5 Days in Xiangxi

Ride the Zhangjihuai high-speed line, open since December 2021, into Jishou East. Qianzhou Ancient City sits on the Wanrong River — billed as 4,000-plus years old, its Three-Gate opening is unusual among Chinese city gates. Snack stalls fill the lanes at night.

1. xiangxi qianzhou ancient city
2. xiangxi jishou city markets

The Aizhai Bridge (2012) spans 1,176 m, its deck hanging about 330 m above the canyon; the 1936 switchback road below is half the spectacle. Dehang's gorge path leads to the roughly 216-m Liusha waterfall. Buses and taxis link both from Jishou.

1. xiangxi aizhai bridge
2. xiangxi dehang miao village

About 50 km south of Jishou, or under 20 minutes by HSR from Jishou East to Fenghuang Gucheng station. Fenghuang Ancient City has its own city page on this site — treat today as the taster, stay a second night if the riverside lights hold you.

1. xiangxi fenghuang ancient city

Jishou East to Furong Town station takes about 20 minutes on the 2021 line. The red sandstone fins of Hongshilin took shape some 450 million years ago; afterwards the stilt houses of Furong Town spill down beside a waterfall on the You River, lit up after dark.

1. xiangxi furong town
2. xiangxi hongshilin red stone forest

A full-day loop into Yongshun's hills for the Tusi capital UNESCO inscribed in 2015, where the Peng clan ruled for some 800 years. Return for evening trains from Furong Town station or Jishou East.

1. xiangxi laosicheng site