Millennium History: Phoenix Ancient Town

Phoenix Ancient Town, a small town with a thousand-year history, is located in the southwest of Hunan Province, China. It attracts a large number of tourists with its unique Miao and Tujia cultures, long history, and beautiful natural scenery. This time, my friends and I chose to take a three-day, two-night trip to Phoenix Ancient Town. This three-day journey allowed me to deeply experience the charm of this ancient town, not only feeling its profound cultural heritage but also being attracted by its beautiful natural scenery. The following is my detailed experience of this trip to Phoenix Ancient Town, hoping to provide some reference and help to other friends planning to visit. Day 1: Exploring the Ancient Town, Feeling the Pulse of History Our journey began with a morning flight arriving at Phoenix Airport, about 40 kilometers from the ancient town, requiring about an hour's drive. Upon leaving the airport, one can feel the breath of this ancient land. Phoenix Ancient Town is located by the Tuojiang River, surrounded by green mountains, making this ancient town even more charming. Upon arriving at Phoenix Ancient Town, we went directly to the center of the ancient town - Dongmenkou. Dongmenkou is one of the main entrances to the ancient town and the commercial and cultural center of the ancient town. Walking into the ancient town, the first thing that catches the eye are the ancient stilted buildings. The wooden structures are arranged in an orderly manner, and the architectural style is full of Miao and Tujia characteristics. The alleys in the ancient town are narrow and winding, and every step feels like walking into a historical corridor. We chose to stroll along the Tuojiang River, walking along the wooden plank road by the river. On both sides are ancient buildings and stilted buildings, with small boats occasionally rowing on the water. This leisurely atmosphere makes people feel like they have traveled back to ancient times. The Tuojiang River is clear to the bottom, and the blue river water, green mountains, and ancient buildings form a beautiful picture. Along the way, we also took a local bamboo raft, gently drifting on the river, enjoying the tranquil water scenery. For lunch, we chose a local Miao restaurant, tasting local specialties such as Miao sour soup fish and spicy stir-fried pork. These dishes have unique flavors, especially the sour soup fish, with a sour and spicy broth and tender fish, very appetizing. In the afternoon, we went to Hongqiao, one of the iconic buildings of Phoenix Ancient Town, built in the Ming Dynasty. The bridge is simple and elegant. Standing on Hongqiao, you can overlook the entire ancient town's scenery. The river, ancient buildings, stilted buildings, and distant mountains form a charming picture. This bridge is also a great place to take photos of the ancient town's scenery, with many tourists stopping to take pictures. In the evening, we chose to walk along the bar street by the Tuojiang River. There are many bars with local characteristics, soft lighting, and melodious music. Accompanied by the shimmering river, the night here is full of romance and tranquility. Day 2: In-depth Exploration, Understanding Miao Culture On the second day, we decided to gain a deeper understanding of the Miao culture and history of Phoenix Ancient Town. We first went to the Phoenix Museum, which displays a large number of cultural relics and historical materials related to the Miao and Tujia people. The museum's exhibits include many exquisite Miao silver ornaments, textiles, and daily utensils, giving us a deeper understanding of the Miao people's lifestyle and culture. Next, we went to a Miao village outside the ancient town, where the Miao people live. The architectural style of the Miao village is similar to the stilted buildings in Phoenix Ancient Town, but with more primitive and natural charm. Most of the residents here wear traditional Miao costumes, with exquisite silver ornaments and colorful fabrics, making me feel the unique charm of Miao culture. The village's handicraft stalls are dazzling, with local Miao women weaving fabrics and making silver ornaments, demonstrating Miao embroidery and hand weaving skills, allowing us to deeply appreciate the intricacy and ingenuity of this ancient culture. At noon, we dined at a mountain restaurant in the Miao village. The food here is closer to the Miao people's dietary habits, such as Miao sauerkraut and native chicken soup. The soup is fresh and delicious, and the ingredients are fresh. This meal was not only a taste enjoyment but also a deep experience of Miao dietary culture. In the afternoon, we returned to the ancient town and visited the Shengmu Temple, an ancient temple with hundreds of years of history, dedicated to the guardian deity of Phoenix Ancient Town. The architectural style of Shengmu Temple is unique, with exquisite carvings on the roof and a thriving incense inside. Standing in the temple, listening to the chanting of the pilgrims, I felt the solemnity and reverence of history. Day 3: The Charm of Nature, Feeling the Magic of Mountains and Rivers On the last day, we decided to leave the ancient town and visit the surrounding natural attractions. First, we went to Qingshui River, a river with clear water, surrounded by mountains, with picturesque scenery. We chose to take a bamboo raft, gently drifting on the Qingshui River, listening to the sound of the flowing water, and feeling the tranquility of nature. Then, we went to Huangsiqiao, where there is primitive natural scenery and hidden ancient Miao villages. The area around Huangsiqiao is an undeveloped primitive forest, with fresh air and the sounds of birds and flowers. Such a scene makes people completely relax and enjoy the embrace of nature. Summary: The Perfect Fusion of Culture and Nature This three-day, two-night trip to Phoenix Ancient Town made me deeply feel the charm of this ancient town. Phoenix Ancient Town not only has unique historical culture and ethnic customs but also beautiful natural scenery. Whether it is the historical relics in the ancient town or the surrounding Miao villages, rivers, and mountains, every place is full of stories and poetry. This small town gives people a feeling of being both ancient and modern, both lively and quiet. Whether tasting local food or wandering in the natural mountains and rivers, one can feel a sense of tranquility and joy. This trip was not only a visual enjoyment but also a cleansing of the soul. I believe the beauty and culture of Phoenix Ancient Town will remain in my memory forever.