Travel Experiences in Phoenix Ancient Town from A to Z

Described as a fairyland on earth, Phoenix Ancient Town is a well-known tourist spot in China that attracts a large number of visitors each year. If you love majestic mountains and ancient scenery reminiscent of Chinese period dramas, Phoenix Ancient Town will surely not disappoint you. Let's join Vietjet to learn about the travel experiences in Phoenix Ancient Town from A to Z and pack your bags for an adventure!

1. Where is Phoenix Ancient Town?

Phoenix Ancient Town (known in Chinese as Fenghuang Guzhen) is located in Fenghuang County, western Hunan Province, China. The town is named Phoenix Ancient Town because, according to legend, there is a mountain in the southwest of the town that resembles a flying phoenix.

This ancient town, with a history of over 1300 years, is home to more than 28 ethnic minorities. Most of the scenery here is a gift from nature, combined with the artistic touches of humans, creating a breathtakingly beautiful landscape.

Phoenix Ancient Town has a history of over 1300 years and still retains its ancient, peaceful beauty that touches the heart.

2. The Best Time to Visit Phoenix Ancient Town

Phoenix Ancient Town is blessed by nature, so each of the four seasons has its unique charm. If you love warm golden sunshine and blossoming nature, visit in spring or summer. You will witness a vibrant and colorful picture.

If you prefer a romantic and poetic atmosphere with cool, gentle weather, visit in autumn. Winter is the most special season as the scenery is covered in white snow, making it the quietest and most peaceful time with the town in hibernation and fewer tourists.

In summary, if you enjoy bustling activity and vibrant natural landscapes, visit Phoenix Ancient Town during the peak tourist season (from May to November). If you prefer a quiet travel experience and want to see snowfall, visit in winter. During this time, service and food prices are also cheaper than in other seasons.

Phoenix Ancient Town is favored by nature, so each of the four seasons possesses its own beauty.

3. Guide to Traveling to Phoenix Ancient Town

3.1 Getting to Phoenix Ancient Town

There are three main ways to get to Phoenix Ancient Town:

Airplane: This is the fastest and most convenient way (taking about 3-5 hours). To reach Phoenix Ancient Town, you need to book a flight to China and then travel to Phoenix Ancient Town.
Train: If you are in northern Vietnam, you might consider this option. You will depart from Gia Lam Station (Hanoi) to Nanning, then continue to Jishou Station (Zhangjiajie) and take a bus to Phoenix Ancient Town. This journey will take almost a full day and involves several transfers. Therefore, it's not recommended for traveling with elderly or young children.
Bus: This is the most economical but also the most time-consuming method. You will take a bus from Hanoi to Huu Nghi Border Gate, then take an electric car across the border to complete immigration procedures. After that, you take a bus to Nanning and then from Nanning to Jishou Station in Zhangjiajie.

3.2 Getting Around Phoenix Ancient Town

You can choose to walk or take a taxi to explore the area:

Walking: If you choose to walk, you can explore every corner and take in all the sights. You will have the freedom to stop by markets whenever you want.
Taxi: If you want to shorten travel time, you can choose to travel by taxi. Taxi fares around the suburbs range from 10-20 RMB.

See more: Convenient and economical means of transportation in China

4. Discover the Stunning Beauty of Phoenix Ancient Town

4.1 Visit the Ancient Streets

Separated from the modern and bustling urban areas, you will immerse yourself in the ancient atmosphere with more than 200 ancient houses built during the Qing Dynasty. These houses are made of wood and stone, with intricately carved decorative paintings. Here are some prominent places you should not miss:

Shuangqiao House: This house was built in 1882, featuring unique architecture and many intricate carvings. It was the residence of a wealthy family in Phoenix Ancient Town.
Phoenix Ancient Town Museum: If you want to learn more about the history of Phoenix Ancient Town, visit the museum displaying historical and cultural artifacts of the town.
Hongqiao Street: This street spans the Da River, connecting the two sides of the town. It is the oldest street here, built in 1704.

4.2 North Gate Ancient Town

North Gate Ancient Town is one of the cultural heritages of Phoenix Ancient Town, built during the Ming Dynasty, and located in the north, hence also known as the North Tower. This structure is closely linked with the historical depth and daily life of the people in Phoenix Ancient Town.

4.3 Boating on the Da River

This picturesque river flows through Phoenix Ancient Town. You can row a boat along the riverbanks to enjoy the beauty of the entire town and feel the fresh and peaceful atmosphere. The best time to boat is early morning or late afternoon to see the town immersed in fog or the golden light of sunset.

4.4 Zhangjiajie - 72 Wonder Tower

The 72 Wonder Tower is a majestic building located at the intersection of Wulingyuan Avenue and Cattai Avenue, known as the Potala Palace of the Miao people. The tower's design is based on the traditional Tujia and Miao stilt houses. From a distance, it appears massive and seems to float in the air. This place also offers entertaining activities such as dining, shopping, bars, and artistic performances. You can also participate in a unique activity here called “stress-relief wine glass smashing.”

4.5 Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Dubbed the “real-life version” of traditional Chinese ink paintings, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park boasts incredibly majestic and overwhelming natural scenery. With a unique terrain comprising 40 caves, canyons, and primary forests, along with over 3,000 pillars and cliffs averaging 800 meters in height, the park creates an awe-inspiring and surreal landscape. One particular mountain here, named Hallelujah - South Sky Column, inspired director James Cameron for the setting of the blockbuster movie Avatar.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park features incredibly majestic and overwhelming natural scenery.

4.6 Tianmen Glass Bridge

Another famous spot not to be missed when visiting Phoenix Ancient Town is the Tianmen Glass Bridge. This glass bridge hangs in the air at a height of 260 meters above the ground, connecting two steep cliffs in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. If you are an adventure enthusiast and love conquering heights, be sure to explore this bridge for an unforgettable experience.

Tianmen Glass Bridge, 260 meters above the ground, connects two steep cliffs in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.

5. What to Eat When Visiting Phoenix Ancient Town

Below is a list of dishes you should not miss when visiting Phoenix Ancient Town:

5.1 Spicy Fish Hotpot

This is a famous specialty in Phoenix Ancient Town. The fish, caught from the Da River, retains its freshness, sweetness, and firm texture. This hotpot is unique in that it is eaten with rice instead of noodles or vermicelli. During the cold season, this dish is particularly appealing as you can enjoy it while taking in the romantic scenery of Phoenix Ancient Town.

5.2 Phoenix Noodles

The noodles here are particularly rich in meat flavor, with a broth that has a unique, sweet taste of bones. A tip for choosing a noodle shop is that the older and smaller the shop, the longer the cooking tradition and the better the noodles.

5.3 Various Cakes

If you are a fan of Chinese dim sum, you cannot miss the various cakes in Phoenix Ancient Town. There are many characteristic cakes here such as shrimp cakes, glutinous rice cakes, fried grain cakes, and flower-shaped cakes.

Phoenix Ancient Town has many fragrant and unique cakes.

5.4 Stinky Tofu

Typically, stinky tofu is soaked in saltwater for 5-10 days, but in Phoenix Ancient Town, it is soaked for up to 15 days, enhancing its aromatic, rich, and creamy taste.

5.5 Duck Stewed with Blood and Glutinous Rice

This dish may sound strange, but once you try it, you will love it. The preparation of this dish is also quite elaborate: first, soak the glutinous rice in water, then mix it with blood, steam it, cut it into pieces, and fry it in hot oil. Meanwhile, the kitchen will stew the duck. When the duck is tender, they stuff the glutinous rice mixed with blood into the duck, season it, and continue stewing until the duck turns light yellow.

6. Tips for Visiting Phoenix Ancient Town

Here are some tips you should know when visiting Phoenix Ancient Town:

Clothing: Since the area has a lot of mountains, bring a thick jacket or dress in layers to avoid catching a cold.
Language: Chinese people rarely use English, so download a Vietnamese-Chinese translation app on your phone for easier communication.
Internet Access: China has strict internet security, so if you want to access social media, you need to download a VPN app like Betternet.
SIM Card: To stay connected and access the internet, you should buy a Chinese travel SIM card. The price ranges from 200,000 to 500,000 VND depending on the number of days and data volume needed. These SIM cards now come with integrated "firewall," so you can browse social media without being blocked.
Food: Chinese food is often oily and lacks vegetables, so you should inform the restaurant to reduce the oil in your dish.
Cash: Exchange enough cash in advance, as there are very few ATMs in Phoenix Ancient Town. Shops and restaurants do not accept credit cards, only cash, and the withdrawal fees for MasterCard/Visa here are very high.
Budget: The cost for a 4-day 3-night trip to Phoenix Ancient Town ranges from 15,000,000 to 25,000,000 VND. So plan your budget and bring enough cash.

We hope this article has provided you with useful tips for your visit to Phoenix Ancient Town. Don’t miss the chance to hunt for cheap flight tickets to China and the 0 VND ticket program for international flights every Friday [HERE].

Don’t forget to follow Vietjet to stay updated on the latest travel information and promotions: