Fenghuang Ancient Town

Fenghuang Ancient Town, located in Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, is a historical and cultural city founded during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. The ancient town is nestled against mountains and beside water, with the clear Tuojiang River flowing through it, and ancient city walls built of red sandstone standing on its banks. Home to multiple ethnic groups such as Miao, Han, and Tujia, the rich ethnic customs and ancient architectural styles blend harmoniously, forming a unique charm of Western Hunan, earning it the reputation as one of China's most beautiful ancient towns.

Strolling through the tranquil streets paved with bluestone slabs, you can admire the distinctive wooden stilt houses along both banks of the Tuojiang River up close, or walk across the stone-piered stepping stones and the quaint Rainbow Bridge, experiencing the poetic charm of the border town depicted by Shen Congwen. The town still preserves many historical sites, including Shen Congwen's Former Residence, Xiong Xiling's Former Residence, Yang Family Ancestral Temple, and the Ancient City Museum, allowing visitors to travel back to the prosperous years of the Ming and Qing dynasties amidst the grey bricks and black tiles.

Beyond its gentle beauty during the day, the night view of Fenghuang Ancient Town is an even more stunning visual feast. As night falls and thousands of lights gradually illuminate, the ancient stilt houses are outlined layer by layer by warm yellow lights, reflecting in the shimmering river water. At this time, taking a Wupeng boat for a night tour of the Tuojiang River, accompanied by the gentle sound of oars and the cool evening breeze, immersing yourself in a fantastic world of dazzling lights, is definitely a highly therapeutic and unmissable beautiful experience during your trip to Western Hunan.