Things to Do in and around Fenghuang Ancient Town 2024

No. 1: Tuojiang River

Tuojiang River is the mother river of Fenghuang Ancient Town. Taking a boat to appreciate beautiful water scenery could be an interesting way for pleasure. The boat gets on North Gate Tower Dock and travels east to the Longevity Palace to disembark.

There are water plants swaying under the clear river water. As you embark on a journey along the river, you will glide past ancient stone bridges and traditional stilt houses that line the banks, giving you a glimpse into the daily life of the Miao and Tujia ethnic groups. On the Tuojiang River in the early morning, there is heavy fog. Residents are washing clothes by the river. It is one of the most beautiful scenes in the ancient city.

Tickets: CNY 85 for Tuojiang River boating (day time)
Joint Tickets: CNY 128 (8 core attractions plus Tuojiang River boating)

No. 2: Rainbow Bridge (Hong Bridge)

Rainbow Bridge, lying across the Tuojiang River, is the central landmark building of Fenghuang Ancient Town. It was originally constructed during the Ming Dynasty. On the walls at both ends of the bridge are engraved couplets composed by Huang Yongyu (黄永玉) and written by his young brother Huang Yongqian (黄永前).

From the bridge, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the ancient town’s traditional Miao and Tujia architecture, the river flowing gently below, and the lush green mountains. The bridge is particularly beautiful at night when it is illuminated, casting a warm glow over the water and reflecting in the river’s gentle ripples. It is one of the best viewpoints in the ancient city.

Tickets: Free

No. 3: Snow Bridge

In 2011, Huang Yongyu (黄永玉), a famous Chinese Painter, denoted and designed four bridges for his hometown, namely Wind Bridge, Snow Bridge, Rain Bridge, and Fog Bridge. Snow bridge is the most beautiful one among them.

This bridge has two levels, with the lower level being a straight bridge and the upper level an arched bridge. Climbing to the pavilion of the arch bridge, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery on both banks, including quaint inns, bars, and stilted houses along the riverbank.

Tickets: Free

No. 4: Nanhua Mountain Sacred Phoenix Scenic Area

Nanhua Mountain Sacred Phoenix Scenic Area is next to Rainbow Bridge (Hong Bridge) which is a perfect place to get a bird's view of the amazing Fenghuang Ancient Town. It perfectly blends the ancient town with a natural park, unrolling a painting of tranquil Xiangxi.

You can get up to Heart Shape Platform, Phoenix Platform, or New Moon Viewing Platform to snap breathtaking panorama photos of this beautiful old town. Especially when night falls, the whole town is illuminated with yellow light. You will feel like stepping into a tranquil fairyland.

Visitors can also appreciate unique performances such as Witch Nuo Stunt Performance, Witch Nuo Sacrifice performance, 3D Naked-Eye Light Show, or Phoenix Flying Display. After enjoying the shows, you can understand the symbolic meaning of Phoenix in Chinese culture through various allusions.

Tickets: CNY 50

No. 5: Nanhua Bridge

Nanhua Bridge is the busiest bridge in Fenghuang Ancient Town. Other bridges in this town are only accessible for foot passengers, while Nanhua Bridge is passable for vehicles. It is one traffic artery connecting Nanhua Gate and other places.

The stone carvings on the guardrails on both sides of Nanhua Bridge are the phoenix and auspicious clouds pattern designed by Huang Yongyu. When night falls, standing on the Nanhua Bridge and looking at the Tuojiang River, visitors will see the reflection of the bridge swaying in the water.

Tickets: Free

No. 6: Former Residence of Shen Congwen

Shen Congwen (沈从文) is one of China’s most celebrated writers. His novel Border Town is considered a masterpiece of modern Chinese literature, capturing the rural life of the Xiangxi people.

The house is a traditional wooden structure, covering an area of up to 600 square meters. Inside the house, exhibits his handwriting, manuscripts, and photographs that provide a deeper understanding of Shen Congwhen’s life and career. These items are carefully curated, allowing visitors to connect with the man behind the literature. For anyone with a love for literature, history, or culture, a visit to the Former Residence of Shen Congwen should not be missed.

Tickets: CNY 45
Joint Tickets: CNY 128 (8 core attractions plus Tuojiang River boating)

No. 7: East Gate Tower (Shengheng Gate Tower)

It is one of the four ancient gates that once guarded the entrances to the town, protecting against invaders while also serving as a checkpoint for travelers and merchants. It is constructed from sturdy gray bricks and stones.

Climbing the steps to the top of the tower offers a panoramic view of the Tuojiang River and the picturesque stilted houses that line its banks. You can truly feel the pulse of history, connecting with the spirits of those who have walked these grounds before.

Tickets: CNY 10
Joint Tickets: CNY 128 (8 core attractions plus Tuojiang River boating)

No. 8: Yang’s Ancestral Hall

Yang’s Ancestral Hall is the best-preserved one among all the 24 halls in Fenghuang County. It is a typical courtyard architecture with column and tie wooden construction. The door of the Yang’s Ancestral Hall is different from ordinary ancestral halls. It is a side-opening door and faces the Tuojiang River. According to Fengshui theory, the ancestral business will be prosperous, just like the continuous flow of the Tuojiang River. Entering the gate, tourists can see exquisite wood carvings of cow heads and bats. The cow head is used to ward off evil spirits and bless peace, while the bat brings good luck and blessings.

Tickets: CNY 30
Joint Tickets: CNY 128 (8 core attractions plus Tuojiang River boating)

No. 9: Former Residence of Xiong Xiling

Xiong Xiling (熊希龄) is a respected reformer, philanthropist, and educator, who has been served as premier of the Republic of China (1912-1949). Xiong Xiling was born and spent his childhood in this house.

As a fine example of a courtyard complex, the residence features a quadrangle layout, intricate wood carvings, a patio, and a dooryard. It covers an area of up to 250 square meters. Crossing the dooryard, you will find the principal room, which is a three-room, two-story wooden structure. It is filled with items used by Xiong Xiling during his life, as well as photographs and texts documenting his life. On both sides of the wooden door of the principal room, there is a couplet, expressing Xiong Xiling’s patriotic sentiments and his aspirations for charitable education.

Tickets: CNY 40
Joint Tickets: CNY 128 (8 core attractions plus Tuojiang River boating)

No. 10: Lei Yutian Private Museum

Lei Yutian (雷雨田) Private Museum is located in the residence of Chen Baozhen (陈宝箴) who is the former important official of the late Qing Dynasty. It covers an area of over 1600 square meters. It is a cultural carrier including Fenghuang Ancient City Museum, Chen Baozhen family’s residence, and Lei Yutian Art Gallery.

The collection includes historical materials such as relics and pictures of the Chen Baozhen family, as well as numerous mineral specimens and paleontological fossils. It is worth looking at the “The Stele of Lunyin Sealing Imperial Edict” and the wolf leather cushion given by the Guangxu emperor of the Qing Dynasty. Besides, you can also enjoy the arts of Mr. Lei Yutian, the founder of the museum, such as “A Scenery of Fenghuang Ancient Town (凤凰城小景)” and “Herald Spring (报春图)”, etc.

Tickets: CNY 40
Joint Tickets: CNY 128 (8 core attractions plus Tuojiang River boating)

No. 11: Longevity Palace (Huang Yongyu Artist Museum)

Longevity Palace, also named Jiangxi Hall, was constructed in the Qing Dynasty by a Jiangxi merchant. This palace is a place of worship and a testament to the cultural exchange and commercial activities.

Longevity Palace has an exquisite and unique design and enjoys pleasing sightseeing like a splendid natural painting of elegant mountains and waters with high pavilions. During the Republic of China and the founding of the People’s Republic of China, a banknote printing factory, a weaving factory, a primary school, and a grain store were opened here. As a result, Longevity Palace has gone through many vicissitudes.

There is also a personal art exhibition hall of the famous Chinese painter Huang Yongyu, which displays a large number of his art treasures, allowing visitors to appreciate the artistic style of the painting genius.

Tickets: CNY 45
Joint Tickets: CNY 128 (8 core attractions plus Tuojiang River boating)

Things to Do around Fenghuang Ancient Town

No. 12: Furong Ancient Town

Furong Ancient Town is a charming old town on a waterfall with a history of over 2000 years. Once known as Wang Village, Furong Ancient Town was renamed after the famous film “Furong Town” starring Liu Xiaoqing (刘晓庆) which was filed here.

The highlight of Furong Ancient Town is the majestic view of the 40-meter-wide and 60-meter-high waterfall as well as the well-preserved stilted buildings constructed above the cliff. Xizhou Bronze Pillar which is the precious relic of the Tujia minority would show the long and rich history of the Tujia people.

Type: Ancient Towns, Points of Interest
Opening Hours: 08:00 ~ 24:00
Tickets: CNY 108
Recommended Visiting Time: Half a day
Address:Yongshun County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province (湖南省湘西土家族苗族自治州永顺县)
Disdance: about 120 km from Fenghuang Ancient Town (1.5~2 hrs driving)

No. 13: South Great Wall

South Great Wall, also called Xiangxi Side Wall, was constructed in Ming and Qing Dynasties used for military defence. It is distributed over Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, including Fenghuang, Jishou, Luxi, etc. South-Great Wall now has 77 sections, running about 12944 meters in total and dotted with blockhouses and fortresses. It remains an important historical site to catch a comprehensive view of Miao's border defence and residential layout.

Type: Historic Sites, Point of Interest
Opening Hours: 8:00~17:30
Tickets: CNY 45
Recommended Visiting Time: 1 hour
Address:Lahao Village, Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province (湖南省湘西土家族苗族自治州凤凰县拉毫村)
Disdance: about 25 km from Fenghuang Ancient Town (0.5 hrs driving)

No. 14: Dehang Miao Village

This is the home of the Miao people and a jewel of exquisite scenery. Due to the ups and downs of the mountains, many cliffs, waterfalls, and virgin forests have been formed. There are crisscrossing streams, deep canyons, waterfalls, beautiful peaks, ancient trees, exotic flowers, and rare birds and animals.

Among the green mountains are buildings with gray tiles. Visitors can walk on smooth stone roads and exquisite arch bridges. There are also the ancient stone rollers and barrel carts, driven by water power, gurgling and babbling, spinning tirelessly, creating an idyllic atmosphere.

Type: Villages, Point of Interests
Opening Hours: 8:30~17:30
Tickets: CNY 80
Recommended Visiting Time: 1 day
Address: Dehang Scenic Area, Jishou City, Huayuan County, Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province (湖南省湘西土家族苗族自治州花垣县吉首市德夯风景区)
Disdance: about 70 km from Fenghuang Ancient Town (1.5 hrs driving)