How to Do a DIY Trip from Zhangjiajie to Fenghuang?
Many friends planning to visit Fenghuang ask what's fun to do there and how to go about it. Personally, I think Fenghuang offers three aspects to explore and see, plus one kind of feeling to experience. 1. Strolling the Old Town: the old town isn't large, and its scenic areas fall into two types—paid and free. a. Paid attractions are those contracted by the old town tourism company, such as Shen Congwen's Former Residence.
This article is compiled from the original travel notes on the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com); it is a record of trips from earlier years. Time-sensitive information such as ticket prices, schedules, and accommodation prices is subject to the latest announcements from scenic areas and transportation authorities; the itinerary ideas and attraction introductions still have reference value.
Many friends who are preparing to come to Fenghuang ask what's fun to do in Fenghuang and how to play. Personally, I think there are three aspects to see and enjoy in Fenghuang, plus one kind of insight.
1. Stroll through the ancient town
The ancient town isn't large in scale. The ancient town scenic area is divided into two types: paid and free attractions.
a. Paid attractions refer to the parts contracted by the ancient town tourism company, such as Shen Congwen's Former Residence, Xiong Xiling's Former Residence, the Yang Family Ancestral Hall, the Tuo River boat ride, the East Gate Tower, etc. Moreover, it's a package ticket — they're not sold separately. The ticket price is 148. As an ordinary tourist, I personally don't recommend these attractions; scholars or those interested in cultural relics should definitely go see them.
b. The entire ancient town of Fenghuang is free. You only need to buy a map and follow it, strolling leisurely for 3-4 hours to walk through it all. Everywhere in the ancient town there are places worth remembering.
c. Around the ancient town there are also quite a few attractions, such as the Southern Great Wall at 45 yuan per person, and Qiliang Cave at 60 yuan per person.
2. Go to the Miao villages
Experience the folk customs of the ethnic minorities here in Fenghuang. Fenghuang is an ethnic minority area, mainly Miao and Tujia. So there are many Miao villages, such as Laodong Miao Village, Gouliang Miao Village, Shanjiang Miao Village, and so on — you can visit any of them. Because the Miao villages are rather remote with no public buses, you go on one-day tour routes. Ticket prices: 148-268 yuan per person, varying; you can choose according to your own interests and preferences (this guesthouse can get the most discounted ticket prices).
3. Experience the ancient town at night
a. You can go watch a bonfire party with very rich folk customs. Tickets are 148-188 yuan; different seats have different prices. (This guesthouse can get the most discounted ticket prices.)
b. You can go sit in a bar. Bar consumption is relatively high; you can choose according to your own financial ability whether to go feel the bar's atmosphere or to drink yourself tipsy.
c. You can go see the night view of the ancient town and release river lanterns along the way. River lanterns are very cheap — for 1 yuan you can buy several small ones. Make wishes to bless your family and yourself with peace.
4. Quietly experience Fenghuang's culture and life
Fenghuang is a place that produces outstanding people and has a very deep cultural heritage. Especially if you attentively experience the life state of the original, simple Fenghuang people and their attitude toward life, it will suddenly open your mind, and you'll gain a great deal, only then realizing the joy and meaning of life.
As for how many days you need to spend in Fenghuang, that depends on the person — the wise see wisdom, the benevolent see benevolence. Some people feel there's nothing to do after one day in Fenghuang, while others don't want to leave once they arrive.
But now, of those running guesthouses in Fenghuang, over 96% are outsiders who have contracted local people's houses to open them, and over 97% of those doing business in the ancient town are also outsiders. When you come to Fenghuang, make your choices according to your own interests.
A warm reminder: the only blemish in Fenghuang now is the phenomenon of touts soliciting customers. Once you arrive in Fenghuang, judge for yourself.
Some of the above images are from the internet.