Tujia Hot Tubs - Zhangjiajie, Hunan.

Who could resist going to investigate an attraction billed as ' 72 Strange Buildings' . I walked there along the river in the afternoon and found it was an architectural replica of a Tuija village. The Tuija are an ethnic minority group that live in the mountains and in the past built stilted houses many stories high against the cliff faces. This replica village has a towering structure overlooking balconies, stairways, stages, shops and re-built halls and schools. It is definitely for  tourists but I think employs many Tujia as most of the shops sell food and in the evening there are traditional singing and dance items on the many stages dotted about. Lights and lanterns and set pieces were in place for the New Year, so it did have a vibrant and magical feel.
By 8pm I was feeling a bit footsore when, low and behold, there was a Tuija hot foot-tub booth. I went inside and was treated to a wooden tub of hot water - I plunged my battered tootsies in and then, much more rapidly, plunged them out again. The water was HOT! 
Opposite me were three young men on vacation who had been walking the mountains all day but even Chinese feet are not made to withstand par-boiling it seems. Withstanding the pain did give us a common interest though and we chatted via Google. When we were cooked enough and our skin soft pink and wrinkly, they kindly asked me to join them for some dinner, and later helped me navigate the huge crowds to catch a taxi back to the Inn. Another really special day.