Xiangxi Fenghuang -- Hidden Jade

Author: Zhuo Lan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: A green mountain embraces the ancient city, a bend of the Tuo River winds around it, a red stone-paved street, a row of delicate stilted houses, a weathered ancient city wall, an old castle, a unique Liang Cave, a magnificent ancient stone bridge, and a group of world-renowned people—phoenixes. The beauty of the phoenix lies in its painted scenery: the Tuo River water, stilted houses, and bas-reliefs with upturned eaves and gables. The beauty of the phoenix lies in its poetic figures: the lively Miao girls, the old women wrapped in long cloth, and the smiling children and white-haired elders. The beauty of the phoenix lies in its legends: the Miao King of Western Hunan, the Republic of China Premier, bandits, sorcerers, and women who fell into holes. This enchanting little city is like a green legend.
Western Hunan refers to the western part of Hunan Province, the home of the Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. It is a land of lush mountains and clear waters, blessed with natural beauty and a rich history. Its scenery is picturesque, with hidden paradises and a long, splendid culture. Historical sites and natural landscapes complement each other. The Xizhou Copper Pillar, the Ancestor Temple, the ruins of the Han Dynasty's Qianling County, the Huangsiqiao Castle, the Shangbao Paleolithic Site, and the Baihe Bay Chu Tombs are all microcosms of Western Hunan's ancient culture. The Water Gallery Mengdong River, the Stone Gate Natural Gate, the Abydos Slope Road, the Devil's Workshop Dehao Village, and the Yin River Boat Fire Rock Cave form a comprehensive tourism network in Western Hunan.
The county seat of Fenghuang resembles most small towns in China—old and dirty, chaotic and noisy. Only in the night, the dilapidated buildings fade into the background, the filth disappears, and the bustling crowds fall asleep. Fenghuang becomes the quiet and lovely city as described in legends. Walking into Fenghuang City, one can feel the beauty and charm of the phoenix. The city's vibrant face lies in its harmonious blend of mountains and water, where nature and spirit converge. After a light rain, the air is exceptionally fresh, with mist lingering over distant mountains. The lush green forests appear and disappear in the mist. The fields are green, the mountains are green, and even the water of the Tuo River is green.