Charm of Phoenix ancient town in China

Phoenix Ancient Town also called is Fenghuang Ancient Town an ancient town in Fenghuang County, Hunan Province, China. Ancient town was built on the bank of Tuo Jiang River over 1000 years ago. This is the most attractive monument of culture and history in the country of Great Wall.

Phoenix Ancient 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.The town is situated on the western boundary of Hunan Province in an area of outstanding natural beauty where mountains, water and blue skies prevail. Upon arrival visitor will be impressed by its air of mystery, elegance and primitive simplicity. This is a world that is dominated by the colour 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. 

 Along Tuo Jiang River about 5 km have a lot of bridges: wooden bridge, stone bridge… but the most especially bridge is “charming Hongqiao” with unique architecture of the roof. This is a bridge was designed with “Phoenix” architecture style. If you stand from this side of bridge and looking to the other side, you will see  looming Fenghuang ancient town stretches with deep alleys, old houses with yin and yang roof tiles are covered by green moss, sometime it look very grey. Some statues were put on the top of curved roof in artist way. Entering in this ancient town over 1,300 years old, visitors will feel like straying into fairy tales.

Phoenix Ancient 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.

According to historic documentary, the original Phoenix town was just a small citadel on one side of the river. Over time, people began to move and live in both sides of river, making river banks become highlight features of Fenghuang ancient town. Here, you can see firsthand the busy daily life of local people both riversides. Although every family here has private bathrooms, washer, dryer, but they still keep their habits of washing, bathing, doing dishes, washing fruits and vegetables… on the river. And every morning or every afternoon, apparently swimming on the river has become a familiar ritual of local people.
Although the Phoenix Ancient Town is not very big, it is still the most aspiring tourist destination for many visitors. On the other hand, it is also the second home of many people. This ancient city has been waiting for you for a thousand years. This is such a fascinated place that you cannot miss. 

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