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What to see in Fenghuang, the most beautiful village in southern China
There is much more to China than its famous big cities, travelling to this country also allows you to discover some of the hidden gems in its more rural areas. One of the most famous towns in China is fenghuang, also known as the "Phoenix City" as it is the literal translation of its name.
Located in the south of the country, this ancient city seems frozen in time, with cobblestone alleyways, wooden houses overlooking the river, and many traditional costumes (worn by local tourists in disguise). Fenghuang is famous for its well-preserved architecture and natural surroundings, nestled among mountains and bisected by the Tuojiang River. In this article, I'll explaincaremo what to see in Fenghuang and why this place is one of the most picturesque and famous destinations in China.
- How to get to Fenghuang
- Where to stay in Fenghuang
- What to see in Fenghuang
- Strolling along the riverbank of the Tuojiang River
- Phoenix or Rainbow Bridge – The most famous bridge to see in Fenghuang
- Houses built on the river, Diaojiaolou
- Fenghuang Ancient Fortress
- Fenghuang Bridge
- Visiting old traditional Chinese houses
- Fenghuang Stone Bridge
- Wanming Pagoda
- Fenghuang Night Festival
How to get to to Fenghuang
The pretty village of Fenghuang is located in a very rural area of China but getting there from some of its main cities is not too difficult. The best method of transportation is the train, its station is well connected to nearby cities and fast trains have made getting here much easier.
How to get to Fenghuang from Zhangjiajie
It is very common to visit the famous Zhangjiajie Park Before going to Fenghuang, if it's not in your plans, I recommend...carI decided to go and meet him.
The most common way to get to Fenghuang from Zhangjiajie is by taking a Train at Zhangjiajie Station heading to Fenghuanggucheng, the nearest station to Fenghuang. We bought the ticket directly at the train station but we sincerely recommend you book it online to know what time your train really leaves and not waste a lot of time.
Once you arrive at Fenghuang station you can take a bus that costs 8 yuan and takes you to the center in 20 minutes or take a fast train that costs almost 5 times more. We chose the bus and it was very fast and efficient.
How to get to Fenghuang from Guilin
If you come from Guilin, another very famous tourist stop in the area thanks to its karst landscapes, you can Catch a train at Guilin station that goes directly to Fenghuanggucheng. There is only 1 direct train per day and The journey takes about 6-7 hours. Since there is only 1 train per day, I recommend you book. the online ticket which costs around €35. If the ticket is already full, there are also options with a change of train in nearby cities.
Once you arrive at Fenghuang Station The best thing is to take the bus service that takes you to the center for only €1.
How to get to Fenghuang from Chongqing
Chongqing It is an impressive city that we recommend you visit, it is located quite close to Fenghuang and thanks to its growing fame and its international airport it is a common entry point for tourists who want to get to know this region.
Despite that There is no direct train from Chongqing to Fenghuang. The journey is still very fast with a change of train at Huaihua station. It takes between 5 and 9 hours depending on the combination you take, if you are travelling with a bit of time, the best way is book the ticket in advance.
where to stay in Fenghuang
In reality the town of Fenghuang is very small considering the size of the populations in China and concentrates all its attractions on the banks of the river that runs through it. For this reason, the best place to stay is any hotel close to the river. We did it this way and we can assure you that you will be able to visit all the tourist attractions on foot, covering very short distances.
As in the rest of our Guides on China We insist that the Trip.com platform is the best to find the best accommodations at the best price. These are theThe hotels we recommend in Fenghuang:
Yueying Tuojiang: Good price and location ⭐️
Qinglian Riverside: Quiet area, clean and river views
Shangu Huajian: Luxurious Zen hotel on top of Fenghuang
What to see in fenghuang
As you have seen arriving by train to fenghuang It's very easy and finding accommodation by the river, in the historic center, is also easy. So let's go with the best things What to see in Fenghuang Once you are there, the whole town can be easily visited on foot in a single day if you take it easy, the distances are quite short.
In addition, Fenghuang offers two experiences in one, Walking around the town in daylight is very different from doing so at night, with all the bridges and old houses built over the river fully illuminated.
We spent 2 nights in Fenghuang and despite going during the week we met many local tourists as it is one of the most popular destinations in the entire region, although we only saw a couple of foreigners. We don't want to imagine how many people can visit Fenghuang during a weekend, if you don't want to find out either. We recommend you come on a weekday.
Strolling along the riverbank of the Tuojiang River
Fenghuang would not be the jewel it is today without the Tuojiang River. This river, the source of life, has shaped not only the landscape, but also the essence and architecture of the city. For centuries, traditional Chinese architecture has been adapting to the natural environment, creating a village that seems to float on the riverThe harmony between water and buildings makes Fenghuang a very photogenic destination.
On the banks of the river There is a long promenade that runs along the river and runs through the entire downtown area.From there you can enjoy the mountain landscape and its stilt houses, houses built practically on the water. One of the best things to do in Fenghuang is to sit in one of the many cafes with views of the stilt houses. It rained quite a bit for us so it was a plan we didn't miss.
When night falls all the buildings along the river light up and Fenghuang is transformed. It is very common that Local tourists rent traditional costumes and hire a private photographer to take photos by the river. During your trip to China you will discover that Chinese people like to hire professional photographers when they go to a famous place.
Phoenix or Rainbow Bridge – The most famous bridge to see in Fenghuang
This two-story covered bridge It was built in 1368 AD and since then it is possibly the most famous construction to see in Fenghuang. However, to see it properly you will have to do so from the riverbank, because inside the bridge there are many shops that make you feel like you are walking down a shopping street rather than crossing a river.
It is at night when it stands outWith beautiful lighting, the bridge can be seen from almost anywhere on the river.
Houses built on the river, Diaojiaolou
In order to make the most of the little space that remained on the banks of the river, houses began to be built on wooden piles that were stuck into the river itself. This type of traditional houses are known as Diaojiaolou And although they used to be very typical constructions, today there are very few left to see in Fenghuang, almost all located next to the rainbow bridge.
Fenghuang Ancient Fortress
Walking a few blocks away from the river you will find a wall with large stone towers to guard the city gatesFenghuang is full of military buildings built during the Ming Dynasty between the 14th and 17th centuries. The purpose of all these military buildings was to protect Fenghuang from the usual invasions and fights between dynasties.
The East Gate Tower and the North Gate Tower are the two most popular and are very well preserved. You can walk on the wall in some sections, and although it does not look anything like the Gran Muralla China, takes you back to the ancient Ming Dynasty for a moment.
Fenghuang Bridge
As a good town built next to a river, another of the most majestic and famous buildings in Fenghuang is the bridge that shares its name with the town. For us The most beautiful traditional bridge we have seen in China.
Fenghuang Bridge is not covered and has a second level accessed by a staircase, which offers very good views of the entire river. When night falls It is also very well lit with some red lanterns and is One of the favorite spots for tourists Chinese to take photos in the rented suits.
Visiting old traditional Chinese houses
Some houses are still preserved today. Fenghuang's most famous citizens which have remained almost unchanged over the years and are a vivid reflection of how the upper classes of China lived a couple of centuries ago. The residences you can visit are:
- Shen Congwen's Residence, the family home of an important 19th century Chinese writer.
- El Yang Family Ancestral Hall, a place where members of this important family, descendants of great army generals, met.
- Chen Baozhen Family Residence, currently housing the Fenghuang Ancient City Museum, the house belonged to a high-ranking official.
- Lastly and most importantly the Xiong Xiling's former residence, Chinese prime minister in 1913 and the most important public figure in Fenghuang.
You can choose any of them to complement your visit to Fenghuang and experience the ancient Chinese way of life in rural areas.
Fenghuang Stone Bridge
This is one of the most photographed spots in Fenghuang. It is an aesthetic bridge consisting of a row of stone pylons spanning the riverThere are also some wooden walkways so you can take the photo of the stone bridge from the best perspective.
When we arrived at Fenghuang the river was about to overflow and the bridge was hidden under water, even the wooden walkway was almost destroyed. The whole region was suffering from heavy rain and flooding, in fact we had quite a few problems with the trains and we changed our plans unexpectedly and ended up crossing to Hong Kong unexpectedly.
Wanming Pagoda
La Wanming Pagoda It is without a doubt one of the most representative symbols of Fenghuang and one of our favorite buildings. This imposing structure stands imposingly in the middle of the river with a classic hexagonal architecture, 7 stories high and typical curved roofs. It was first built in 1776 during the qing dynasty and has undergone reconstructions in recent years. Since its construction it has been a spiritual symbol for the locals.
Fenghuang Night Festival
Something we did not expect at all from a town with such a serene and traditional appearance as Fenghuang is that after dinner time many of the cafes and restaurants They turn on their neon lights and become discos or karaoke barsIf you are a party lover and want to experience what the nightlife is like in the heart of China, you can experience it here. Unlike Shanghai or Beijing, here you will be the only foreigner in the place.
I hope this guide on what to see in Fenghuang helps you get organized and convinces you to stop by this historic place. To see what our experience was like in the Asian Giant, you can check out the featured stories of Instagram and read the rest of our Guides for traveling to China.
