Furong Town, formerly known as Wangcun, sits on the You River in Yongshun County in western Hunan, in a gorge where a large waterfall drops past the old town to the river below. The town is believed to have more than two thousand years of history and was an important centre of the Tusi chieftain system that governed the Tujia and Miao regions, and it gained national fame after a well-known film was shot there in the 1980s, after which it was renamed Furong Town in 2007. Its main lane, the Wuli stone street, runs downhill between stilted wooden houses and old shops to a riverside wharf, with the waterfall visible from many points. At night red lanterns light the houses and coloured lights wash the cliff and falls. Tujia folk performances take place in the evening. The ticket linked here is a combination ticket that bundles Tianmen Mountain, the 72 Strange Buildings and Furong Town, so check which parts you plan to use and the dates it covers.
Getting there
The fastest way is the high-speed train from Zhangjiajie West station, which takes roughly twenty to thirty minutes, and the town can also be reached from Fenghuang by a short train ride. The Furong Town railway station sits outside the old town, so a local transfer is needed to reach the entrance. Many visitors join a tour that combines Furong Town with Fenghuang Ancient Town, and some add it to a Tianmen Mountain day as an evening stop. Check train times in advance, because schedules change by season and around public holidays.
What to do
Walk the Wuli stone street downhill to the river, stop at the waterfall viewpoints, watch the performances in the evening hall, and eat local snacks from the stalls along the way. A basic visit takes two to three hours, a relaxed one takes half a day, and an overnight stay is the best way to see the town in its night lighting without rushing back. The paths are wet and polished by centuries of use, so shoes with good grip matter a great deal, and a walkway behind the falls can close in heavy rain.
Seasons and crowds
The waterfall is at its fullest in the wet summer months, but summer is also hot and humid, so many people prefer spring and autumn for walking. Winter is quiet and cooler, with lit lanterns still worth the trip. Weekends and holidays are crowded, and a weekday gives a calmer lane. Furong Town pairs naturally with Fenghuang Ancient Town if you have a spare day or an overnight, since the two towns are close by train, but each is better with time to linger rather than being squeezed into a few hours.
What to expect
The experience
A walk-in visit to a historic waterfall town reached by a short high-speed train ride, with a downhill stone street, riverside wharf and evening performances.
Best time
Late afternoon into the evening for the lantern lighting; spring and autumn for comfortable walking, summer for the fullest waterfall.
How long
Two to three hours for a quick visit, half a day for a relaxed one, or overnight for the night scene.
Tips
Wear shoes with strong grip, check train times in advance and allow for a transfer from the station to the old town.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want a waterfall village and an old trading street after days on the mountains.
- Families
- Fine for older children; the stone steps are wet and uneven, so take care with small ones.
- Couples
- The lantern-lit lane and the lit waterfall make it one of the region's most atmospheric evenings.
- Pair with
- Fenghuang Ancient Town on the same trip, or a Tianmen Mountain day.
- Time needed
- Half a day, or an overnight stay.
Good questions
How do I get to Furong Town from Zhangjiajie?+
Take the high-speed train from Zhangjiajie West station, which takes roughly twenty to thirty minutes, then a local transfer to the old town, since the station sits outside it.
How long should I allow?+
Two to three hours covers the main street and waterfall viewpoints, half a day is relaxed, and an overnight stay lets you see the night lighting without rushing.
When is the waterfall at its best?+
It is fullest in the wet summer months. The flow changes with rainfall, and the walkway behind the falls can close in heavy rain.
Is Furong Town the same as Fenghuang?+
No. They are separate towns in western Hunan, linked by a short train ride, and are often combined on one trip.
What should I wear?+
Shoes with strong grip, because the stone paths are wet and polished, and a light layer for the evening by the river.
