Walking the streets of the ancient town in Western Hunan that year

Entering Fenghuang Ancient Town is like opening a yellowed thread-bound book. This pearl of Western Hunan, built during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, is nestled in the embrace of green mountains, with the Tuojiang River flowing through the town. It is the hometown that Shen Congwen longed for in his writings. 🌧️ Fenghuang in the rain has a unique charm When the gentle drizzle falls on the bluestone pavement, the entire ancient town is shrouded in a thin veil. I walk alone under an umbrella, listening to the rhythm of raindrops hitting the black tiles, watching the mist rising over the Tuojiang River, making the stilted buildings look dreamlike. The clinking sound from the Miao silver jewelry shop blends with the calls of old ladies selling ginger candy on the street—this is the most touching morning melody of the ancient town. 🏯 Architectural marks where time flows backward 1️⃣ Hongqiao Bridge This covered bridge, built during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, is a symbol of Fenghuang Ancient Town. The two-story pavilion on the bridge was once a gathering place for merchants and still retains its ancient wooden structure. On rainy days, standing on the bridge and looking into the distance, the stilted buildings in the mist resemble a traditional Chinese ink painting. 2️⃣ Tuojiang Stepping Stones A testament to ancient wisdom! These square stone piers arranged in the river were the "natural bridge" for residents to cross the river in old times. When the water flows rapidly on rainy days, you can better appreciate the thrill people felt tiptoeing across the river back then. 3️⃣ Wanming Pagoda This seven-story ancient pagoda stands by the river, built during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty. The weathered blue bricks bear witness to the joys and sorrows along the Tuojiang River over the past century. Climbing the pagoda on a rainy day, surrounded by mist, you can almost hear the singing of Cui Cui from Shen Congwen’s writings. 🌙 A millennium poem in the night When night falls, thousands of lights reflect red on the Tuojiang River, and the other side of the ancient town quietly awakens. Guitar music drifts from the bars, red lanterns on Hongqiao Bridge reflect on the river, blending beautifully with the starry sky. Sitting on the stone steps by the river, watching boats glide by and stir shimmering waves, it feels like traveling back into the story of that "Border Town." Fenghuang is such a city—bright and beautiful on sunny days, graceful and gentle in the rain. Whether in the misty rain of the day or the twinkling lights of the night, you can find the quietest corner of your heart.