Fenghuang Ancient Town (Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, 5A).

Fenghuang Ancient Town is a small mountain town that still retains the charm of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In the mid-Qing Dynasty, it was the political, military, economic, and cultural center of more than 20 states and counties (halls) in "Greater Xiangxi", with a radiating influence on the border areas of the four provinces and cities of Hunan, Hubei, Sichuan, Chongqing, and Guizhou. Fenghuang is located at the intersection of the diverse cultures of the Miao, Tujia, and Han ethnic groups. The local customs are simple, traditional folk activities and folk art are integrated, and it is known as the "hometown of painting". It is famous at home and abroad for its rich natural and cultural landscapes, fascinating ethnic customs, and a generation of cultural masters. The ancient city is surrounded by mountains on all four sides, with green peaks and clear Tuojiang River running from west to east through the city. In the 1.8 square kilometer ancient town, the traditional layout and style of the ancient city are still well preserved. The old street area accounts for more than half of the total area, with more than 120 residential buildings with Ming and Qing characteristics, and more than 20 ancient streets still exist. The streets are paved with bluestone slabs, and the dark brown wooden shops and houses stand along the street, winding and crisscrossing according to the terrain. The Confucian Temple Dacheng Hall, Chaoyang Hall, Zhunti Temple, Tianwang Temple, Xiong Xiling's former residence, Shen Congwen's former residence, Huang Yongyu's former residence, etc. are distributed among them, full of strong cultural atmosphere. The wooden stilted buildings on the banks of the Tuojiang River are lined up, with transparent lattice windows, towering fireproof brick walls, and majestic dragon and phoenix heads, which have strong local and ethnic characteristics. The quiet, simple, and wild border town style in Shen Congwen's pen makes Fenghuang the "far away home" in people's hearts. The nine scenic spots of Fenghuang Ancient Town include: Shen Congwen's former residence, Xiong Xiling's former residence, Yang Family Ancestral Hall, East Gate Tower, Tuojiang River rafting, Wanshou Palace, Chongde Hall, Fenghuang Ancient Town Museum, and Rainbow Bridge.