Last updated 2026-11-11 — The Group of Stilted Houses at HuiLong Pavilion is located in HuiLong Pavilion, southeast of Fenghuang Ancient Town in western Hunan. It faces the ancient official road in the front and hangs over the Tuojiang River in the back. It is one of the ancient architectural complexes in Fenghuang Ancient Town that showcases distinctive Miao ethnic architectural features. This group of stilted houses stretches 240 meters in length and was built during the Qing Dynasty and the early years of the Republic of China. Today, more than ten households still live here. The stilted houses are all divided into upper and lower levels, featuring either five-pillar six-beam or five-pillar eight-beam post-and-lintel wooden structures, characterized by their distinctive adaptation to the terrain. The upper floors are spacious, while the lower floors have irregular footprints. The upper levels are crafted with intricate workmanship and fine details, featuring gabled and upturned roofs, carved railings, and doors and windows. The lower levels are not used as formal rooms, but the hanging sections are all intricately carved with patterns such as golden melons, various animal heads, and floral designs. Horizontal beams support cantilevered corridors or rooms, suspending them above the river, creating a unique scenic view. This type of architecture offers ventilation, moisture resistance, heat avoidance, and cold protection. It represents a unique building technique of the Miao people and holds high aesthetic and cultural research value.