Fenghuang is on the list of National Historical and Cultural Cities in China and has recently applied to be on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The typical, high gabled wooden stilt houses alone should be enough to convince anyone. Fenghuang certainly has my vote. A day really isn’t enough to investigate Fenghuang at your leisure. Two days would have been optimum. And because of the late afternoon/evening thunderstorm, we never did get to visit in the evening when red lanterns are lit along the river.

The small streets and alleys emanating from all directions in Fenghuang lead to the Hong/Hongjiang Covered Bridge, also known as “Rainbow Bridge” and newly renovated. This very picturesque covered bridge is a two-story traditional pavilion on a three-arch stone bridge. The Hong Bridge, built in the last Ming/early Qing Dynasty, now has small stalls inside along with a spacious area to sit and drink tea while gazing out at the mesmerizing Tuojiang River sights. Stand or sit and enjoy the birdseye views.

Other locals slowly paddled their boats or drifted with the current down Tuojiang River with goods to sell…View image.

The sight of all the food being sold around Fenghuang was making us hungry. Guide Tony wanted to take us to a new restaurant but they were hosting a big wedding with no room for anyone else. Instead, back to the Xifeng Hotel. After the rat incident last night, we’re sticking to what we hope are “cleaner restaurants.” If we don’t see any rats, we consider the restaurant clean.

Tony looked at the menu and seriously wanted to order pork face, pork stomach and dried beef. I gave him “the look” and resounding no’s to all his suggestions. Hadn’t we seen enough flattened pig faces? Three very spicy but delicious new dishes met with our approval. One resembled pork ribs with cashews followed by a “meat” (I was afraid to ask what the “meat” was) with chili peppers, and tiny wild mushrooms that grow in small clumps and resemble an upside-down flower when steamed. All good but the pork was beyond wonderful and one of the best dishes eaten during this trip to southeast China.