Phoenix Town

» Zhangjiajie, Hu Nan

Phoenix Town Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Phoenix Town is located in the western part of Central China's Hunan Province, south of the Tujia and Miao prefectures. It is a world dominated by the color green. The mountain slopes are covered with green foliage, the fields are green, and even the Tuo Jiang River reflects the greenery. There are also remarkable old buildings, and in many ways, life has not changed here for centuries and this is typified by the tough, hard working yet simple-hearted people.

What it used to be

Phoenix Town's history can be traced back to the Qin Dynasty (221 B.C. - 206 B.C.). During ancient times it was called "Wu Gan," before being changed to its present Feng Huang name in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).

Legend about the name "Phoenix"

"Feng Huang" is Chinese for "Phoenix," the mythical bird of good omen and longevity that is consumed by fire to be re-born again from the flames. Phoenix Town is so called as legend has it that two of these fabulous birds flew over it and found the town so beautiful that they hovered there, reluctant to leave.

Hometown of notable persons

The Phoenix Town was home to the versatile writer Shen Congwen (1902 - 1988) who contributed greatly to the development of modern Chinese literature. Venerated by the local residents, the one time home and the tomb of this famous writer have become tourist attractions.

There are two other notable people from the town worthy of mention. The first is Xiong Xiling the famous philanthropist who was the first premier of the Republic of China (1921 - 1949) following the fall of the Manchu.

The other famous citizen is Huang Yongyu, an outstanding contemporary painter in the traditional Chinese style. His frescoes illustrating Buddhist stories in the Zhunti Nunnery are a major tourist attraction.

Why do visit

For tourists, Phoenix Town is a Chinese dream, a wonderland of ancient mysteries. Imagine wandering the narrow streets of this "Ancient City of History and Culture," dancing and singing with local Miao and Tujia people, listening to an old man telling ancient fairy tales, and wondering how this small city nourished so many famous writers and artists.

Phoenix Town offers the visitor from both home and abroad a view of a quite different China from anything experienced in the modern cities and large conurbations that are more widely known. We are sure that the opportunity to travel in such a picturesque region will be remembered as an experience of a lifetime.

A world of green

The mountain slopes are covered with green foliage, the fields are green and even the Tuo Jiang River reflects the greenery. The bridges over the water and unique houses built on stilts display a harmony that is so often portrayed in traditional Chinese paintings.

This is particularly true when mist pervades the scene in the early morning or after rain. It soon becomes apparent that the claim to being one of the two most beautiful towns in the whole of China is more than justified; the other town is Chang Ting in Fujian Province.

A village prior to the onset of modernization

Phoenix Town 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.

Tuo Jiang River

Tuo Jiang River has been considered as a life force of the local people, stretching diagonally from the northwest to southeast of the town. In its water women wash clothes and men fish with nets while on the bank food is prepared in much the same way as it has for centuries. The river also provides a means for boatmen to support their families by ferrying tourists up and down stream so that they may admire the many splendors of the town. In many ways, life has not changed here for centuries and this is typified by the tough, hard working yet simple-hearted people.

Remarkable old buildings

Phoenix Town does not rely entirely upon natural beauty to attract the visitor for this ancient town with a history spanning 1300 years has a number of remarkable old gardens as well as distinctive residential buildings, elegant bridges and mysterious towers and pagodas.

These architectural delights date from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1644 - 1911). Those of special interest are the Wengchen Pavilion, Huang Si Qiao Castle, Tian Wang Temple, Da Cheng Hall, Chao Yang Palace, and the tomb of Shen Congwen and the residence of Xiong Xiling. Here too there are the North Gate and South Great Wall both excellent examples of municipal fortification.

Miao village

The Miao ethnic minority is predominantly settled here and a visit to a Miao village is a must when going to Phoenix Town. 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 jewellery 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 specialities 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. Food here also is different from that found elsewhere in China. Pickled red peppers are a particular local delicacy and their appetizing smell wafts from the many small family run restaurants.

Attractions around » Zhangjiajie, Hu Nan

Natural Scene

• Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
• Suoxi Valley
• Mengdonghe River
• Mt. Tianzishan
• Huangshi Village
• Jinbian Stream

Historical Site

• Phoenix Town
• Huanglongdong Cave
• Furong Town

Nightlife

• Charming Xiangxi

Phoenix Town Highlights

The best small Towns and Villages in China attraction highlights

• Ancient Town of Zhouzhuang
• Ancient Town of Wuzhen
• Hongcun Village
• Phoenix Town

Ancient City & Town in Great China

• Lijiang Old Town
• Ancient Town of Zhouzhuang
• Shuhe Naxi Village
• Jiaohe Ruins
• Ancient Town of Wuzhen
• Pingyao Ancient City
• Tunxi Ancient Street
• Xidi Village
• Hongcun Village
• Yangliuqing Town
• Old Town of Xitang
• Cuandixia Village
• Zhujiajiao Old Town
• Phoenix Town
• Loulan Ancient City
• Qiuci Capital Ruins
• Baidicheng
• Fengdu
• Shibaozhai Temple
• Mallikurwatur Ruins
• Tangyue Archway
• Dali Ancient City
• Qingyan Ancient Town
• Zhenyuan Ancient Town
• Stone Drum Town
• Gaochang Ancient City
• Furong Town
• Qibaozhen Ancient Town
• Tongli Town
• Daxu Ancient Town
• Jingzhou Ancient City
• Nanping Village
• Xingping Town
• Longli Ancient Town
• Ancient Sanlu Temple Street
• Shiban Street
• Ciqikou Old Town
• Tunbao Cultural Village
• Kashgar Old Town
• Subashi Ancient City
• Gyangtze Old Town
• Lhatse
• Jinli Street
• Langzhong Ancient City

Phoenix Town FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. How are the four seasons in Zhangjiajie?
2. When is the best time to go there?

  Food

1. What can I buy there, is there any local specialty?
2. How does Zhangjiajie cuisine taste? Is it spicy?

  Travel

1. What to pack for a trip to Zhangjiajie?

  Customs

1. Are there any ethnic minority groups?

• How are the four seasons in Zhangjiajie?

  It's necessary for you to know something about your destination such as weather, the good time to travel there.

  Zhangjiajie is subtropical moist mountain climate, so the temperature is mild, rainfall is abundant, and frost period is short, the annual average temperature is 16C. Zhangjiajie is attractive all year round.

  In spring, all the flowers on mountains blossom, it is really a good time to do some hiking. In summer the forests flourish and are strongly fragrant, Zhangjiajie becomes a perfect place to spend summer. Autumn is a romantic season with the painting-like scenery, tourists have a lot to do here, like tasting fruit, hiking mountain. Winter provides tourists amazing scenery with snowy landscape, very suitable to admire plum blossoms in the snow.

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• When is the best time to go there?

  Generally speaking, Spring & Autumn is more suitable for traveling here, so, April, May, September, and October is the best time. However, please avoid coming here during golden week time as much as possible, then tourists are crowded and you have to pay much more for your food and accommodation.

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• What can I buy there, is there any local specialty?

  Zhangjiajie is also famous for local specialties, especially Chinese gooseberry fruit, Qingyan (green rock); Mingcui (tea green) Tea and Longxia (lobster) Tea. Don't worry; they don't cost you a lot.

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• How does Zhangjiajie cuisine taste? Is it spicy?

  Cuisine of Zhangjiajie is a little bit strong and spicy, but don't worry about it; we will try to provide proper food according to tourists' taste. Please tell us in advance if you have other requirements, we will try to make it for you!

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• What to pack for a trip to Zhangjiajie?

  • It rains a lot here, so bring umbrella or buy disposable raincoat, and wear comfortable clothes, light sports shoes if you plan to do hiking.

  • Also, don't forget to bring more clothes to keep warm in case of cold weather.

  • You'd better bring less carry-on baggage, but the things like sunscreen, medicine for insects' biting, cooling ointment should be included.

  • And bring more film to take photos, or you get to pay more for it here.

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• Are there any ethnic minority groups?

  There are mainly Tujia, Bai, Miao, Hui and other minority groups living in Zhangjiajie. No less than 7,000,000 minority peoples make up 50 of the total people there. Among them, Tujia ethnic minority people top first, next are Bai, Miao, and Hui. Other minority peoples include Man, Dong, and Yao. So, you definitely have a chance to enjoy distinctive ethnic folklore.
  

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