Fenghuang Ancient Town - China's Premier Ancient City

Fenghuang is a small, beautiful, and peaceful town. Fenghuang is charming for its ancient scenery and its simple, honest people. It carries the breath of a classic style, along with a truly unique ancient town culture. Fenghuang is most beautiful in the early morning and late at night, when the atmosphere is absolutely wonderful. However, Fenghuang has currently started charging entrance fees, so accommodation prices are somewhat more expensive than before.


Fenghuang Ancient Town is located in the southwest of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Hunan Province. There is a Fenghuang (Phoenix) Mountain resembling a phoenix spreading its wings to fly, from which the ancient town takes its name, Fenghuang. Fenghuang is home to ethnic minorities, mainly the Miao and Tujia people. It is about 430 km from Changsha, a trip of around 5 hours; the nearest city is Jishou, about 37 km away, taking about 50 minutes by car. Fenghuang's fame originates from the novel Border Town by Shen Congwen, along with a New Zealand writer who once described Fenghuang as the most beautiful small town in China, which brought Fenghuang a great deal of attention.



Inside the ancient city, the paths are paved with green cobblestones. On both sides of the river, beneath the pavilions, lush green trees cover the area. The ancient architecture is rich and diverse, together with the deep, warm culture of the Miao people, creating a fresh aura and a unique style for Fenghuang Ancient Town. From Border Town to Autobiography of Shen Congwen, and then Travelogue of Xiangxing, Shen Congwen wrote in a free-flowing prose style, yet his words carried a rhythm that created a literary landscape.


Diaojiaolou (stilt houses), Chadong Small Street, Ferry Ropeway and Pagodas... these architectures have enamored millions of readers with Fenghuang Ancient Town, dreaming of the border town scenery. Since Shen Congwen was a native of Fenghuang, many people believed that Border Town was Fenghuang, but in fact it wasn't. In Border Town, there is a line: From Sichuan into Hunan, heading east there is a main road bordering Xiangxi; when reaching a small mountain town called Chadong, there is a stream..., showing that the Border Town Shen Congwen wrote about was actually Chadong.



Looking at the map of Xiangxi, you will see that in the whole of Fenghuang County, there is no place named Chadong. When you turn your attention north of Fenghuang County to Huayuan County, located at the junction of Guizhou, Hunan, and the fog city belonging to Sichuan (now Chongqing), you will discover that Border Town is located here. In other words, Border Town is Chadong Town in Huayuan County, Hunan Province; in 2008 this town was renamed Biancheng Town, but on maps prior to that, it was still marked as Chadong.


Many people say that time spent in Fenghuang is like a dream, and they never want to wake up. Fenghuang seems to put on a floral dress or floral pants, passing through the East Gate to Qiaodong to listen to folk songs, or sing songs that no one knows the name of. By the river, gentle breezes blow past; row upon row of pavilions line the riverbank, their soft, glowing lights creating an ink wash painting.



Would you like to visit a place like this? Does it match what you imagined? A serene ancient town, washed and refined by the passage of time, quietly standing without a word, yet possessing a charm that attracts travelers from all over. All it takes is a sunrise or sunset, holding a cup of tea in hand, waiting for the one in your heart to pass by.


- Transportation: Transportation outside Fenghuang is very convenient, but transfers are required. Note that cars are banned inside Fenghuang Ancient Town.

The nearest airports to the ancient town are Tongren Fenghuang Airport and Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport. From the airport, you can take a bus or car to the ancient town.

Since there is no train station inside the ancient town, there are major hubs nearby in Jishou, Huaihua, and Tongren in Guizhou, so you need to travel to a transfer train station.
There are 5 bus stations in the county, among which 2 major hubs for tourists are Chengbei Station and Tuotian Station.

The ancient town has 3 bus routes, and you can also enter the town by boat.
For taxis in town, the starting fare is 4 RMB or higher; for long distances, you can charter a car.

- Sightseeing Type: ancient town (ancient city)

- Best Season to Visit: Traveling to Fenghuang is beautiful in all four seasons. Xiangxi's climate is suitable for travel year-round; for example, visiting Xiangxi in July or September allows you to participate in the Beginning of Autumn festival or the large-scale Miao Singing Festival on the 6th day of the 6th lunar month, giving you the chance to experience the unique features of minority ethnic holidays.


Spring in Fenghuang Ancient Town has temperatures around 20°C with great weather. Looking into the distance, you will see a vast stretch of green. In the morning, you can also see mist shrouding the town, creating a Fenghuang hidden in fog. Sunny days are favorable for the trade of the Miao and Tujia people, as they busy themselves making a living. Visiting at this time helps you experience local customs and traditions. Very few people visit Fenghuang in winter because the weather is quite cold.



- Recommended Duration: 2-day trip recommended

- Entrance Ticket: 148 RMB

- Opening Hours: Peak season (Apr 1 to Nov 15): 07:00 to 18:00; Off-peak season (Nov 16 to Mar 31): 07:30 to 17:30


[i]Source: Translated by Ola88[/i]