Phoenix Town（凤凰古城）Travel Guide
Nov 12, 2024
by orient china travel
Phoenix Town Travel Guide
1. Introduction
Phoenix Town, located in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Hunan Province, China, is a renowned ancient town with a long history and rich cultural heritage. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and the Tuojiang River flowing through, it is a place that combines natural beauty and unique ethnic culture. It has been praised as one of the most beautiful small towns in China by the famous New Zealand writer Rewi Alley and is comparable to the ancient towns of Lijiang in Yunnan and Pingyao in Shanxi.
Phoenix Town, located in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Hunan Province, China, is a renowned ancient town with a long history and rich cultural heritage. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and the Tuojiang River flowing through, it is a place that combines natural beauty and unique ethnic culture. It has been praised as one of the most beautiful small towns in China by the famous New Zealand writer Rewi Alley and is comparable to the ancient towns of Lijiang in Yunnan and Pingyao in Shanxi.
2. How to Get There
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- By Air: The nearest airport is Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport. After arriving at the airport, you can take a shuttle bus or a taxi to Phoenix Town. The journey takes about 2 to 3 hours.
- By Train: You can take a train to Jishou Railway Station first, and then transfer to a bus or a taxi to Phoenix Town. The train ride and the subsequent transfer may take around 3 to 4 hours in total.
3. Tickets and Opening Hours
- Tickets: There are different ticket options for various attractions in Phoenix Town. For example, the ticket for visiting the nine scenic spots in the ancient town (including Shen Congwen's Former Residence, Tuojiang River Boat Ride, Wanshou Palace, Xiong Xiling's Former Residence, Yang Family Ancestral Hall, Hongqiao, Chongde Hall, Ancient City Museum, and East Gate Tower) is 128 RMB for adults, 105 RMB for the elderly, and 105 RMB for students. The price for a night cruise on the Tuojiang River is 168 RMB for adults, 75 RMB for the elderly, and 75 RMB for students4.
- Opening Hours: The ancient town is open all day long (from January 1st to December 31st)4.
4. Main Attractions
- North Gate City Tower: Built in the Ming Dynasty, it is an important historical relic in Phoenix Town. Standing on the tower, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of the Tuojiang River and the ancient town1.
- Tuojiang River: The mother river of Phoenix Town, the Tuojiang River is crystal clear. You can take a boat ride along the river to enjoy the unique scenery of the ancient town, such as the stilted buildings along the riverbank1.
- Hongqiao: Also known as the Wind and Rain Bridge, it was first built in the Ming Dynasty. The bridge has two floors. The first floor is filled with shops and grocery stores, while the second floor is a folk culture building, where you can enjoy the scenery of the Tuojiang River1.
- Shen Congwen's Former Residence: Shen Congwen was a famous writer in China. His former residence is a wooden courtyard house, which reflects the life and cultural atmosphere of that era. It is a place for people to understand Shen Congwen's life and literary creation1.
- Xiong Xiling's Former Residence: Xiong Xiling was an important figure in Chinese history. His former residence shows the style and features of the architecture in that period1.
- Yang Family Ancestral Hall: It is a place where the Yang family in Phoenix Town used to worship their ancestors, hold family meetings, and conduct other activities. The ancestral hall has high architectural artistic value with its unique ethnic characteristics1.
- Nanhua Mountain National Forest Park: Located at the foot of Phoenix Town, it is a good place for hiking and enjoying the natural scenery. You can climb up the mountain along the bluestone path and enjoy the panoramic view of the ancient town1.
5. Travel Tips
- Clothing and Footwear: As there is a lot of walking in the ancient town, it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes. The weather in Phoenix Town is relatively mild, but it is better to bring appropriate clothing according to the season to avoid getting cold or overheated.
- Food: There are many local delicacies in Phoenix Town, such as blood cake duck, cured meat, and various snacks. You can try them in local restaurants or street stalls.
- Photography: The scenery in Phoenix Town is very beautiful, so don't forget to bring your camera or smartphone to take pictures. However, when taking photos, please respect the local customs and cultures and avoid disturbing the local people.
- Safety: Pay attention to personal and property safety during the trip. In crowded places, beware of pickpockets. When taking a boat ride, follow the safety instructions of the staff.