Longji to Fenghuang Ancient Town

Question

Hello, I'm trying to work out the quickest (but affordable) was to get from Longji to Fenghuang Ancient Town. I was thinking about an expensive taxi to Huaihua (or another station if it's closer) and then the train across to Fenghuang but can't work out if thats possible or how much a car would be. Any suggestions would be really appreciated,

Answer

Traveling from Longji (Longsheng) to Fenghuang Ancient Town requires combining road and rail transport, as there is no direct train or bus connecting the two destinations. Here’s a detailed breakdown of your options to balance speed and affordability.

Option 1: Private car/taxi to Huaihua + Train to Fenghuang

Hire a private taxi or car from Longji to Huaihua city. The drive is approximately 5–6 hours (around 300–350 km) depending on traffic and road conditions.
Estimated cost for a private car/taxi could range from ¥800–1200 ($110–160 USD) for a one-way trip. Prices vary depending on negotiation and vehicle type.
Once in Huaihua, take a train to Fenghuang. Fenghuang has its own Fenghuang Railway Station (newer station, not the old bus station), served by high-speed and regular trains from Huaihua. Travel time is roughly 2 hours.
Train tickets can be booked online via official Chinese railway booking websites or apps, typically ranging from ¥50–120 depending on train type (regular vs high-speed).

Option 2: Bus from Longji to Guilin + Train via Changsha or Huaihua

Take a bus from Longji to Guilin (~2–3 hours). This is cheaper than a private car, usually ¥40–60 per person.
From Guilin, take a high-speed train to Huaihua (~5–6 hours) or Changsha (~6–7 hours) depending on schedule. From Huaihua, connect to Fenghuang as above.
This option is more affordable but significantly longer in total travel time compared to a private taxi to Huaihua.

Option 3: Direct long-distance bus (limited and less comfortable)

Occasionally, long-distance buses run from Longsheng/Longji area to Huaihua or even directly to Fenghuang, but schedules are infrequent and not always reliable.
If available, the bus journey can take 7–8 hours and cost around ¥100–150 per person.

Recommendations:

If speed and convenience are your priorities, hiring a private car/taxi to Huaihua and then taking the train to Fenghuang is the best option.
If you are on a tighter budget, the bus-to-Guilin plus train route works but adds several hours to your travel.
Always check the latest train schedules online as they can vary seasonally.
Ensure you arrive at Huaihua station in time for your train, and consider booking train tickets a day in advance, especially during weekends or holidays.

Overall, combining a private taxi from Longji to Huaihua with a train to Fenghuang is the most practical balance of speed and comfort, even if slightly more expensive than buses.