The Greater Zhangjiajie International Tourism Area recently welcomed its first high-speed rail tour group from Hong Kong this year. From April 3 to 7, 619 Hong Kong tourists embarked on a five-day in-depth cultural tour to explore Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang Ancient Town.

The tour group enjoys ethnic song and dance performances at the railway station. (Photo provided by the organizer)

To welcome these guests coming from afar, the organizer arranged song and dance welcoming ceremonies at Zhangjiajie West Station and Fenghuang Ancient Town Station. Over the following days, the Hong Kong tourists had a schedule to visit the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Baofeng Lake, and Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park. Following in the footsteps of Chinese writer Shen Congwen, the tourists explored ancient courtyards and alleys, took a boat trip along the misty Tuojiang River, and enjoyed the nightscape with brilliant lights, savoring the cultural charm of Fenghuang Ancient Town which is known as "China's Most Beautiful Town." To showcase the unique charm of western Hunan culture, the organizer hosted a variety of cultural experience activitiess during the entire itinerary. In addition to ethnic song and dance performances, the tourists joined in a Tujia-style long table banquet and watched live performances by Tujia intangible cultural heritage inheritors, including the welcoming drum, the lanmen wine ceremony, and the toasting ritual, immersing themselves in the unique ethnic customs of western Hunan.

The tourists experience folk customs. (Photo provided by the organizer)

The beautiful scenery and folk culture of this journey left a lasting impression on the Hong Kong tourists. Hanna excitedly remarked, "Fenghuang Ancient Town offers completely different views by day and night. The lights of the ancient town are truly beautiful, and the morning here has a different charm. I highly recommend that tourists stay at least one night."This tour group was organized by a Hong Kong travel agency and operated by a Hunan travel service.

责编：黄思婷

一审：黄思婷

二审：王柯沣

三审：秦慧英

来源：湖南日报·新湖南客户端