Fenghuang Old Town

Old Town · Hunan · 凤凰古城

Fenghuang Old Town

Fenghuang

Fenghuang Old Town · ChinaMazing

Discover

Core Sights

The essential sights — what they are, and when to go.

Boat Trip on Tuo River

Sight 1

Boat Trip on Tuo River

沱江泛舟

Rowing on the Tuo River. Taking a small boat downstream along the Tuo River is the best way to experience the charm of Fenghuang Ancient Town. On both banks stand centuries-old stilted houses, their green-tiled roofs and wooden walls mirrored in the emerald waters as the boatman hums local folk songs while sculling. By day, you can take in the ancient bridges, old city walls, and women washing clothes by the river; by night, the glowing lights and bustling bars along the shores create a unique blend of modernity and antiquity. Whether at dawn or dusk, a boat ride immerses you in the serenity and vitality of this waterside town.

Rainbow Bridge

Sight 2

Rainbow Bridge

虹桥

Hongqiao (Rainbow Bridge). Hongqiao is a landmark of Fenghuang Ancient City—a historic covered bridge spanning the Tuojiang River. Its structure integrates the bridge body with pavilions, built in a traditional timber-and-stone style that exudes rustic elegance. From atop the bridge, visitors can take in sweeping views of the stilted houses lining both banks of the Tuojiang in tight array, set against verdant hills and clear waters—making it an ideal spot for photography and leisurely strolls. Beneath the bridge, the river murmurs gently as sightseeing boats glide by, every scene brimming with the charm of western Hunan. More than a mere passage linking the two banks, Hongqiao serves as a window into the history and way of life of this ancient town.

Former Residence of Shen Congwen

Sight 3

Former Residence of Shen Congwen

沈从文故居

Shen Congwen's Former Residence. Located on Zhongying Street in Fenghuang Ancient Town, this residence is where the renowned writer Shen Congwen spent his childhood. This typical southern-style courtyard house was built during the reign of Emperor Tongzhi of the Qing Dynasty, featuring wooden structures and grey tiles that exude an antique charm. Inside the residence, photographs, manuscripts, and works documenting Shen Congwen's life are displayed, allowing visitors to rediscover the allure of western Hunan as depicted in works like *Border Town*. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the environment where the literary master grew up and appreciate the profound cultural heritage of Fenghuang Ancient Town. Please maintain silence during your visit and respect the cultural heritage.

Ancient City Wall

Sight 4

Ancient City Wall

古城墙

The ancient city wall. Built along the Tuojiang River, the wall of Fenghuang Ancient Town is a precious remnant of the defensive system from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Climbing onto the wall, you can overlook the classic scene where stilt houses and the river mirror each other, and sense the historical depth of the ancient town. With weathered bricks and intact crenellations, a stroll along the wall feels like traveling through time, bearing witness to the vicissitudes of this border town in western Hunan. This is also an excellent spot for capturing panoramic views of the ancient town and the play of light at dawn and dusk, making it especially appealing to travelers who love history and photography.

East Gate Tower

Sight 5

East Gate Tower

东门城楼

East Gate Tower. The East Gate Tower is one of the best-preserved Ming Dynasty city gates in Fenghuang Ancient Town. Located on the eastern side of the ancient town, it is the finest vantage point for a panoramic view of the entire city. Built with gray bricks and featuring upturned eaves and soaring roof corners, the tower exudes an air of antique grandeur. From the top, visitors can gaze upon the winding Tuojiang River and the rows upon rows of stilted buildings, soaking in the historic charm of this border town in western Hunan. The tower also serves as an important window into the defensive system and folk culture of Fenghuang Ancient Town, making it an ideal spot for photography and leisurely strolls.

Stilted Houses

Sight 6

Stilted Houses

吊脚楼

Stilted Houses. The stilted houses of Phoenix Ancient City are the traditional dwellings of the Miao and Tujia ethnic groups in western Hunan. Built along the Tuo River and following the contours of the hills, these wooden structures feature raised ground floors that both adapt to the humid climate and mitigate the impact of geological disasters. The buildings are arranged in pleasing irregularity, and when the evening lights come on, their reflections shimmer in the river in a scene of remarkable poetic beauty. They embody the wisdom of local ethnic life and stand as the most iconic visual landmark of Phoenix. A stroll along the riverbank offers an up-close appreciation of this unique architectural culture and the质朴 folk customs of the area.

Eat

Local Eats

The local dishes worth crossing town for.

Blood Rice Cake Duck
Eat 1

Blood Rice Cake Duck

血粑鸭

Blood Rice Duck. This is a traditional signature dish of Fenghuang Ancient City, made by mixing fresh duck blood with glutinous rice to form blood rice cakes, then braised together with duck meat. The blood rice cakes are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, while the duck meat is rich and flavorful, offering a delightful layering of textures. This dish embodies the unique culinary techniques of Xiangxi, preserving the savory freshness of duck while adding the soft, sticky texture of glutinous rice—a must-try for anyone looking to experience the local food culture. You can find it in restaurants or night market stalls within the ancient city. It's perfect for sharing with friends, and pairing it with a bowl of steamed rice or local rice wine enhances its authentic flavor.

Sour Soup Fish
Eat 2

Sour Soup Fish

酸汤鱼

Sour Soup Fish. Sour Soup Fish is a traditional delicacy of the Miao and Dong ethnic groups in the Xiangxi region, where Fenghuang Ancient Town is located. Its soul lies in a clear, tangy broth made from naturally fermented rice water, often enhanced with tomatoes, chili peppers, and Litsea cubeba for extra flavor. Fresh fish—typically Jiangtuan or carp—is chosen and cooked on the spot, resulting in tender, delicate flesh within a broth that is both sour and spicy, appetizing and refreshing. The dish is enjoyed by first sipping the soup and savoring the fish, then adding vegetables to simmer in the rich broth. Reflecting the locals' deep fondness for sour and spicy flavors, it is a must-try for anyone seeking to experience the culinary culture of Xiangxi.

Ginger Candy
Eat 3

Ginger Candy

姜糖

Ginger candy. Ginger candy is a traditional handmade snack from Fenghuang Ancient Town, made from ginger, brown sugar or malt sugar through a process of boiling, pulling, and cutting. It has a crispy or chewy texture, starting sweet and mellow, then a gentle spiciness of ginger spreads in the mouth, bringing a warm sensation. In the ancient town's streets and alleys, it's common to see vendors pulling ginger candy on the spot—an experience for both the taste buds and the eyes. As a signature local souvenir, ginger candy is not only distinctive in flavor but also carries the folk wisdom of dispelling cold and warming the body. It's perfect to enjoy while strolling through the ancient town or to bring home as a taste of somewhere new.

She Fan
Eat 4

She Fan

社饭

She Fan (Community Feast Rice). She Fan is a specialty dish made in Fenghuang Ancient Town during the spring sacrifice to the Land God. It is made primarily with glutinous rice, mixed with wild scallions, cured meat, peanuts, and other local ingredients, then steamed to perfection. The result is glossy and fragrant, with a savory, salty taste that balances the richness of the cured meat with the freshness of wild vegetables. What makes it unique is its seasonal nature: it is enjoyed only around the spring She Festival, embodying local people's wishes for a bountiful harvest. Visitors can find this dish in the old town's alleys and streets, where it offers a taste of Xiangxi's culinary wisdom and deep-rooted local sentiment.

Rice Tofu
Eat 5

Rice Tofu

米豆腐

Rice Tofu (Mi Doufu). Rice tofu is a common street snack in Phoenix Ancient Town, made by grinding local rice into a slurry, then cooking and setting it into shape. It has a smooth, tender texture with a subtle rice aroma. Typically cut into small pieces and topped with chili oil, garlic paste, pickled beans, and other seasonings, it offers a sour and spicy kick that whets the appetite, making it perfect for enjoying on the go. Unlike northern-style tofu, rice tofu contains no soybeans and has a texture closer to jelly, marking it as a signature snack of western Hunan. In the alleys of the ancient town, you'll encounter stalls selling it every few steps, with affordable prices, making it an easy way to experience local everyday cuisine.