Phoenix Ancient Town: Stilted houses by the Tuo River, slow time

Phoenix is the border town in Shen Congwen's writing. Two days and one night, in the stilted houses and stone-paved alleys of the Tuo River, you can understand that gentle border town.

The Tuo River flows through the city, stilted buildings hang over the water, and wooden pillars are submerged in the river. At dawn, the mist rises, and the black-awning boat glides slowly, as if the scene was straight from 'Border Town.'

Walking across a rainbow bridge and standing on the corridor looking into the distance, the lights on both banks and the reflections on the water merge into a river of light. At night, Fenghuang is most lively, with bars and Tuojiang singing together, blending modernity with rustic simplicity.

Paying respects at Shen Congwen's former residence, the blue-brick courtyard is quiet and simple. Reading a passage from 'Border Town' and then looking at the river, you suddenly understand why the old gentleman wrote so lightly and so long-lasting about homesickness.

Miao silver jewelry and batik gleam in the streets and alleys. Learn a couple of stitches from an old lady; the blue and white patterns embody the mountains and rivers of Xiangxi people.

The softness of the phoenix is like turning sorrow into poetry. When you sit by the river and the sky is filled with stars, you'll understand: some places are meant to rest homesickness.