2025 Huaihua Travel Guide: Exploring the Colorful Treasures Deep in Hunan

Huaihua, a city located in western Hunan, is like a pearl treasured by time, radiating a unique and charming allure. It not only boasts magnificent natural scenery but also possesses profound historical heritage and colorful ethnic customs. If you’re longing for a distinctive travel experience, Huaihua is definitely a treasure worth exploring. Now, follow this guide to embark on a wonderful journey to Huaihua!
I. Itinerary
Day 1: Ancient Charm of Qianyang, Echoes of History
Morning: After arriving in Huaihua, take a bus to Qianyang Ancient City. Upon reaching the ancient city, stroll through the bluestone streets and alleys, appreciate the rustic charm of Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, and feel the precipitation of time. Visit the Furong Tower to learn about its historical stories and savor the poetic sentiment depicted by Wang Changling.

Afternoon: Continue exploring the ancient city, visiting historical buildings such as the county government office, academy, and Confucian temple to gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Qianyang Ancient City. You can visit a traditional handicraft shop and pick up some small souvenirs with commemorative significance.

Day Two: Hongjiang Commercial Charm, Prosperous Old Dreams
Morning: Depart from Qianyang Ancient Town and head to Hongjiang Ancient Commercial City. After arrival, tour the streets and alleys of the ancient commercial city, appreciate the unique Yinzi House architecture, and learn about ancient commercial culture. Visit attractions such as the Lijin Bureau, Shaoxing Class, and Taiping Palace, and experience the former prosperity of the ancient commercial city.

Afternoon: Continue exploring the ancient commercial town. You can participate in traditional handicraft making activities, such as paper-cutting, tie-dyeing, etc., to personally experience the charm of traditional culture. You can also find a teahouse, sit down for a cup of tea, and listen to locals tell stories about the ancient commercial town.
Day Three: Danxia Scenery, Nature’s Gift
Morning: Take a bus to Tongdao Dong Autonomous County, and after arrival, transfer to Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area. Upon reaching the scenic area, begin climbing along the mountain trail, admiring the Danxia peak forest landform along the way, and experiencing the masterpiece of nature. Stop at the viewing platform to take photos and capture the magnificent scenery of Wanfo Mountain.

Afternoon: Continue to explore Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area, discovering different attractions and enjoying the beautiful scenery from various angles. You can choose to take the cable car to overlook the magnificent view of Wanfo Mountain from above, experiencing a different visual impact.

Day Four: Cool Canyon, a Paradise for Summer Retreat
Morning: Depart from Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area and head to Huaihua Grand Canyon. Upon arrival, tour the Grand Canyon and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the deep canyon, flying waterfalls, and flowing springs. Walk along the canyon trail, feel the fresh air of nature, and relax your body and mind.
Afternoon: Experience the entertainment activities in the Grand Canyon, such as grass sliding, zip-lining, glass plank walks, etc., to feel the excitement and fun. You can also choose to accompany your children in the parent-child playground, or rest at the camping base to enjoy leisurely time.

Day Five: The Charm of Dong Ethnic Culture
Morning: Take the bus to Huangdu Dong Cultural Village. After arrival, appreciate the architectural style of the Dong people, visit iconic buildings such as drum towers and wind-rain bridges. Watch Dong song and dance performances to feel the enthusiasm and vitality of the Dong people.
Afternoon: Participate in traditional Dong folk activities such as making glutinous rice cakes and creating Dong brocade to personally experience the charm of Dong culture. You can purchase some Dong handicrafts such as embroidery and silver jewelry as travel souvenirs.


Evening: End the pleasant journey and prepare to return.
Second, Specialty Food Recommendations
Hongjiang Blood Tofu Duck: Hongjiang Blood Tofu Duck is the signature dish of Hongjiang District in Huaihua. This dish is made with quality small-headed ducks, where duck blood is mixed with glutinous rice and fried into blood tofu, then carefully stir-fried with Hongjiang sweet sauce, a municipal-level intangible cultural heritage item. The duck meat is spicy and fragrant, while the blood tofu is soft and flavorful. The perfect fusion of their flavors leaves a lasting impression. A bite of duck meat followed by a bite of blood tofu, that unique flavor will surely make it irresistible. At Lin Chu Blood Tofu Duck King Stir-fried Duck Shop on Xinjie Street in Hongjiang District, you can taste the most authentic Hongjiang Blood Tofu Duck.

Dong Family Oil Tea: Dong family oil tea is an indispensable dietary practice and hospitality custom in the life of the Dong ethnic group. When making oil tea, first stir-fry ingredients such as tea oil, tea leaves, and soybeans in a pot, then add an appropriate amount of water and bring to a boil. Next, use a special tool to crush the tea leaves, allowing them to fully release their rich tea flavor. Finally, add various seasonings such as salt, ginger, and garlic, and a bowl of fragrant oil tea is complete. Drinking a sip of Dong family oil tea, you’ll find it bitter yet fragrant, delicious and tasty. It can both refresh the mind and drive away cold while providing warmth. In places like Huangdu Dong Cultural Village and Yutou Ancient Dong Village, you can taste authentic Dong family oil tea.

Zhijiang Duck: Zhijiang Duck is made from locally raised purebred mallard ducks. The ducks are first coated with honey and deep-fried, giving the skin a golden and enticing color. Then, local wild Zhijiang grass and other natural spices are added, and it is meticulously prepared using traditional Dong ethnic craftsmanship. Zhijiang Duck has brightly colored skin, tender and delicious meat that is smooth but not greasy, with a long-lasting aftertaste, making it a must-try delicacy. To taste Zhijiang Duck, you can visit some specialty restaurants in Zhijiang Town, where chefs will present you with the unique flavors of this dish using the most traditional cooking methods.
Rice Tofu: Rice Tofu is a specialty snack from Huaihua. When making it, plant ash alkali is mixed with vegetable juice and combined with rice slurry, resulting in Rice Tofu in various colors such as yellow, green, and white. When eaten, it is mixed with seasonings like Houttuynia cordata (fish mint), pickled chili peppers, tomatoes, and sour cowpeas. The slightly sour and spicy taste is very appetizing. Whether for breakfast or afternoon tea, Rice Tofu is an excellent choice. In the streets and alleys of Huaihua, you can find stalls selling Rice Tofu everywhere. Why not stop and taste a portion of authentic Rice Tofu to experience the local flavors of Huaihua.
Glutinous Rice Stuffed Chili Peppers: Glutinous Rice Stuffed Chili Peppers are made with thick-fleshed large red peppers and glutinous rice as the main ingredients. The glutinous rice is stuffed into the red peppers and sealed in a jar for ten to fifteen days to allow full absorption of flavors. When eating, it is slowly pan-fried over low heat until the pepper skin is slightly charred and the glutinous rice becomes soft, sticky, and sweet. This dish is fragrant, spicy, and delicious, much like the passionate and fiery “spicy girls” of Hunan. In some farmhouse restaurants in Huaihua, you can taste this uniquely distinctive Glutinous Rice Stuffed Chili Peppers and experience the flavor impact it brings to your palate.
III. Accommodation Recommendations
Qianyang Ancient City: There are many characteristic inns within the ancient city to choose from, such as Furong Inn and Ancient City Family Inn. Most of these inns retain the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties, featuring antique charm and a tranquil environment. Staying in the ancient city allows you to conveniently explore its beautiful scenery at any time and experience its tranquility and charm.
Hongjiang Ancient Commercial City: The Yinzi House inns in the ancient commercial city are good choices, such as Hongjiang Inn and Shangdao Inn. These inns combine traditional Yinzi houses with modern accommodation facilities, allowing you to experience the charm of the ancient commercial city while enjoying a comfortable living environment.
Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area: There are some homestays near the scenic area, such as Wanfo Mountain Homestay and Danxia Family. These homestays have beautiful environments and picturesque natural surroundings, allowing you to get closer to nature. Some homestays also offer farmhouse cuisine, letting you taste authentic rural delicacies.
Huaihua Urban Area: If you pursue comfort and convenience, you can choose hotels in the urban area, such as Huaihua Huatai Phoenix International Hotel and Huaihua Runyue Wyndham Hotel. These hotels have complete facilities, attentive service, and convenient transportation, making it easy for you to visit various attractions.
Huangdu Dong Cultural Village: There are some Dong ethnic characteristic homestays in the cultural village, such as Huangdu Inn and Dong Family Homestay. These homestays are full of Dong ethnic charm, where you can experience the Dong lifestyle and feel the warm hospitality of the Dong people.
IV. Transportation Guide
External Transportation
Airplane: Huaihua Zhijiang Airport is the main airport in Huaihua, currently with flights to cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Kunming, and Changsha. You can choose a suitable flight to Huaihua based on your departure location. From the airport to the city center, you can take airport shuttle buses or taxis, with convenient transportation options.
Train: Huaihua Station and Huaihua South Station are the two main railway stations in Huaihua. Huaihua Station mainly serves regular trains, while Huaihua South Station primarily serves high-speed trains and bullet trains. You can choose suitable trains to Huaihua based on your travel schedule. From the railway stations to the city center or various attractions, you can take buses, taxis, or transfer to long-distance buses.
Internal Transportation
Long-distance buses: The long-distance bus stations in Huaihua have services to various counties and attractions, making it one of the main transportation methods to visit surrounding attractions. You can check the bus schedules in advance to plan your trip reasonably.
Buses: The city’s bus network is well-developed and can conveniently reach some main attractions and commercial areas. Traveling by bus is both economical and environmentally friendly.
Taxis / Ride-hailing services: For getting around the city, taxis and ride-hailing services are also convenient options.
Car Rental: If you want to explore Huaihua more freely, renting a car for self-driving is also a good option. There are many car rental companies in Huaihua city, and you can choose a suitable vehicle model according to your needs. Renting a car for self-driving allows you to better control your itinerary and stop at any time to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.
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