Hongjiang Ancient City

Phoenix Town

Speaking of Phoenix, it can be considered a well-known tourist destination in China today. Whether it is due to Shen Congwen's beautiful descriptions or negative reviews, Phoenix is still a popular destination among tourists. For Phoenix, I won't go into too much detail here. The various descriptions and strategies online are already overwhelming.

Fenghuang Ancient City is divided into two urban areas, old and new. The old city is surrounded by mountains and water, and a shallow Tuo River runs through the city, connecting the infinite charm of both sides and capturing the hearts of countless tourists. Tuojiang, clear, gentle, and simple, is the soul of the phoenix. Roaming the Tuojiang River has become a must-have program for the Phoenix Journey. It's better to swim along the Tuojiang River in the early morning, as it avoids the hustle and bustle of crowds during the day and avoids the lively singing in bars at night. At this moment, Tuojiang had just awakened, still carrying a hint of waking up from a dream. Strolling by the river, the gentle breeze of willow trees brings a hint of spring fragrance, making people slightly intoxicated and immersed in the lush greenery of spring. There have been diligent sisters in law and girls washing clothes by the river, probably the figure of Cuicui. Colorful clothes and skirts are reflected on the emerald green water surface, together with the reflection of the stilt houses, painting a colorful morning scroll of the Tuojiang River. A flat boat cuts through the calm reflection of the river surface, ushering in another day of life on the Tuojiang River.

The beauty of the Tuojiang River lies in its water. In the spring of peach blossom and willow green, the emerald green branches and buds along the coast adorn a green river with pink spring flowers. The black tiled and yellow roofed hanging houses on both sides are reflected on the water surface, with scattered shadows and swaying waves, colorful yet fresh and elegant. Due to the height difference, several drops have formed on the river surface, resembling small waterfalls. The curved drops change the monotony of the water surface, add rhythm to the Tuojiang River, beautify the scenery, and enrich the fun of playing in the water. The clear and beautiful nature has become a lens pursued by "good photographers".

The beauty of the Tuojiang River lies in the bridge. The Tuo River in the core scenic area is not long, but a series of old, new, and small bridges with different shapes have built the scenic lines on the Tuo River: there is the ancient stone Tingbu Bridge, where clear river water pours out from the stones, and the spring water of the river flows eastward, attracting tourists to tiptoe and experience a rare wilderness in the city; There are also creaking ancient wooden bridges, winding and continuing the ancient style of the phoenix; There is also a newly built high arched cement pavilion bridge, standing proudly on the river like a flock of chickens, showcasing the new appearance of the phoenix to the world, enriching the landscape of Tuojiang Bridge, and becoming a scenic spot for visitors to overlook from a high vantage point; But the most charming thing is still the corridor bridge, Hongqiao, which was built during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than 600 years. The attic on the bridge was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. The current attic on the Hongqiao Bridge was restored in 2000 according to the original design and has become a must visit place for tourists to appreciate the ancient city of Phoenix. Sitting leisurely on the covered bridge, sipping a pot of fragrant tea, leaning the cup against the wind, pushing the pavilion to enjoy the view, all the time, from ancient times to the present, is in front of the window

The beauty of the Tuojiang River lies in the stilt houses. The beauty of the Tuojiang River is not only due to the ancient bridge over the clear water, but also to the fact that the stilted buildings are the main elements that make up the scenery. The beauty of an ancient city lies in its quaint stilted houses, with interlocking eaves and black tiles and pink walls. On both sides of the Tuojiang River, stilt houses are arranged in a staggered manner, with tall wooden columns rooted in the water, black tiles and smoked wooden buildings leaning against each other, carved wooden windows picking out various red lanterns, green mountains and water, and black tiled old walls reflecting clear waves, hanging over the river, forming a unique scenery that showcases the elegant ink painting mood. The Jiaolong Pavilion Hanging Tower Complex is located in the southeast of the ancient city, facing the ancient official road and hanging over the Tuojiang River. It is one of the ancient architectural complexes with strong Miao ethnic characteristics in Fenghuang Ancient City. The hanging tower complex is 240 meters long and belongs to the architecture of the early Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. Today, dozens of households still reside there. This type of building is characterized by ventilation, moisture resistance, and the ability to escape the heat and cold. It is a unique architectural technique of the Miao ethnic group and has high aesthetic and cultural research value.

As the saying goes, the soil nurtures the people. There is a famous saying in literary creation called 'typical characters in typical environments'. Shen Congwen lived in such a landscape painting, with such rich natural and cultural nourishment, how could he not cultivate his beautiful writing style?

Although Phoenix now has the noisy "Chinese characteristics" like other famous ancient towns in China such as Lijiang, Dali, and Zhouzhuang, it cannot be denied that the early morning Tuojiang River is still a place worth strolling. As soon as I arrived in Phoenix, I heard that the night view of the Tuojiang River was very beautiful, but when I saw it, I was very disappointed. The night view of the lights is not the dreamy scene of flickering lights that I expected, but a brilliant scene of lights, coupled with the song "roar" coming from the bars on both sides, I can't tell if it's in the border town or on the Qinhuai River. The reason why ancient cities are called ancient is not only due to historical reasons, but also because their tranquility and simplicity are different from the prosperity of cities. Why do we travel? It's because there are differences. If it's all densely packed with shops and dazzling lights, why not take a stroll through the city's pedestrian streets? By comparison, many ancient towns abroad that I have visited are not as lively as ours. The lively ones are only tourists, not the ancient town itself. Like the world-famous fairy tale town of Kromlov in Czech Republic, apart from houses of various colors and shapes, you rarely see shops. It's not that there's nothing there, but we can only hide inside the house and never allow breaking walls to open a shop. I find it strange that the only Chinese restaurant is not conspicuous, and the owner complained to me that they have been ordered to change their large restaurant signs three times. I have visited many small towns in Tuscany, Italy that are listed as World Heritage sites, and surprisingly, none of them charge admission fees. I don't know what our officials, who are as numerous as carp crossing the river, have found when they went abroad to "investigate"?

Smoke Rain Phoenix

During the day, we strolled through the ancient city of Phoenix. At night, we walked into the Phoenix Forest Theater. As the bell rang, a huge veil appeared in front of the audience. The flowing light and shadow were like smoke and rain, transforming into the beautiful scenery of Xiangxi and Phoenix. Suddenly, the hanging buildings and clear Tuo River descended like a dream. The large-scale folk drama 'Smoke and Rain Phoenix' kicked off in such a shocking scene. The drama revolves around the love story between Cuicui and the two brothers Tianbao and Nuo Song from Shen Congwen's classic masterpiece "Border Town", comprehensively showcasing the unique ethnic culture of Xiangxi. The drama has created a tourism model in the ancient city of Phoenix, where visitors can enjoy the scenery during the day and watch the show at night. The whole drama is divided into six chapters: song, love chasing, farewell, longing, nirvana, and prayer, with a total length of 65 minutes. Although the drama is not lacking in beauty, I feel that the portrayal of Cuicui's love story is not compact and full enough. Instead, too much content such as juggling dilutes the integrity of the story and the poignant love story.

Going to such a beautiful ancient city like Phoenix, especially the night view, is really super beautiful. So everyone, when you go to Phoenix Ancient City, you must find a riverside restaurant to taste the delicious food while watching the magnificent Phoenix Ancient City!

I found a shop next to Phoenix Hongqiao this time, located on the second floor with a very good location and the best view. Personally, I feel that the shop environment is very good, the food is also very good, the taste is great, and the price is very good. I recommend checking in at Phoenix Ancient City!

Wulingyuan National Scenic Spot

Tianzi Mountain is another major scenic spot in Wulingyuan National Scenic Spot and also a good place for photography lovers. Standing at the Tianzishan Observation Deck, looking around, the view is vast, and the surrounding scenery can be seen in full view: vast mountains, thousands of peaks and cliffs standing, thousands of towering peaks competing, like the surging waves of the sea, layer by layer, rich in layers, and diverse in atmosphere. Tianzi Mountain is not only dangerous, but also gives people a sense of mystery and tranquility, especially the wonders of the stone forest. Countless stone peaks, like swords and halberds, stand tall among them, offering breathtaking views that leave one with endless contemplation. In memory of General He Long, He Long Park is built here. I really admire the designer's ingenuity. In the valley under the park platform, peaks rise from the ground, like a thousand armies surrounding them, like a hundred thousand strong soldiers waiting for orders, with a majestic momentum, one cannot help but marvel at the divine craftsmanship of the Creator. The stone peaks and pillars of Tianzishan, when viewed individually, have a mysterious and handsome beauty; And countless straight stone pillars converge to create a magnificent and majestic freehand brushwork, expressing a broad and united mind, carving out a straight up and down masculinity. With such a fusion of styles, Tianzi Mountain is a rare and extraordinary mountain scenery.

Jinbianxi is the most beautiful boundary in Wulingyuan National Scenic Spot, with a total length of 7.5 kilometers, and the two ends are connected to the gates of Suoxiyu and Huangshizhai scenic spots respectively. Walking through the peaks and valleys, the stream is clear and colorful. The flowers and plants by the stream are delicious, birds sing and birds chirp, small fish swim among them, and people walk along the clear stream, like a painting in the middle. The Golden Whip Creek is named after the Golden Whip Rock on its banks. Walking along the clear stream is like painting the middle reaches. The famous literary figure Mr. Shen Congwen once praised Jinbian Creek as the "girl of Zhangjiajie". If you feel that a 15 mile journey is too long, you can also just play in the water and enjoy the scenery around the four gates.

Charm of Xiangxi

Charming Xiangxi Grand Theater is the oldest theater in Wulingyuan National Scenic Spot Scenic Area, Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie has created a stage play called "Charming Xiangxi" to promote the ethnic culture of Xiangxi. Unlike 'Smoke and Rain Phoenix', although there are also stories about Cuicui in this performance, the show uses segments to introduce the local customs and traditions of Xiangxi, allowing the audience to have a concentrated and vivid understanding of Xiangxi's local culture and customs in just 2 hours. In the program, there are performances such as Miao ethnic drum dance, Yao ethnic group's unique love and marriage customs of climbing stairs, Tujia ethnic group's Maogu Si dance, folk song "Ma Sangshu Er Builds Lantern Terrace", Dong ethnic group's closing banquet, Tujia ethnic group's crying wedding, mysterious corpse hunting in western Hunan, as well as bonfire performances in the courtyard outside the theater, Tujia hard qigong performances, three major Gu fan witchcraft performances in western Hunan (including going up Dao Mountain, walking iron plows, and going down Fire Sea), and large-scale Tujia hand waving dance performances. I thought 'Charming Xiangxi' was more exciting than 'Smoke and Rain Phoenix'.

The Dangerous Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon

Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is a newly developed tourist attraction, located in Sanguansi Township, Cili County, Zhangjiajie City, close to Wulingyuan National Scenic Spot Scenic Area. The scenic spot is deep in valley, high in spring, green in water, and full of interest. It is worth visiting the magnificent Wulingyuan National Scenic Spot for a fresh taste.

Entering the entrance of the scenic area without any transition, tourists will be amazed by a "sky ladder plank road" in front of them: in the huge stone crevices, a 1680 step steep wooden staircase leads directly to the valley floor, overlooking the people below, who are as small as ants, making people involuntarily gasp in cold air - either due to fear of heights or due to the steepness of the ladder.

Visiting Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon not only provides a refreshing natural experience, but also offers a thrilling outdoor activity. The "Nokri Slide" is built between the three scenic spots of Yixiantian in the canyon, Nanhongqi Canal, and the valley floor plank road. It is divided into two sections, with a total length of about 600 meters. The slide is made of granite slabs, and a three to five minute slide allows you to "fly straight down three thousand feet", saving you 20 minutes of walking distance. Next, there is a steel wire rope set up in the canyon waiting to test your courage. If you are hesitant to take a step, there is a trail next to you that can help you safely descend the mountain.

Colorful Huanglong Cave

Huanglong Cave Scenic Spot is a famous karst cave scenic spot in Wulingyuan National Scenic Spot Scenic Spot, which enjoys the reputation of "World Karst Cave Wonder", "World Karst Cave Versatility Champion", etc.

The total area of the bottom of Huanglong Cave that has been discovered is 100000 square meters, with a total length of 7.5 kilometers and a vertical height of 140 meters. The cave is divided into four layers, with a cave inside, a mountain inside the cave, a cave in the mountain, and a river inside the cave. Huanglong Cave stands out in the world with its vast three-dimensional cave space, rich cave landscapes, and comprehensive water and land tourism routes. Various cave wonders such as stalagmites, stone pillars, and stalactites are dazzling and breathtaking. According to expert research, about 380 million years ago, the Huanglongdong area was a vast ocean that began to nurture caves over a long period of time. It wasn't until 65 million years ago when the earth's crust rose and dry caves appeared that the underground wonders of today were formed through karst and water flow. The investigation conclusion of more than 70 experts from the Chinese Ministry of Geology is that Huanglong Cave, with its vast scale, comprehensive content, and beautiful scenery, almost covers all the content of "Cave Studies" and is the "all-around champion" of karst caves.

Dragon Palace is the largest of the thirteen halls in Huanglong Cave and one of the most beautiful attractions. The bottom area is 15000 square meters, with an average height of 40 meters. More than two thousand stalagmites have sprung up from the ground, showing various shapes and colors.

Xiangshui River is a Yin River in Huanglong Cave, with a total length of 2800 meters. Currently, one section of it is 800 meters long and takes about 8 minutes to be visited by boat. Boating on the river, the journey is full of mysterious temptations, such as the Dragon King's Golden Helmet, the Sea Conch Blowing in the Sky, and so on. It tilts up and down, as bright as dark, as if returning to the chaotic ancient times.

What I would like to recommend to everyone here is the pastoral scenery outside Huanglong Cave. This scenery was created by the management department to beautify the scenic area. But in my eyes, it is a work that overshadows the main focus. Here, there is not only the wild charm of pastoral scenery, but also the exquisite beauty of small bridges and flowing gardens. The peach blossoms and willow greens in spring, paired with the golden rapeseed flowers, create a beautiful scene one after another. I really want to live and enjoy myself in this beautiful Peach Blossom Land. I strongly recommend that friends who go to Huanglong Cave leave enough time to enjoy this beautiful scenery. You can dine at the restaurant or sit at the tea house outside the restaurant to enjoy the view.