[2025 Zhijiang Attraction] Travel Guide for Longjin Covered Bridge (Updated May)

Sisters! I took my 6-year-old on a whirlwind 2-day trip to Zhijiang, Xiangxi. The ancient bridges were breathtaking, but the mishaps were explosive! My kid got a hand cut by kite string on the Wind-Rain Bridge, and I smashed three candied hawthorns on Suozijie Street... Here’s my tearful guide to save you buckets of tears‼️ ♦️ Whirlwind Itinerary Day1⃣️: High-speed train from Changsha 👉 Sun-stunned at Longjin Wind-Rain Bridge 👉 Spicy chaos at No. 2 Middle School 👉 Squished like a pancake on Suozijie Street Day2⃣️: Transformed into Dong ethnicity at Wanhe Drum Tower 👉 History lesson at the Surrender Memorial Hall 👉 Gnawing on duck at Little Yellow 👉 Crying into masks on the night train ✅ Longjin Wind-Rain Bridge A 1,000-year-old "breathing" bridge! My kid chased pigeons with a bubble blaster and knocked over a sugar-painting stall🍭. Grannies sell bayberries for 5 yuan per 2 jin—my kid ate until his teeth ached but insisted on "making bayberry wine for health"... Locals swim under the bridge at dusk, and my barefoot toddler splashed around claiming he’d "swim to Grandma’s Bridge"🏊. ✅ Suozijie Stilt Houses A real-life *Border Town*! When the lanterns lit up, my kid froze, demanding a Miao silver bracelet that later turned his wrist blue💍. The cobblestones rattled the stroller apart, so I strapped him on like a "human parcel"... ✅ Surrender Memorial Hall A living history lesson! Mid-tour, my kid raised his hand: "Are Japanese devils stronger than Ultraman?" Outside, he morphed into a "pilot" by the plane model, clinging to the railing, vowing to "fly to Taiwan to fetch Peppa Pig"... 💣 Bloody Pitfalls: 1⃣️ Don’t forget to lock shared e-bikes! While buying pickled radishes, mine got taken—costing me a 20-yuan relocation fee. 2⃣️ Don’t touch Suozijie’s lanterns! Paper ones tear easily, and my wallet bled paying for damages. 3⃣️ Wanhe Drum Tower photos are a scam! The rented Dong costume had missing headpieces, making me look like a "runaway bride." 🍜 Food Hall of Fame/Shame: ✔️ Liaoji Restaurant’s Zhijiang Duck: So spicy it’s soul-ejecting. My kid dunked rice in milk, declaring himself a "spice warrior." ✔️ Donggulao Pickled Radishes: Sour enough to blast your skull. My tearful kid called them "magic snot fruit." ✔️ No. 2 Middle School’s "Chaos": Fried skewers with sweet sauce—unstoppable. My kid invented a "spicy strip tornado" eating method. ✖️ Tianhou Palace’s Glutinous Rice Cakes: Hard as walnuts. My kid used one as a frisbee for stray dogs. 📸 Photo Ops: 1⃣️ Wind-Rain Bridge sunset (kite + silhouette shots) 2⃣️ Suozijie lantern wall (Hanfu + oil-paper umbrella) 3⃣️ Wanhe Drum Tower corner (ethnic silver accessories) 4⃣️ Wushui River steps (barefoot water play + forest vibes) 🏨 Lodging Hall of Fame/Shame: ✔️ Wind-Rain Bridge Inn: Bridge views from the window, plus a free toy wooden boat. ✔️ Riverside B&B: Bathtub facing the Wushui River—my kid pretended to "swim the Yangtze." ✖️ A budget hotel: AC roared like a tractor, and cockroaches partied on our bed at night. ⚠️ Lifesaving Gear: ✔️ Shockproof stroller wheels (cobblestones will test your sanity). ✔️ Foldable mosquito-net hat (Wushui’s mosquitos are bombers). ✔️ Kids’ UV sleeves (sun strong enough to roast sweet potatoes). On the way back, my kid asked, "Mom, do the bridge’s wrinkles hold stories?" Though I endured 800 "I wanna go home" meltdowns, seeing his sketchbook’s "Zhijiang Duck vs. Ultraman" doodles made it all worth it! (💡 Pro tip: Pack non-slip socks! Stilt-house floors are oil-slick—we wiped out in six split positions...)

A three-day trip to Huaihua, exploring the beautiful city! Here's a super practical guide to help you easily discover the unique charm of this city. Don't miss out! / 🌟 Itinerary at a Glance: Day 1: Memorial Hall of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression -> Longjin Wind and Rain Bridge -> Wanhe Drum Tower Witness the history of the War of Resistance, admire the ancient wooden bridge and drum tower, and experience Huaihua's rich cultural heritage. Day 2: Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town -> Tongdao Imperial City Dong Ethnic Culture Village Travel through the bustling ancient commercial town and explore the folk customs of the Dong "Imperial City." Experience two historical flavors in one day. Day 3: Tongdao Yutou Ancient Dong Village Delve into Yutou Ancient Dong Village, experience the original Dong lifestyle, and appreciate the tranquility and charm of the ancient village. 🔚 This three-day itinerary will lead you through Huaihua's history, culture, and natural beauty. It's a trip worth taking! / Must-See Attractions: Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town ⭐⭐⭐ - Address: No. 367, Xinmin Road, Hongjiang City, Huaihua City - Opening hours: January 1 to September 28, 8:00 am to 5:30 pm - Duration: 1 day Strolling through Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town is like traveling back in time to the Ming and Qing dynasties, experiencing the charm of ancient architecture and the weight of history. Longjin Wind and Rain Bridge ⭐⭐⭐ - Address: Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province - Opening hours: Open all day - Duration: 2–3 hrs The Longjin Wind and Rain Bridge is admired for its unique construction, entirely made of wood without nails or rivets. Standing on the bridge, you can enjoy the magnificent scenery. Memorial Hall of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression ⭐⭐⭐ - Address: West side of National Highway 320, Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province - Opening hours: January 1 to November 4; Closed all day on Mondays; Open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesday to Sunday - Duration: 2–3 hrs Step into the Memorial Hall of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and experience that turbulent period in history. The rich exhibits in the hall tell the story of the hardships and victories of the war. / Travel Checklist: 🧳 Essentials for Your Huaihua Trip 👕 Clothing: Bring a few warm coats. A down jacket is essential. The temperature in Huaihua in February is moderate, but the nights are cool. 🎒 Accessories: Hats, scarves, and gloves are both warm and stylish. Don't forget to bring them. 📷 Photography: Huaihua's landscapes are beautiful. Be sure to have your camera or phone ready to capture those wonderful moments. 💳 Documents: Don't forget essential documents such as your ID card, driver's license, and student ID. 💊 Medicine: It's always good to be prepared with common medications like cold and pain relievers. 🌂 Daily necessities: An umbrella or raincoat is necessary for Huaihua's changeable weather. A thermos will ensure you always have hot water. 🔋 Other: A charger and power bank will keep you connected, and sunscreen will protect you from strong UV rays. / Don't forget to experience all the wonders Huaihua has to offer. Have a wonderful trip and create lasting memories!

❕❕This is just my personal experience. You can spend more or less. Day 1 Itinerary: Zhangjiajie - Huaihua - China’s Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall - Wanhe Drum Tower - Suozi Street Stilted Building - Zhijiang Longjin Covered Bridge - Hotel 🚄High-speed rail: CNY 136 per person + CNY 15.5 per person (Zhangjiajie West to Huaihua South, Huaihua South to Zhijiang Station) 1⃣️China’s Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall: Free (The site of the Japanese surrender in 1945, this building witnessed the final victory of the Chinese people after eight years of war) 🍛Lunch: Liao Ji Restaurant CNY 67 per person (Zhijiang duck recommended) 2⃣️Wanhe Drum Tower: Free (Drum tower group of the Dong ethnic group, admire the drum tower architecture up close) 3⃣️Suozi Street Stilted Building: Free (A special street with a variety of Zhijiang delicacies) 4⃣️Zhijiang Longjin Covered Bridge: Free (A very lively bridge with many down-to-earth shops. In the evening, find a small shop, order a bowl of cold noodles, sit by the window, enjoy the evening breeze, and watch the sunset. It’s very relaxing.) 🍜Dinner: Luang Qibazao CNY 5 per person + Cold noodles CNY 5 per person (Dinner for CNY 10, who would have thought?) 🚗Transportation: Shared bike CNY 12 per person + Taxi CNY 16 per person 🏠Accommodation: Southwest Youth Hostel CNY 39.5 per person Day 2 Itinerary: Hotel - Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town - Hotel 🚗Transportation: Custom car CNY 22 per person (Zhijiang to Huaihua South Station. Wake up naturally, book a custom car to Huaihua downtown on the Huaiyun Group app. Custom cars are CNY 5 more expensive than buses, but very convenient. No need to go to the station, just choose the stop closest to you. Very friendly for travelers with luggage.) 🍛Lunch: Hongjiang Duck Noodles CNY 13 per person 1⃣️Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town: CNY 45 per person (The “Pearl of Western Hunan” still preserves the market appearance of the Ming, Qing, and Republic of China periods. This niche attraction is not yet commercialized, but the infrastructure is not yet complete, and many supporting facilities are not yet in place. The ticket is expensive.) 🍜Dinner: No. 8 Noodle Shop CNY 10 per person (Hongjiang noodles are famous for a reason, very delicious!) 🚗Transportation: Custom car CNY 30 per person 🏠Accommodation: Youth Hotel CNY 67.5 per person (If you’re considering taking a bus to Qianyang Ancient Town or Hongjiang Ancient Town, I recommend this hotel. It’s close to the bus station and high-speed rail station, very convenient.) Day 3 Itinerary: Hotel - Huaihua Museum - Hemingzhou - Yuhuang Palace - Return by high-speed rail 1⃣️Huaihua Museum: Free (Not many cultural relics, but quite interesting) 🍛Lunch: Tang Pangzi Noodle Shop (Dry noodles are delicious!) 2⃣️Hemingzhou: Free 🚗Transportation: Taxi CNY 20 per person 🚂Train: CNY 200 per person (Huaihua Station to Guangzhou Station)

The least popular town I visited this year, I hope it becomes popular but I don’t want it to be too popular As a travel blogger who doesn’t like to join in the crowds but likes taking photos, finding quiet, niche destinations with few people and beautiful scenery has always been something I enjoy doing. This time I came to Zhijiang, Xiangxi. Although I only stayed there for two days, it left me with many surprises and unexpected things. If I could only use one word to describe Zhijiang, I think that word would probably be the smell of fireworks. Here is the world's longest wind and rain bridge, but it is not closed off to charge admission or protected, but open to tourists and citizens for free. People are chatting, enjoying the cool air, walking their kids, and taking a stroll on the bridge. There are also a large number of businesses operating on the bridge. As the most popular place in the city, the prices of things on the bridge are surprisingly affordable, and almost all the customers are locals. The river flowing under the bridge is called Wushui, which may be the most beautiful river name I have ever heard. In the summer evenings, many people take cold showers in the river, while adults and children cool off, play, and dance in the square on the bank under the bridge. The tranquility and comfort of the small city are perfectly reflected at this moment.

|From the azure sky to the night, see the world's longest covered bridge. Zhi Jiang|From the azure sky to the night, see the world's longest covered bridge September, drizzle A romantic scene of azure sky and misty rain is spreading over the small town on the border of Xiangxi / With the leisure of the holiday, we Avoid the crowds and bustle of popular scenic spots Alone into this misty mountain area, away from the hustle and bustle, alone walking along the Zhi Jiang River, no need to rush, no need to deliberately punch in, every place to stay is quiet, aimless wandering, standing on the Zhi Jiang River, the 500-year-old Longjin covered bridge in the drizzle The twilight is more unique, the world's longest wind shows a unique temperament, the gray tile towering attic, connecting the bridge body across the river from east to west from ancient times to the present, not only for people to shelter from the wind and rain, protect the merchants and also witnessed the wind and rain of this small city, the vicissitudes of life , The Longjin covered bridge during the day is gentle and deep, but it is not surprising. After the lights are turned on at night, it becomes lively and modern. The night of the border town is decorated with lights. The covered bridge is still the protagonist, echoing the stilted buildings on both sides of the bank. Although it is a border town, it is not lost to the world-famous Phoenix City

The official name of Zhijiang is Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County, and within a 1-kilometer radius of the small county town on both banks of the Wu River, there are pride-worthy attractions: the century-old Longjin Bridge; the stilted buildings along the Wu River; the beautiful Drum Tower; the stunning night view; the only Mazu Temple in the inland; the Bandit Suppression Monument; the former residence where Shen Congwen once lived in his youth; and the former site of the headquarters of the Red Second and Sixth Army Corps during the Long March, among others. If you happen to pass through this small town, be sure to stay for a while, and you might see a different Zhijiang.

Xiangxi's secret realm, the Dehang Miao Village (many waterfalls) Dehang Miao Village is located in the Dehang Scenic Area of Jishou City, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province. It's not heavily commercialized, has many waterfalls, and the living environment is relatively not that good. Waterfall: Liusha Waterfall It's a 3.5km one-way trip from the ancient village, and there is a small train for the round trip that costs 18 yuan per person. It is recommended to walk, as the entire path is a good asphalt stone road, and there is also a waterfall along the way where you can take close-up photos. Mountain climbing: Wentiantai The next morning, take your time to finish a bowl of round rice noodles. It must be said that the Xiangxi round rice noodles are very good, very chewy, and the toppings are also very fragrant. Start trekking to Wentiantai from the Fengyu Bridge Inn. It starts with a flat road, and near the end, there is a climb of about 4 kilometers, with an ascent of 600 meters, about the intensity of climbing Yuelu Mountain, which is quite easy, and the scenery is also very beautiful. There is a waterfall along the way, the Yuquanxia Waterfall, which is located at the climbing spot. During the entire climb, there are several spots that are very suitable for taking photos. Inside the village, there are many folk performances, such as walking on knife blades and hanging upside down.

Originally, I wanted to go out and see the rapeseed flower sea outside, but it felt too costly to make a trip, so I decided it was better to find a spot right in front of my house to take some good photos. Thus, I drove around aimlessly until I found the Mayangtang Yijiayuan group. I was truly stunned by the beauty here, calling this place an earthly paradise is not an exaggeration at all, because the hustle and bustle of the road is just a few hundred meters of gentle slope away from the flower sea above. It's impossible to imagine the stunning beauty from the road. I highly recommend that everyone take the time to come and see this place, especially since it's free of charge, no money needed. You can even get here by taking a bus for just 3 yuan, but with those 3 yuan, you can experience the shock of spring and the beauty of the world, which is a much better deal than spending 300 or 3000 yuan to go elsewhere. It's amazing that such a wonderful place is undeveloped, without tourists, and no one has even posted photos online. It's truly a hidden gem unknown to the world. I highly recommend that everyone take the time to visit if you can.

The Longjin Bridge in Zhijiang is made of fir wood mortise and tenon joints without any iron nails or iron tools. Historically, it has always been a fortress on the Hunan-Guizhou Highway. It is known as the "No. 1 Bridge in the Southwest of the Three Chus" and is also the largest wind and rain bridge in the Dong village in China today. Longjin Bridge was first built in the Ming Dynasty, with a history of more than 400 years. It has been damaged and rebuilt many times. The current Longjin Bridge was rebuilt in 1999. It spans the clear Wushui River. It is nearly 150 meters long and more than 12 meters wide. There is a bridge pavilion built every 20 meters or so, for a total of seven pavilions. There are nearly 100 shops in the corridors on both sides of the bridge, which is very lively and prosperous. Longjin Bridge is open all day free of charge. Local elderly people often relax and have fun on the bridge. Walking across the bridge, you can not only enjoy the Dong ethnic customs on both sides of the Wushui River, but also appreciate the local customs and folkways. There are many snack stalls at both ends of the bridge and inside the bridge. Among them, the local flavors such as "rice tofu", "mixed soup", "rice noodles" and "malt sugar" are delicious and inexpensive and worth a try. Longjin Bridge is located in the downtown area of ​​Zhijiang County, with convenient transportation. Several bus lines stop nearby. It is only a few hundred meters away from another ancient site in Zhijiang County, the "Tianhou Temple".

Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County is located in the western part of Hunan Province and has a long history and profound cultural heritage. Zhijiang has unique location advantages and convenient transportation. Zhijiang Airport, Zhitong Expressway and railway form a three-dimensional transportation network of railways, highways and aviation. In addition, Zhijiang has a beautiful ecology and rich tourism resources. Unlike the crowded Guizhou, Zhijiang is very comfortable to visit. Although it lacks some old-fashioned flavor, the Dong Drum Tower and Wind and Rain Bridge are also full of authentic Dong style. Transportation: The distance from Huaihua to Zhijiang is more than 30 kilometers. You can take the high-speed rail or a taxi. The high-speed rail only takes a dozen minutes, and the taxi takes less than an hour. Check-in attractions: 1. Longjin Wind and Rain Bridge. The wooden bridge is hung with golden lanterns, and the colors will look very beautiful when taken on film. 2. Suozi Diaojiaolou is right next to the Fengyu Bridge. Almost all the stilt houses are homestays, and there are also cafes. Facing the Caojiang River, the view should be good if you stay here. 3. Wanhe Drum Tower Square. You must come here at night. The night view is very stunning, but it is also relatively crowded. 4. Tianhou Temple, the largest Mazu temple in inland my country, was built in 1684 and was formerly the Fuzhou Guild Hall. Food recommendation: The most famous food in Zhijiang County is Zhijiang duck. Every farmer's household here raises ducks in farmland and ponds, so the duck meat is firm and has no duck smell at all. Any popular small shop will do. Inside the bridge, there are local famous snacks such as "luanqibalu", Zhijiang love candy, Hunan pickles, cold noodles, duck noodles, and Hunan rice tofu.