Tuojiang River

Tuojiang River

The Tuojiang River is the largest river in Fenghuang County and the mother river of Fenghuang. Its waters are emerald green and crystal clear, sparkling like gemstones with delicate shimmering light—eye-catching yet not overly dazzling. Boarding a covered wooden boat, listening to the boatman’s rhythmic chants, and admiring the century-old Tujia stilt houses along the riverbanks creates a uniquely charming experience. Flowing from the upper reaches of the Tuojiang, landmarks such as the Wanshou Tower, Wanxing Pagoda, and Duocui Tower dot the landscape. The river glimmers under the sunlight, occasionally rippled by fishing boats drifting by. This winding ribbon of azure water gracefully embraces Fenghuang, leaving visitors spellbound. The southern bank of the Tuojiang is lined with ancient city walls built from purplish-red sandstone, elegant yet majestic. The wall features two gate towers on the east and north sides, standing resilient and imposing despite the passage of time. The age-old Tuojiang River has been home to human activity since the Shang and Zhou dynasties. A 3,500-year-old Shang-Zhou site was discovered in Fenghuang County, located on the southern bank of the Tuojiang. This site lies within Longtan Village, Guanzhuang Township, Fenghuang County, along the southern edge of the Tuojiang. The century-old Tujia stilt houses also bear witness to the river’s storied history. Clustered along the riverbanks near the Dongmen Hongqiao and Beimen Tiaoyan areas, these slender stilt structures stand delicately over the Tuojiang, resembling an eternal, frozen landscape.

Tips:

The bow of the boat offers the best vantage point for photos.

Address: Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture

It flows from west to east across the central part of Fenghuang County, passing through nine towns and townships: Lao’ershan, Machong, Luochaoling, Dulizhen, Nanhua Mountain, Tuojiang Town, Guanzhuang, Qiaoxikou, and Mujiangping.

Type: River boat tour

Recommended visit duration: 1–2 hours

Opening hours:

The ancient city is open all day. Tuojiang River boat tours operate from 07:30 to 18:00.

Ticket information:

There is no entrance fee for the Tuojiang River itself. Boat tours on the Tuojiang are included in the “Nine Scenic Spots of Fenghuang” package, with a combined ticket price of 148 RMB.