Fenghuang, or Phoenix Ancient City, is a great visit but in the end still a very average town. It boasts a light show that more or less covers up the averages. Sure, it has unique features. The culture of washing clothes at the side of the road is still intact (joking), the bridge is special, the house style is not common, and the location within the mountains and along the river of the town is well established in ancient times, but then again isn't that very normal to pick out all over the world?! I find all of this is more important on a national level rather than having any kind of a worldly impact.

Fenghuang has an airport and is also well connected by buses. I arrived in Tongren and switched to a bus to the town. It's highly recommended you spend at least one evening here (I flew out in the evening so that still counts) with hotels along the riverside all offering views towards the lit up river, and with such a huge amount of supply it comes very affordable. Spend the daylight walking around the old cobble streets and maybe visit a couple of the old residences. Highly recommended for a non-world heritage visit.