Review

Before I went to Fenghuang, I saw a guide recommending Cuihua Miao Bing. Miao Bing? I had never heard of it, but I was curious about what it tasted like. So I kept an eye on it. After I checked into Fenghuang Ancient Town, I had nothing to do, so I went there to try it. A small shop on the street, only take-out. Miao Bing should be a pancake made of glutinous rice fried on both sides, with some pickled radish or something like that inside. The taste is not bad, but the price of 10 yuan each is not very affordable.

It is quite unique. The green crust is made of wild vegetable pulp, filled with fried eggs and tofu shreds. You can ask the boss to add some spicy and sweet Miao glutinous rice cakes, which will be cheaper. The surface of the glutinous rice should be rolled in soybean sugar powder. It must be eaten while hot, as it will get harder as it gets colder.

I absolutely love this B&B in Fenghuang Ancient Town ❤️ A paradise for detail-conscious people! #FenghuangGuchengAccommodation #B&BRecommendations #FenghuangGuchengGuide I spent a long time searching for a hotel before visiting Fenghuang Ancient Town. The sheer number of B&Bs in the ancient town was overwhelming, but the Riverside Galaxy Hotel was an absolute gem! It's ranked #13 on Ctrip's luxury hotel list, and after staying there, I realized the true essence of detail. Those casually-photographed B&Bs are simply incomparable; this one is truly something you'll want to visit twice! 🏡 ✨Must-see highlights for detail-conscious people: 1. The toothbrushes in the bathroom are all individually packaged Japanese brands, and the toiletries are L'Occitane! Towels and bath towels are sealed with a special seal for high-temperature sterilization. 2. Tea sets and the famous local tea Guzhang Maojian are provided on the bay window. Watching the Tuojiang River during the day and the stars at night is absolutely stunning. 3. The mattress is carefully selected, neither too soft nor too firm, and I slept soundly through the night. 🌟Amazing Service Experience: • On check-in, I found mud on my shoes, and the housekeeper immediately scrubbed them clean. • The free laundry service was incredibly thoughtful. After drying, they sorted and folded them by color and returned them. • The front desk lady hand-painted a map of the ancient city, even noting which rice noodle shops are local favorites. 📸Photography Spots: • The rooftop terrace offers panoramic views of the ancient town and the bend of the Tuojiang River. Sunsets are stunning. • The antique bronze mirror in the lobby's book bar area is perfect for photos while wearing Hanfu. • The carved wooden window in the room creates a foreground for photos of the Tuojiang River cruise ship, creating an ink painting effect. 🌉Location Advantage: • It's only a 5-minute walk to Hongqiao, but off the main street, making it particularly quiet. • The photo op for jumping rocks over the Tuojiang River is right outside the hotel, much more convenient than staying in the heart of the scenic area. • Shen Congwen's Former Residence and the Yang Family Ancestral Hall are both within a 10-minute walk. ⚠️Practical Tips: • Book a river view room in advance during peak season; it's truly a delight to gaze at the stilt houses from the bathtub. • Off-season prices are nearly half off, but the ancient city becomes even more charming. • The hotel's partnered photographer offers discounts for Miao costume photo shoots, and the quality is far superior to street vendors. The best thing about this hotel is that you can experience the charm of an ancient town while enjoying the comforts of a modern hotel. The housekeeper said the owner is a designer, so it's no wonder every corner exudes sophistication. As for the downside...it's probably that after checking in, I completely lost the desire to explore; I felt blissfully content just to stay in my room. ✨ #PhoenixB&B #RiverViewHotel #XiangxiTravel #NicheAccommodation

I finally understand the gentleness Shen Congwen captures in his writing! The waters of the Tuojiang River, the lights of the stilt houses, the morning mist—time seems to slow down in this small town. I've compiled the latest, tried-and-true 2025 travel tips—perfect for weekend adventures! 📍6 must-do romantic things 1. Morning rock jumping for stunning ink-wash photography: The Tuojiang River is deserted at 6:30 a.m.! The river mist shrouds the red lanterns, and the cobblestone pavement reflects them, making every photo look like a traditional poster. 2. Nighttime Tuojiang River cruise with folk songs: After 7:30 p.m., all lanterns are lit. Take a wupeng boat across the bridge, the boatman humming Miao songs, and the water shimmers like scattered diamonds. 3. Take stunning photos with a Miao costume tour: 30-80 yuan/3 hours, including silver jewelry! Visit the "Nanbian Nacheng" art shop next to the windy bridge. The long lantern corridor is beyond pictures. 4. Watch the sunset and nightscape at Hongqiao: Climb to the summit and overlook the S-shaped Tuojiang River. In the evening, admire the sunset glow over the Orange Sea, and photograph the reflections of the lights at night. 5. Explore the cultural heritage of famous people's former residences: Shen Congwen's former residence is hidden in a deep alley. Read a passage from "Border Town" and immerse yourself in the memories of the border town captured in the text. 6. Take a hidden gem at the Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum: The Intangible Cultural Heritage Folk Art Museum next to Zhenggong Pavilion is free to enter, has few crowds, beautiful scenery, and a truly ancient atmosphere. 🍜 Locals' Secret Food List - Must-try breakfast: "Grandma's Rice Tofu" near Hongqiao. Its sour and spicy flavor is only 10 yuan when paired with iced sweet wine. - Top choices for dinner: "Blood Duck" at "Junzi Restaurant," where the glutinous rice and blood balls are infused with the duck's aroma; "Shawan Restaurant"'s sour and spicy cured pork knuckle is a refreshing and appetizing choice. - Night Market Treasures: "Cuicui Miao Bing" and "Tung Leaf Baba" at Beimen Night Market, and the sizzling butter at "Master Huang's BBQ." - Souvenirs: Freshly pulled Liu's ginger candy, sweet and spicy, perfect as a souvenir. 🏨Choose the Right Accommodation and Save Money - River View Lovers: Opt for a stilt-house B&B near Hongqiao, with a view of the Tuojiang River from your window, available for over 300 yuan in the off-season. - High-End Pick: The rooftop infinity pool at "Tangshe Jianshan Hotel" is perfect for taking photos of the night view. - Quiet Lovers: Stay at the Ancient City Inn near Dongmen, a 3-minute walk from Tiaoyan, for a tranquil escape amidst the bustle. ⚠️2025 Tips to Avoid Pitfalls 1. Free entry to the Ancient City! Don't trust guides; individual tickets are available for attractions, including Shen Congwen's Former Residence, which is only 40 yuan. 2. Online taxis are prohibited in the ancient city, so remember to bargain for tuk-tuks; 5-10 yuan is usually enough. 3. Xiangxi cuisine is incredibly spicy, so be sure to ask for "mild spicy" when ordering! 4. Book your room 15 days in advance during peak season; river view rooms are always available. 🚗Transportation Tips The high-speed rail goes directly to Fenghuang Ancient City Station. A 30-minute maglev ride takes you to Nanhuali, where you can enter the ancient city. From Changsha, it's a 1.5-hour direct trip, perfect for a weekend getaway. Sitting by the Tuojiang River, listening to folk songs and watching the lanterns light up, you'll understand that the romance of Fenghuang is more than just a legend. #FenghuangAncientCityGuide #HunanTravel #WeekendDestinations #AncientTownTours #TuojiangNightView

Hi! Just got back from Fenghuang Ancient Town, here's my recommendation! This hidden gem, hailed by New Zealand writer Rewi Alley as "China's most beautiful small town," truly made my dream of "mist and rain drifting south of the Yangtze River, mountains and rivers as stained with ink" come true! 🍃 --- 🚄 Getting There ✔️ High-speed rail directly to Fenghuang Ancient Town Station! After exiting the station, transfer to a shuttle bus (7 yuan/person) for a 20-minute ride to the ancient town. ✔️ Alternatively, take the bus to Huaihua South or Tongren Station, then transfer to a bus or shared carpool (approximately 1 hour). ❌ Walking is the only option within the ancient town, so remember to wear comfortable shoes! --- 🏮 Must-Do Experiences 1️⃣ Tuojiang River Rafting (💰45 yuan) Be sure to go in the evening! As the rowboat crosses Rainbow Bridge, the stilt houses on both sides light up. It's like a real-life version of "Spirited Away" 🌉 2️⃣ Snow Bridge Camera (Free) Same angle as in "Big Fish and Begonia"! Standing on the bridge, you can capture the Tuojiang River and the S-curved stilt houses. The morning mist is breathtakingly beautiful. 3️⃣ Hongqiao Fengyu Tower The second-floor observation deck is perfect for panoramic views 📸. Grab a cup of "bamboo milk tea" and enjoy the river view – the atmosphere is captivating. 4️⃣ Rock Jumping A super fun way to cross the river! We recommend going before 9 AM to avoid the crowds and easily capture stunning ethnic-themed photos. 5️⃣ Nanhuamen City Wall The perfect spot for panoramic views of the ancient city. At sunset, golden light bathes the rooftops, making it so relaxing you won't want to leave the mountain. --- 🍜 Food Hot and Small List ✅ Must-Try: Blood-Cake Duck, Xiangxi Rice Noodles, Fried Small Fish and Shrimp, Shefan ✅ Snacks: Cuicui Miao Cake (glutinous rice cake wrapped in sauerkraut), Manshi Shrimp Cake (freshly fried, super fresh) ✅ Souvenirs: Ginger Candy, Wooden Hammer Pastry, Miao Silver Jewelry (remember to bargain!) ❌ Don'ts: The barbecue at the riverside bar street is expensive and unpalatable! --- 🏡 Accommodation Tips ▪️ Looking for value: Choose a B&B outside the ancient city for a quiet and affordable price. ▪️ Looking for a nostalgic stay: Stay in a stilt house on the Tuojiang River for breathtaking views (though soundproofing may be a bit lacking). ▪️ I stayed at the Fenghuang Qingcheng B&B, where the terrace offers views of the morning mist, and the housekeeper even gave me a hand-drawn map. --- 💡 My Experiences ① The main entrance fee to the ancient city has been cancelled! However, you need to purchase tickets separately for smaller attractions. ② Be sure to bargain for Miao clothing rentals! 30-50 yuan/hour, including makeup, is a reasonable price. ③ 6-8 a.m. is the least crowded! Enjoy the empty city to yourself for photos! ④ Avoid touts; they're easy to rip off. ⑤ Rainy days are even more picturesque! Prepare a transparent umbrella as a photo prop. --- "Waiting for a city of misty rain, just for you. Sharing a lifetime of love, just with you." The ancient charm and romance of Phoenix are worth a special trip. 💕 👉Click on the favorites to unlock more hidden gems! #PhoenixAncientCity #ShenCongwenBorderCity #HunanTravel #EthnicStylePhoto #XiangxiTravel