Fenghuang Ancient Town of Xiangxi Prefecture was particularly lively during this year’s Spring Festival holiday. As a new 5A scenic spot, this ancient town in Xiangxi, with a long history and unique ethnic customs, launched colorful New Year custom activities like cultural exhibitions, Miao silver costume parades and Miao flower drum performances attracted numerous tourists. Data show that during the 8-day-long holiday, Fenghuang Ancient Town received 894,000 tourists.
Tourists around the country strolled through this ancient town with lush mountains and lucid rivers, visited the ancient bridges and exquisite stilted buildings on both sides of Tuojiang River, and experienced the history and culture of this ancient town in a festive atmosphere.
Walking to the north gate of Fenghuang Ancient Town, you will see one hundred Miao drums lined up on the city wall, like a giant dragon. A hundred Miao girls dressed in costumes and played the drums to welcome guests.
On the other side, Tuojiang, mother river of Fenghuang Ancient Town, runs through the whole town, showing the unique charm of the southern ancient town. It is almost a must-do thing for tourists to roam along the Tuojiang River in Fenghuang Ancient Town.
Many famous scenic spots in the town are located by the river, and the bridges embodying the beauty and culture of Tuojiang River are famous.
Located at the core of Fenghuang Ancient Town, Hongqiao Bridge lies across the Tuojiang River. It was first built in the Ming Dynasty and has a history of over 600 years. Standing on Hongqiao Bridge, you will see the picturesque scenery on both sides of Tuojiang River. Many tourists come here to admire beautiful scenery and take photos.
Jumping Rock is another indispensable bridge on the Tuojiang River. Jumping Rock is over one hundred meters long, with two rows of neatly arranged rock piers standing in the Tuojiang River. During this year’s Spring Festival holiday, the Miao girls dressed in silver costumes walking across the Jumping Rock glutted tourists’ eyes.
Tourists tasted delectable snacks at the street stalls, discovered treasures in a curiosity shop and enjoyed wine and music at a bar in the ancient town. Apart from the Miao silver costume parade, the lion dance, waist drum, clamshell dance and other intangible cultural heritage performers also shuttled through the streets and alleys of the town.
The former residence of Shen Congwen (a famous modern Chinese writer), located on Zhongying Street of the town, attracts many tourists. This courtyard with strong Xiangxi characteristics is the birthplace of Shen Congwen. It features a Ming and Qing architectural style, displaying Shen Congwen’s writings, manuscripts, remains and portraits.
Fenghuang Ancient Town also has cultural attractions like Xiong Xiling’s former residence and Wanshou Palace, which are worth visiting.
Travel photography is now popular here. On the streets and alleys of the ancient town, by the Tuojiang River, and on city walls, whether day or night, tourists dressed in ethnic costumes are seen taking photos everywhere.
Photographers and makeup artists in the ancient town are now required to provide services of “travel photography” and “travel photography image design” for tourists with professional competency certificates.
