Stilt houses
Over the river.
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One of China's most beautiful old towns, in western Hunan, whose name means «phoenix»; it keeps the architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties, with houses spread along both banks of the Tuojiang River among green mountains. Its best-known sights are the diaojiaolou timber houses standing on stilts over the river, the town walls and stone gates, the covered Hongqiao bridge, and the stepping stones on which people cross the river one stride at a time. More than half the area's people are Miao or Tujia, whose culture shows in silver jewellery, crafts and food; the town has the home of the famous Chinese writer Shen Congwen, and at night it becomes a glowing scene, its lights reflected in the river. Wandering the lanes is mostly free, with separate tickets for some sights inside; a nine-site combined ticket is about CNY 128, per visitor guides. Stay a night to see it lit up, and note that many dishes contain pork.
Over the river.
Across the river.
On the Tuojiang.
Fenghuang County, western Hunan
Wandering its lanes is mostly free, with separate tickets for some sights; a nine-site ticket is about CNY 128, per visitor guides.