Please come to taste the strong ethnic characteristics of Miaos and Dongs, the local customs and conditions. Explore the humanistic landscapes in ancient town of Fenghuang, such as the On-Water House and Hongqiao Bridge (Rainbow Bridge). View the beautiful sceneries of Yangshuo and Guilin, like the Lijiang River, Yangshuo “Ten-li Galley” and Yulong River, etc. You will feel how magical the nature is when you enjoy the attractions said above. Besides, you will further experience the unique local ethnic cultures. You can run away from the busy work and come to the quiet small Fenghuang Town before going to the south to Chengyang and Yangshuo for spending similar relaxing times.
On the first day, we went to Jishou of Central China’s Hunan Province from Beijing by train. Then we got to Fenghuang Town of Hunan Province from Jishou by a mini-bus on the second day. As the inn where we stayed faces the Tuojiang River, we went sight-seeing on the river after supper. The small boat was floating slowly and gently on the river, and we enjoyed the quiet night, quiet ancient town and the On-Water House, which appeared indistinctly at the edge of the river.
On the third morning, as I opened the window, a beautiful scene — the On-Water House standing quietly, and the exquisite Hongqiao Bridge appeared in my eyes. After breakfast, we strolled around the street and brought some items full of local features. There, people can visit the Former Residence of Shen Congwen — a renowned Chinese modern author.
On the fourth day, we went to Chengyang of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in South China. Chengyang is a small Dong village, where the mountains link up the stockaded villages of the Dong minority group. The scenic spots are full of unsophisticated local flavour and have attracted numerous visitors. The family-style inn we stayed is wood-made and not far from the largest Fengyu Bridge (Wind and Rain Bridge) of Chengyang.
The Dongs are an ethnic group who are good at constructions. In Chengyang, there are many houses built like the long-corridors, but they also look like many bridges stretching over the river at a distance, such as the various types of Fengyu Bridges. Most of the Fengyu Bridges here have a history over a hundred years.
At about 5:00 pm on the fifth day, we came to Guanxi’s Guilin City where the central district is full of hotels — it is indeed a tourism city.
We were surprised in seeing the beautiful Lijiang River. The water is so clear that you can see the river bottom. Dozens of boats were coming and going on the river on that day, but the water was still clear.
The West Street of Yangshuo is quite well known. Many foreigners arrived here for relaxation. On both sides of the street are bars, West-style restaurants, coffee houses and private stalls. The unique snacks here are really worth tasting.
You’d better visit Yangshuo by riding a bicycle. Otherwise, you might lose the whole pleasure and miss many beautiful sceneries because the mountains and sights surrounding the county are really beautiful. So the marvelous scenes on both sides of the rural paths are called a “Ten-li Gallery.”
On the eighth day, we were returning back to Guilin. There are many mini buses from Yangshuo to Guilin at Yanghuo Square. In the afternoon, we visited the Xiangbishan Mountain (Elephant-Trunk Mountain). Then we took the train to go back to Beijing at night.
