Fenghuang Ancient Town is located in Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, and is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. First built in the 35th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1556 AD), it is a famous historical and cultural city in China and one of the most beautiful small cities in China. The ancient city is a settlement mainly inhabited by ethnic minorities such as the Miao and Tujia, boasting a strong ethnic customs and profound historical and cultural heritage. Most of the buildings in the ancient city are of Ming and Qing styles, well-preserved, and it is hailed as "the most beautiful small city in China". The total area of Fenghuang Ancient Town Scenic Area is about 10 square kilometers, with the core scenic area covering approximately 2 square kilometers.
History and Culture
The history of Fenghuang Ancient Town can be traced back to the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, with a history of over 400 years. Originally named Zhengan, it was an important military town during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, Fenghuang Subprefecture was established, and it was renamed Fenghuang County in the 2nd year of the Republic of China (1913). As a famous historical and cultural city in China, Fenghuang Ancient Town is also renowned as one of the most beautiful small cities in the country.
Primarily inhabited by the Miao and Tujia ethnic minorities, the ancient city is rich in ethnic customs and historical and cultural heritage. It houses numerous well-preserved Ming and Qing-style buildings, such as Shen Congwen's Former Residence, Xiong Xiling's Former Residence, Yang Family Ancestral Hall, and East Gate Tower. These buildings feature distinct ethnic styles and local characteristics, serving as an important part of traditional Chinese culture.
Fenghuang Ancient Town is also a renowned hometown of literature and art in China, having nurtured many famous writers and artists such as Shen Congwen and Huang Yongyu. Shen Congwen's novels, including "Border Town" and "Long River", are set against the backdrop of Fenghuang Ancient Town, depicting the customs and living conditions of people in Western Hunan, and are regarded as classics of modern Chinese literature.
Major Attractions
Shen Congwen's Former Residence
Located at No. 10 Zhongying Street in Fenghuang Ancient Town, Shen Congwen's Former Residence is where Mr. Shen Congwen was born and spent his childhood. The former residence is a wooden courtyard house covering an area of 600 square meters, with a construction area of 400 square meters. It displays Mr. Shen Congwen's life story, works, and handwriting, making it an important venue for understanding the writer and his works.
Xiong Xiling's Former Residence
Situated at No. 10 Wenxing Street in Fenghuang Ancient Town, Xiong Xiling's Former Residence is the birthplace and childhood home of Mr. Xiong Xiling. This wooden courtyard house covers 800 square meters of land with a construction area of 600 square meters. It exhibits Mr. Xiong Xiling's life story, works, and handwriting, serving as a key site for learning about his life and achievements.
Yang Family Ancestral Hall
Located beside the ancient city wall in the northeastern part of Fenghuang Ancient Town, Yang Family Ancestral Hall is one of the best-preserved ancestral halls in the city. First constructed in the 16th year of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty (1836 AD), it covers an area of 770 square meters with a construction area of 400 square meters. The ancestral hall displays the history and culture of the Yang family, making it an important place to understand the clan culture of Fenghuang Ancient Town.
East Gate Tower
Located at the end of Dongzheng Street in Fenghuang Ancient Town, East Gate Tower is one of the iconic buildings of the ancient city. First built in the 54th year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty (1715 AD), it stands 11 meters high, 8 meters wide, and 4 meters deep. The tower displays weapons and armor from the Ming and Qing dynasties, serving as an important venue for understanding the military history of Fenghuang Ancient Town.
Tuo River
As the mother river of Fenghuang Ancient Town, the Tuo River flows through the center of the city, forming a unique water town scenery. Boating on the Tuo River is one of the classic tourist activities in Fenghuang Ancient Town. Tourists can take a small boat to enjoy the beautiful scenery on both banks of the river and experience the tranquility and harmony of the ancient city.
Fenghuang Ancient Town Museum
Housed in the century-old mansion of the Chen Baozhen family, covering an area of over 1,600 square meters, the museum integrates the functions of an ancient city museum and a showcase of the Chen Baozhen family. It serves as an important platform for cultural exchange and communication across the Taiwan Strait.
Hongqiao (Rainbow Bridge)
Also known as "Wohongqiao" (Reclining Rainbow Bridge) or "Fengyuqiao" (Wind and Rain Bridge), Hongqiao is located over the Tuo River at Huilongge outside the East Gate of Fenghuang Ancient Town. First built during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, it underwent reinforcement and maintenance in the 35th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1556 AD), the 9th year of Kangxi (1670 AD), and the 54th year of Kangxi (1715 AD) in the Qing Dynasty. In the 3rd year of the Republic of China (1914), Tian Yingzhao, the military governor of Western Hunan, initiated fund-raising for its renovation and renamed it "Hongqiao". The bridge runs north-south, featuring a semicircular arch stone structure with two piers and three arches, built with red sandstone. It was converted into a highway in 1955 and restored as Hongqiao Wind and Rain Tower in 2000, boasting high ornamental and cultural relic protection value. In 2011, it was designated as a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit in the 9th batch by Hunan Province.
Shenfeng Cultural Scenic Area
Shenfeng Cultural Scenic Area is located within Nanhua Mountain National Forest Park, with its entrance adjacent to Hongqiao (Rainbow Bridge). Nestled between mountains and rivers, it overlooks the entire Fenghuang Ancient Town. As the first national 4A-level tourist attraction in Nanhua Mountain and China's pioneering comprehensive phoenix culture experience scenic area, it centers on China's 7,800-year-old phoenix culture. Ingeniously designed ancient buildings and thematic scenes embodying phoenix culture elements—such as pavilions, terraces, halls, towers, corridors, pillars, bridges, and mansions—are meticulously crafted here. By refining the 18 divine attributes of the phoenix, the scenic area intensively, vividly, and richly showcases the profound depth, mystery, and beauty of the Chinese nation's phoenix culture.
Recommended Itinerary
Covering a large area with numerous attractions, Fenghuang Ancient Town allows visitors to choose an itinerary based on their time and interests. Below is a recommended route:
Morning: Depart from Fenghuang Ancient Town Tourist Center, take a scenic spot shuttle bus to visit attractions such as Shen Congwen's Former Residence, Xiong Xiling's Former Residence, and Yang Family Ancestral Hall.
Noon: Taste local specialties like Fenghuang Blood Cake Duck and Fenghuang Sour Soup Fish at restaurants within the ancient city.
Afternoon: Visit East Gate Tower and enjoy a boat tour on the Tuo River to admire the beautiful scenery along both banks.
Evening: Relax and unwind at bars, cafes, or other venues in the ancient city to experience its nightlife.
Travel Tips
- Check the weather forecast for Fenghuang Ancient Town in advance and choose an appropriate time to visit.
- Book hotels or homestays in advance to avoid disrupting your itinerary.
- Wear comfortable shoes for long walks.
- Savor local delicacies in the ancient city to experience the local food culture.
- Purchase local souvenirs as mementos of your trip.
Notes
- Abide by the scenic area's regulations and protect its environment and facilities.
- Prioritize safety—do not climb steep mountains or buildings.
- Exercise fire safety—no smoking or open flames are allowed within the scenic area.
- Be vigilant against theft and keep your belongings secure.
- Respect the local customs, traditions, and religious beliefs.
Transportation
- By Air: The nearest airport to Fenghuang Ancient Town is Tongren Fenghuang Airport, approximately 30 kilometers away. Visitors can take a taxi or airport shuttle bus to the ancient city.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Jishou Railway Station, about 50 kilometers from the ancient city. Visitors can take a bus or taxi from the station to reach their destination.
- By Bus: Fenghuang Ancient Town has multiple bus stations, with direct routes from cities such as Changsha, Zhangjiajie, and Huaihua.
- By Self-Driving: Located in Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, the ancient city is accessible by self-driving from Changsha, Zhangjiajie, Huaihua, and other nearby cities.
Opening Hours
Open year-round, from 07:00 to 19:00.
Tickets
The ancient city is open to the public free of charge, but some individual attractions require separate tickets. For example: Shenfeng Cultural Scenic Area costs 88 RMB per person.
For the latest updates or online ticket purchases, search for the official WeChat public account "凤凰古城旅游区" .
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.
