Fenghuang Ancient Town: A Dreamy Riverside Escape in Hunan, China

Tucked away deep inside China's Hunan province, is the picture-perfect riverside town of Fenghuang. Fenghuang town, sometimes called the phoenix town, isn't on most westerners' China itineraries - but it should be! From narrow cobblestoned alleys to rickety stilt houses perched right on the river, you'll repeatedly have to pinch yourself to see if you're not dreaming. And the best part? If you're lucky, you can have Fenghuang Hunan mostly to yourself - give or take a few Chinese ;)