Third stop: Fenghuang
We took a side trip to Fenghuang (凤凰), the name of which means Phoenix in Chinese. It is a picturesque town by the Tuo River (沱江) in the western part of Hunan Province. Ironically, it is also on the verge of losing its authentic flavor thanks to the tourism development there. (Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
Fenghuang
Fenghuang
Fenghuang
As luck would have it, not only did we get a warm sunny day there, it was also the April 8th (on the Lunar Calendar) Festival of "Jumping Flowers" (跳花节) of the Miao minority (苗族). Local people dressed in their native clothing and headdresses crowded the river in canoes and boats. The Miao women's headdresses are something to beheld -- they are laced with intricately hand-made silver decorations.
Headdress
More often than not, there is a pretty Miao girl or woman under the headdress.
Miao Girl
Miao Girl
Miao Girl
Everyone seemed to be in high spirit in this festivity, a little playing with the water is fun enough.
Miao Woman
Well, not everyone, some are more nonchalant than others.
Boy dozing off in boat
The city walls and city gates are well preserved in Fenghuang.
City Wall
City Gate
But the most unique building are the stilted houses (吊脚楼) -- houses built on stilts that extend into the water, popping up the houses above the river.
Stilted Houses
Stilted Houses
Stilted Houses
There are some historical residences preserved as well, giving us a glimpse into the daily lives of local (rich) people.
Inside a historical house
However, Fenghuang has also become very touristy, although it hasn't lost all its charm. At night, all the nights come on and the whole town glows.
Night scene in Fenghuang
Night scene in Fenghuang
Night scene in Fenghuang
Night scene in Fenghuang
We also took a side trip to the Miao Great Wall or the Southern Great Wall. Not as grand or ancient as the Northern Great Wall, the Miao Great Wall is impressive nontheless and arguably more picturesque.
Cannon on the Great Wall
Miao Great Wall
Miao Great Wall
Miao Great Wall
Miao Great Wall
Valley below the Great Wall
Because there were so many sights to see, I did not get as many bird pictures as I wanted. I got a couple new birds while climbing the Miao Great Wall:
Brown-breasted Bulbul (黄臀鹎)
Brown-breasted Bulbul (黄臀鹎)
Cinereous Tit (山雀)
In the city, I saw a White Wagtail, not a new bird for me as I had seen it in India, but this time I got a closer look.
White Wagtail (白鹡鸰)
In the river, there were several Great Cormorants (普通鸕鶿) resting on a raft. They are most certainly domesticated to catch fish.
Great Cormorant (普通鸕鶿)
I did get one new bird in the city. They are nesting under the bridge and flying above the river, dipping occasionally to catch fish. Their shape and demeanor remind me of our American Dipper. These are elusive birds and I did not get a good picture, but they are an exciting bird to watch.
Plumbeous Water Redstart (鉛色水鴝)
