Fenghuang Ancient Town, also known as the Phoenix Ancient Town, is located in the southwest of Tujia-miao autonomous prefecture of Xiangxi (West Hunan) and covers an area of about 10 square kilometers. It is a typical residence of 28 ethnic groups, including Miao, Han, Tujia and so on.
A national historical and cultural city, and one of the most beautiful ancient towns in in China, Fenghuang Old Town is teem with ancient architectures of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is also endowed with beautiful natural scenery – the clear Tuo River slowly flowing through the city presents a quiet and charming landscape. A boat ride on Tuo River is one of the highlights of Fenghuang Ancient Town tours.
Fenghuang Ancient Town Facts
- In Chinese: 凤凰古城
- Location: Tuojiang Town, Fenghuang County, Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Xiangxi, Hunan Province, China
- Size: About 10 km²
- Climate: central subtropical monsoon humid climate
- Openinghours: all day
- Suitable for: Chinese culture and history buffs, and anyone that is interested in Chinese ancient town
- Highlights: Shen Congwen’s former residence, Chaoyang Palace, Tianwang Temple, Phoenix Ancient City Building, Hongqiao, Tuojiang River
History of the Fenghuang Ancient Town in China
Fenghuang Ancient Town was built in 1704, the 43rd year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing dynasty. The old east gate and the north gate of the city still exist after about 300 years. The Chaoyang Palace, Longevity Palace, Heavenly Kings temple, Yang Family Ancestral Temple, Former Residence of Shen Congwen, Formal Residence of Xiong XiLing, East Gate Tower, Chongde Hall and many other old architectures are still well-preserved.
Today Fenghuang Ancient Town is listed one of the ten cultural heritages in Hunan province. It was regarded as the most beautiful town in China by the New Zealand writer Rewi Alley. And Fenghuang shares great reputation with Old town of Lijiang in Yunnan province and Ancient city of Pingyao in Shanxi province as Chinese ancient towns.
Highlight Attractions of Fenghuang Ancient City
Chaoyang Palace
Chaoyang Palace, also known as the Chen Family Ancestral Hall, is the most complete ancestral hall masterpiece of modern antique architecture in Fenghuang Ancient City.
Chaoyang Palace was built in the fourth year of the Republic of China by Chen Quzhen’s brother, “King of Xiangxi” Chen Quzhen’s brother, Chen Kaibing, and Chen Kaifan constructed Chaoyang Palace during the fourth year of the Republic of China. Chen Quzhen, the commander of the Xiangxi Patrol force, enhanced and extended it in the twelfth year of the Republic of China (1923).
The gate, the main hall, the stage, the left and right boxes, the kitchen, the lavatory and the other 14 residences are now all combined to create a typical southern Siheyuan. It is a an important place for Chen people to congregate and attend important events or see plays.
Ancient Tower of North Gate
The north gate of Fenghuang Ancient City was built in the Ming Dynasty. In the 35th year of Ming Jiajing (1556), the original earth city of Fenghuang was rebuilt into a brick city, opening four gates, each with a tower. In 1715, the brick city was rebuilt into a stone city, and the north gate was named “Bihui Gate”, which has been preserved till today.
Stilt House over Tuojiang River
Situated southeast of the ancient city near the Huilong Pavilion, the diaojiaolou building group faces the Guguan Road in front and hangs over the Tuojiang River in back. It is among the historic building groupings in the Fenghuang Old Town that exhibit Miao architectural style. The 240-meter-long cantilevered structures date back to the early Republic of China and the Qing Dynasty.
Rainbow Bridge (Rainbow Bridge)
Located in the heart of the ancient city of Fenghuang, Hongqiao, also called the “Wind and rain building” or laying Hongqiao, was constructed in the early Hongwu year of the Ming Dynasty. From the Hongqiao, you may get a broad perspective of the beautiful landscape on both sides of the Tuojiang River and the Fenghuang Ancient Town.
The first floor of Hongqiao is primarily made up of businesses and supermarkets, while the second story is devoted to the folk culture building, which has all of the calligraphy and paintings related to the Hongqiao Wind and Rain Building from antiquity to the present.
Tianjia Ancestral Hall
Tianjia Ancestral Hall is located in Laoying Shao Street on the north bank of Tuojiang River in the Fenghuang Ancient City. It was constructed during Daoguang’s 17th year of the Qing Dynasty (1837). Tian Xingshu, a member of the Fenghuang Miao ethnic group who served as the imperial minister and governor of Guizhou Province at the time, donated it. The Xiangxi garrison commander and Kuomintang Lieutenant General Tian Yingzhao (son of Tian Xingshu) invested a significant amount of money to finish the construction at the start of the Republic of China.
This complex of clan ancestral halls features a great hall, a stage, gates, patios, cloisters, Tianchi, and two entrances marked “five blessings” and “six shun”.
The Miao Museum of China
The Miao Museum of China is located in the mysterious place known as “Miao King’s House” – Baigu Miao Village, Shanjiang Town, Fenghuang County. The museum covers an area of 1,864 square meters, with a construction area of 1,200 square meters. It is the largest, highest grade and most exhibits private Miao museum in China.
What to See and Do in Fenghuang Ancient Town
Many people travel to Fenghuang Ancient Town in Hunan to walk along the quartzite street inside the ancient city, appreciate the ancient wooden stilted building (Diaojiao building) and immerse in the sound of Tuo river flowing or take some photos to record the unique experience.
Admire Local Stilted Building (Diaojiaolou)
The stilted buildings are located in the Huilong Pavilion in the southeast of the ancient city, facing the Guguan Road in front and hanging over the Tuojiang River in the back. With a total length of 240 meters, the stilted building group is one of the ancient buildings with the strongest Miao architectural characteristics in Fenghuang Ancient Town.
This ancient Chinese wooden building, divided into two floors, has a high value of craftsmanship. Every time after the rain, a layer of mist rises above the Tuojiang River. When the well-arranged stilted houses are reflected in the water, it looks like a Chinese ink painting scroll.
Walk the Ancient Alleyways
The ancient city is divided into the old and the new parts: The old city is near the mountains and Tuo River. The north gate of the old city was originally named as “Bihui Gate”. There is an old and narrow wooden bridge that can only be passed by two people. The bridge was the only way out of the city.
The old town takes Huilong Pavilion as its central axis, connecting countless lanes through whole city. Huilong pavilion ancient street has been the most bustling street and market since ancient times.
Fenghuang Night Life with a Bar Street
On one side of Tuo River, there is a modern and famous bar street for people to relax, where many pub singers sing folk songs or pop songs every night to ignite visitors’ nightlife. In addition, it is very popular for visitors to enjoy the charming night view of Fenghuang Ancient Town.
Explore the Guantianshan Miao Village
When you visit Fenghuang Ancient City in China, there are other must-visit attractions, e.g. the Miao Village. It is a rare chance to experience authentic custom and know the traditional culture of Miao people. Here, visitors can not only enjoy the unique ethnic songs and dances of the Miao people and taste traditional food, but also buy some handmade silver products or embroidery and other souvenirs with ethnic characteristics.
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How to Buy Entrance Tickets:
Prices of tickets: The ancient town is free for entrance, but if you want to visits certain scenic spots, you need to buy a ticket.
| Ticket package for 9 main attractions | CNY 128 |
| Tuo River boat cruise | CNY 80 |
Notes: The ticket package includes nine scenic spots: Former Residence of Shen Congwen, Formal Residence of Xiong XiLing, East Gate Tower, Yang Ancestra Temple, Chongde Hall, Longevity Palace, Boat ride on Tuo River, Hongqiao Art Museum and Fenghuang Ancient City Museum. And the ticket is valid for 2 days, visitors can arrange their travel time appropriately in advance.
When is the Best Time to Visit Fenghuang Ancient Town?
The best time to visit Fenghuang Ancient Town in Hunan China is from April to May, and September to October — these are the spring and autumn seasons. During these months, the natural scenery is charming and the weather is pleasant.
Summer (June to August) is also a good season for touring Fenghuang Ancient Town, although the temperature is high and there is more rain. It is recommended that tourists visit the ancient city in the morning and evening to avoid the high temperatures. There are also many water activities and festivals (e.g. dragon boat racing) in Fenghuang Ancient Town in summer, allowing visitors to fully experience the local ethnic culture.
The old town of Fenghuang in winter (December to February) has lower temperatures, but the scenery is still beautiful, suitable for tourists who prefer a quiet atmosphere. You may be able to enjoy the snowy scenery at this time.
How to Get to the Fenghuang Ancient Town?
With the advantageous geographical location, Fenghuang Ancient Town is 27 km from Tongren Fenghuang Airport, 57 km from Huaihua Zhijiang Airport and about 280 km from Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport. It is easy to travel from Zhangjijie to Fenghuang. And many choose to extend their Zhangjiajie tours to Fenghuang.
From Changsha to Fenghuang Ancient Town
Changsha West Coach Station has buses to Fenghuang Ancient Town Bus Center four times a day. The whole journey will take 5.5 hours. The ticket fare is 145 yuan per ticket.
From Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang Ancient Town
Visitors can take bus to Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang Ancient Town, and there are three buses that take about 5 or 6 hours to Fenghuang Ancient Town are available as follows:
- West Bus Station: 8:10, 10:40,15:30, 17:30 CNY130
- South Bus Station: 9:30,15:30 CNY 130
- Changzhutan Bus Station: 8:00,10:00, 14:00 CNY 145
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