Things to do in Youyang County

The boat trip from Wanzu Wharf in Pengshui to Gongtan Ancient Town includes both one-way and round-trip times, as well as views of the karst landscape of the Wujiang Gallery along the way. The boat slows down at Houchouyan to offer a more refined cruise experience.

This is a stunningly beautiful scenic area with fresh air and swirling mists, like stepping into a fairyland! Electric carts are available for rent within the area, so you won't feel tired even after exploring the entire area. Although you need to drive to get there, it's worth it. There aren't many tourists, and the suspension bridge is practically empty, allowing you to freely take photos.

Quieter than Fenghuang, more rustic than Lijiang, Gongtan Ancient Town is a hidden paradise nestled deep in the mountains 🌿. Perched atop the cliffs of the Wujiang River, its thousand-year-old stilted houses are scattered along the riverbank, their ancient cobblestone streets polished smooth and lustrous by time. Without the clamor of neon-lit bars or the throngs of people, it retains the most authentic charm of a Tujia ancient town. Strolling through the alleys, watching the clear river flow gently, the entire ancient town transforms into a traditional Chinese ink painting when the river mist rises. Sit on a riverside bench, listen to the roar of the Wujiang River, and feel the slow pace of life. This is the Tang and Song Dynasty town described by Wu Guanzhong, far from the hustle and bustle, where only mountains, water, and the warmth of human life remain—perfect for daydreaming and letting your mind wander. #GongtanAncientTown #OffTheBeatenPathTravelDestination #HealingScenery #TheMostBeautifulSceneryOnTheRoad #TravelDiary #ChongqingYouyang #WujiangGallery #StiltedHouseAncientTown

The scenic area is conveniently located right next to the highway. The area is large, and during the blooming season, it feels like stepping into a pink world. It's a must-see for filming Douyin (TikTok) and checking in, and it's well worth a visit.

The real red stone forest is a world-class geological wonder deep in the mountains, but it is too low-key and not taken seriously. If it were in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, it would be amazing.

Youzhou Ancient City is all newly built, and most of the accommodation is provided. If you visit Taigu Cave in Youyang Peach Blossom Spring, you must pass through the road to return to the scenic area. It is about 2 kilometers away. You can choose to take a sightseeing bus for 2 yuan to return to the entrance of the scenic area. (1) Youyang Peach Blossom Spring, in fact, the scenic area has little to do with peach blossoms. It just borrowed the poem "Peach Blossom Spring", so there is no need to wait until the peach blossom season. I went in at 8 o'clock and came out at 14 o'clock. Including the Taigu Cave, I played for 6 hours and walked 10 kilometers. (2) If you don't go to Taigu Cave, you can go around (not back) and return to the entrance of the scenic area (Peach Blossom Spring Square). If you go to Taigu Cave, you will have another exit. You need to take a minibus back to Peach Blossom Spring Square for 10 yuan, with one bus per hour. The Linshao Feishu bus costs 20 yuan and has more frequent trips. Take a 20-minute bus to the bottom of Youzhou Ancient City, and then walk 2 kilometers to the entrance of Peach Blossom Spring Scenic Area, or take a sightseeing bus for 2 yuan directly to Peach Blossom Spring Square. (3) I walked 5 kilometers before entering Taikoo Caves and spent 2.5 hours there. When the road forked, I had basically walked three-quarters of the entire loop and soon arrived at the entrance of the scenic area. I walked 5 kilometers in Taikoo Caves (the scenic area indicated that it was more than 3 kilometers and that you could not enter the cave after 5 o'clock), which took 3.5 hours. There were very few people entering Taikoo Caves, and there were basically no staff in the caves. I should have left earlier. There was no toilet along the way.

Since the Shu Han Dynasty, Longtan has successively been the seat of "County Magistrate", "Inspector", "State Tong" and "County Assistant", with a history of more than 1,700 years. The Tusi ruling policy of "Barbarians do not leave the cave, Han people do not enter the country" for more than 600 years since the Song and Qing Dynasties has created the unique architectural art and magical ethnic culture of Longtan, a thousand-year-old ancient town. The ancient town was built along the Meishu River, with a large scale and well preserved. The existing 3-kilometer stone slab street has been polished to a mirror-like shine and green like jade, and ancient marine fossils appear from time to time. More than 50 Tujia stilt houses have raised corners and flying eaves, and their shapes are beautiful. There are many shops on the street, and the alleys are connected to each other. The fire-proof walls are fortified and magnificent. The quadrangle is simple and quiet, and quite distinctive.

Worth visiting, the step are quite demanding however lots of places are accessible thanks to escalators

Zhangjiajie National forest park is 10/10 worth the time to visit. It contains some of the most beautiful natural rock formations I’ve ever seen, lots of statues and small area within the park, the Bailong elevator, tons of monkeys everywhere. Such a fun experience I would absolutely recommend making the trip.

The unique geological structure creates the special landscape of Fanjingshan. The three major scenic spots, Old Golden Summit, Red Cloud Golden Summit, and Mushroom Rock, each have their own unique style and charm. The scenic area management, including the entrance, cable car, and shuttle bus, is very mature, and the staff at each point are also very enthusiastic.