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Fènghuáng

Things to do in Fènghuáng

  1. Yíngxī Gate

    This small gate near the pagoda dates from 1807.

    reviewed

  2. Yang Family Ancestral Hall

    Further along the wall is this building, its exterior still decorated with Maoist slogans from the Cultural Revolution.

    reviewed

  3. Wànshòu Temple

    This temple isn't far from Wànmíng Pagoda.

    reviewed

  4. Tian Family Ancestral Temple

    Currently shut, this temple is a portrait of Fènghuáng in neglect: it's overgrown with weeds.

    reviewed

  5. Three Kings Temple

    A welcome respite from the crowds and good views over town await at this temple, up a steep flight of steps off Jianshe Lu.

    reviewed

  6. Southern Great Wall

    This Ming-dynasty construction is 13km outside town – reach it by bus (Y5) from Fènghuáng – but it doesn't compare with the bastion that fortified north China.

    reviewed

  7. Soul Too

    An upmarket cafe serving a wide variety of proper coffee (from Y25), as well as good pizza (from Y45), pasta and tempting chocolate cake, Soul Too makes for a nice pit stop away from the tour-group madness. It's not cheap, but then there aren't many places in Fènghuáng with an extensive list of foreign wines and a choice of Cuban cigars

    reviewed

  8. Queen of Heaven Temple

    Off Dongzheng Jie, this simple temple is dedicated to the patron deity of seafarers.

    reviewed

  9. Night Market

    Hands down the best place to eat in Fènghuáng is this fantastic, lively night market. From the late afternoon, just north of the Hóng Bridge, food stalls set up shop ready to barbecue all manner of meat, fish and vegies. Everything is on display, so just pick what you want, grab a beer from the shops across the way and take a seat at the covered tables.

    reviewed

  10. Laoying Shao

    Ever-developing street of bars, cafes and shops overlooking the river.

    reviewed

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  12. Jiāngxīn Buddhist Temple

    This temple is on Huilong Ge, a narrow alley of shops, hotels and restaurants east of Hóng Bridge.

    reviewed

  13. Huángsī Bridge Old Town

    Also outside town, this village is similar in character to Fènghuáng.

    reviewed

  14. Hóng Bridge

    This magnificent covered bridge spans the river. The upstairs galleries are covered by the through ticket.

    reviewed

  15. Gǔchéng Museum

    Dedicated to the history of the old town.

    reviewed

  16. Former Home of Shen Congwen

    One of several former residences in town, this building is where the famous modern novelist was born and bred. (The author's tomb can also be found in the east of town.)

    reviewed

  17. Elope Bar

    More mellow than most of the bars on the Laoying Shao strip, and with a raised balcony that enables you to sip a drink while contemplating the river. Beers start at Y20, cocktails at Y35.

    reviewed

  18. East Gate Tower

    This Qing-dynasty twin-eaved tower dates from 1715.

    reviewed

  19. Confucian Temple

    This 18th- century walled temple, the twin roofs of its Dàchéng Hall rising up almost clawlike, is now a middle school.

    reviewed

  20. City Wall

    Wander along Fènghuáng's restored salmon-pink city wall with its defensive aspect along the southern bank of the Tuó River. Halfway along its length, the North Gate Tower (北门城楼; Běimén Chénglóu) is in a tragic state of neglect, downtrodden and scratched with names, but it remains a magnificent structure. While perusing this area, look up at the distinctive roof ridges on buildings above – many adorned with carvings of creatures and fish – which are far better preserved than much at ground level.

    reviewed

  21. Cháoyáng Temple

    Home to an ancient theatrical stage and a main hall.

    reviewed

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