Hunan Xiangxi | Encounter a romance from a thousand years ago

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.