Fenghuang Ancient CityHello, everyone!Welcome to the state-level historical and cultural city Fenghuang Ancient City for sightseeing. Fenghuang ancient city is a typical minority gathering area, inhabiting 28 ethnic groups such as Miao, Han and Tujia. There are some ancient gate towers, ancient Ming and Qing courtyards and slate streets in the city are still elegant. There is Nanhuashan National Forest Park and Huangsiqiao ancient town in Tang dynasty outside the ancient city. Fenghuang ancient city is a glorious place that has nurtured outstanding people, especially in modern times. Xiong Xiling (former premier of the Republic of China), Shen Congwen (a famous writer) and Huang Yongyu (a prominent painter)are all from Fenghuang ancient city. The Border Town, A Girl from Hunan, Exterminate the Banditi in Western Hunan Province and other more than ten films and Tvs were taken in this old town.This is the former residence of Shen Congwen, Mr Shen was a famous writer and archaeologist in China. The courtyard was built by his grandfather Shen Hongfu in the first year of Reign of Qing Emperor Tongzhi. It is a typical ancient courtyard in the south of China. Mr. Shen was born in this place in 1902, and he also spent his childhood and boyhood here. He left forBeijing to persue his literary dream in 1919. He wrote a series of literary works, such as the Border Town and Xiangxi, which were famous in the Chinese literary world. He also wrote the world-famous work—The Study of Chinese Ancient Costumes. Natural,simple,modest,diligent, profound and dignified are the characters of Mr. Shen . The small patio of the former residence was paved with red slates. The courtyard is surrounded by ancient houses of brick and wood structure,with three main rooms and four wing rooms. Although the former residence is not carved with dragons and phoenixes, it is small, unique and antique. This kind of carved wooden windows can reflect the characteristics of Western Hunan, which is very spectacular.Mr Shen wrote about more than five million words in his life. And his famous literary woks not only are art treasure for the whole world but also the valuable materials for people to study old China and old Western Hunan.This is the former residence of Mr. Xiong Xiling,who served as the first cabinet premier of the Republic of China. Although he had not been premier for a long time, but he had a great reputation. He was born here in 1870. He passed the entrance examination at the age of 15 and the second-degree examination at the age of 22, he became animperial scholar at the age of 25.Mr. Xiong was active to promote Weixin Reform in the late Qing Dynasty. Later, he assumed the Financial Supervisor in the three northeastern provinces, Rehe Commander, Financial General and so on.In 1913, he was the first Prime Minister of the Republic of China. At that time, this group of cabinet was named “talent cabinet”. Later, because Mr. Xiong objected the dictator-Yuan Shikai, this cabinet was dismissed and Mr. Xiong resigned his position from the government.In 1913, he became the first government premier of the Republic of China. At that time, the government was called "talented cabinet" by the public opinion. Later, because Mr. Xiong opposed the dictatorship of Yuan Shikai, he was forced to dissolve the cabinet and resign as prime minister. Mr. Xiong died of illness in Hongkong in 1937.Dear friends.please look at this couplet at the front door of the main house. “Tired of the officialdom, I resigned from the office and devoted myself to charity.It's a pity that I don't have Laozi army to save the world.”It's a couplet written by Mr. Cai Yuanpei for Mr. Xiong,which praised the noble moral character of being diligent and loving the people all his life. Xiong Xiling was an excellent son of the Chinese nation. The wealth that he left us is not only his intelligence, profoundknowledge and perseverance to fight bravely, but also the noble virtue of patriotism for the people, charity and saving people, and the precious spirit of educating people.What we can see now is Hongqiao Bridge.Hongqiao is also called Wind and Rain Building , which was built in the seventh year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty. After a lot of maintenance, the renovated Hongqiao is more perfect ,elegant and antique in the original architectural style.This is Graveyard of Shen Congwen. When entering the tomb area, we first see four big characters “Prosperity and decline are known to all”, which is the handwriting of President Li Yuanhong of the Republic of China.There is an inscription “If a soldier didn’t die in the war field, he should return to his hometown”on the top of graveyard ,which was written by Mr. Huang Yongyu to mourn Mr. Shen.The grave of Mr. Shen has no bump earth. Only a primitive five-color stone stands on the top of the grave. There are no carved balustrades and marble steps, only a small bluestone road goes through it. It symbolizes that Shen Congwen will stay with common people together forever. Some of Mr. Shen's ashes were scattered in the Tuojiang River, some in Babaoshan, Beijing, some in the former residence of Fenghuang County, and some were buried under the colorfulstones. He is like the Tuojiang River in front of us, originating from the earth and returning to the earth. On the front of the colorful tombstone, there is Shen Lao's motto “With my thought, you comprehend me; with my thought, you recognize human beings.”Yes, because of this belief, Mr. Shen gave up power and money through joining army. He chose the poor and pure literature career. Because of his fantastic writing, Xiangxi has been introduced to the whole world.At the back of the tombstone, Mr. Shen’s sister-in-law Zhang Yunhe inscribed: “Never give up his belief, never g ive up his writing; hold kindness and humbleness forever, hold love and charity fo rever.” These words reflects the whole life of Shen Congwen，“Congwen gives way to others.” And that's how he eventually became a world-famous Hunan literature master.Ok ,that's all today. Hope Fenghuang Ancient City can leave you a deep and beautiful impression. May we get together some day in this beautiful place. Thank you !。