Sangzhi County Travel, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province

Sangzhi County, Zhangjiajie, Hunan — an old revolutionary base area and hometown of Marshal He Long, featuring He Long Memorial Hall, Badagong Mountain National Nature Reserve, Kazhu River Ancient Town, Maoyan River Rafting, Furong Dragon Fossil Site and other characteristic scenic spots. It integrates red culture, primitive ecology, Tujia ethnic customs and geological wonders, showcasing the diverse charm of "Red Sangzhi, Green Sangzhi" in 2 days.

3474
km² Area
380,000+
Permanent Population
12+
Characteristic Cultural & Tourism Attractions
2,000,000+
Annual Tourist Reception
He Long Memorial Hall in Sangzhi County
He Long Memorial Hall - Red Culture Landmark of Sangzhi County
A national patriotic education demonstration base and hometown of Marshal He Long. The memorial hall houses a wealth of historical relics, pictures and materials, comprehensively showcasing the glorious revolutionary career of Marshal He Long and the red history of Sangzhi.

2-Day Red Culture & Ecological Adventure Tour in Sangzhi County

Red Memory, Primeval Forest, Tujia Ethnic Customs

Tour Duration
2 Days
Main Destinations
He Long Memorial Hall, Badagong Mountain National Nature Reserve, Kazhu River Ancient Town, Maoyan River Rafting, Furong Dragon Fossil Site
Suitable For
Red tourism enthusiasts, ecological adventurers, ethnic culture experiencers, outdoor sports lovers
Per Capita Budget
¥600-¥1200
Day 1
Red Culture & Primeval Ecology Tour
He Long Memorial Hall · Badagong Mountain · Kazhu River Ancient Town
Itinerary Highlights

Visit He Long Memorial Hall in the morning to pay tribute to the glorious deeds of the revolutionary marshal; explore Badagong Mountain primeval forest in the afternoon to experience the charm of biodiversity; stroll through Kazhu River Ancient Town in the evening to experience Tujia folk customs.

Attraction Arrangement
He Long Memorial Hall
A national patriotic education demonstration base and a national 4A-level tourist attraction. It includes He Long's Former Residence, He Long Memorial Hall, Hongjiaguan Ancient Town and other parts. Through a wealth of cultural relics, pictures and scene restorations, it comprehensively showcases the revolutionary career of Marshal He Long and the red history of Sangzhi.
Badagong Mountain National Nature Reserve
One of China's first national nature reserves, known as the "Gene Bank of Central Subtropical Species". The reserve covers an area of 20,000 hectares with a forest coverage rate of up to 94.1%. It is home to rare plants such as Davidia involucrata and Taxus chinensis var. mairei, and rare animals such as clouded leopards and giant salamanders, making it an ideal destination for eco-tourism and scientific research.
Kazhu River Ancient Town
A millennium-old Tujia ancient town located on the upper reaches of the Lishui River, once an important water transport wharf. The ancient town preserves ancient building complexes, ancient wharves and stone slab streets from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Tujia stilted buildings are built along the mountains and rivers with strong folk customs, making it an excellent place to experience Tujia culture.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • About 30 minutes' drive from Sangzhi County to He Long Memorial Hall
  • About 2 hours' drive from He Long Memorial Hall to Badagong Mountain
  • About 1.5 hours' drive from Badagong Mountain to Kazhu River Ancient Town
  • Complex road conditions in mountainous areas, chartered car or group tour recommended
Ticket Information
  • He Long Memorial Hall: Free (Reservation Required)
  • Badagong Mountain Nature Reserve: ¥80
  • Kazhu River Ancient Town: Free (Separate fees for internal attractions)
Food Recommendations
  • Sangzhi Radish
  • Tujia Bacon
  • Badagong Mountain Wild Vegetables
  • Kazhu River Freshwater Seafood
  • Glutinous Rice Cake (Ciba)
Day 2
Thrilling Rafting & Geological Exploration Tour
Maoyan River Rafting · Furong Dragon Fossil Site
Itinerary Highlights

Experience the thrill of Maoyan River Rafting in the morning and enjoy the beauty of mountains and rivers; visit Furong Dragon Fossil Site in the afternoon to learn about the mysteries of ancient creatures and end the Sangzhi tour.

Attraction Arrangement
Maoyan River Rafting
A famous rafting scenic spot in Hunan Province, known as the "Hundred-Mile Gallery". The rafting section is 20 kilometers long with a drop of 66 meters. Along the way, there are scenic spots such as Qinhou Cave, Xuemen Gou and Maoyan Shoal. It has both thrilling rapids and calm lakes, making it an ideal choice for summer cooling.
Furong Dragon Fossil Site
An important dinosaur fossil producing area in China, where complete fossil skeletons of Furong Dragons have been discovered. Furong Dragon is a herbivorous dinosaur from the early Triassic period, about 210 million years ago. A fossil museum has been built at the site, displaying dinosaur fossils and the local geological evolution history.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Walking distance from Kazhu River Ancient Town to Maoyan River Rafting starting point
  • About 1 hour's drive from Maoyan River Rafting terminal to Furong Dragon Site
  • About 40 minutes' drive from Furong Dragon Site back to Sangzhi County
  • Shuttle bus service available at the rafting scenic spot
Ticket Information
  • Maoyan River Rafting: ¥168
  • Furong Dragon Fossil Site: ¥50
  • Rafting equipment rental: ¥30/set
Travel Tips
  • Bring a change of clothes for Maoyan River Rafting, do not bring valuables
  • Guide accompaniment required for entering Badagong Mountain Nature Reserve
  • Professional explanation service available at Furong Dragon Site Museum

Must-Try Foods in Sangzhi County

Sangzhi Radish

A national geographical indication product and a specialty of Sangzhi County. The radishes are uniform in size, tender in texture, sweet and crisp in taste, and juicy and delicious, known as the "native ginseng". They can be eaten raw, stewed in soup or pickled, and are an important part of Sangzhi people's daily diet.

Tujia Bacon

A traditional Tujia food in Sangzhi, made from local native pork through salting, cypress branch smoking and other processes. The bacon is golden in color and rich in flavor, which can be steamed, stir-fried, stewed and other cooking methods, and is a must-have delicacy for receiving guests and festivals.

Badagong Mountain Wild Vegetables

Various wild vegetables collected from Badagong Mountain Nature Reserve, such as bracken, Osmunda japonica, bamboo shoots, etc. Wild vegetables are natural and pollution-free, rich in nutrition, delicious in taste, and are green food for health and wellness.

Kazhu River Freshwater Seafood

Kazhu River has clear water and is rich in various river fish. The river fish has tender meat and delicious taste, which can be made into boiled fish with pickled cabbage, steamed fish and other dishes, with local characteristic seasonings and unique flavor.

Sangzhi County Travel Tips
Best Travel Time
  • Spring (April-May): Mountains covered with blooming flowers, rhododendrons in Badagong Mountain in full bloom
  • Summer (June-August): Best time for Maoyan River Rafting
  • Autumn (September-October): Clear sky and mild weather, suitable for hiking and trekking
  • Winter (December-February): Red culture tourism, experience revolutionary history
Must-Experience Activities
  • Listen to revolutionary stories at He Long Memorial Hall and pay tribute to martyrs
  • Hike in Badagong Mountain primeval forest and experience biodiversity
  • Night tour of Kazhu River Ancient Town to experience Tujia folk customs
  • Maoyan River Rafting to experience excitement and beautiful scenery
  • Explore Furong Dragon Fossil Site to learn about ancient creatures
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: ¥200-350 (Including rafting)
  • Catering: ¥200-400 (Including characteristic food)
  • Accommodation: ¥200-450 (County hotels or ancient town homestays)
  • Transportation: ¥150-250 (Including chartered car fees)
  • Total: ¥600-1200
Frequently Asked Questions
  • Do I need a guide for Badagong Mountain? → It is recommended to hire a guide to ensure safety and tour quality
  • Is Maoyan River Rafting safe? → Very safe, with professional lifeguards and equipment
  • Do I need to reserve He Long Memorial Hall? → Yes, reservation can be made through official website or phone
  • What is the accommodation condition in Kazhu River Ancient Town? → There are characteristic homestays and inns with good conditions

Explore Travel in Districts and Counties of Zhangjiajie City