Phoenix Ancient Town: Your Ultimate Travel Guide! 🏯
OMG, you HAVE to visit Phoenix Ancient Town at least once! Located in Fenghuang County, western Hunan Province, China, this ancient city has been around for over 1300 years and is home to many ethnic minorities.
I. Getting There: Your Transportation Options ✈️ 🚂
There are two main ways to reach this magical place: by air and by land.
1. By Air: Fly High! ☁️
Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Hanoi to Phoenix Ancient Town. You'll need to fly to Zhangjiajie, with a layover in Guangzhou, and then travel from Zhangjiajie to the Ancient Town.
Check out flight options on Traveloka!
2. By Land: On the Road Again! 🚗 🚌 🚂
From Hanoi, head to Nanning Railway Station (you can take a train from Gia Lam or a bus through the Huu Nghi border gate). From Nanning Railway Station, take a train to Jishou Railway Station, and then catch a bus to Phoenix Ancient Town (around 80 yuan per person).
II. Accommodation: Sweet Dreams Await! 🏨
Room rates in the Ancient Town are super affordable! Here are a few homestay suggestions:
- Qinglian Riverside Light Luxury Hotel: No.11 Shawan, Fenghua, Hunan. Around 600k VND/night.
- 原舍暮云阁民宿（凤凰古城南华里游客中心店）: Located right in the town! Around 400k VND/night.
Most homestays offer airport pick-up services, costing around 150-200 yuan each way. 🚕
III. Wi-Fi & Data: Stay Connected! 📶
Most Chinese airports offer Wi-Fi, but you need a phone number to log in. I recommend buying an eSIM in Vietnam. It's super easy to install and you don't need to remove your physical SIM! I used GoFlex eSim this trip. The network speed was stable, the price was reasonable, they have a variety of countries to choose from, and it's easy to use. You can even earn points for every order! GoFlex offers 24/7 support, so you can relax and enjoy your trip!
IV. Essential Apps: Your Digital Toolkit! 📱
- Gaodeditu (音德地图): Similar to Baidu Map, I used it to search for locations. The directions are quite detailed, with updates on station exits, distances, bus routes, and bus schedules.
- Baidu Map: I used it alongside Gaodeditu because Baidu allows for up to 10 destinations at once. However, the directions aren't always accurate.
- Alipay: A MUST-HAVE app! It's multi-functional, from paying at supermarkets and hotels to paying for everything from the metro and buses to taxis and bike rentals. Verify your passport in Vietnam, link it to your Visa card, and pay directly. No need to exchange too much money!
- Xiaohongshu: This amazing app lets you find photo spots, check-in locations, food recommendations, tips, and poses in your area. Many posts even tag the location and link to Baidu Map!
- MetroMan: Even with the other two map apps, MetroMan is still useful! It's available in English, shows the necessary train lines and station directions, and can even be used without 5G!
- Translation: I used Google Translate, scanned images to translate, and pretty much understood everything!
V. What to See & Do: Explore the Magic! ✨
To fully explore the Ancient Town, I recommend staying at least 2 days and 1 night. Wander around, take photos, and enjoy the slow pace of life.
Must-See Spots:
- Wooden Bridges: There are so many wooden bridges in the town! Any bridge is perfect for photos. 🌉
- Tuojiang River Wharf
- Jumping Rock Bridge
- Former Residence of Shen Congwen
- Hongqiao Road
- N Rainbow Art Building
- Phoenix Museum
Pro Tip: Wake up at 4 AM or 4:30 AM to take photos without the crowds! Head over to Hong Bridge and then to Jumping Rock Bridge to catch the first light of dawn. Then, walk along the river to the dam and back along the opposite side. On the way back, you'll pass through small streets and ancient houses to Fog Bridge. Cross Fog Bridge back to the boat pier and experience a boat ride on the river. This way, you'll save time and see the entire Ancient Town!
There are also many makeup and costume rental shops in the Ancient Town, with prices ranging from 100-300 yuan depending on the package. 💃
Must-Try Foods:
- Stinky Tofu
- Spicy Fish Hot Pot
- Clay-Baked Chicken
- Phoenix Noodles
VI. Costs & Tips: Plan Like a Pro! 📝
The total cost for a self-sufficient trip is around 10 million VND per person. You can combine your visit with trips to Zhangjiajie, Nanning, or Guangzhou.
- Avoid visiting Phoenix Ancient Town during Chinese holidays. The best time to visit is from May to November. However, winter is also beautiful when it snows! Check the weather forecast before you go. ❄️
- Prepare your outfits in advance and bring an umbrella, jacket, and medicine.
- Learn some basic Chinese phrases: asking for prices, asking for directions, vocabulary for directions.
- Book a hotel in the town for convenient access to attractions.
- Take a walking tour and take pictures before taking a boat trip. Boats go in two directions, so ask before you get on!
Hope you find this review helpful when you visit Phoenix Ancient Town! 😉
#phoenixancienttown #chinatravel #travelguide
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