What is Furong Town?
Furong Town (芙蓉镇), often translated as Hibiscus Town, is an old river town in Yongshun County, in the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of western Hunan. It is famous for one dramatic image: a waterfall that pours off a cliff right through the town, with wooden houses perched on the edge above it. Chinese travel media love the phrase “the thousand-year-old town hanging on a waterfall”, and the official scenic area uses it too.
It is also one of the easiest add-ons to a Zhangjiajie trip. If you are planning Zhangjiajie National Forest Park for late October or November 2026, Furong Town makes a gentle, very different day: river views, old stone streets and Tujia culture instead of sandstone pillars and cable cars.
A short history: from Wangcun to Furong Town
According to the official Xiangxi Furong Town Tourist Resort website, the town was originally called Wangcun (王村, “King’s Village”) and has more than 2,000 years of history. It sits on the Youshui River and was long a busy trading port; the official site says that by the Ming and Qing dynasties it was the most prosperous trading wharf in Yongshun prefecture, and that the writer Shen Congwen praised Wangcun’s wharf as the most beautiful and unusual on the river.
The town is closely linked to the history of the Tujia people and the local tusi (hereditary chieftain) system. Highlights mentioned by the official site include:
- Xizhou Tusi Square (溪州土司广场), where chieftains received guests and the Tujia baishou hand-waving dance was performed
- The Xizhou Bronze Pillar park, commemorating the peace agreement after a conflict in the year 939 between the King of Chu and the local chieftain
- The Tusi summer palace (土王行宫), a surviving Ming-dynasty building
- The Five-Li Flagstone Street (五里石板街), the old street climbing from the wharf
The name changed after a film. In 1986, director Xie Jin shot the film Hibiscus Town (芙蓉镇) here, and the town became famous across China. In 2007, Wangcun was officially renamed Furong Town. For background on the people who live here, read our guide to the Tujia people.
The waterfall
The official site describes the Furong Town waterfall as the largest in western Hunan, about 60 metres high and 40 metres wide, falling in two tiers from the cliff. It also notes that the waterfall is at its most powerful when river levels are high. Flow depends on rain and season, so the falls can look thinner in drier months. That does not spoil a visit; the setting is the attraction as much as the volume of water.
The best views are:
- From below, on the riverside paths, looking up at the houses on the cliff edge
- From the bridges and terraces around the falls
- From behind the water, where paths run under the cliff in some sections (follow signs and staff instructions, and expect spray)
Night views and performances
Furong Town has invested heavily in night lighting. The official site notes that in October 2021 the Ministry of Culture and Tourism listed Furong Town among the first national night-time culture and tourism consumption clusters, one of only four places in Hunan. After dark, the waterfall and stilt houses are lit up, and the town becomes busier and more festive.
The scenic area also stages an immersive Tujia-themed show, Huakai Furong: Bizika’s Carnival (花开芙蓉·毕兹卡的狂欢). Ask at the visitor centre about the current schedule.
If you want both day and night views, stay overnight in or near the town. Guesthouses with views over the falls are popular; book ahead for weekends.
Late autumn and November in Furong Town
- Crowds: After the National Day holiday (1–7 October 2026), weekdays are much calmer. Weekends still draw domestic visitors from Changsha and nearby cities. Note that Saturday 10 October 2026 is a makeup workday in China.
- Weather: Western Hunan in late autumn is often mild, grey and misty, with occasional rain. Stone steps get slippery.
- Light: Soft, overcast light is actually good for photographing the falls and wooden houses without harsh contrast.
Tickets: real-name entry
The official website says the scenic area uses real-name ticketing across all channels and that you enter with your original ID document. If you do not have a Chinese ID card with you, you are asked to go to the ticket window to register your face. For foreign visitors this means: carry your passport and be ready to use the staffed counter.
The official site also asks visitors buying senior, youth or child concession tickets to read the purchase notes carefully. Prices, validity and what the ticket includes can change; check the official website or call the resort on 0743-5811888 before you go rather than relying on reseller listings. For general tips on booking with a passport, see our attraction reservations guide.
How to get to Furong Town
By high-speed train (easiest)
The Zhangjiajie–Jishou–Huaihua high-speed railway opened on 6 December 2021, according to the Chinese government’s official news site, and it has a station called Furong Town (芙蓉镇站). The official scenic area website says that after arriving at Furong Town Station you can take the scenic area shuttle minibus from the station exit to the town.
This makes Furong Town an easy hop from Zhangjiajie West in one direction, or from Jishou (for Fenghuang) and Huaihua in the other. Check timetables and book on 12306; see our guide on how visitors book trains on 12306.
By bus
The official site says there are direct buses to Furong Town bus station from Changsha, Jishou and Zhangjiajie. From the bus station, take a taxi or local bus to the scenic area.
By car
Drivers from Changsha or Zhangjiajie take the expressways to the Longshan–Jishou Expressway and exit at Furong Town toll station, which the official site says is right by the town.
Combining Furong Town with Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang
Furong Town sits roughly between Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang, so it fits neatly into a western Hunan loop:
1. Zhangjiajie for two or three days: Zhangjiajie in autumn and Tianmen Mountain
2. Furong Town for an afternoon and night
3. Fenghuang Ancient Town next: Fenghuang in autumn, via Jishou
Across the Youshui River lies the Hongshilin (Red Stone Forest) National Geopark in Guzhang County. The official resort site describes it as a forest of red carbonate rock and notes that the Xiangxi Geopark, which includes Furong Town and Hongshilin, joined the UNESCO Global Geoparks network in July 2020. It is a good half-day add-on if you have a car or driver.
A calm half-day to one-day plan
1. Arrive around midday by high-speed train and take the shuttle to town.
2. Drop your bags at your guesthouse and walk down the Five-Li Flagstone Street to the river.
3. Visit the waterfall from below and from the bridges.
4. Late afternoon: Tusi Square and the old wharf area.
5. Dinner on local food; western Hunan dishes are often spicy and sour. Learn to say bú yào là (no chilli) or shǎo là (less chilli). Our Hunan cuisine guide explains the basics.
6. After dark, return to the falls for the lights.
7. Next morning, walk the quiet streets early before the day visitors arrive.
Practical tips
- Shoes: The town is all steps and stone; wear shoes with good grip.
- Rain gear: A light rain jacket is more practical than an umbrella on narrow lanes.
- Payments: Set up mobile payments before you go: Alipay and WeChat Pay guide.
- Respect residents: People live here. Do not photograph inside homes or block doorways.
FAQ
Is Furong Town worth visiting?
Yes, especially as an easy add-on to Zhangjiajie. The waterfall-through-town setting is unique, and the night lighting is impressive.
How do I get from Zhangjiajie to Furong Town?
The easiest way is the high-speed train to Furong Town Station on the Zhangjiajie–Jishou–Huaihua line, then the scenic area shuttle minibus. Direct buses also run from Zhangjiajie.
Can foreigners buy Furong Town tickets?
Yes. The scenic area uses real-name tickets. If you do not have a Chinese ID card, the official site asks you to go to the ticket window to register; bring your passport.
How much time do I need?
Half a day covers the main sights. Stay overnight if you want to see the town lit up at night and enjoy it quietly in the morning.
Is Furong Town the same as Fenghuang?
No. They are different towns in western Hunan. Fenghuang is larger and further south; Furong Town is smaller and known for its waterfall.
Lovely China was founded in 2025 to help English-speaking travellers and expats plan calmer, deeper trips in China. Spotted an outdated detail? Email [email protected].
Cover photo: chensiyuan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). The waterfall below the stilt houses of Furong Town, Hunan.
