The most popular ancient building in the rain

🌿Border Towns Depicted by Shen Congwen | A Slow Travel Guide for 600 Yuan Per Person

"Going from Sichuan to Hunan, there's an official road to the east..." Finally checked out Chadong Ancient Town. The Qingshui River and stilt houses are just like something out of a book! Comes with a comprehensive guide 👇

📍Specific Location: Chadong Scenic Area, Biancheng Town, Huayuan County, Xiangxi Prefecture, Hunan Province (at the junction of Hunan, Guizhou, and Chongqing)

🚗What's the most convenient way to get there?

1. High-speed Rail + Transfer: Take a 1.5-hour taxi from Jishou East Station, or a 2.5-hour tourist bus from Tongren South Station.

2. Self-Drive: Take the Baomao Expressway to the "Biancheng" exit. Enjoy views of the terraced fields and sea of clouds along the way.

3. Waterway: Take a 20-minute antique boat ride from Chongqing Hong'an Wharf to Chadong Ancient Ferry, 30 yuan per person.

💰 2-Day, 1-Night Cost (Per Person)

• Transportation: 200 yuan (round-trip bus/shuttle bus)

• Accommodation: 200 yuan (riverside stilt house with river views)

• Food: 150 yuan (eating until full of jiaojiao fish and rice tofu)

• Experiences: 50 yuan (2 yuan for Lala Ferry, 30 yuan for Cuicui Island, 25 yuan for the boat ride)
✅ Total cost: approximately 600 yuan, excellent value!

🌟4 Must-See Literary Scenes

1. Lala Ferry: Cross the Qingshui River for 2 yuan, a 5-minute ride from Hunan to Chongqing. Capture stunning photos in the early morning mist.

2. Cuicui Island: 30 yuan to visit the 9-meter-tall Cuicui statue. A stone tablet inscribed with the full text of "Border Town" is also featured. The suspension bridge offers stunning photo ops.

3. Three Provinces Boundary Monument: Free check-in for "Three Provinces in One Foot." Nearby is the site of Liu Bei and Deng Xiaoping's army crossing the river.

4. White Pagoda Hill: 20-minute hike to the summit for panoramic views of the ancient town. The morning mist surrounding the White Pagoda resembles an ink painting.

🍜Border Town on Your Tongue

• Cornerfish: Wild Qingshui River fish cooked in a spicy sour broth, a refreshing and appetizing dish.

• Oil-baba: 1 yuan for 4, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, enjoy as you walk.

• Three Provinces in One Pot: Hunan, Chongqing, and Guizhou-style hot pot, a must-try in the ancient town.

💡 Tips
▫️ The ancient town is free to enter, so avoid National Day! A deserted environment evokes the tranquility of the novel.
▫️Stay at the "Border Town Story" B&B and experience different versions of "Border Town."
▫️Visit the Qingshui River in the evening to see the lanterns; the night scene is even more romantic than the daytime.

There's no commercial bustle here, only the echoes of boatmen's songs and bluestone slabs, perfect for a leisurely stroll.