

Furong Ancient Town, in Yongshun County, is known as the ancient town hanging on a waterfall. It sits on a cliff above the Youshui River in the Tujia heartland of western Hunan, and its long stone-paved main street leads past wooden stilt houses, old shopfronts and steep stairways down to the water. The town has been a river trading post for centuries.

A Furong Ancient Town day trip from Zhangjiajie is the easiest way to see it, as the town is a fair distance from the Forest Park area. On this private tour you have free time to wander the lanes, watch local life and taste snacks such as rice tofu, a soft, savoury local speciality. Entry to Furong Ancient Town is included.

Furong waterfall at night

The heart of the town is its waterfall, about 60 metres high, which drops over the cliff in two tiers and runs beneath the houses into the Youshui River. A path leads behind the curtain of water, and viewpoints on both sides give the classic photo of stilt houses perched above the falls.

What is the best time to visit Furong Ancient Town? Late afternoon into evening, because after sunset the waterfall and houses are illuminated, and the town takes on a completely different, softer mood. This tour is timed so you see both the daylight town and the first lights before we drive on to Fenghuang. Bring a light rain jacket if you want to walk behind the falls, as the spray is strong.

Through the hills of western Hunan

Western Hunan is a region of green karst hills, terraced valleys and rivers, home to the Tujia and Miao peoples, whose wooden architecture, silver jewellery and embroidery you will see in both towns. The journey from Zhangjiajie is part of the experience, through rural landscapes that few international travellers see.

How do you get to Fenghuang from Zhangjiajie? A high-speed railway opened in 2021 links Zhangjiajie West with stations near Furong and Fenghuang, and the roads are good. On this private tour we travel by train or private car to and from Zhangjiajie depending on your group size, and by private vehicle between the two towns, with rest stops whenever you ask.

Fenghuang Ancient Town

Fenghuang, whose name means phoenix, is one of the best-preserved old towns in China, with red sandstone city walls, gate towers and lanes of Ming and Qing dynasty houses. Its signature view is the row of stilt houses lining the Tuojiang River, standing on wooden posts above the water, with stepping stones crossing from bank to bank.

Visiting Fenghuang at night avoids the daytime crowds and shows the town at its most beautiful: the houses glow with lanterns and their reflections shimmer on the river. Is Fenghuang worth visiting? For many travellers it is the most romantic town in central China, and seeing it after dark is the best way to experience it.

Hongqiao Bridge and Wanming Pagoda

Two landmarks anchor an evening stroll along the Tuojiang River. Hongqiao, the Rainbow Bridge, is a covered bridge with a pavilion-style roof that crosses the river at the centre of town, lit in warm colours at night. Downstream, the slender Wanming Pagoda stands on the riverbank, a favourite viewpoint for photographs of the old town.

Our guide walks with you between the two along the riverside paths and through the lanes, at whatever pace you choose. Afterwards our vehicle returns you to Zhangjiajie, arriving at around 21:00 or later, or, if you prefer to stay overnight in Fenghuang, tell us when booking and the tour can end there (hotel not included).