I thought Xi'an was beautiful until I came to Fenghuang Ancient Town.

Thousand-Year-Old Fenghuang Ancient Town: The Time Code of a Frontier Town in Western Hunan

1: Fenghuang Ancient Town, located in western Hunan, is the prototype of the "Chang'an City" that Maomao yearned for in the Chinese Paladin TV series. The high-speed train goes directly to Fenghuang Ancient Town Station, and a taxi ride to the town costs 28 yuan. Don't miss out on boating on the Tuojiang River, the Hong Bridge Cafe, the morning mist over the stepping stones, and the Biancheng Theater.

2: Food: Recommended dishes include blood cake duck, sour soup fish, and freshly fried shrimp cakes. It is recommended to avoid the commercial streets and head to the lower reaches of the Tuojiang River to experience the original ecological style of the ancient town.

3: Attractions: Yun Bridge and Wanming Pagoda are excellent viewpoints, and the former residence of Shen Congwen offers insights into the life of the literary master. There is no entrance fee for the ancient town, and 2 days and 1 night is enough for an in-depth visit. The morning mist over the stepping stones at 7am looks like flowing milk, and the light show at the Biancheng Theater at night recreates Cuicui's love story. Fenghuang Ancient Town retains its ink-painting-like bluestone roads and stilt houses, perfectly interpreting the romantic mood of "waiting for a city's misty rain just for you" as described by Shen Congwen.

Post by AmeliaAinsworthe | Apr 19, 2025