Explore the Charm of Xiangxi and Stroll Through the Millennia-Old Town

Fenghuang Ancient Town is located in the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Hunan Province. It is one of China's famous historical and cultural cities, renowned for Shen Congwen's novel, Border Town. Nestled between mountains and rivers, with the Tuojiang River flowing through it, the town is dotted with stilt houses and exudes a rich Xiangxi charm. Below is a detailed travel guide: --- ## 1. Best Time to Visit - March-November: The climate is pleasant and suitable for travel, especially during spring and autumn when the temperature is moderate and the scenery is at its best. - Avoid holidays: Such as National Day and Labor Day, as there are more tourists and accommodation and attractions may be crowded. --- ## 2. Transportation ### (1) High-speed Rail + Bus (Recommended) - High-speed rail to Jishou or Huaihua: Take the high-speed rail from Changsha, Zhangjiajie, and other places to Jishou Station or Huaihua South Station, then transfer to a bus (about 1.5 hours, ticket price 25-40 CNY) to Fenghuang Ancient Town. - Departing from Zhangjiajie: Take a direct bus (about 3 hours) to Fenghuang. ### (2) Self-driving - Departing from Changsha: Take the Changsha-Zhangjiajie Expressway → Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway → Get off at the Fenghuang Toll Station. The whole journey takes about 5 hours. - Departing from Zhangjiajie: Take the Zhangjiajie-Huaihua Expressway → Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway, about 3 hours. --- ## 3. Tickets and Opening Hours - Ancient town ticket: 148 CNY (including 9 attractions, such as the Former Residence of Shen Congwen, Yang Family Ancestral Hall, etc.). - Opening hours: Open all day, some attractions (such as former residences and museums) are open until 5:30 pm. --- ## 4. Recommended Itinerary ### (1) 1-Day Highlights Tour - Morning: Former Residence of Shen Congwen → Ancient Town Museum → East Gate Tower. - Afternoon: Tuojiang River Cruise → Hong Bridge → Wanming Pagoda. - Evening: Night tour of the Tuojiang River, enjoy the illuminated night view of the stilt houses. ### (2) 2-Day, 1-Night In-depth Tour - Day 1: Core area of the ancient town (Former Residence of Shen Congwen, Hong Bridge) → Tuojiang Stepping Stones → Overnight stay at a riverside inn. - Day 2: Nanhua Mountain Shenfeng Scenic Area → Miao Village (such as Dehang Miao Village or Shanjiang Miao Village). ### (3) 3-Day, 2-Night Cultural Experience - Day 1: Ancient town tour + Tuojiang night view. - Day 2: Miao Village day trip (experience Miao song and dance, silver jewelry making). - Day 3: Qiliang Cave or the Southern Great Wall. --- ## 5. Must-See Attractions 1. Former Residence of Shen Congwen: Learn about the growth story of the literary master. 2. Tuojiang River Cruise: Take a boat trip to enjoy the scenery of the stilt houses on both sides of the river. 3. Hong Bridge: A landmark building in the ancient town, with an extremely beautiful night view. 4. Nanhua Mountain Shenfeng Cultural Area: Overlook the panoramic view of the ancient town. 5. Miao Village (such as Dehang, Shanjiang): Experience the Miao customs. --- ## 6. Accommodation Recommendations - Tuojiang riverside inns: Such as "Tuoshui Renjia", open the window to see the river view. - Homestays in the ancient town: Such as "Su Lv Lian Hua", antique and charming. - High-end hotels: Such as "Tianxia Fenghuang Hotel" (4-star). --- ## 7. Food Recommendations - Blood curd duck: A Fenghuang specialty, duck stewed with glutinous rice blood curd. - Sour soup fish: Miao-style cuisine, sour and spicy, appetizing. - Xiangxi bacon: Smoked flavor, rich aroma. - Rice tofu: Smooth and refreshing, a common street snack. --- ## 8. Precautions - Non-slip shoes: The stone roads in the ancient town are slippery on rainy days. - Sun protection and mosquito repellent: Strong ultraviolet rays in summer, many mosquitoes by the river. - Respect customs: Avoid taking pictures or touching sacrificial objects at will in Miao villages. - Off-peak travel: Fewer people in the early morning or evening, more suitable for taking pictures. --- Fenghuang Ancient Town is suitable for tourists who like a slow pace and cultural experiences. Whether strolling along the Tuojiang River or visiting Miao villages, you can feel the rich Xiangxi charm. The recent direct high-speed rail makes it more convenient, suitable for independent travel or group tours.