Begin your day with a pickup from your hotel in Zhangjiajie City or Wulingyuan. Head to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon scenic area entrance.

Enter the park and walk onto the Glass Bottom Bridge. Take your photos and enjoy the thrilling views of the canyon below. After crossing the bridge, choose to explore the rest of the canyon. This often involves a walk down through beautiful scenery, including waterfalls and pools, and then a boat ride across a small lake at the bottom.

Exit the scenic area and meet your driver at the pre-arranged location. Begin the long drive to Fenghuang Ancient Town. Have snacks and water in the car, or ask your driver to stop briefly for a quick lunch to-go.

Arrive at the outskirts of Fenghuang. Your driver will drop you off at the most convenient entrance to the ancient town (like the North or South Gate). Enter the ancient town (no entrance fee for the town itself, but tickets are needed for specific old houses, museums, and the boat ride).

Walk along the stunning Tuo River, cross the iconic “Flying Stones” wooden bridge (Hongqiao), and wander through the ancient flagstone streets lined with shops and stalls. Wait for the sun to set and watch as thousands of red lanterns and lights turn the ancient town into a fairy tale, with perfect reflections on the river.

Find a riverside restaurant for dinner. Try local Tujia and Miao minority specialties like Blood Duck Cakes or Jiangsu (fermented glutinous rice). If time allows, take a short boat ride on the Tuo River to see the stilted houses from the water. The view from the boat at night is unforgettable.

Meet your driver at the pre-arranged meeting point. Begin the drive back to Zhangjiajie. Your driver drops you off at your hotel in Zhangjiajie.