Tourism Resources of Hunan

In the South Central China, along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, lies an old and mysterious land – Hunan. It gets this name as most of its land is on the south of the Dongting Lake, and it is sometimes called “Xiang” for short as the Xiang River rushes northward through this province. According to legend, the Yan Emperor, Chi-You and Emperor Shun ever lived on this land, and up to the present between many beautiful mountains and waters, a good few moving legends on such figures are still going around. A large number of unearthed cultural relics of national treasure class from Mawangdui Han Mausoleum in Changsha make people directly face and feel the breathtaking ancient civilization, and these relics include the 2,000-year-old woman mummy, plain silk gauze, silk manuscripts and silk paintings.

Stepping in Hunan, you will deeply believe in what is written on the horizontal inscribed board hung in Yuelu Academy, the 1,000-year-old institution of higher learning, which reads like this: It Is Really a Land of Talents, Especially in Yuelu Academy. In the eventful modern history, there are already over 200 great figures coming from Hunan, who have promoted the advance of Chinese history, let alone countless historical and cultural celebrities in the ancient time such as the patriotic poet Qu Yuan, the famous Han Fu writer Jia Yi and the Poetic Sage Tu Fu. Mao Tsetung, a great man of the generation, also came from Hunan, and it is he that led China’s revolution with a magnificent and daring spirit and created a brand-new chapter in the history.

Stepping in Hunan, you will find yourself lost in a painting of brilliant mountains and waters full of euphonious sounds and harmonious colors. The primeval and mysterious Wulingyuan will show you the God’s superb craftsmanship with its myriad unique peaks; the verdant virgin forest will greatly amaze you with its leaves and twigs swing between red hoodoo columns of fine and powerful shapes; perhaps you will never forget the imposing wild nature all your life. Long and long tolls echo through the steep and graceful peaks of the misty Mountain Heng, the South Sacred Mountain in China. On the 400-kilometer Dongting Lake, you will see blue waves undulating in fishermen’s songs in the dusk.

Walking on this subtropical land which is dotted with running green waters and exceptionally beautiful mountains, you will always be attracted by the charm of minority groups such as Tujia, Miao, Dong and Yao. The peaceful Peach Blossom Valley, the Nvshu Garden which is the only place that exhibits the only woman script in the world, the ancient Fenghuang Ancient City surrounded by green mountains and waters, Diaojiaolou (stilted houses) with grey tiles that stand by rivers, and maidens washing clothes by clear rivers, are all indistinct amidst the floating clouds and mist just like dreams.

In the process of visitors’ exploration of Hunan, eight hot travel routes have been formed with Changsha as the center and Zhangjiajie as the head, and these routes are as follows: Hunan Landscape, Chu & Xiang Civilization, Religious Culture, Ethnic Customs, Geological Spectacles, Seeking Ancestors, Idyllic Scenery and Celebrities’ Hometown. Along these tourism routes, you will not only appreciate impressive natural and human landscapes, but also experience the recreation fashion guided by Hunan TV channels, taste spicy Hunan cuisine, in addition, bars and other recreational clubhouses of different styles will bring you in a red-blooded and passionate modern Hunan.