Ask a QuestionHunan, meaning a place south to Dongting Lake, is short for its longest river, River Xiang and is also called “the Kingdom of Hibiscus” due to the widely planted hibiscus. TopChinaTravel would like to introduce some of the Best Places to visit in Hunan, to help you find your way to explore the unspoiled beauty of this charming area. Where to visit in Hunan? Travel with us, just let us to be your guide and accompany with you to discover the charms between mountains and customs.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is located in the southern part of Wulingyuan, neighbouring Suoxi Valley and Mount Tianzi Nature Reserve. It covers an area of 4300 hectares with forest coverage of 97%. It has 98 woody plant families which include 517 species, over twice the total found in Europe. Half of the gymnosperm species can be found in the forest park.
It is famous for its unique natural landform of sandstone forest and the spectacle of virgin forest and boasts unique hills, queer ridges and peaks, tranquil valleys, thrilling streams and abundant fauna and flora, all with a hospitable climate.
There are six main scenic spots and over 90 small ones in the park which will enable the visitor to enjoy the magnificent scenery as well as having a lot of excitement and fun. Huangshi Village and Jinbian Stream (Golden Whip Stream) are the two most attractive spots in the forest park.
Mount Tianzi Nature Reserve located in the northwest of Wulingyuan and stands at a position of tripartite confrontation with Zhangjiajie National Park and Suoxi Valley.
Mount Tianzi provides with nearly 100 natural platforms for panoramic sightseeing and has more than 2000 stone peaks and dozens of waterfalls and springs. The sea of clouds, the wavelike stone ranges, the snow covered capes in the winter and the sunrise are most spectacular.
Mount Tianzi Nature Reserve has five main scenic spots including Yubi (an imperial pen) Peak, Fairies Presenting Bouquets, Samurai Horse Trainer, Yubi Platform and the picture of infatuated celestial beings of painting.
Yangjiajie Scenic Area, one of the must-see attractions in Zhangjiajie, is located in the southwest Zhangjiajie, next to the Tianzi Mountain. Few people knew it ten years ago. But world knows it at present.
Thanks to its splendid natural scenery. It is a sacred scene that enjoyed the same fames of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxi Valley and Tianzi Mountain. It is a naturally formed platform mountain, surrounded by higher summits which are divided by deep valleys. Added to this scene is an array of amazing lesser peaks and grotesque rocks.
Main attractions in Yangjiajie Scenic Area include Five-color Flower in Liucui Stream, King of Vine in Old Vine Bay, Cliff Pine Tree, Dragon Spring Waterfall and White Crane Lawn.
Situated in the western border area of Hunan Province, Fenghuang Ancient City is a famous historic and cultural city. It was ever praised as "the most beautiful small city in China" by Rewi Alley, a renowned author in New Zealand.
Lots of virtuous and outstanding personages have been cultivated here from time immemorial. It is divided into two parts: the old town and the new town. The old one leans against hills and faces the crystal-clear Tuojiang River flowing through the city, while the new one is a narrow wooden bridge with a stone pier.
At present, the eastern and northern gate towers are well preserved. Classical characteristics can be found everywhere, including streets paved with bluestone blocks in the city, Diaojiao Buildings at the riverside, as well as Zhaoyang (Rising Sun) Palace, Tianwang (Heaven Gods) Temple, Dacheng Palace, Wanshou (Longevity) Palace and other buildings.
The Southern Great Wall is 10 kilometers away from Fenghuang Ancient City. It was discovered in April 2,000 by archaeologists. The structural and military systems of more than 190 kilometers of this ancient wall were the same as those of the northern Great Wall.
The Southern Great Wall is said to be part of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall built to defend the kingdom against the Miao people of the south. It revolves around mountains and cuts across water.
There are more than 800 whistle terraces, gun emplacements, blockhouses, and outposts used for stationing troops and defending. Now two sections of the wall are still standing: one is in Liaojiaqiao Town and the other in Jixing Town. The section in Liaojiaqiao Town has been renovated 1,780 meters for visitors to appreciate.
Former Residence of Chairman Mao, located in Shaoshan, 104 kilometers from Changsha City, is one of the national AAAA scenic spots.
The residence named Shangwuchang, is located in a valley which is well landscaped. The house that faces the south was built with adobe and grey tile- roofed. It is of a half-timbered structure, and used to be a normal farmer house in the south of China. In the front there are rice fields and pools, in the back there is a hill with diverse trees, on the left there is a vegetable field and on the right there are vegetable fields, rice fields and grain-sunning ground.
The east part of the residence with 14 rooms belonged to Mao's family, whilst the west part with 5 rooms belonged to his neighbors, and the living room was shared by the two families.
When you enter the courtyard, the house is painted a sunny yellow, with mud brick walls, with a nicely thatched roof. Various personal effects of Mao and his parents, as well as photos from Mao's life are shown in the room.
Mount Hengshan, located in Hengyang City, is one of China's Five Sacred Mountains. It is believed to be a holy place of religions, the Civilization Special Area, the Shou Mountain and the most scenic mount of the Five Sacred Mountains in China. It is awarded the National Scenic Spots and the Historical Sites, a model of National Civilized Scenic spots.
Mount Hengshan has always been a favorite destination, a summer resort and leisure place for tourists for its religious reputation and gorgeous landscapes. More than 1,200 kinds of plants, 9 primitive forests, and more than 150 kinds of precious trees were identified in the area.
The Four Wonders of Mount Hengshan: Zhurong Peak, Water Curtain Cave, Fangguang Temple and Sutra Collection Hall are famous for their height, oddity, depth and elegance separately. Mount Hengshan is pleasant for tourists all round the year. They can appreciate exotic flowers in spring, amazing cloud sea in summer, grand sunrise in autumn and flying snow flakes in winter.
Dongting Lake, the relic of the ancient Yunmeng Pool, is very vast and known as the "eight- hundred Li Dong Ting Lake" since ancient times. It is the second largest freshwater lake in China. It straddles Hunan and Hubei province, which ties the Yangtze River in the north and connects Xiang, Zi, Yuan and Feng water in the south.
The name "Dongting" means the abode of fairies and immortals which indicates the beauty of its charming scenery. The most prominent feature of Dongting Lake are lakes outside the lake and mountains outside the mountain. The clouds and mist covers the vast expanse of waters. The waters and skies merge in one color.
Nowadays, tourists still have the chance to appreciate five sceneries of the Eight Grand Sights in Hunan Province which includes the moon on Dongting Lake, sail return from the far away Riverside, the river sky evening snow, wild geese on the sand island, fishing village at sunset, and also the ten sights of Dongting Lake, such as day view, moon shadow, clouds, snow shadow, the shadow of mountain, pagoda, sail, fishing, gulls and also wild geese.
Mount Yuelu has a lot of peaks with exuberant trees and reclusive and precipitous mountain streams. Except for the beautiful natural sceneries, Mount Yuelu is also dotted with lots of famous places and ancient relics, such as Aiwan Pavilion, Lushan Temple, Wangxiang Pavilion, etc…
Yuelu Academy, or Yue Lu Shu Yuan, one of the four greatest academies in ancient China, is situated at the foot of Yuelu Mountain. It has been a divine spot for Confucianism education and a center of culture and literature. During a history of more than one thousand years, there have been countless talented students learning here. It witnessed a great number of patriotic thinkers, politicians, militarists, industrialists and diplomats.
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