Recently the 2023 China (Arxan) Tourism Conference was held in Arxan City, Hinggan League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The "China Road – Top 10 Boutique Road Trip Routes" were released, which include the road "Charming Biancheng – Road Trip to Xiangxi's Ancient Villages, Towns, and Cities".

The travel route passes through Furong Town, a thousand-year-old town hanging on the waterfall; Liye Ancient Town, a national-level historical and cultural town; Biancheng or Chadong, a place that could reach three provinces with feet; and, Shibadong Village, the birthplace of "targeted poverty alleviation". It showcases the local customs and cultures of the Miao, Dong, and Tujia ethnic groups.

Charming Biancheng – Road Trip to Xiangxi's Ancient Villages, Towns, and Cities

Day 1

Changsha City—Furong Town, Yongshun County

Day 2

Furong Town, Yongshun County—Liye Ancient Town, Longshan County

Day 3

Liye Ancient Town, Longshan County—Chadong, Huayuan County

Day 4

Chadong, Huayuan County—Shibadong Village, Huayuan County

Day 5

Shibadong Village, Huayuan County—Changsha City

Furong Town

Furong Town is located in Yongshun County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province. It has a history of over two thousand years and is one of the four famous ancient towns in Xiangxi. Furong Town is known for its unique geographical features, with beautiful and spectacular Tujia stilted houses standing on both sides of a rushing waterfall. It is often referred to as "a thousand-year-old town hanging on the waterfall."

Liye Ancient Town

Liye Ancient Town is located in Longshan County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province. It borders Hubei and Sichuan provinces. The ancient town is surrounded by water on three sides and mountains on all sides, creating picturesque scenery. It is also a core area for preserving the customs and traditions of the Tujia ethnic group.

In recent years, Liye has received numerous titles and recognitions, including being designated as a famous historical and cultural town in China, a national key protected cultural relic unit, a national characteristic landscape tourist town, a national geopark, a national archaeological site park, the hometown of Tujia brocade in China, and one of the first ten characteristic cultural and tourism towns in Hunan Province.

Biancheng or Chadong

Chadong Scenic Area is located in Huayuan County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province. It is situated along the Youshui River at the border area of Hunan, Guizhou, and Chongqing. It is known as a place that could reach three provinces with feet. This area is recognized as a famous historical and cultural town in China, one of the four famous towns in Xiangxi, and a national water conservancy scenic area.

Shibadong Village, Huayuan County

Shibadong Village, the birthplace of "targeted poverty alleviation", is located in Shuanglong Town, Huayuan County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province. It boasts a beautiful ecological environment and unique geological landscapes. There are eighteen natural karst caves in the village, each with different views. The karst caves are connected together and are the marvels of nature. It is often referred to as "a wonder in Asia." The area is predominantly inhabited by the Miao ethnic group, and their rich culture and original traditions are well-preserved. The village's architecture reflects the distinct characteristics of the Miao culture.