Jishou

Jishou is the capital of the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in the rugged northwest of Hunan, a mountain city surrounded by deep canyons and terraced Miao and Tujia villages. Nearby soars the Aizhai Bridge, once the world's longest tunnel-to-tunnel suspension span, over a spectacular gorge, while the Dehang Miao village preserves living ethnic traditions of song, dress and stilted architecture. The old town of Furong and Fenghuang lie within reach. For an international student, Jishou offers vibrant Miao and Tujia minority culture, dramatic canyon scenery and an off-the-beaten-path corner of China.