The ancient town of Fenghuang is one of the most famous in China. Follow my detailed guide to find out whether it’s worth visiting and how to organize your trip completely independently.
Fenghuang (凤凰古城), also known as Phoenix Ancient Town, is a well-preserved Ancient Town that offers a glimpse into China’s rich history and culture. Nestled in the western part of Hunan Province, this town is famous for its picturesque landscapes, traditional wooden houses, and the Tuojiang River that runs through it. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit.
Here are some quick Facts About Fenghuang:
- Location: Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province.
- Established: During the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, around 1704. The town was initially built as a military outpost to pacify the region’s ethnic minorities and gradually developed into a vibrant cultural and commercial hub.
- Population: Predominantly Miao and Tujia ethnic minorities.
- Main Attractions: Tuojiang River, Rainbow Bridge, ancient city walls, Diaojiaolou (stilted houses), and Maglev with panoramic view over the city.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Fenghuang is from March to November, with a preference for Spring and Autumn. Avoid visiting during the Chinese public holidays, such as National Day and Chinese New Year, as the town can get crowded. Summer can be quite hot.
The main problem with Winters is that this part of China doesn’t have a centralized heating system, so it can get quite cold in restaurants and hotels, especially the cheaper ones.
How to Get to Fenghuang
Getting to Fenghuang is quite easy since the city is well-connected and often included in the same itinerary as other very popular places: Zhangjiajie (here is my Travel Guide) and Furong.
- By Air: The nearest airport is Tongren Fenghuang Airport (40 km away), with flights from major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
- By Train: Fenghuang Old Town Train Station is the closest train station, about 10 km from Fenghuang. You can take a bus or a taxi to the ancient town from there. The other nearby train stations are Huaihua and Tongren. As always, I recommend using Trip to book your train and airplane tickets, and your hotel stay.
- By Bus: There are direct buses to Fenghuang from major cities such as Changsha, Zhangjiajie, and Guilin.
These are the most common itineraries for visiting the nearby areas, and the order in which you follow them largely depends on where you are arriving from and which direction you plan to continue.
- Tongren (by train or plane) → Fanjingshan (by car or bus) → Fenghuang (by car or bus) → Furong (by car or train) → Zhangjiajie (by car or train)
- Zhangjiajie (by train or plane) → Furong (by car or train) → Fenghuang (by car or bus) → Fanjingshan (by car or bus) → Tongren (by train or plane)
Where to Stay
There are plenty of options for all budgets. It depends on how much you are willing to spend. I stayed at this hotel, which is quite nice but outside the old town. If you would rather stay in the old town, you will find plenty of options on Trip.
Top Attractions in Fenghuang
Visiting the Ancient Town is quite straightforward, and you can wander around the small alleys and the river. These, however, are the main attractions.
Tuojiang River
This river is renowned for its nice scenery, with traditional wooden houses on stilts lining its banks and beautiful stone bridges arching over its waters. For centuries, the Tuojiang River has been vital to Fenghuang’s history and daily life.
Rainbow Bridge
Spanning the Tuojiang River, it is known for its beautiful arched design. Built during the Ming Dynasty, the Rainbow Bridge has historical and architectural significance. It serves as both a practical crossing and a scenic spot for tourists.
Diaojiaolou Houses
These traditional wooden stilt houses are a distinctive architectural feature of the ancient town. Perched along the banks of the Tuojiang River, these houses are built on stilts to protect against flooding and provide stability on the uneven terrain. The design reflects the adaptability of the Miao and Tujia ethnic minorities.
Ancient City Wall
The wall stretches for approximately 6 kilometers and features numerous watchtowers and gates. It was originally built for defensive purposes, protecting the town from invasions.
Fenghuang Museum
This museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the region’s rich heritage. It features a diverse array of artifacts, including traditional costumes, tools, artworks, and historical documents related to the Miao and Tujia ethnic minorities.
Shen Congwen’s Former Residence
Shen Congwen, born in Fenghuang in 1902, was renowned for his literary works that vividly depict the life and culture of rural China, particularly the region around Fenghuang. His former residence is a traditional Qing Dynasty-style courtyard house, reflecting the period’s architectural style. The site includes a small museum with exhibits on his literary achievements and contributions to Chinese literature.
Local Cuisine
Try the local Miao and Tujia dishes, such as sour fish soup, rice tofu, and spicy duck blood noodles. Street food stalls along the river offer a variety of local snacks. Another must-try is the Fenghuang ginger candy, a local specialty made from fresh ginger and sugar.
Tour vs DIY
Fenghuang can easily be explored in combination with Zhangjiajie, and most people opt for a DIY trip. But if your time is limited and you don’t want to worry about booking public transportation, a tour is the best option. If you need a recommendation for a local company, send me a DM on Instagram.
Final Thoughts
I have mixed feelings about this place. On the one hand, I like its history, and the stilted houses are photogenic. But honestly, it looks like another tourist trap, and it has gotten much worse since the first time I went there.
I would rather visit some lesser-known water towns, such as those in Jiangsu, and experience beautiful places without too many tourists. This being said, thanks to its unique atmosphere and rich cultural heritage, Fenghuang is a charming ancient town to explore if you are visiting China for the first time.
Remember to get a VPN before coming to China. This one works well. If you prefer an eSIM, I recommend this one. As for travel insurance, I recommend this one.
Don’t forget to explore another amazing area nearby: Mount Fanjing in Guizhou. Here’s my article with the most common questions about China.
Hi! Fabio. I will spend a night in Fenghuang. Do you suggest I sightsee in the old town by myself or do I need a guide?
Hi Lucky, you can do it by yourself.
Hello Fabio, great post. How many days do you suggest staying in Fenghuang? I was thinking about 2 days and combining a visit to the Dehang Miao Village. What do you think about it? Thank you!
Two nights should be ok.
I will travel for 4 nights in China, do you have any suggestion for me about some city or town near this place because I can spend only 1-2 nights in here
You can head to Furong
how do i get to feng huang from furong old town? thanks
Best option is by car