Central China
Fenghuang Ancient Town
凤凰古城 · Hunan, Xiangxi
A centuries-old riverside town of wooden stilt houses, stone bridges and Miao-Tujia minority culture.
Fenghuang ('Phoenix') is a well-preserved old town on the Tuo River in western Hunan, its banks lined with traditional wooden stilt houses (diaojiaolou), stone-paved lanes and ancient gate towers. By night the riverside lanterns and old bridges glow, while by day visitors explore Tujia and Miao culture and the former residence of writer Shen Congwen.
Founded in 1704 during the Qing dynasty as a garrison town, Fenghuang became a cultural crossroads of Han, Miao and Tujia peoples. It was immortalised by the writer Shen Congwen (born here in 1902) and restored as a heritage town, though it is not on the UNESCO list and is rated a national 4A scenic area.
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