Hunan

Author: Editorial Committee of "China Travel Guide"
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Hunan Province is located in southern China and on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. It is called Hunan because most of its territory is south of Dongting Lake. It is also known as Xiang due to the Xiang River flowing through it from north to south. Hunan is a province with a multi-ethnic population, inhabited by 50 ethnic minorities in addition to the Han Chinese, such as the Tujia, Miao, Dong, Yao, and Hui. Hunan has a rich variety of wildlife, distributed widely, with 18 species under Class I national protection, 28 species under Class II protection, and 49 species under Class III protection. Hunan boasts a long history and rich culture, with beautiful landscapes. The provincial capital, Changsha, is a famous city with over 3,000 years of history. It has 10 tourist areas that integrate natural scenery, cultural heritage, and ethnic customs, forming a "East Line, West Area" pattern. The "West Area" primarily features natural landscapes, including four tourist scenic areas: Wulingyuan, Mengdong River, Jishou-Fenghuang, and Taoyuan. The "East Line" focuses on 4,000 years of Chu culture, with numerous historical and cultural relics. Key destinations include Yueyang, Changsha, and Nanyue, covering six tourist areas: Chenzhou, Ningyuan-Jiuyishan, Yongzhou-Wuxi, Yueyang (Yueyang Tower, Dongting Lake), Hengyang-Nanyue, and Changsha-Shoushan. Mount Heng, one of China's Five Sacred Mountains, and Yueyang Tower, one of the Three Famous Towers in Jiangnan, are listed as UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites. Wulingyuan (including Zhangjiajie, Suoxi Valley, and Tianzi Mountain), Mengdong River, known as the "First Rafting in the World," and Shaoshan, the hometown of Mao Zedong, the principal founder of the People's Republic of China, have gained international acclaim and attract global attention. In recent years, Shaoshan has developed the Duidi Cave scenic area, Shaoshan Sun Watching Pavilion, and Mao Zedong Poetry Stele Forest.