I have traveled in many places, crossed bridges in many places, watched clouds many times, and drank many types of wine, but I only loved one ancient town that haunted my soul-Murong Ancient Town.

The ancient town of Morong is also called the ancient town of Morong Miao nationality. It is also known as the five ancient towns in western Hunan, along with the ancient towns of Liye, Furong, Pushi and Chadong. It is known as "an ancient town of Morong, half of the history of Miao territory." It is located in the southwest of Guzhang County, and the Longbi River runs through the town. It mainly consists of seven major areas: Morong Miao Village, Longbizui Old Street, Wagangzhai, Town Government Old Street, Paijilou, Baiyanchong, and Longbizui Market.

Among them, Morong Miao Village has been awarded the titles of "Chinese Minority Characteristic Village","Chinese Traditional Village","China Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance Base","Hometown of Chinese Folk Culture and Art","National 3A-level Tourist Attraction","Hometown of Miao Flower Drum","National Unity Demonstration Site","Hunan Province Ethnic Minority Characteristic Village","Hunan Province Characteristic Tourist Village" and other titles.

In Morong Miao Village, you can explore the mysterious and unique Miao culture, such as: Wu Nuo skills, going up the knife ladder and down the sea of fire, Miao marriage customs, Sifang drums, traditional Miao costumes, etc. Among them, the most eye-catching is Miao costumes. It is the most gorgeous costumes among all ethnic costumes in our country. It is mainly characterized by silver ornaments, Miao embroidery, and batik. It is not only a strange flower in Chinese culture, but also a treasure of history and culture.

If you want to have an immersive understanding of Miao folk culture, then Morong Miao Village will be your first choice. At the end of the wind and rain bridge, Miao girls dressed in costumes will welcome friends coming from afar with a "door-blocking ceremony"; there are Miao wedding customs activities waiting for you to experience in Guaiai Building; there are wizard performances in Wunuo Hall to recreate the Miao family's blessing ceremony.

The winding and deep streets and alleys in Miao Village are like a maze, but all alleys lead to Longbizui Old Street. Longbizui Old Street, as the commodity trading center of Morong Ancient Town, was historically a place where local Miao people "rushed to the market". Although the venue has now been moved to Longbizui Market, the Miao family still continues the tradition of "rushing" every fifth and tenth of the lunar calendar. Friends can also come and take a look at this lively market and maybe you can find some favorite things!

Across Longbizui Old Street, Wagangzhai faces the old street across the Longbi River. There is a stone pier built in the middle. Locals call it "Tiaoyan". This group of "Tiaoyan" was built in the Qing Dynasty and is located outside the East Gate. On the Longbi River, it is simple and interesting. It is an ancient road from the ancient town of Morong to the ancient city of Qianzhou. It was originally built with more than 20 small stone piers. In the past, floods were often washed away. It was rebuilt in the forty-third year of Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (AD 1704). During the Republic of China, wooden boards were added to the stone blocks, and later some stone piers were washed away. In 1950, the local government reinforced the rock-jumping, and replaced the missing stone piers with larger ones. The bottom of the rock was connected in series with iron chains. Now there are twelve stone piers in total. This is the "rock-jumping" we see today.

"Rock Jumping" has been used by countless Miao talents for thousands of years to get out of the ancient town of Morong and out of western Hunan. Famous singing actor Song Zuying, painter Long Qinglian, and world weightlifting champion Luo Hongwei walked towards the world along the slowly eastward Longbi River. The unique rock-jumping in western Hunan is the national essence and beautiful scenery of the ancient town of Morong, witnessing the ups and downs of the tides in the ups and downs of the ups and downs.

Looking up, Maoerting is the highest mountain in the ancient town of Morong. There is a bamboo forest in the mountains. It is cool and pleasant here, with a breeze blowing across your face. The cool wind makes people feel relaxed and relaxed. The bamboo branches sway and rustle. There is a winding mountain road in the middle leading to the depths of the bamboo forest on the top of the mountain. Standing on the top of the mountain stands a Miao family penthouse. Standing on the top of the mountain, you can overlook the entire ancient town of Morong, which makes people happy.

At the foot of Maoerting Mountain is Baiyanchong, which is adjacent to the Murong Miao Village, and belongs to the western gate of the Miao Village. In Baiyanchong, there is a stream that meets the Longbi River. The stream is crystal clear, and fish and shrimp play here. When the water level is at its highest, the water surface is only 2 meters wide. When the water is low, you can jump across it with all your strength. There are several dancing willows and a small peach tree growing on the bank of the stream, and on the other bank is a rice field.

In the hot summer, this is the most comfortable resting place for the Miao family. The willows on both sides of the bank have long grown into luxuriant branches and luxuriant leaves, and are densely layered. Threads of sunlight penetrate through the thick shade and leak onto the water, like silver needles shining one after another.

The old man sat under the willow shade to rest with his back against the tree trunk. The Miao sisters were washing clothes by the creek. The cool creek was touching their calves. It was as beautiful as it could be. Sometimes, children come to the stream, bend down and look up, and touch the creek or among the pebbles. From time to time, they touch some small shrimps and crabs. The sound of joy resounded throughout the ancient town of Morong...

The night in Morong Ancient Town is never dark, and the lights on the mountains and feet are dazzling.

Shimmering lights shone like stars. Under the dark blue sky, faint fog rose from the mountains, dyed with colorful lights, making it look dreamy.

If Xiangxi is the most mysterious part of Hunan, then Morong Ancient Town is the most simple one among this mystery.

It was not as quiet as expected, nor was it so noisy that it was disturbing.

It is the most beautiful Miao ancient town in all seasons. The lights of thousands of homes at night are as bright as stars, and the customs of the day attract imagination.

There aren't many new stories happening here compared to outside, but I always can't forget it.

I hope I can come to Morong Ancient Town more often in the future to see its customs, experience the human feelings here, and experience a new story.

Transportation:

1. Take the direct shuttle bus at Zhangjiajie Bus Station (next to the train station). The journey takes about 1.5 hours, and the fare is 30 yuan/person;

2. Take the shuttle bus from Jishou East Bus Station that leads directly to Morong Ancient Town. It takes about 30 minutes and the fare is 10 yuan/person;

3. Take the bus directly from Guzhang Bus Station that leads to Morong Ancient Town. The journey takes about 30 minutes. The fare is 5 yuan/person.

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 09:00-17:00.

Scenic spot ticket: 30 yuan/person.

Accommodation method: Choose from hotels or hotels in Morong Ancient Town, or B & Bs and inns located on the banks of the Longbi River in Morong Miao Village.