Fenghuang Ancient Town

|Border Town under the pen of Shen Congwen. 'A bend of Tuojiang River, a Phoenix city.' A slight mist is diffused, three thousand bright lights are brilliant, so this is the border town under the pen of Mr. Shen Congwen... Rush to the Phoenix Ancient City in western Hunan to see the 'Border Town' under the pen of Shen Congwen. The majestic ancient city wall, the neat stilted buildings, the smooth bluestone roads, the Yao girls by the Tuojiang River... These are the first impressions of the Phoenix Ancient City. Phoenix is located in western Hunan, and is a county where ethnic minorities such as Miao and Tujia are mainly concentrated. This place has a long history and was once called 'the land of barbarians', but a 'Border Town' has pushed this ancient city to the world. Today's Phoenix is the 'most beautiful small city in China' in the mouth of New Zealand writer Rewi Alley and the 'Painting Township' under the pen of painter Huang Yongyu, which is comparable to the ancient city of Lijiang in Yunnan and the ancient city of Pingyao in Shanxi. 'Wait for a city of misty rain, just for you; cross a lifetime of love, only with you' 'I have walked over many bridges in my life, seen clouds many times, drunk many kinds of wine, but only loved a person at the best age' Perhaps many people like Shen Congwen because of this sentence. And because of his 'Border Town', they fell in love with Phoenix.

I personally think that the ancient town of Fenghuang is better during the day than at night. It is best to travel outside of holidays to truly appreciate the unique charm of Fenghuang Ancient Town. Traveling during holidays, apart from the lively nights, only offers a bland and heavily commercialized experience! 🌟 After getting off the high-speed train, don't take the magnetic levitation taxis. Instead, walk inside and buy a direct bus ticket for 7 yuan per person. It's about 8 kilometers and takes 20 minutes. When purchasing, show the staff the hotel you're going to, and they will tell you which bus number to take (there are only 2 routes). 🌟 Book your hotel in advance, and don't worry about which gate to enter through. The ancient town is neither too big nor too small, and there are many places to visit, so it doesn't really matter where you stay. There's no need to be picky about the location or to stay in the county outside. Just choose a hotel inside the ancient town. It's best not to choose a hotel by the river during holidays, as it can be noisy until 2 a.m., making it hard to sleep. On regular days, riverside hotels can be an option, but choose carefully. I personally recommend staying at a hotel further inside, as accommodations are very affordable and you're unlikely to encounter any issues. 🌟 If you choose a homestay near Nanhua Gate, there will be many stairs, which is not convenient for luggage. Look at the map and try to choose a location a bit closer to the river at the bottom left corner, where there are not too many stairs and it's more convenient. 🌟 Two days and one night are enough; there's no need to stay too long. The scenery is beautiful during the day when the weather is good, especially from Wanming Pagoda to Feng Bridge. If you want to see the night view, you can go to Nanhua Bridge. 🌟 The photos you can take in the ancient town are quite similar, so there's no need to choose too expensive a package. The 199, 299, 399, 699 options are really just for the experience. A 199 package is enough, and the photos will be similar. Many are just casual shots, but you can still get one or two that you like! It's best to rent a costume and take photos during the day, as they don't look good at night. You don't need to deliberately look for roadside photographers; sometimes they will take photos for you, and if you like them, you can buy them—10 yuan for 7 photos! 🌟 The food and goods in the ancient town are too expensive and not tasty or enjoyable. You're always stepping on landmines with the heavy commercialization. The entire ancient town is almost entirely filled with clothing and travel photography shops. It's really only suitable for a glance at the scenery. Biancheng is not Fenghuang Ancient Town, but if you have time, you can find a driver to carpool for 80 yuan per person to visit Chadianzi, the place described by Shen Congwen in his writings!

Fenghuang or the Phoenix Ancient Town is located in Hunan province. It’s one of the most famous ancient towns in China. One of the activities that you can enjoy there is to rent a costume and walk around the city talking to the locals who most of them are dressed up too, taking photos with them and also with the incredible landscape. It’s a really nice experience. -The costume costs around 20-50¥ per hour, depending on the shop, there are countless shops for renting costumes. Also, if you need a photographer they can provide as well. . . . . #china #chinalife #summervacation #costume #chinatravel #staycation#ancientlandmark #ancienttown #exploresgtogether #tripaway #triplocal #awesomepic #fenghuang

Fenghuang Ancient Town, located on the banks of the Tuojiang River in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Hunan Province, is a well-preserved ancient town known as "China's most beautiful small city". Fenghuang Ancient Town is renowned for its unique architectural style, rich cultural heritage, and enchanting scenery. I. Features of Fenghuang Ancient Town Architectural Style: Fenghuang Ancient Town is dominated by wooden structures, with a unique style that is steeped in the cultural essence of the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups, earning it the reputation of a "Ming and Qing Dynasties architecture museum". Cultural Heritage: With a long history, Fenghuang Ancient Town has a profound cultural heritage. It is a traditional settlement of the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups, where visitors can experience the strong ethnic customs and traditional culture. Beautiful Scenery: The surroundings of Fenghuang Ancient Town are beautiful, with the Tuojiang River winding through. The town's small bridges over flowing water, cobblestone lanes, and ancient residential courtyards are all breathtaking sights. II. Tour Route Preparation: You can choose appropriate transportation from Zhangjiajie City in Xiangxi to Fenghuang Ancient Town, and prepare essential items such as a camera, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and shoes. Stroll through the Ancient Town: Upon arriving at Fenghuang Ancient Town, you can stroll through the town, admire the ancient buildings, streets, pavilions, and platforms, and feel the historical and cultural atmosphere of the ancient town. Boating on the Tuojiang River: You can choose to boat on the Tuojiang River, enjoy the panoramic view of the ancient town, and experience the coolness and tranquility of the river water, which is a unique experience. Folk Performances: Fenghuang Ancient Town offers many folk performances and activities, such as Tujia songs and dances, Miao traditional festivals, etc. You can participate in these to understand the local folk culture. Food Experience: While wandering through the ancient town, you can taste authentic Xiangxi cuisine, such as hot and sour rice noodles, cured meat rice noodles, spicy chicken, etc., and experience the food culture of Xiangxi. III. Safety Instructions Pay Attention to Safety: When visiting Fenghuang Ancient Town, tourists should pay attention to safety, comply with the regulations of the scenic area, not walk in prohibited areas at will, and avoid accidents. Protect the Environment: While touring the ancient town, tourists should take care of the environment, not litter, and keep the scenic area clean and tidy. Respect Local Culture: When participating in folk performances and activities, tourists should respect the local folk culture and customs, not disturb the lives of local residents, and maintain politeness and friendliness. Fenghuang Ancient Town is a charming ancient town where visitors can experience the rich cultural atmosphere of the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups, and appreciate the ancient architectural style and beautiful scenery.

Having visited many ancient towns, one might feel a sense of commercial homogeneity. However, I find the bridges over the Tuojiang River in Fenghuang Ancient Town particularly interesting. Nestled among green mountains, with clear waters flowing, each bridge has its own unique shape, full of aesthetic quality, and also carries a folkloric charm. It reminds me of the famous lines written by Mr. Shen Congwen, a local writer of Fenghuang Ancient Town: 'Between the green mountains and waters, I want to hold your hand and cross this bridge, Above the bridge are green leaves and red flowers, below is the flowing water and people's homes, The end of the bridge leads to youth, and this end to grey hair.' I think, this is probably the most beautiful expression of love and life.

Fenghuang Ancient Town is this unreal slice of history tucked away in Hunan, China. With its stilted houses right on the river, winding cobblestone paths, and bridges that look amazing lit up at night, it's like walking into the past. It's perfect for anyone into history, culture, or just looking for some awesome photos. Definitely a must-see for an authentic peek into China’s rich heritage. Super picturesque and full of character. It was accessible by train directly from Zhangjiajie, can be visited as a day tour but I would definitely recommend staying at least one night since trains back to Zhangjiajie depart early. That way you can enjoy this picturesque town also at night. Bonus tip: if you rent an outfit and have a photoshoot, you can do it almost at sunset time, so you have both daytime and nighttime pictures 😉 #freehotelstay

During the day, there aren't many people, but at night it gets very crowded! The streets are quite narrow and packed with people. The night view of the ancient town is very beautiful, you must go and see it, there are many music bars by the river but the prices are generally high. Local delicacies include special dishes like blood curd duck, Miao pancakes, beef rice noodles, and shrimp cakes. I tried the blood curd duck and beef rice noodles (blood curd duck is available in many restaurants) and the taste was quite good~ There are many top-rated restaurants every day, you can go and check them out!! It is recommended to use group buying for 1-2 person meals, most of which are priced around 68 yuan, and you can eat very well. The most popular shop for beef rice noodles is Shili Xiang noodle shop, but I just randomly chose a shop, and the taste was also good. The noodles are the very wide kind, they look spicy but are not. Photography: There are photo studios all over the ancient town, with both cheap and expensive prices, but you get what you pay for. You should visit several studios, pick and choose carefully. 398 yuan for 10 retouched photos, with all negatives included. The makeup artists are very good, and you can ask for a makeup change if you're not satisfied. Accommodation: Don't worry about not having a place to stay! There are homestays everywhere, but you still need to look ahead of time. The river view rooms have great views, and at night you can listen to the music from the bars by the river. But the prices are a bit more expensive, ranging from 200-600 yuan (or even more expensive), so you can choose according to your own needs. Attention! When visiting the ancient town, be sure to wear comfortable flat shoes! Otherwise, your feet will hurt, as the roads in the ancient town are uneven. Some attractions in the scenic area require tickets, so check the weather forecast, as it is often rainy in this southern water town, so be prepared with an umbrella. Travel light, and if you can avoid bringing a suitcase, do so, as it's not convenient to wheel a suitcase around the ancient town.

Phoenix, an ancient city steeped in time, is like a flowing scroll, telling stories of a thousand years. This border town located in Western Hunan has been endowed with endless charm and poetry by Mr. Shen Congwen. It is not only a flowing ink painting but also a thick book carrying the memory of history and the inheritance of culture. The bluestone paths wind and twist, like a long river of time, taking people back to that era of innocence and simplicity. The quaint wooden buildings are built by the water, and every window, every door seems to be telling an ancient story. The water of the Tuo River is as green as jade, with a few white clouds floating on the surface, forming a picturesque and beautiful scroll.

Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture's Fenghuang Ancient Town was built during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, featuring architectural styles from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The town is home to ancient stone streets that exude an old-world charm, and the traditional stilted buildings seem to transport visitors through a time tunnel back to the ancient water towns of the Jiangnan region, where one can encounter a romance from a thousand years ago. The town's undeniable historical traces and the experience of its charmingly slow-paced life are truly captivating. Strolling along the stone streets, one can feel the pulse of the ancient city and rediscover that tranquility. In the morning, enjoy the serene scenery along the Tuo River, listen to the sound of its waters, and breathe in the leisurely air. At night, the lights are dazzling, offering a different flavor, with surprises during the day and even more stunning night views. 🚗🚈⭐️⭐️⭐️Transportation: 🚈High-speed train: After exiting Fenghuang Ancient Town High-speed Train Station, follow the signs to find a shuttle bus that goes directly to the ancient town. The high-speed train station is a bit far from the town, so you can also take a ride-hailing service. 🎟Cost: 7 RMB/person💰💰💰 Line 1, get off at Qifeng Square Station, which is close to Hongqiao. After disembarking, walk forward to reach Hongqiao, where most homestay owners will meet guests. Line 2, get off at Nanhuali Station, which is close to Nanhua Bridge. From Nanhua Bridge, you can see the entire ancient town. 🚗Self-driving: Navigate to Fenghuang Ancient Town Hongqiao Underground Parking Lot (paid parking) 🎟Fenghuang Ancient Town Ticket: Free💰💰💰 ⭐️⭐️⭐️Accommodation Tips: It is recommended to spend two days and one night in the ancient town, which is quite large and suitable for a leisurely visit. There are many inns in the town, and those along the Tuo River are more expensive, especially rooms close to the river. Many homestays have balconies, and staying near Hongqiao offers a good balance of cost and convenience for dining and entertainment. 🏠⭐️⭐️⭐️Attractions: The ancient town is centered around the Tuo River, with streets, old streets, shops, bars, homestays, stilted buildings, former residence parks, and many bridges on both sides. Walk one side and return on the other, with the area from Nanhua Bridge to Feng Bridge being the most lively. You can take panoramic photos of the ancient town from Nanhua Bridge, and Nanhua Mountain Viewing Platform is also a great spot for photography. Both day and night, Miao ethnic costume photo shoots keep photographers and models busy, allowing visitors to understand the historical depth and feel its culture. ⭐️⭐️⭐️Cuisine: Xiangxi cuisine tends to be spicy, so if you prefer a lighter diet, remember to tell the server. Blood curd duck, shrimp cakes, sour soup fish, corn cakes, oil fragrant baba, cui cui Miao cakes, Fenghuang ginger candy, and Ma Ge's food stalls are among the many local snacks with Fenghuang's unique flavor. There's a snack shop at every step, and when tired, you can rest at the homestay and continue exploring at night.

"If you haven't been to Fenghuang Ancient Town, you can't say you've been to Hunan." Be sure to save this travel guide to Fenghuang Ancient Town! There are really too many pitfalls in Fenghuang Ancient Town, and it's easy to fall into them! 🥺🥺🥺 🍱Food When visiting Fenghuang Ancient Town, you must try the local specialties 👉🏻Blood Rice Duck🦆, 👉🏻Xiangxi Bacon, 👉🏻Xiangxi Sausage, 👉🏻Miao Family Community Meal 🔘Special snacks include 🍴: Miao Cake, Shrimp🦐 Cake, Rice Tofu (Rice Tofu must be bought from those carrying baskets on the street to be authentic!) 🏠Accommodation Rooms are clean and well-located, right between Nanhua Bridge and Rainbow Bridge, central location, perfect for resting at the guesthouse when tired from walking at night ⚠Pitfall Avoidance Guide: ⭕Do not pay attention to the accommodations, meals, and photo shoots pushed by the ladies soliciting on the roadside! Nine out of ten times it's a trap, with deep schemes ⭕For Miao costume photo shoots, compare three shops and remember to bargain. Renting Miao costumes + makeup for 68💰, if you want a photo shoot, it's 199💰 ⚠Note: Magnetic Levitation Sightseeing Express: Do not take the maglev train, the ticket is very expensive, and it's particularly far from the terminal to the scenic area, you have to walk 1-2 kilometers, arriving at night will make you feel utterly hopeless. Warm Reminder⏰: ❌When the weather gets hot, there are 🦟mosquitoes by the river, remember to bring mosquito repellent. ❌Here, Didi taxis don't accept orders, you can go to the roadside to hail a taxi🚕. But taxis are quite rare

Many people say that they learned about Fenghuang from Shen Congwen's 'Border Town', but in fact, 'Border Town' describes the ancient town of Chadong, which has always been less famous than Fenghuang. The stilted buildings along the river are built on the water, and looking down, it feels like arriving in the water towns of the south. As night falls, the brilliant lights decorate the ancient city like a dream. The clear Tuo River runs through the city, with its leisurely waters shimmering. The green mountains and trees along the bank complement the river. The ancient city has a single business model, with 70% being homestays + clothing photography, and the impact of serious commercialization needs attention. However, overall, Fenghuang is a charming ancient city. Come and experience it for yourself; its beauty and uniqueness are unforgettable. 🏮Lantern lighting time: Some say it's 18:30, some say 19:00, and others say 19:30! The lantern lighting time for this occasion is 18:55!

Fenghuang Ancient Town has withstood the test of time for a millennium. Its ancient streets and alleys are brimming with historical footprints. Walking on the bluestone slabs, one can feel the profound longing for the 'Chang'an City'. The night view of Fenghuang Ancient Town is completely different from the daytime scenery. During the day, the ancient town resembles the lush border town, with crystal-clear rivers, crisp and pleasant bird songs, the white pagoda standing at the foot of the mountain, the quaint and elegant stilted buildings, and the few flat boats on the calm river surface. As night falls, immerse yourself in the night colors and the enchanting shadows of the ancient town, experiencing its colorful culture. ✅Recommended Travel Route: Nanhua Bridge—Xue Bridge—North Gate Tower—Tiaoyan—Fenghuang Ancient City Wall—Cross Street—Hong Bridge—Nanhua Mountain 🌟Attractions: ⛵️Boating on the Tuojiang River There are two sections for boating on the Tuojiang River. The upstream is for regular tourist boats, which depart from the dock north of the North Gate Tower and head east to disembark at the Wanshou Palace, enjoying the Tuojiang River style along the way. ❤️It is recommended to take a boat ride at night. There are performances and a 3D light show, and the small boats will circle around the dancing lady in red in the water, convenient for tourists to take photos. 🎫Fenghuang Ancient Town Ticket: Free admission (some attractions require tickets) 🎫Boat Ticket: 120 🚗Transportation: There is a high-speed train from Changsha directly to Fenghuang Ancient Town. It takes about 15 minutes by taxi from the high-speed train station, which also has a direct shuttle bus to Fenghuang Ancient Town. 🍰Cuisine: Blood Duck