City from a Fairy Tale - Fenghuang

On October 7, we traveled from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang (凤凰) by train, which took about 50 minutes. I purchased the tickets through Trip.com. Fenghuang is divided into the new and old towns. The old town features architecture from the Ming and Qing dynasties and is home to the Miao and Tujia ethnic groups. We reached our hotel by taxi. We happened to arrive during a festival, and along the river, many women in traditional costumes were having photoshoots.

Fenghuang has preserved its original appearance and layout from the 16th to 18th centuries. I had booked a hotel in advance in the old town for convenience. I had read a lot about the food, and we really enjoyed their cuisine. We didn’t try much street food, except for ice cream and yogurt with fruits.

This enchanting city is considered one of the most beautiful places in China. Fenghuang is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We spent two days there, but if you have the chance, plan for three days—I felt two days weren’t enough.

Post by Domenica0708 | Oct 18, 2025