Home to Fanjingshan (Mount Fanjing), a UNESCO sacred mountain with a vertigo-inducing golden temple perched between two peaks.
Tongren in eastern Guizhou is the gateway to Fanjingshan, a misty Buddhist peak and UNESCO site whose Red Clouds Golden Summit splits into twin cliffs joined by a sky bridge.
The area is also rich in Tujia and Miao culture, with old towns along the river.
Here are the highlights worth your time in Tongren.
A sacred peak with a cliff-edge golden temple; UNESCO site.
¥100 + cable carRiverside lanes and bridges.
FreeA nearby river town of Ming-Qing architecture.
FreeTongren has its own kitchen — here are the dishes to try.
Spicy highland hotpot.
Herb-mixed sticky rice.
River fish over charcoal.
Local green tea.
Lantern-lit bridges.
Grilled fish and beer.
Some hotels have mineral pools.
Tongren Station on the high-speed line; ~2h from Guiyang, ~3h from Changsha.
Tongren Fenghuang (TEN) has a few flights.
Buses and DiDi (~1h).
Shuttles to the mountain gate.
Where you stay shapes the trip. Three good bases:
Central base.
Resort lodges at the gate.
Riverside old-town rooms.
Pilgrims and hikers chasing the 'sky temple' photo.
