Fenghuang Ancient Town

A well-preserved Qing dynasty trading town on the Tuo River in western Hunan, Fenghuang retains its old riverside quarter of stilted wooden buildings known as diaojiaolou extending out over the water on timber piles. Stone gateways, a red sandstone city wall, and lantern-lit boat traffic at night make the riverside the most photographed view. The town is the birthplace of writer Shen Congwen.