Fenghuang County


Fenghuang, meaning Phoenix in Chinese, is a small town in central China's Hunan Province. It is a
famous historic and cultural city. It was ever praised as the most beautiful city in China by Rewi Alley, a
renowned author in New Zealand.

Fenghuang County was originally built in the early Qing Dynasty and maintains its initial appearance after
three hundred years of vicissitude. At present, the eastern and northern gate towers are well preserved.
Classical characteristics can be found everywhere, including streets paved with bluestone blocks in the
city, timber-frame stilted house at the riverside, as well as Zhaoyang (Rising Sun) Palace, Tianwang
(Heaven Gods) Temple, Dacheng Palace, Wanshou (Longevity) Palace and other buildings.

Fenghuang County is a wonderful example of what villages were like prior to the onset of modernization. Here dozens of alleys paved with
flagstones run between the houses, each showing wear caused by the feet of generations of local people who have used them when going about
their daily business. For the visitor, these alleys are the way to see the typical high gabled wooden houses built on stilts along the banks of the Tuo
Jiang River at close quarters.

The Miao ethnic minority is predominantly settled here and a visit to a Miao village is a must when going to Fenghuang County. The Miao women
have a natural beauty that renders the use of cosmetics quite unnecessary. They love to dress in traditional blue garments set off with a white
scarf. They love also their silver jeweler especially during festivals. Visitors will find a large array of hand made items of silver ornaments for sale in
the local shops. Home made tie-dyes, printed and batik cloths are other local specialties that make wonderful souvenirs. The Miao are friendly and
hospitable and like nothing more than to interact with visitors with a variety of traditional entertainments and activities.

People visiting Fenghuang may find a place to take a rest, lying on a small boat drifting along the river or
staying in a local house tasting spicy Hunan food along with green tea. Strolling through the town or driving to
surrounding areas, one may sense a journey through time, its old wooden buildings, stone bridges, cobbled
lanes and deep-green mountains standing out as testaments to the town's past.