This trip offers two distinct sides of Hunan Province--the beautiful landscape in the nature reservation of Zhangjiajie, the clear waters of Mengdong River and mountains and valleyes of Dehang; and the traditional township of Fenghuang (Phoenix Town), and remote Huoluping Village hidden on the mountains where it is not discovered by tourists and the Miao ethnic minority's life and culture are still unchanged.

Zhangjiajie (Wulingyuan Scenic Area)
Listed as UNESCO's World Heritage Site in 1992, this scenic area is made up of three adjoining subtropical parklands, with quartzite sandstone peaks and pillars to rival Guilin's scenery. There are plentiful rare plants and insects, swarms of butterflies, a large cave with calcite deposits, and stunning views through bamboo, pine, and oak forest.

"A spectacular area stretching over more than 26,000 hectares in China's Hunan Province, the site is distinguished by more than 3,000 narrow sandstone pillars and peaks, many over 200 metres high. Between the peaks lie ravines and gorges with streams, pools and waterfalls, some 40 caves, as well as two large natural bridges. In addition to the striking beauty of its landscape, the region is also noted for the fact that it shelters a number of endangered plant and animal species." (Description from UNESCO's World Heritage List)

Phoenix Town (Fenghuang Cheng)
It is a township of mystery, elegance and primitive simplicity. The bridges over the water and unique houses built on stilts display a harmony that is so often portrayed in traditional Chinese paintings. Tuojiang River runs through the town. Typical high gabled wooden houses are built on stilts along its banks at close quarters. (View photos). The majority of the residents are Tujia & Miao ethnic groups. Their lifestyle remains reasonably traditional. The old town is very pretty at night when all architecture by the river light up.

Huoluping Village
Further driving from the gradually touristy Phoenix Town, up and up the mountains with layers of rice terraces, there lies a miao village that CCC first discovered and brought its first group of visitors there. Hidden behind the high mountains and valley, Huoluping is completely authentic. The Miao people's life is still unchanged. The local farmers' market is fascinating.

Dehang
This popular Miao village in the valleys and mountains has been touristy and is not included in CCC itinerary.

Best time to visit

Spring and Autumn. Summer is also okay but a bit hot.

Be prepared with crowded local tourists during the weekend and Chinese holidays. This trip is relatively better done in the off-season and on a weekday.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Zhangjiajie / Zhangjiajie
Flight info: the timing might change every month.
Beijing--Zhangjiajie by air, departure time around 17:00--19:00.
Shanghai--Zhangjiajie by air, departure time around 18:00--20:00
If you go from other locale, we will check the available flights from your locale to Zhangjiajie.

Fly to Zhangjiajie City in the late afternoon and stay the night.

Day 2: Zhangjiajie / Fenghuang (Phoenix Town)
We will drive 4 hours to Fenghuang. After lunch, you have free time to visit writer Shen Congwen and other celebrities' former residence or shop arround the town. In the evening, we stroll around to appreciate beautiful night scene.

Day 3: Phoenix Town / Huoluping Village /Jishou
We will ride wooden boats along the Tuojiang river in the morning to view the whole Phoenix Town. Then depart Phoenix Town, drive up the high mountains with valley and layers of rice terraces, and find a obscure village named Huoluping. The remoteness and inaccessibility keep the village life intact. CCC brings first ever visitors to this village. We visit local families and share the meal with locals in their home. In the late afternoon, drive to back Jishou, and stay overnight in a 4 star hotel in the town.

Day 4: Jishou / Zhangjiajie
We continue our journey back to Zhangjiajie, then head to Zhangjiajie Natural Forest Park and Wulingyuan Scenic Area. The famous sencery spots include Tianzi Mountain, Yuanjiajie, etc. where you see different perspectives of mountains. Then stay overnight in a 5-star hotel.

Day 5: Zhangjiajie / Fly out
We visit Zhangjiajie and Wulingyuan Scenic area again, walk and hike at other sceneic spots such as "Ten Li Natural Gallery", "Golden Whip Stream", Huangshi Zhai, etc. mountains from up the mountains. Optional: If you can also take this half day to hike up 3800 steps to Yellow Dragon Cave, a 20-hectare wide cavern with a vertical height of over 100 meters. This cave is home to an impressive collection of stalactites and stalagmites, illuminated in a variety of colored lights.

Transfer to the airport in the afternoon and fly out.
Zhangjiajie - Beijing (arrival around 7-8pm)
Zhangjiajie - Shanghai Pudong (arrival around 9-10pm)