Backpacking Tips for Fenghuang Tour
Location &Administrative Divisions:
Fenghuang City is located in the Yuojiang Village, Fenghuang County, Xiangxi Autonomous Prefeture of Hunan Province. Fenghuang County neighbors Songtao and Tongren counties in the west, Huxi County in the east, Huahuan County and Jishou County in the north and Mayang County in the southeast.
Transportation:
Tourists usually get down from the train at Jishou Train Station, where they will hire mid-buses to Fenghuang at a fee of 30 yuan per person. Travelers can also take a taxi to the south bus station, where air-conditioned buses will pick up passengers every 20 minutes (30 yuan per person). It is about 52miles from Jishou to Fenghuang, and the road condition is perfect. Fenghuang has two city propers¡ªnew and ancient ones. In the new city proper, tourists can walk or take a taxi (charging from three yuan), or electro-mobile (two yuan per person); while in the ancient one, there are no transportation vehicles.
Table Delicacies:
There are many restaurants and cafeterias, places to satisfy the appetite and enjoy leisure time. I recommended Ambassador's Restaurant in the new blocks and the Old Street Restaurant in the old block. The former restaurant won its fame from the reception of French ambassadors as Huang Yongyu's guests, while the latter one became an attraction due to its boss's popularity as a writer.
Snacks and Night-market:
Stands selling vinegar pickled carrots are scattered everywhere. The pickles taste sour and sweet, and with the spicy flavor added by peppers, they are delicious. Best quality pickles are usually found neat the Wenchang Pavilion, and one can buy one piece with one jiao (1/10 of a yuan). When night falls, the Rainbow Bridge area will be decorated by many lights. The pleasant scent of local foods will guide you become indecisive as how to make choice among the foods¡ªicy or warm dumplings, spicy small lobsters, skewered beef and mutton.
Accommodation:
Tourists are strongly suggested to live in the family hotels. These small inns are clean and hospitable. In the off-season time, each person only has to pay 40-60 yuan, and a single room costs 60-80 yuan. But in the peak period, the costs will climb several folds, so you have to bargain with the innkeeper.
