Furong Town

Amidst the natural scenery, there is a picturesque ancient town, Furong Town. Every view is like a carefully crafted work of art, making people yearn and linger. Furong Town, formerly known as Wangcun, was a palace of the Tusi domain. It was later renamed after the movie “Furong Town” shot here. The reason why the town is known as a millennium-old ancient town hanging above the waterfall is its unique natural landscape. It is surrounded by waters on three sides, with a stream flowing through it. The stream is naturally divided into several parts which cascade down, and form spectacular waterfalls.

The great waterfall in Furong Town is 60 meters high and over 70 meters wide, cascading down from the cliffs in two stages.

In spring and summer, when water rises, water droplets splashing on one’s body bring waves of coolness. And in winter, the waterfalls turn into crystal clear icicles, revealing another view of peaceful beauty. Beside the waterfalls, many young people are taking short videos and livestreaming in front of Internet-famous bars and homestay inns. On both sides of the waterfalls, stilted buildings are fully visible, and tens of thousands of pumpkin lanterns sway in the wind.

The Tusi Chieftain Palace and stilted buildings located by the waterfalls also add mystery and antiquity to this town. The Tusi Chieftain Palace is one of the important historical relics in Furong Town, witnessing the historical changes of the chieftain system and Tujia ethnic groups.

The stilted buildings are one of the representative traditional dwellings of the Tujia people. They are built by mountains and rivers, blending with the surrounding natural environment, showcasing the wisdom and creativity of the Tujia people.

In addition to waterfalls, Furong Town also has rich natural landscapes, such as the misty rain in a dragon cave, night views above the waterfall, and the natural stone fingers on the cliffs of the ancient town. These natural landscapes complement the cultural landscapes of the ancient town, forming a unique and beautiful picture.

Rows of stilted buildings on both sides of the river are connected by Wuli stone street. On both sides of the street, various shops are arranged in a staggered manner. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, due to the convenience of water transport, Furong Town was known as the “Little Nanjing”. Later, due to the construction of hydropower stations downstream, the waterway was cut off and the bustling dock gradually became deserted.

This old street was first built during the Qin and Han dynasties, and after thousands of years, it still maintains its intact ancient street layout and architectural style. On both sides of the old street, there are quaint courtyards. Each courtyard is like a heavy historical book, recording the history of the ancient town. In the 1980s, a well-known movie “Furong Town” made the ancient town famous at home and abroad, and the town also ushered in a new development opportunity.

Today, shops of ethnic costumes, bamboo crafts, jewelry and snacks line the ancient street. Visitors can purchase agricultural products like Tujia preserved meat, Yongshun pickled vegetables and river shrimp here.

Tourists can enjoy many traditional handicrafts, including Tujia embroidery pieces, weaving works and pottery ware. These exquisite products have rich cultural connotations and ethnic characteristics.

In addition, Furong Town also has many historical relics and former residences of celebrities worth visiting, such as the hand-waving hall and the Tujia Folk Customs Park, which not only showcase the historical culture and folk customs of the Tujia ethnic group, but also allow tourists to experience the profound cultural heritage and humanistic charm of the ancient town.


Chinese source: hunantoday