Fenghuang Ancient Town

​Overview​​
Established in 1704 during the Qing Dynasty, Fenghuang Ancient Town (凤凰古城) is a cultural treasure in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan. Named after the mythical phoenix, its 10-square-kilometer area blends Han, Miao, and Tujia heritage with dramatic landscapes. The town's 300-year-old stilted houses, stone streets, and ancient gates earned UNESCO recognition in 2008.

​​Architectural & Natural Highlights​​

• ​​Diaojiaolou Stilted Houses​​: Over 120 wooden houses line the Tuojiang River, featuring Miao-style cantilevered balconies and intricate carvings.
• ​​Tuojiang River​​: A 96.9-km lifeline for fishing and boat tours, framed by red-sandstone walls and the iconic ​​Hongqiao (Rainbow Bridge)​​.
• ​​Ancient Gates​​: The ​​East Gate (Wenchang Ge)​​ and ​​North Gate (Chaoyang Lou)​​ retain Qing-era iron doors and watchtowers.

​​Cultural Heritage​​

• ​​Ethnic Diversity​​: Home to Miao and Tujia minorities, the town hosts vibrant festivals like the ​​Miao Silver Jewelry Parade​​ and ​​Tujia Hand-Waving Dance​​.
• ​​Literary Legacy​​: Visit ​​Shen Congwen's Former Residence​​, where the author penned The Border Town, depicting local life.
• ​​Religious Sites​​: Explore ​​Wanshou Palace​​ (Taoist temple) and ​​Tianwang Temple​​, adorned with Ming-Qing woodwork.

​​Key Attractions​​

1. ​​Huilong Pavilion​​: A cliffside cluster of Diaojiaolou houses with panoramic river views.
2. ​​Qiliang Cave​​: A karst cave with neon-lit stalactites and an underground river.
3. ​​Southern Great Wall​​: A 190-km Ming Dynasty fortification near the town.
4. ​​Night Market​​: Sample ​​Xueba Duck​​ (blood tofu stew) and ​​Miao sour-spicy soups​​.

​​Visitor Experience​​

• ​​Best Time​​: April–October for festivals and mild weather.
• ​​Transport​​: Fly to ​​Tongren Fenghuang Airport​​, then take a 1-hour bus.
• ​​Tickets​​: ¥138 (includes entry to Shen Congwen’s home and boat rides).

​​Conservation & Recognition​​
Designated a ​​National 4A Scenic Area​​, Fenghuang balances tourism with preservation, restoring flood-damaged sites like the 2014 ​​Hongqiao Bridge collapse​​.

​​Quote​​: "Fenghuang is where time stops—a painting of cobbled lanes, singing boatmen, and silver-clad Miao women." — Rewi Alley.