Recently, People's Daily shared an article on Facebook to promote Xiangxi's Furong Town to the world, and its comment section was quickly overwhelmed by a large volume of reactions in multiple languages. Thanks to China's visa-free policies, Furong Town, renowned as an ancient town hanging on the waterfall, has already become one of the most sought-after destinations for foreign visitors.
On Facebook, the nightscape video of Furong Town quickly surpassed a million views, with its blend of ancient architecture and natural wonders earning it the nickname "a realistic version of 'Spirited Away'" among netizens. Instagram saw travel outfit photos against the backdrop of the waterfall and Tujia stilted houses garnering tens of thousands of likes per post, as the cobblestone streets and traditional dwellings were transformed into a natural photography studio. TikTok was flooded with related hashtags, while short clips framing the waterfall alongside the stilted buildings went viral. YouTube saw a surge of vlogs from international visitors, with lively discussions and travel tips filling the comment sections. Domestic platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu also featured numerous posts from foreign tourists, as the hashtag "China's Most Beautiful Town" gained global recognition.
Screenshots of foreign tourists' posts featuring Furong Town.
Furong Town's vibrant Tujia cultural atmosphere is captivating global travelers, inviting them to immerse themselves deeply. The aroma of Xiangxi cured meats wafts out from cobblestone alleys, and tourists may experience the chime of Miao silver ornaments and the rhythmic movements of Baishou dance, or hand-waving dance, as well as the mystery of Maogusi dance. Through the camera lenses of international visitors, these traditional customs are now presented to the international community, becoming dynamic carriers for cross-cultural exchange.
Foreign tourists try on traditional costumes of the Tujia ethnic group.
The Furong Town-Red Carbonate-Rock Stone Forest Resort now welcomes global guests with its most vibrant offerings—whether the majestic painting before the waterfall, the awe-inspiring intangible cultural heritage performances, the aromatic Tujia flavors wafting through the streets, or the ongoing 12th Mud Carnival. All these elements demonstrate that Furong Town is not merely "China's most beautiful scenic landmark," but a shared treasure of human civilization.
The night view of Furong Town. (Photos above provided by the correspondent)
This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.
Translator: Xiao Juan
Chinese source: Voice of Hunan
