• Hunan Introduction

  • Hunan province known for short as Xiang is located at the south bank of the middle reaches of Yangtze River, which has area of 210,000 square km. and a population of 62,090,000. 

    To the east, south and west are mountainous area on three sides, the terrain slopes gently in the mid-north and a basin of a horses hoof shape is formed with Dongting Lake as its center. The plain accounts for 20% of the total area with Dongting Lake plain in the north occupying the main part of it. Almost all the rivers belong to the Dongting Lake water system with the four rivers -- Xiang, Zi, Hang and Li as the biggest, emptying into Chinas important lake -- the Dongting Lake. Hunan Province belongs to the subtropical humid monsoon climatic zone. It is rich in mineral resources, such as non-ferrous metals, and rare metals, which occupy an important place in China. The important metals are stadium, lead, zinc, tungsten, fluorite, aluminum, mercury, kaolin, manganese, tin, vanadium, etc. 

    The output of paddy rice and ramie captures an important place in Chinas market; the output of tea, rapeseed, tea-seed oil and tung oil and the number of live pigs also occupy an important place in Chinas domestic market. The non-ferrous metal industry forms the important basis of the countrys industry, and the machinery, papermaking, hemp textile, electric power, iron and steel and other industries have gained big development. The communications are convenient with railway traffic as its main and the highway traffic and inland water transport also occupy an important place. 

    Hunan Province is famous for its picturesque scenery. There are places of historic interest and scenic beauty, such as Yuelu Mountain, Heng Mountain, Yueyang Tower, Dongting Lake and Wuling Fountainhead. The traditional local products and specialties are Changsha Xiang Embroidery, Liuyang Fireworks and firecrackers, Yueuang Fan Changsha Xiang Lotus, Yueyang Whitebait (salangid) and Shaoyang Bambo shots, etc.

    Recommended Scenic Spots

    The Yueyang Pavilion

    The Yueyang Pavilion is an ancient architectural treasure which is located on the shores of Dongting Lake in Yueyang City, Hunan Province. The Yueyang Pavilion is one of four famous Chinese pavilions. The other famous pavilions are the Tengwang Pavilion in Hubei Province, the Yellow Crane Tower in Jiangxi Province and the Penglai Pavilion in Shandong Province

    Dongting Lake

    Dongting Lake, Chinas second-largest freshwater lake, is located in northeastern Hunan Province. It is a large, shallow body of water surrounded by mountain chains. It is also known as eight- hundred Li Dong Ting Lake (The Li is a Chinese length unit equal to 500 meters or about 1,640 feet). An impressive characteristic of the lake is it is inter-nested. Depending on the season, concentric ridges of land appear in the lake in many areas. This is because the lake acts as a flood basin for the Yangtze River. The appearance of Dongting Lake changes throughout the different seasons, sometimes even during the same day. Many ancient Chinese poems and stories were written about the beauty of Dongting Lake.

    Feng Huang Cheng (Phoenix Town)

     

    Feng Huang Cheng is situated on the western boundary of Hunan Province in an area of outstanding natural beauty where mountains, water and blue skies prevail. Upon entering the town the visitor will be impressed by its air of mystery, elegance and primitive simplicity. This is a world that is dominated by the colour green. The mountain slopes are covered with green foliage, the fields are green and even the Tuo Jiang River reflects the greenery. The bridges over the water and unique houses built on stilts display a harmony that is so often portrayed in traditional Chinese paintings. This is particularly true when mist pervades the scene in the early morning or after rain. It soon becomes apparent that the claim to being one of the two most beautiful towns in the whole of China is more than justified

     

    Zhajiajie in Hunan

     

    Lying on the northwest of Hunan, Zhajiajie is recognized as "a rarely charming belle in the boudoir" by the famous Chinese painter Wu Guanzhong. Zhajiajie is the first National Forest Park in China featured by its unique hills, queer ridges and peaks, tranquil valleys, thrilling streams and abundant plant and animal resources.

     

    As the maze of nature, Zhajiajie is full of spiffy spots, such as the grotesque Zhajiajie Forest Park (including the breathtaking Cloud-picking Terrace, the outstripping Yellow Lion Village, the great Golden Whip Crag, the clear Golden Whip Stream, the dilapidated walls of Yangjiajie), the impressive Mt. Tianzi, the singular Suoxi Gully, the beautiful Maoyan River, the stalwart Mt. Tianmen, and the supernatural Jiutian Cave.

     

    In addition, the tourists take great delight in taking about the Puguang Temple, Yuhuang Cave and some other great human attractions as well as the appealing customs of the local ethnic people. Zhangjiajie also abounds in many rare plants and flowers, including the Chinese dove tree, Chinese tulip tree, ginkgo and five-color flower.