Dehang is reached by bus from Jishou (about 45 minutes, ¥15–20) or from Fenghuang (about an hour). Jishou is on the high-speed rail line connecting Changsha and Chongqing via Zhangjiajie — a journey of about 2.5 hours from Changsha. There is no rail connection directly to Dehang.
The most efficient circuit of western Hunan visits Jishou as a base, with day trips to Dehang (north) and Fenghuang (south). Alternatively, a two-night loop combining Dehang and Fenghuang with an overnight in each gives a more rounded picture of Xiangxi than either destination alone provides.