Before going to Fenghuang Ancient City, I saw a lot of negative news about Fenghuang Ancient City and had no concept of it. I always felt that it was not worth going. But later, when I saw the writer Shen Congwen's description of her, my longing for Fenghuang Ancient City also originated from Mr. Shen Congwen's "Border Town". What impressed me the most was the beautiful Tuojiang River and the stilted houses by the river in Fenghuang Ancient City.

Finally, I couldn't resist coming to this small town that I have missed many times with my friends. At first glance at the ancient city of Fenghuang, I felt like I had come to the right place. I was deeply attracted by the charm of this small town. Sitting by the Tuojiang River at night, listening to the wandering singers playing and singing, I suddenly quieted down and began to like this place. Phoenix, just hearing this name is enough to make people fall in love with it; Phoenix, a mysterious, ancient and unforgettable ancient city; At the foot of Fenghuang Mountain, there are small bridges, flowing water, and houses. Phoenix is the totem of this city.

I finally understand why Master Shen Congwen wrote 'Border Town', because the stilted houses by the Tuo River and the charming local customs in the misty rain of Xiaoxiang have become one of the two most beautiful small towns in China as described by the famous New Zealand writer Louis Ali.

Sitting on the Phoenix of Xiangxi, experiencing its myriad charm. Walking on the road in the small town, the ancient city has beautiful scenery and a long history with many famous scenic spots and historical sites. The city walls are made of purple red sandstone, the stilt houses built along the Tuo River, and the ancient Ming and Qing Dynasty courtyards, all of which contribute to the tranquil flow of the oil green Tuo River. Not only does this place have beautiful scenery and rich ethnic customs, but it also boasts outstanding people and talented individuals. It is comparable to the Old Town of Lijiang in Yunnan Province and Pingyao Ancient City in Shanxi Province, and also enjoys the reputation of "North Pingyao, South Phoenix".

The stone paved street inside the city, ancient city towers, and Ming and Qing Dynasty ancient courtyards; The Tuojiang River winds outside the city, the water is clear and crisp, the sound of oars and boat shadows, and the mountain songs echo each other, creating a peaceful and tranquil scenery of the small town. Watching the clear Tuo River water pass through the city, the ancient and simple stilted houses stand by the quiet river bank, and the boatman's call accompanied by the swaying small boat on the water surface sings the beautiful Xiangxi and mysterious phoenix softly. The distant Hongqiao gradually became clear in the mist... Sitting on the Wupeng boat, listening to the boatman's call, and looking at the century old Tujia stilted houses on both sides, it had a unique charm. Going downstream, passing through Hongqiao, a painting of a Jiangnan water town is presented before my eyes: Wanshou Palace, Wanming Pagoda, Duocui Tower... A feeling of being far away from the world arises leisurely.

On the south bank of the Tuojiang River is the ancient city wall, built with purple red sandstone, elegant yet majestic. The city wall has two towers on the east and north sides, which have weathered the vicissitudes of time and are still magnificent.

Fenghuang Ancient City is not big, and Fenghuang County is also not big, but this place is very suitable for traveling alone and daydreaming. This ancient city not only carries a thousand years of history and culture, but also contains too many ethnic customs. Their songs echo on both sides of the Tuo River for a long time, and laughter fills the air... I just quietly looked at the scenery on the other side, watching the figures walking cautiously across the stone pier bridge and wooden board bridge in the middle of the Tuo River, and no one wanted to break this tranquility.

Looking at this ancient city that is unusually peaceful in the early morning, I think it is the quiet flowing Tuojiang River, the rows of stilt houses embedded on the shore, and the ancient customs here that have created the beauty of this border town in western Hunan.

Fenghuang Ancient City is really a place that you still want to come back to. Personally, I quite like this slow living environment, but I want to remind everyone not to rush for a day trip. You can stay for two or three days, savor it carefully, and experience it slowly.