Things to do in Huayuan

Chadong, a picturesque ancient town at the junction of Hunan, Guizhou, and Chongqing provinces, gained worldwide fame thanks to Shen Congwen's novel "Border Town." Nestled against mountains and beside a river, with the Qingshui River flowing through it, the town boasts charming cobblestone streets, rustic stilted houses, and a white pagoda, preserving the authentic Xiangxi (western Hunan) style. Here, one can "step into three provinces," with places like Lala Ferry and Cuicui Island whispering tales of tranquility and deep affection, making it an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle and seek out the beauty of literature and nature.

Shibadong Village has charming scenery and pristine natural landscape that is refreshing. It is a popular check-in spot for internet celebrities and is very interesting. It is an ideal place for leisure and vacation, with a very high cost-effectiveness. It is a summer resort and fun!

The height reaches 216 meters. If you have no idea, I tell you that this is the highest waterfall in China. You must go there during the flood season. If it is important, just say it once. The momentum is definitely different when you see it. Some people describe it as nine dragons turning over the waves, swallowing clouds and spewing mist, and the sound is like thunder, which is absolutely accurate.

The cultural atmosphere is still strong, not so commercialized. The second day I arrived, I happened to catch up with the local market. They have a mysterious, ancient and unique way of fortune-telling. They roast eggs and then tell fortunes. I think it's very fresh. There are some random parking in the ancient town, which affects the production. The angler fish is delicious.

The scenic spot is very humane. The free sightseeing bus takes tourists to the entrance of the scenic spot, and then walks all the way down along the mountainside plank road to the visitor center (exit), taking photos and checking in for two hours. Walking through the canyon, the scenery is acceptable, and there are few people in the niche attractions.

It was raining the whole time, so I first went to Dehang Grand Canyon and then strolled around Dehang Miao Village. There weren't many people that day, and the walk at the foot of the mountain was very peaceful, which I liked. Along the way, there were gentle trails and steep steps, streams, and a jade-belt waterfall. The misty rain of early autumn had a unique charm. The only pity was that the fog was so thick when I climbed to Tianwen Terrace that I couldn't see the view of the layered peaks at the summit. But even so, when I was on Tianwen Terrace, surrounded by fog, I felt like I was in a heavenly palace—I guess I was a god for a moment! 🤣🤣🤣

The Aizhai Bridge scenic area, Dehang Miao Village, and the Grand Canyon are included in a package ticket. The Aizhai Bridge is definitely worth a visit; it's a world wonder. The high-altitude swing and bungee jumping activities inside the bridge are relatively expensive. After visiting the Aizhai Bridge, drive to Dehang Miao Village at the bottom of the Grand Canyon and the Liusha Waterfall within the canyon. The Aizhai Highway is also known as one of China's top ten must-drive highways. A leisurely 20-minute drive will take you to the bottom of the canyon, where there are many farmhouses and restaurants. After lunch, continue a few kilometers to Dehang Miao Village. During the National Day holiday, parking inside the Miao Village is limited; vehicles can be parked in the outdoor parking lot, and a free shuttle bus is available. The scenery of Dehang Miao Village isn't particularly stunning, but it does have the Liusha Waterfall. It's about 4 kilometers from the village entrance. If you don't want to walk, you can take an electric cart for 18 yuan per person. After getting off the cart, walk about 700 meters along the stream to the waterfall. The most distinctive feature of Dehang Miao Village is its drum performance, which is held twice a day, around 7 PM and 3 PM. After visiting the scenic area, you can return to Jishou city or Fenghuang Ancient Town without taking a long route (Aizhai Mountain Road). Just follow the valley floor out of the canyon; it's all flat with no uphill sections. It takes about 40 minutes to get to Jishou city and about 1.5 hours to get to Fenghuang Ancient Town.

The Xiangxi Hanging Wall Road is located in Paibi Township, Huayuan County, Xiangxi, Hunan Province. Hanging Wall Road is a dangerous road carved out on a cliff (cliff and high mountain). Hanging Wall Road is mostly carved close to the wall, with a side window opened more than ten meters apart. If you are not a good driver, it is recommended not to drive in, because the cave is very narrow, just enough to accommodate the width of one car, and you need to be especially careful when turning to avoid the car hanging on the stone wall. If you don't drive in, you can park the car at the door and walk in directly. For friends who drive in, there is a parking lot inside, which can accommodate more than 10 cars at the same time. The so-called parking lot is nothing more than a relatively large karst cave, where all the cars are parked. You can go and experience it!

The entire layout of Cuicui Island strives to highlight nature, achieve harmony between mountains, waters, trees and flowers, and match the natural environment. The greening of the island is dominated by local precious evergreen trees, with famous trees that bloom all year round, creating a paradise on earth with spring all year round.