Xiangxi Secret Realm Huaihua 3-Day Tour

Huaihua!!
This is truly my favorite hidden gem city of the year!!
I regret not coming earlier.
Here lies an ancient city with over a thousand years of history,
an uncommercialized, pristine Dong ethnic village,
the birthplace of Grandpa Yuan Longping’s hybrid rice,
and city attractions perfect for daily power-walking city tours.
This seriously underrated small city in Xiangxi
really holds so many surprises!
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☑️ Sharing 12 fun attractions
📍 Qianyang Ancient City: An ancient city 900 years older than Fenghuang! See Wang Changling’s original works at Furong Tower, eat rice tofu on Nanzheng Street… every step here feels like stepping back into old times.
📍 Yutou Dong Village: Watch Dong ethnic Lusheng performances at the Drum Tower, stroll across the century-old Wind and Rain Bridge, try handmade glutinous rice cakes, weave Dong brocade, enjoy a He’long feast… this is the most pristine ancient village I’ve ever visited!
📍 Shanbei Terraces: The moment the mist clears, it feels like entering a fairyland on earth!
📍 Huaihua City Museum: Recommended as your first stop after arriving by high-speed rail to get a head start on Huaihua’s history.
📍 Wuxi Intangible Cultural Heritage Park: A 10-minute drive from the museum, with over 40 immersive intangible cultural heritage experiences, perfect for fun photos and interactive activities.
📍 Yushuwan: Huaihua’s brand-new landmark building, full of ethnic charm, and the night view when lit up is absolutely stunning!
📍 “Blessed Land Long Song” Cruise: Light show + live performance, watch the millennium stories of the Yuan River unfold before your eyes!
📍 ASEAN Market: Southeast Asian style night market, experience exotic Southeast Asian vibes without leaving the country.
📍 Anjiang Agricultural School Memorial Park: The birthplace of hybrid rice! Step into the place where Grandpa Yuan Longping worked; the architecture and lighting here are perfect for photos.
📍 Xinhua Bookstore (Longping Branch): The bookstore in this small town is so charming, and there’s even a fan charity library for Yi Yangqianxi fans~
📍 Hybrid Rice Origin Museum: Anjiang is the birthplace of Grandpa Yuan Longping’s hybrid rice 🌾, a must-visit!
📍 Gaomiao Ruins: 7,800-year-old white pottery decorations, a must-see for archaeology enthusiasts!
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“In Huaihua, I found the Xiangxi soul described by Shen Congwen.”
This city needs to be savored slowly; I recommend spending a full 3 days!!