Xiangxi Biancheng Airport

Xiangxi Biancheng Airport (DXJ) operates as a regional airfield in the mountainous west of Hunan province, serving the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. Opened in August 2022, it sits near the town of Huayuan, roughly 30 kilometres from the prefectural capital Jishou. With a single runway and a compact terminal, the airport connects this remote corner of China to major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou via a handful of daily flights. Its name "Biancheng" references the literary border town described in Shen Congwen's famous 1934 novella, and the surrounding landscape of karst peaks, deep gorges, and terraced rice paddies gives passengers arriving here an immediate sense of entering a distinct cultural and geographic region.

Getting There

The airport lies approximately 30 kilometres west of Jishou, the prefecture's main urban centre. From Jishou city centre, passengers can reach the airport by taxi in about 40 minutes on well-maintained roads that wind through forested hills. Taxi fares from Jishou typically cost around 80–100 RMB, though prices may vary depending on demand. There is no direct public bus service to the airport as of late 2024; travellers must arrange private transport or rely on airport taxis, which queue outside the small arrivals hall. For those driving, the airport is accessible via the G65 Baotou-Maoming Expressway, taking the Huayuan exit, followed by a 15-minute local road drive. Parking is available in a surface lot directly in front of the terminal, with spaces reserved for disabled passengers near the entrance. The prefecture's road network is mountainous and winding; allow extra travel time during rain or fog, especially in winter months.

Inside the Terminal

Xiangxi Biancheng Airport's terminal is deliberately modest — a single two-storey building handling both arrivals and departures under one roof. Upon entering, passengers find the check-in counters to the left and a small waiting area with hard plastic seating. Security screening is located after the check-in desks, with a single lane for passengers and a separate lane for those with reduced mobility. The airport confirms a wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible car park, accessible toilet, and standard toilets — all maintained to a basic but functional standard. The departure lounge is compact, with seating for perhaps 80 people, a few vending machines dispensing snacks and drinks, and a single small shop selling local snacks and packaged goods. There are no restaurants or cafes beyond the security checkpoint. Passengers should plan to eat before arriving or bring food, particularly for longer layovers. The boarding gate is announced via a single screen and loudspeaker; all announcements are made in Mandarin Chinese. Wi-Fi is available free of charge but requires a Chinese mobile number for registration; international visitors may need to rely on mobile data. The busiest times reported are Monday at 10 am, Tuesday at 8 am, Wednesday at 3 am, and Thursday at 3 pm — these likely correspond to flight departures and arrivals for Beijing and Shanghai routes. Notably, the airport does not operate every day; flight schedules are limited to specific weekdays, so passengers must verify their flight date before booking. On non-operation days, the terminal is closed and no staff are present.

Xiangxi Biancheng Airport and Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture

Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture occupies the northwestern corner of Hunan, a region defined by steep limestone mountains, river valleys, and a dense patchwork of ethnic minority villages. The prefecture covers about 15,000 square kilometres and is home to roughly 2.5 million people, predominantly Tujia and Miao ethnicities — two groups with languages, festivals, and architectural traditions distinct from the Han Chinese majority. The airport serves as the fastest entry point for travellers heading to the ancient town of Fenghuang (Phoenix Ancient Town), a highly preserved riverside settlement with stilted wooden houses dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, located about 40 kilometres south of Jishou. Other major attractions include the Dehang Miao Village Scenic Area, a canyon of waterfalls and stone paths inhabited by Miao communities who continue traditional silver-smithing and embroidery; the Aizhai Bridge, one of the world's highest suspension bridges, spanning 1,176 metres across a deep gorge; and the Furong Ancient Town, another historic water town with a dramatic waterfalls cascading through its centre. The region is also the spiritual heartland of the Tujia people, whose culture includes the elaborate hand-waving dance (Bai Shou Wu) and the construction of diaojiaolou — stilted wooden houses that cling to hillsides. Historically, Xiangxi was isolated due to its rugged terrain; roads were scarce until the early 2000s, and even today, travel between villages can take hours on narrow, winding roads. The airport's opening in 2022 was a significant step in opening the region to tourism and business, though the prefecture remains less visited than Hunan's other famous sites like Zhangjiajie. The best time to visit is spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) when temperatures are mild and the landscape is lush. Summer can be hot and humid, while winter brings occasional snow to the higher elevations. The cuisine here is another draw — sour and spicy dishes feature heavily, with specialties like Xiangxi cured pork (la rou), sour fish soup, and rice wine. Visitors should also be aware that Mandarin is widely spoken in towns, but in remote villages, the Tujia and Miao languages are dominant; a few phrases of greeting in the local dialect can go a long way.

Practical Information

The airport is open only on days with scheduled flights. As of late 2024, flights operate on select weekdays; commonly, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday see service, while Friday through Sunday may have limited or no operations. Always confirm flight status with the airline before travelling. The airport's official name is Xiangxi Biancheng Airport, also known as Xiangxi Airport or Huayuan Airport. The IATA code is DXJ. There is no direct phone number for the terminal; passengers should contact their airline for inquiries. For lost and found, check with the airline desk during operating hours. The nearest full-service hospital is in Jishou (Xiangxi People's Hospital, about 40 minutes by car). One concrete piece of advice: if your flight departs early morning (e.g., Wednesday at 3 am mentioned in busiest times), verify that the airport will be open and staffed for check-in at least two hours before — some early departures may require coordination with the ground crew. Bring snacks, fill up on fuel before driving, and download offline maps of the region, as mobile signal can drop in the mountains. For a smooth journey, book a taxi in Jishou in advance if you have a tight connection; taxis at the airport are limited on non-peak days.