China (Fenghuang, Hunan) Sept 2012

Map of Fenghuang County, Hunan, China

Chengdu > Huaihua > Fenghuang County, Hunan

Hostel: Fenghuang Biancheng IYH Hostel (2 nights) - Y35 x 2 (dorm)
Train: Chengdu > Huaihua - Y120 (hard seat); Huaihua > Liuzhou - Y65 (hard seat)
Bus: Huaihua > Fenghuang (return) - Y38+Y37; Liuzhou>Guilin - Y40
Food: Y97
Sundries: Y15
Total cost incurred (3days): Y482

1) Arriving at the Huaihua Railway Station, Hunan from Chengdu, Sichuan. On arrival, I took a bus to Fenghuang County to explore this ancient town, staying for 2 nights in Fenghuang.

Fenghuang, Hunan

1) Fenghuang county - built in 1704, a Miao village well preserved with traditional gabled houses built on stilts and flagstone streets; 50 km from Huaihua (3hr by minibus) or Jishou (1.5hr). Lucky me, I made a date to visit this Phoenix Ancient Town before my adventurous China trip about to end. A good rest and well rewarded after a two night stay in Fenghuang.

Spectacular sights as seen in Fenghuang - old town, pagoda, houses on stilts, flagstone streets, river cruise, waterwheel, stepping stone bridges, cascading water, old city walls, tourist hostels with balconies lining the riversides (Y100 twin bed room during off peak season) ...

2) Hong (Red) Bridge, Fenghuang County, Hunan - my 2 days roaming this ancient town (unique architectural remains of Ming & Qing styles) at my own leisure, day & night ! 

3) Ming & Qing dynasty style architectural buildings in Fenghuang Ancient Town, Hunan

4) Chaoo Yang Palace, Fenghuang Ancient Town, Hunan

5) Rainbow bridge, Finghuang County, Hunan

6) River crossing in Fenghuang County Ancient Town, Hunan

7) Waterwheels, Fenghuang Ancient Town, Hunan

8) Fenghuang Ancient Town by Night, Hunan - heads to the Night Market or riverside bars and restaurants and get yourself entertained with western and local music, songs and fine food - after a hard day trip, it was time to loosen your bodies and souls with a jar of Chinese beer or Mio rice wine ! The night is still young for the mid-night cowboys or owls !

9) Local delicacies, small eat, gifts & souvenirs in Fenghuang Ancient Town - dried pork, honeycomb, Miao style fried rice, Mio pancake & exotic seafood - are you courageous enough to put these food into your mouth ? But if you are moody on that day, why not give it a try ?

10) Curious to look at …. inside Fenghuang Ancient Town ! Try beating a drum; posing for a picture wearing a Mio traditional costume; enjoying the Chinese classical songs performed by a group of blind people near the Hong bridge; locals indulged in a Chinese chess play. No doubt in Fenghuang, there were plenty of sights and cultural activities for you to see and pass your time !

" By the time I started to adore you ( Fenghuang), I have already embarked on a journey.... so here I am in Fenghuang taking a trip down the memory lane !!! "