Fenghuang is one of the most beautiful cities in China

The ancient town of Fenghuang is located in the southwestern corner of the Chinese province of Hunan, at the foot of a mountain on the banks of the Totjiang River. The town is surprisingly well preserved, it has not been touched by modernization, there are many ethnic languages, customs, and art forms. Also in the town you can see ancient buildings in the architectural styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The ancient town has retained the layout and original appearance of the 14th-century Ming and 17th-century Qing. More than 200 ancient residential buildings, about 20 large and small streets, 10 ancient parks and lanes, as well as the walls of the ancient city, gates with towers, wells, bridges, temples, etc. have been preserved in the old quarter. And all this is almost in its original form.

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1. Fenghuang Township is located in what was once a wild frontier. Weiyang County here was founded in the second year of Chuigong, during the reign of Empress Wu (686 AD).

2. In the third year of the Jiatai period of the Song Empire, a clay town was founded here.

3. After 450 years, it was replaced by a brick city, and ancient Fenghuang began to take shape.

4. In 1715, during the reign of Emperor Kangxi, all the stone buildings in the city were completed.

5. Fenghuang is located in a remote mountainous region.

6. Red stone city walls run along an undulating mountain landscape, through rocky outcroppings and valleys, while rivers meander along mountain corridors before flowing through the city.

7. Majestic and tall city towers stand in front of the four gates, and halls and residential buildings, similar to palaces, exquisite courtyards and houses of various national styles are evenly distributed on both sides of the streets.

8. Dozens of alleys paved with stone tiles between houses demonstrate the continuity of many generations of people living here who go about their business every day.

9. Along the river, right in front of the picturesque Nanhua Mountains, there are wooden houses on stilts.

10. Due to its unique geographic location, Fenghuang has never suffered from wars or natural disasters.

11. There have been many military actions in the region - from the Miao uprising in 1795 to the Getong uprising in 1937 - but none of them touched the town.

12. Even during the war against Japanese occupation, Fenghuang Township did not suffer from Japanese invasion or bombardment.

13. In 1949, Fenghuang was peacefully liberated from occupation.

14. Over the next 50 years, the economic crisis that hit other counties also bypassed this sleepy ancient town.

15. Local people value their heritage and cultural treasures.

16. That is why local authorities carefully control all construction projects.

17. Thus, the original beauty and traditions of the ancient city remain intact.

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