Tuo Jiang River is a life force of the local people. In its waters women wash their clothes and clean rice and vegetables while the men fish with their nets. On the bank, food is prepared in much the same way as it has been for centuries.

The image of those stilted houses built on the high riverbank and the green mountains behind them reflecting in the limpid wave of the Tuo Jiang shows a harmony of the ancient city.

Here dozens of alleys paved with flagstones run between the houses, each showing wear caused by the feet of generations of local people who have used them when going about their daily business.

Along the old street are the crusted brick walls and plain thresholds. There are not many shops or colorful advertisement. Most of the houses open their doors and windows, which is assuring to visitors.

Such profound and mystical scenes will evoke people's longing for a more remote and simpler time.

The Miao ethnic minority is predominantly settled here and a visit to a Miao village is a must in any visit to Phoenix Town. The Miao women have a natural beauty that renders the use of cosmetics quite unnecessary. They love to dress in traditional blue garments set off with a white scarf. They also love their silver jewelry, especially during festivals.

Visitors will find a large array of handmade items of silver ornaments for sale in the local shops. Homemade tie-dyes and printed and batik (a kind of dyeing method) cloths are other local specialties that make wonderful souvenirs.

Food here also is different from that found elsewhere in China. Pickled red peppers are a particular local delicacy and their appetizing smell wafts from the many small family-run restaurants.

Although very beautiful, Phoenix Town does not rely entirely upon natural beauty to attract the visitor, for this ancient town with a history spanning 1,300 years has a number of remarkable old gardens as well as distinctive residential buildings, elegant bridges, and mysterious towers and pagodas.

Phoenix Town is a special town that offers visitors from both home and abroad a view of a China quite different from anything experienced in the more widely known modern cities and large surrounding areas. The opportunity to travel in such a picturesque region will surely be remembered by any visitor as an experience of a lifetime.

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