Overnight stop between Zhangjiajie and Shanghai

Question

We are coming to China in September. I'm happy with the first part of our trip (Shanghai-Beijing-Datong-Xian-Zhangjiajie). After Zhangjiajie we have 4 nights before flying out of Shanghai. I'm thinking a night in either Furong Zhen or Fenghuan. Not sure which yet. What place then makes sense to stop a night at to split the high speed train trip across to staying in Hangzhou? Somewhere where a high speed train stops. Somewhere special/interesting. I like ancient places or unique scenery. Preferably smaller rather than a big city. Any ideas really appreciated.

Answer

After Zhangjiajie, considering you have 4 nights before flying out of Shanghai, it makes sense to break up the long train journey with one or two overnight stops. Both Furong Zhen and Fenghuang are worth visiting for their charm, historic architecture, and riverside scenery, but they are not directly on high-speed train lines, so reaching them may require a combination of train and bus or taxi.

Here are some practical suggestions:

Furong Zhen: A smaller town known for its waterfalls and traditional wooden stilt houses. Very scenic, less touristy, and ideal for a one-night stay. However, there is no high-speed train station nearby; the nearest is Huaihua South, from which you would take a bus (~2 hours) to Furong Zhen.
Fenghuang: Famous for its well-preserved Ming and Qing architecture, riverside streets, and charming old town. Also requires a bus or taxi from Huaihua South station (~3 hours). The town is larger and more tourist-friendly than Furong Zhen, making meals and accommodation easier.

For your overnight stop to split the high-speed train trip to Hangzhou, you want a place with both train connectivity and interesting sights. Some recommended options:

Jinhua (Zhejiang Province): Ancient streets, historic temples, and local culture. High-speed trains connect here to Hangzhou (~1–1.5 hours). Smaller than big cities like Hangzhou or Shanghai, providing a quieter overnight stop.
Shaoxing: Famous for canals, traditional architecture, and old water towns. Direct high-speed trains to Hangzhou (~30–40 minutes). A historic, scenic, and smaller city ideal for a night stop.
Huzhou: Less touristy, near Taihu Lake. High-speed trains to Hangzhou (~30–40 minutes). Offers peaceful scenery and is a convenient stopover.

Suggested itinerary:

Day 1 after Zhangjiajie: Travel to Fenghuang or Furong Zhen for one night, enjoy the old town and local scenery.
Day 2: Return to Huaihua South and take a high-speed train eastward. Stop overnight in Shaoxing or Jinhua for a more historic and scenic experience.
Day 3: Continue to Hangzhou by high-speed train, stay 1–2 nights, then proceed to Shanghai for your flight.

This plan balances sightseeing with practical travel, allowing you to enjoy historic towns without overly long train rides in a single stretch. Choosing Shaoxing or Jinhua as the mid-way stop ensures you can use high-speed rail efficiently while still enjoying ancient streets and unique scenery.

Overnight stop between Zhangjiajie and Shanghai

More Zhangjiajie Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions