Fenghuang Ancient Town
Many people regard Fenghuang Ancient Town as one of China's most beautiful small towns. Its mountains are gentle yet graceful, its rivers shallow yet crystal clear,…
Fenghuang Ancient Town, Western Hunan (Xiangxi) · AI illustration for China Trip
Key facts
- Admission
- Fenghuang Ancient Town itself has no entrance fee. Admission to the Nanhua Mountain Shenfeng Scenic Area is ¥59. By Air Fly to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport, then travel by rail to Jishou, and onward to Fenghuang. Alternatively, fly into Tongren Fenghuang Airport in Guizhou, about 30 km from Fenghuang (fewer flights available), then take a taxi to Fenghuang for about ¥100. You can also fly into Zhijiang Airport and travel from there. By Train Take a train to Jishou or Huaihua, then transfer to a high-speed train to Fenghuang. By Road Jishou → Fenghuang: Exit Jishou Railway Station, where air-conditioned tourist coaches to Fenghuang usually wait at the square between stations, ¥20 per person. Jishou South Bus Station (吉首汽车南站) operates from 6:30 to 17:30, with a bus to Fenghuang every 15–20 minutes, ¥20 per person; a private charter costs ¥100. Huaihua → Fenghuang: From Huaihua Railway Station, take a taxi (¥8) to Huaihua West Bus Station, then board a coach to Fenghuang, ¥40 per person. Tongren → Fenghuang: Get off the train at Yuping, travel to Tongren city centre, then transfer to a bus to Fenghuang, ¥25 per person.
- Time needed
- 1–2 days
- Guidebook rating
- 5 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 1970. Open in Google Maps
About Fenghuang Ancient Town
Many people regard Fenghuang Ancient Town as one of China's most beautiful small towns. Its mountains are gentle yet graceful, its rivers shallow yet crystal clear, and its pavilions and towers nestle among peaks and flowing water. Delicate and charming, it resembles a subtle, lingering landscape painting.
Fenghuang Ancient Town comprises six scenic areas: the Ancient Town Scenic Area, Nanhua Mountain Scenic Area, Shawan Scenic Area, Qiliang Cave Scenic Area, Huangsiqiao Ancient Town, and the Southern Great Wall. The Ancient Town Scenic Area holds most of Fenghuang's historic buildings and is the core area of the town, well worth savouring at leisure.
In former times, the town was known for the 'Eight Views of Fenghuang': Verdant Peaks of Nanhua, Woodcutters' Songs on Orchid Path, Morning Bell at the Mountain Temple, Welcoming the Sunrise at East Ridge, Fishing Lights at Dragon Pool, Waves at the Temple Pavilion, Moon over the Stream Bridge, and Majestic Peaks. The first three are at Nanhua Mountain, and the last five are in the Shawan Scenic Area. Keen travellers may wish to see them all.
Tips from the guidebook
- From Changsha, take the expressway to Fenghuang Ancient Town; the journey takes just over 5 hours.
- Getting Around Town
- 1. Fenghuang Ancient Town is very small, so you rarely need transport. Green taxis start at ¥5, and after 10 p.m. the starting fare is ¥6.5. Eco electric shuttle carts cost ¥1 per person.
- 2. To reach the Southern Great Wall, Shanjiang, Banji, Huangsiqiao Ancient Town, Duluo Village, Shujiatang, Tingziguan and other places from Fenghuang, a group can charter a car from the square in front of the long-distance bus station. Depending on distance, each car costs ¥50–150.
- Fenghuang's local specialities include xueba duck (血耙鸭), bracken fern shoots, twice-cooked pork, sour fish hotpot, guanguan mushrooms (罐罐菌), doufuzha (豆腐渣, tofu dregs), and pickled vegetable soup. Portions are generous, and the flavours are excellent for the price. Go down to Hongqiao (Rainbow Bridge), turn right and walk for 5 minutes to find Heizai Restaurant, where the sour fish soup is well worth trying.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Fenghuang Ancient Town cost?
Admission to Fenghuang Ancient Town is Fenghuang Ancient Town itself has no entrance fee. Admission to the Nanhua Mountain Shenfeng Scenic Area is ¥59. By Air Fly to Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport, then travel by rail to Jishou, and onward to Fenghuang. Alternatively, fly into Tongren Fenghuang Airport in Guizhou, about 30 km from Fenghuang (fewer flights available), then take a taxi to Fenghuang for about ¥100. You can also fly into Zhijiang Airport and travel from there. By Train Take a train to Jishou or Huaihua, then transfer to a high-speed train to Fenghuang. By Road Jishou → Fenghuang: Exit Jishou Railway Station, where air-conditioned tourist coaches to Fenghuang usually wait at the square between stations, ¥20 per person. Jishou South Bus Station (吉首汽车南站) operates from 6:30 to 17:30, with a bus to Fenghuang every 15–20 minutes, ¥20 per person; a private charter costs ¥100. Huaihua → Fenghuang: From Huaihua Railway Station, take a taxi (¥8) to Huaihua West Bus Station, then board a coach to Fenghuang, ¥40 per person. Tongren → Fenghuang: Get off the train at Yuping, travel to Tongren city centre, then transfer to a bus to Fenghuang, ¥25 per person., as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
How long should I spend at Fenghuang Ancient Town?
Plan on 1–2 days for Fenghuang Ancient Town.
Where is Fenghuang Ancient Town?
Fenghuang Ancient Town is in Western Hunan (Xiangxi), Hunan Province, in the Central China of China.
More places in Western Hunan (Xiangxi)
Miaoren Valley
Miaoren Valley boasts natural scenery of breathtaking craftsmanship and well-preserved ancient Miao villages. It has been recognised by experts at home and abroad as a "living fossil of the Miao people". The narrow, secluded valley hides caves, and the caves hide valleys, forming a labyrinth that feels like a fairyland. Mountain flowers bloom throughout the seasons, and birdsong fills the air.
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Huilong Pavilion
The stilt houses (吊脚楼) are located in the southeast of Fenghuang Ancient Town. They face the old official road in front and hang over the Tuo River behind. These historic buildings survive from the Qing dynasty and the early Republic period, and they have a strong Miao architectural character.
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Southern Great Wall
The Southern Great Wall, also known as the 'Miao Frontier Wall', is part of the Great Wall built in the Ming dynasty and stretches about 190 km. The Ming rulers built it to separate southern ethnic minorities, suppress resistance, and secure stability in the Miao frontier. Along the way are numerous watchtowers, cannon platforms, fortified sentry posts and gates built for garrisoning troops and defence. It is not as grand as the Great Wall in the north, but it has its own southern landscape and the distinctive character of western Hunan's ethnic minority culture.
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Shanjiang Miao Village
Also called Zongbing Camp, and known in the Miao language as Bagu, Shanjiang lies in a gorge 20 km northwest of Fenghuang Ancient Town. It is a small mountain village full of authentic Miao life. Ancient customs are still preserved here: brilliantly colourful Miao costumes, the distinctive 'door-blocking wine' (拦门酒) ritual, unique kagu drums, road-blocking songs and bianbianchang (边边场) dance gatherings, as well as traditional festivals such as the 'April Eighth' (四月八) festival with its moon and flower dances, and the 'Sixth of the Sixth Month' (六月六) festival with its antiphonal mountain songs.
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