Your Way Holiday
Private Guided Tours·Photography·1 day·MODERATE

1-Day Zhangjiajie: Red Stone Forest & Furong Town by Boat

Explore a crimson seabed, then cruise to a waterfall through a living town—geological wonder and ancient legend.

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Overview

About This Tour

Price on request

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Tour Highlights

Walk a Prehistoric Ocean Floor

Stroll among crimson stone pillars in a 500-million-year-old red carbonate forest, once submerged beneath an ancient sea—a surreal landscape where the rocks change hue with the passing clouds.

Cruise the Emerald Corridor of Western Hunan

Sail along the You Shui River's gallery of peaks, where limestone cliffs rise from jade-green waters and time seems to slow with the current.

Walk the "Millennium-Old Town Hanging on a Waterfall"

Wander a 2,000-year-old Tujia settlement where a waterfall crashes through its core—mist rises through ancient wooden stilt houses, making legend feel alive beneath your feet.

Taste a Legend from the Silver Screen

Savor the iconic rice tofu at the humble No.113 shop where the film Furong Town was born—a bowl connecting you to cinematic history and the town's living soul.

Step into a prehistoric red stone forest that shifts color with the sky, then sail across emerald waters to a 2,000-year-old Tujia town where a waterfall runs right through its heart.

Duration

1 day

Tour Type

Private Guided Tours

Theme

Photography

Group Size

Only Your Group

Start City

Zhangjiajie

Activity Level

MODERATE

Route Map

Key places on this route

Map pins show the primary places guests will visit on this route.

1-Day Zhangjiajie: Red Stone Forest & Furong Town by Boat route mapMapbox route preview
  1. 1Zhangjiajie
  2. 2Red Stone Forest National Geopark
  3. 3You River Cruise
  4. 4Furong Town
One Day Plan

Your Day Tour Itinerary

A single-day route shown in the exact order configured by the travel team, with clear AM and PM time markers.

Download Itinerary
AM
08:30-09:00

Hotel Pickup

transfer

Your private guide and driver collect you from your hotel and head west toward the Red Stone Forest National Geopark, passing through the scenic winding roads of western Hunan.

Highlights

  • Private door-to-door pickup with expert commentary
  • Introduction to the region's geological and cultural landscape
AM
09:00-11:30
Red Stone Forest National Geopark

Red Stone Forest National Geopark

attraction

Step into a 500-million-year-old seabed sculpted into a forest of crimson stone. Unlike the grey karst pillars seen elsewhere, these formations burn deep red—shifting hue with the weather, turning even more vivid in sunlight. Explore the surreal "Yangtze Ancient Sea," "Heavenly Pool," and other formations, with Cambrian fossils still embedded in the rock.

Highlights

  • Crimson stone pillars changing color with the sky
  • Ancient Cambrian fossils embedded in the rock
  • Surreal "Ocean Bottom" and "Heavenly Pool" formations
AM
11:30-12:30
You Shui River Cruise

You Shui River Cruise

attraction

Board your boat for a cruise across the You Shui River—known as the "Mother River of the Tujia People." The waterway cuts through limestone karst landscapes, with cliffs rising sheer from jade-green waters. The boat brings you directly to the Furong Town dock, arriving at the foot of the famous waterfall. Keep an eye out for playful monkeys along the riverbank.

Highlights

  • A scenic cruise through one of Hunan's most beautiful waterways
  • Limestone karst peaks rising from emerald waters
  • A smooth transition from ancient seabed to living town
PM
12:30-14:00
Lunch (optional)

Lunch (optional)

meal

Lunch is flexible and not included. Your guide can recommend local restaurants with a view of the waterfall, where you can sample Tujia specialties.

Highlights

  • Flexible lunch planning with local recommendations
  • Options with waterfall views or local specialty dining
PM
14:00-17:00
Furong Town

Furong Town

attraction

Arrive at the "millennium-old town hanging on a waterfall"—where a waterfall plunges through its core. See wooden stilt houses clinging to the cliff edge, their balconies offering front-row views of the cascade. Wander the ancient stone-paved "Five Mile Stone Slab Street," where the film Furong Town was shot. Stop at No.113, operated by the same family since 1986—taste the iconic rice tofu.

Highlights

  • Witness one of China's most dramatic town-waterfall spectacles
  • Walk behind the cascading water and feel the cooling mist
  • Walk the film's original stone street sets
  • Sample the legendary rice tofu at historic No.113
PM
17:00-18:00

Return transfer

transfer

Wrap up your day and head back toward Zhangjiajie. Your guide can offer customized dinner recommendations if you wish to explore the city's local food scene after drop-off.

Highlights

  • Direct private hotel drop-off
  • Custom local dining suggestions

Optional Experiences

Enhance Your Day

Add upgrades while reviewing the itinerary. Availability is confirmed by the team before final payment.

"Blossoming Furong · Bizika Carnival"  Show
EXPERIENCEper person

"Blossoming Furong · Bizika Carnival" Show

Extend your Furong Town experience with an immersive performance that transforms the ancient streets into a living stage. The show blends 13 intangible cultural heritage elements across multiple venues, telling the 800-year history of the Tujia chieftain dynasty. It's an unforgettable way to experience western Hunan's living culture.

From $0

Adult $0 · Child $0 · Infant $0

Details

What's Included

Included

  • Cozy Ride: Enjoy the comfort and spaciousness of our air-conditioned car, offering scenic views.
  • Bilingual Expert Guide: Benefit from a personalized experience with a guide fluent in your language, catering to your needs.
  • Entrance Fees: Access all attractions and activities mentioned in the itinerary without worrying about additional entrance fees.
  • Seamless Transfer: Enhance your experience with convenient hotel or train station pickup and drop-off service.
  • Connect Seamlessly: Stay connected with complimentary onboard WiFi, allowing you to share your experiences in real-time.
  • Complimentary Water: Receive a complimentary bottle of water for each person, keeping you refreshed throughout your journey.
  • Travel Protection: Enjoy extra peace of mind with travel agency liability insurance coverage.

Not Included

  • Personal Expenses: This includes phone bills, laundry, additional tours, postage, and any entertainment fees not covered in the itinerary.
  • Meals: While meals are not included, our guide will recommend the best local food spots, giving you the chance to explore and choose based on your preferences. (Average cost per person for a regular meal at local eateries: 40RMB/6USD-80RMB/12USD)
  • Tips: Tips are not mandatory but are recommended for excellent service. If you feel satisfied with the service, you may consider leaving a tip.
  • Optional Activities: Any optional activities listed in the itinerary are not included in the tour fees, allowing you to choose and participate based on your preferences.
  • Accommodation with breakfast.
Your Ride

Transportation & Vehicles

Comfortable, safe, and well-maintained vehicles throughout your journey.

Our Vehicle Service Standards

🚗

Late-Model Vehicles (2022+)

All vehicles are 2022 or newer models — modern, safe, and meticulously maintained.

🧹

Daily Deep Cleaning

Every vehicle is sanitized and detailed before each use.

👨‍✈️

Professional Drivers

Licensed, uniformed drivers with 5+ years of tourist transport experience.

🛡️

Full Insurance Coverage

Comprehensive commercial insurance for all vehicles and passengers.

📱

Onboard Amenities

Complimentary water, Wi-Fi, phone chargers, and tissues on every ride.

❄️

Climate Comfort

Dual-zone climate control ensures perfect temperature year-round.

Premium MPV cabin reference image
Private car cabin reference image
Premium MPV exterior reference image
Private car exterior reference image

We usually arrange a 5-seater for 1–2 guests, a 7-seater for 3–5 guests, and a 12-seater for 6–9 guests, and so on. All vehicles have ample luggage space. Photos are for reference only. Vehicle brands and models may vary by destination.

Dining Experience

Dining & Meals

Have a specific restaurant or dietary need in mind? Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, and other requests can be accommodated with advance notice.

Our Dining Philosophy

🏛️

Heritage Restaurants

Historic establishments with decades of culinary tradition — where locals celebrate.

🏠

Local Family Kitchens

Home-cooked meals with local families — authentic recipes passed down generations.

🍜

Street Food & Night Markets

Guided tastings through iconic food streets with a local foodie guide.

🌾

Farm-to-Table Fresh

Seasonal dishes with ingredients grown on-site, set against scenic backdrops.

Fine Dining & Michelin

Award-winning restaurants with tasting menus, wine pairings, and unforgettable culinary artistry.

Dining Preferences & Dietary Requirements

Share dietary needs, restaurant preferences, or food interests before travel so the advisor can confirm practical arrangements.

Your Guide

Guide & Service Quality

Your private guide oversees the day's logistics, including the visit order, pacing, walking routes, attraction entry arrangements, and coordination with the driver. By adjusting the schedule based on traffic, crowd conditions, and your interests, the guide ensures a seamless, flexible, and personalized sightseeing experience.

Our Guide Service Standards

🎓

Licensed & Certified Guides

All guides hold national tourism licenses and have 5+ years of experience.

🌍

English Proficiency (IELTS 7+)

Fluent communication — guides can discuss history, culture, and current events with ease.

🗣️

Multi-Language Available

English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean-speaking guides available on request.

📻

Wireless Audio Headsets

Every guest receives a headset so you never miss a word, even in crowded sites.

🛡️

No Forced Shopping Guarantee

Zero pressure — we never force you into souvenir shops. Your time is yours.

🛍️

Local Shopping Recommendations

Want authentic gifts? We'll recommend trusted local markets and artisan shops — no tourist traps.

Our “No Forced Shopping” Promise

We guarantee zero shopping stops unless you specifically request them. If you ever feel pressured, contact us immediately for a full refund of that day's service.

Request a Specialist Guide

Interested in a specific topic? We can arrange historian guides for cultural sites, photographer guides for scenic spots, or foodie guides for culinary tours. Just let us know when booking.

Traveler Reviews

External Review Sources for 1-Day Zhangjiajie: Red Stone Forest & Furong Town by Boat

Current traveler feedback should be read through the configured external review sources.

Review sources

Tripadvisor Reviews

4.9out of 5

Public traveler feedback

Product pages use external review sources instead of manually maintained review cards. Open the official Tripadvisor profile to read current customer feedback.

Open Tripadvisor

Selected Tripadvisor reviews

Recent traveler highlights

J&

James & Sarah Mitchell

United Kingdom · Grand China rail journey

Tripadvisor

Standing on the Great Wall at sunrise with no other tourists in sight was the highlight of our China tour. The guide arranged a home-cooked lunch in a Beijing hutong with a family who had lived there for generations.

ER

Elena Rossi

Italy · Ancient capitals and Hangzhou

Tripadvisor

We picked tea leaves with a family whose ancestors farmed Longjing for generations. The tea ceremony that followed was the most memorable moment of our China trip.

MT

Mark Thompson

United States · Classic China private tour

Tripadvisor

Every guide felt like a friend who happened to know thousands of years of stories. The quiet Forbidden City experience was something we will never forget.

FAQ

Common Questions

Can I combine Red Stone Forest and Furong Town in one day with the boat cruise?

Yes—the Red Stone Forest and Furong Town are located within the same World Geopark, connected by the You Shui River. The boat cruise takes about one hour each way. With a morning start, this is a practical and scenic one-day itinerary.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The Red Stone Forest involves walking on uneven stone paths and climbing stairs—comfortable, non-slip footwear is essential. Furong Town's stone streets are also uneven and can become slippery near the waterfall.

What is the rice tofu at Furong Town?

It's a traditional Tujia snack made from rice flour, shaped like jelly cubes, and served with chili oil and pickled vegetables. The No.113 shop has been operating since the 1986 film and is a must-visit landmark.

When is the best time to visit?

Red Stone Forest's stones turn deepest red under direct sunlight—aim for a sunny day for the most vivid colors, and time your visit before rain when the red is most intense. Furong Town's waterfall is most dramatic after rainfall, and the evening lights are spectacular.

What should I bring for this tour?

Bring a rain jacket or waterproof layer—the waterfall mist can be heavy, and the boat cruise may have spray. Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes, as both sites involve stone-paved and uneven surfaces. Your camera is essential: the light shifts quickly across the crimson stone forest, and the waterfall's spray creates ever-changing rainbows.

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