Charming Xiangxi

» Zhangjiajie, Hu Nan

Charming Xiangxi Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Although people of the Han Nationality are the principal part in Zhangjiajie, the populations of ethnic minority groups like the Tujia and Miao are sizeable. People visit the city particularly to see the folk singing and dancing performances at night, for example "Charming Xiangxi."

Have a look at Xiangxi

Zhangjiajie, locaterd in Hunna Province, is part of greater Xiangxi (the western part of Hunan Province) and is full of mystery, magic and charm. Xiangxi has many unsolved puzzles which fire the imagination.

Folk songs from Sangzhi have made their way to foreign countries. The most well-known of these songs was sung by the famous Chinese singer Song Zuying at her solo concert held in the Gold Hall in Vienna, Austria. In this area, folk cultures that have died out in other places are preserved. Out of its population of 1.62 million, 1.25 million are from ethnic minorities. This city, Zhangjiajie also has a high concentration of people from 33 ethnic groups, such as Tujia, Bai and Miao.

Folk cultures

The charm of ethnic culture can be felt everywhere. There are 70 instances of intangible cultural heritage, in 15 categories. Among them, the Sangzhi folk song, Tujia hands-shaking dance, Maogusi Dance, Tujia Baldachin are listed as example of cultural heritage of the first importance. In addition, Guigu Kongfu, Baijiazhanggu dance, Tujiatima folk song, Nuo opera, Yangxi opera are called "local living opera fossils" because of the mystery and legend that surround them.

"Charming Xiangxi"

The night life is not as modern as that in the big cities, but it definitely has its own flavor. The performances of "Charming Xiangxi" give you deep impression about local folk cultures!

Tourism is a major industry in Zhangjiajie and people visit the city particularly to see the folk singing and dancing performances at night in Wulingyuan Scenic Area or at the Charming Xiangxi (refers to Zhangjiajie)Theatre. In Zhangjiajie there are two lists of plays of the folk singing and dancing performance: one is "Charming Xiangxi" and the other "Dream Zhangjiajie."

At the show of "Charming Xiangxi," the actors all come from the local Tujia and Miao families, and their fair-sounding singing and multicolored folk finery are the highlights of the party. Performances of Xiangxi Magic and Xiangxi Ganshi (chucking corpse) add to the mysterious and thrilling luster of the show. The performance lasts for three hours, and it provides a window into the soul of the culture of Zhangjiajie.

Getting around night streets in Zhangjiajie

Snacks

If you have time, night streets here are really worth your visit! At night, the streets of Zhangjiajie are full of vendors selling barbecue and local snacks. One such snack, Glutinous Rice Balls in Rice Wine Soup, is made of small glutinous rice balls, Chinese dates and sweet rice wine. This snack is not only very nutritious, but tasty as well. Bean curd, grilled dried Tofu, Grilled Beef Skewers, and Grilled Mutton Skewers are very special local snacks found in the night market and are very inexpensive. Tujia Spicy Radish and pickled vegetables must be included in your tasting menu.

Drinks

Here, you have chance to taste Tujia's wine. The Tujia minority group has a long history of wine making. Their methods are fairly dainty and they use many different ingredients to make a wide variety of wines including: Rice Wine, Corn Wine, Kaoliang Spirits, Gegen Wine, and Snake Wine. Once you've tasted their wines, you will never forget the unique taste.

Attractions around » Zhangjiajie, Hu Nan

Natural Scene

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
• Suoxi Valley
• Mengdonghe River
• Mt. Tianzishan
• Huangshi Village
• Jinbian Stream

Historical Site

• Phoenix Town
• Huanglongdong Cave
• Furong Town

Nightlife

• Charming Xiangxi

Charming Xiangxi Highlights

Performance in Great China

• Impression Lijiang
• Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show
• Charming Xiangxi

Charming Xiangxi FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. How are the four seasons in Zhangjiajie?
2. When is the best time to go there?

  Food

1. What can I buy there, is there any local specialty?
2. How does Zhangjiajie cuisine taste? Is it spicy?

  Travel

1. What to pack for a trip to Zhangjiajie?

  Customs

1. Are there any ethnic minority groups?

• How are the four seasons in Zhangjiajie?

  It's necessary for you to know something about your destination such as weather, the good time to travel there.

  Zhangjiajie is subtropical moist mountain climate, so the temperature is mild, rainfall is abundant, and frost period is short, the annual average temperature is 16C. Zhangjiajie is attractive all year round.

  In spring, all the flowers on mountains blossom, it is really a good time to do some hiking. In summer the forests flourish and are strongly fragrant, Zhangjiajie becomes a perfect place to spend summer. Autumn is a romantic season with the painting-like scenery, tourists have a lot to do here, like tasting fruit, hiking mountain. Winter provides tourists amazing scenery with snowy landscape, very suitable to admire plum blossoms in the snow.

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• When is the best time to go there?

  Generally speaking, Spring & Autumn is more suitable for traveling here, so, April, May, September, and October is the best time. However, please avoid coming here during golden week time as much as possible, then tourists are crowded and you have to pay much more for your food and accommodation.

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• What can I buy there, is there any local specialty?

  Zhangjiajie is also famous for local specialties, especially Chinese gooseberry fruit, Qingyan (green rock); Mingcui (tea green) Tea and Longxia (lobster) Tea. Don't worry; they don't cost you a lot.

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• How does Zhangjiajie cuisine taste? Is it spicy?

  Cuisine of Zhangjiajie is a little bit strong and spicy, but don't worry about it; we will try to provide proper food according to tourists' taste. Please tell us in advance if you have other requirements, we will try to make it for you!

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• What to pack for a trip to Zhangjiajie?

  • It rains a lot here, so bring umbrella or buy disposable raincoat, and wear comfortable clothes, light sports shoes if you plan to do hiking.

  • Also, don't forget to bring more clothes to keep warm in case of cold weather.

  • You'd better bring less carry-on baggage, but the things like sunscreen, medicine for insects' biting, cooling ointment should be included.

  • And bring more film to take photos, or you get to pay more for it here.

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• Are there any ethnic minority groups?

  There are mainly Tujia, Bai, Miao, Hui and other minority groups living in Zhangjiajie. No less than 7,000,000 minority peoples make up 50 of the total people there. Among them, Tujia ethnic minority people top first, next are Bai, Miao, and Hui. Other minority peoples include Man, Dong, and Yao. So, you definitely have a chance to enjoy distinctive ethnic folklore.
  

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