Fenghuang Ancient City in Hunan is the most famous ancient city in Hunan. It is located in the southwest of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Hunan Province, covering an area of approximately 10 square kilometers.
Due to its beautiful scenery and profound historical and cultural heritage, it has been rated as one of the "Five Must-Go Scenic Spots" in Hunan and one of the "Top Ten Excellent Cultural Heritage Sites in Hunan".
It has been twice selected as one of the "New Xiaoxiang (Hunan) Eight Scenic Spots" and is known as the "North Pingyao, South Phoenix". It has also been listed as the "most beautiful ancient town" by the China Photographers Association. Especially the night in the ancient city of Phoenix, it is definitely a rare and unparalleled landscape in the world.
Guided by Russian speaking tour guides from Zhangjiajie Travel Guide, we ,a group of over 60 tourists, traveled to Fenghuang Aneient Town in June,2023.
When the lanterns were first lit, the night was captivating. As night fell, the lights of the entire Phoenix Ancient City lit up, and the entire Phoenix Ancient City became a colorful fairy tale world.
The two sides of the Tuojiang River are shining brightly with bright lights, just like daylight. The water of the Tuojiang River passing through the city is also reflected by the lights, as if coated with a layer of blue curtains.
On the Rainbow Bridge, the lights were shining brightly, and under the reflection of the lights, the outline of the bridge was clearly outlined. The high and raised eaves, gray tiles, and yellow pillars, as well as the towering horse head wall, were all covered in a dreamy color under the light. The three arched bridge openings were also lit with yellow lights, as if a layer of yellow gold powder had been plated on the stone bridge. The entire bridge body is reflected in the water, causing the water to also show spots of psychedelic light and shadow.
Fishermen drove ferries through bridge openings. In this stunning night, they waved their boats and hummed folk songs, as if treating this place like the Qinhuai River amidst the sound of oars and the shadows of lights.
Visitors can pay CNY 80 /P.P to buy ticket of Tuojiang River Cruise and then have a visit by boat on Tuojiang River from the North Gate Pier.
On both sides of the Tuojiang River, there is a section of stilted buildings built along the river with local ethnic characteristics. Supported by wooden columns, it protrudes into the water, and above it is a two-story or three-story building. The interior is brightly lit, and the windows facing the river are supported. The light shines through the windows and onto the water surface, forming a large colorful light and shadow.
These hanging footed buildings are all adorned with high eaves, gray tiles, red columns, and towering horse head walls. Under the illumination of the lights, they exude a sense of layering, as if returning to the era of the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China in the last century.
Walking along the pedestrian walkway by the Tuojiang River after getting of the boat, you can see the lights shone on the road, turning the entire road into golden yellow. A large tree grew diagonally, with its entire crown extending over the path onto the Tuojiang River. Looking up, the tree was covered in flowers, and under the light, it exuded an alluring light purple hue. A pagoda stands by the riverbank, and when viewed from the shore, it seems to be standing right under a large tree covered in flowers. The light on the tower is bright, and the towers and trees complement each other, creating a harmonious and beautiful painting.
There are multiple bridges on the Tuojiang River. In addition to the Rainbow Bridge mentioned earlier, there is also a newly built stone bridge with a pavilion in the middle. People can pass through the bridge deck or climb up the pavilion in the middle along the upper slope to view the night view of the ancient city. Climbing the pavilion in the night, you can only see the colorful banks of the Tuojiang River. The radiance of the Tuojiang River is dazzling, and the seductive night is dazzling.
