Zhangjiajie's Huangshizhai: Majestic Beauty, Terrifying Heights

Hunan province's Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is one of those places that wows the senses. It's defined by its mountains, which are the very definition of vertical. Impossibly thin pillars of stone stretch up toward the heavens, creating the sheerest of cliffs. For centuries this place has captured the attentions of Chinese painters, and more recently has inspired floating mountains in James Cameron's blockbuster film, Avatar. It's obvious why this place was chosen to become China's first national forest park, and accordingly developed to show it off.

Huangshizhai (Yellow Stone Stronghold) is part of the park which exemplifies what Zhangjiajie is about. Huangshizhai is a small village that is perched 800 meters above the base of the mountain, hedged in by overhanging precipices and with the lushest of vegetation sprouting up from its perches. Locals say "if you haven't been to Huangshizhai, then you haven't really visited Zhangjiajie."

A steep hike up to the area takes about three sweaty hours to complete, but most people today opt for the swift five-minute gondola ride which is less scenic, but much easier on the calves.

At its top, Huangshizhai offers a three-kilometer pathway which runs a circuit around the peak. The route offers some of the most beautiful of Zhangjiajie's sights, as well as some of its most terrifying heights.

The pathway system edges along winding curves that at times border a hundred meters or more of free fall. Lookouts may include glass panel flooring or fencing that allows viewers to lean out over distances that are so tall that the distant ground below is obscured from view by passing mists.

In fact, mist (at times heavy) is common in Zhangjiajie's mountain heights. The subtropical climate temperatures range between 10 and 18 degrees throughout the year, and clouds, mist and drizzle all contribute to a moisture level near the saturation point.

The moderate and moist environment allows tropical vegetation to flourish on tiny elevated platforms of rock, often sprouting out of cracked cliff faces.

At the center of Huangshizhai visitors won't find much of a town anymore, but they will find a variety of tourist amenities selling local snacks, crafts and trinkets. People can also enjoy "free" local culture song and dance performances after taking in the mountain's sights. The site has clearly been developed for tourists, but it has clearly been developed well. The treacherous heights that the paths constantly skirt and their well-thought-out design impressively bring the sights of Huangshizhai to the masses.

And the masses do come, with all of their good and bad habits. But even at the busiest of times, the web of Huangshizhai's paths offer corners of solace and stillness to gaze out on fingers of stone poking out of a sea of mist.

Getting to Huangshizhai (Yellow Stone Stronghold(黄石寨)):

From Zhangjiajie train station, catch a bus to Laomuwang. From Laomuwang visitors can either hike up following signs to Huanshizhai, or take a free shuttle bus to the lower cable station to catch the gondola lift.

Fees:
245元to enter National Forest Park (Senlin Gongyuan (森林公园))
50元 to use the gondola lift (1 way)

Source: CRI

A visit to Chairman Mao's birthplace

Shaoshan residents often arrive early in Mao Zedong Square to stand and bow three times before respectfully circling the bronze statue of the former Chinese leader. In Shaoshan village, where Mao was born and raised, he is still a hero and a big part of locals' lives.

"The older villagers still have a deep affection for Chairman Mao," explains Zhou Shengen, 40, who works as a security guard in the square.

For instance, Mao Youlian, 88, is retired but still wakes up at 5:40 am. After washing his face and hands he dresses in formal clothes, with long sleeves - even in summer - and joins others in their tributes to Mao, in the square.

"Many of my neighbors do the same," explains Mao Youlian, who often drops by the former residence of the former leader, which is not far away.

"It's an enjoyable walk for old people like me. We have clean air, a nice environment, and resting places along the way. And more importantly, we can pay our respects to Chairman Mao."

In Shaoshan, nearly every family has Mao's picture or a statue of him in their living room. The streetlights are shaped like shining stars, a common icon in Mao's era.

It has been a unique tradition in Shaoshan for young couples to hold weddings and take their oaths before Mao's bronze statue in the square. Families celebrating the Lunar New Year wish for good fortune before the statue, too.

Villagers have many special ways to remember the late leader, a fellow villager who makes them all proud.

For Zhou, the most exciting event is the annual celebration of Mao's birthday in the square.

On this day, all the villagers will treat themselves and thousands of tourists to a free meal of noodles. Noodles are a traditional food to celebrate birthdays, as people believe long noodles stand for longevity.

The crowds pay tribute to the "Great Helmsman" by leaving behind bouquets at the bronze statue and singing The East is Red.

Some villagers will take along a bowl of pork braised with brown sauce, a favorite dish of Mao.

For Zhou, the work of guarding Mao's bronze statue suits him well. He even gave up a job with a higher salary in 2011.

"But I wish I was born a few decades earlier, so that I would be able to guard the real Chairman Mao when he returned to Shaoshan," Zhou says.

Stories about the former leader were learned at school and from his father, who used to be a soldier. In addition, Zhou loves reading books about Mao during his free time.

"I'm so grateful that Chairman Mao and other revolutionary forerunners made great sacrifices for our nation and gave us our happy lives today," he says.

In his opinion, the offerings and bows of visitors before the statue have nothing to do with superstition but are a traditional way of remembering Mao's merits and achievements.

"He will be an example not only for me, but all future generations in my family," says Mao Anping, who is a nephew of the late chairman and lives in an old house in the village after retiring from the tourist administration bureau several years ago.

Mao Anping says the late chairman never pursued selfish interest for his family or his home village during his lifetime. Thus he has upheld the chairman's principles of unselfishness himself.

"People will not respect you simply because you are a relative of Chairman Mao, they only respect you for what you have done," he says, adding that he won't allow organizations to use Mao's fame to their advantage.

While local residents firmly uphold a culture of praise for the former leader, they have had to keep up with the times.


Village leader Mao Yushi still remembers how difficult it was to change villagers' minds in the 1980s when local authorities decided to boost tourism.

He remembers an elderly villager felt so frustrated at stopping people from running businesses that he cried bitterly in front of a portrait of Mao Zedong.

"They argued that opening private businesses was against socialism and would bring shame to Chairman Mao," the village head explains.

He later went to villagers' houses to talk them into emancipating themselves from old shackles and embrace non-public sectors of the economy.

The situation changed gradually. Now almost all of the 450 households earn a decent income running restaurants or inns, or vending souvenirs like Mao badges or statues. Many locals have linked the name of their businesses with the late chairman.

"No matter how rich the villagers get, Chairman Mao's spirit will always be our biggest source of wealth.

We won't stop passing down his stories and spirit to future generations in Shaoshan," says Mao Yushi, the village head.

Source: By Liu Xiangrui (China Daily)

Tourists enjoy scenery of Xiangxi, Hunan

Tourists visit the Wangcun Waterfall in the Furong Town scenic spot in Xiangxi Tu and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central Hunan Province, July 10, 2012. The prefecture received 8.5089 million tourists in the first half of this year, a soar of 24.96 percent year on year. The toursim revenues in this period stood at 4.596 billion yuan (71.9 million US dollars), up 24.05 percent over the same period of last year.


Tourists enjoy scenery of the ancient town of Fenghuang in Fenghuang County of Xiangxi Tu and Miao Autonomous Prefecture,  Hunan Province, July 11, 2012.


Tourists visit an ancient gate tower in the ancient town of Fenghuang in Fenghuang County of Xiangxi Tu and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central Hunan Province, July 12, 2012.


Tourists visit the ancient town of Fenghuang in Fenghuang County of Xiangxi Tu and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, July 12, 2012.


Tourists visit the Furong Town scenic spot in Xiangxi Tu and Miao Autonomous Prefecture.


Tourists walk on an ancient alley in the ancient town of Fenghuang in Fenghuang County of Xiangxi Tu and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, central Hunan Province, July 11, 2012. The prefecture received 8.5089 million tourists in the first half of this year, a soar of 24.96 percent year on year. The toursim revenues in this period stood at 4.596 billion yuan (71.9 million US dollars), up 24.05 percent over the same period of last year. (Source: Xinhua/Long Hongtao)

Over 1000-year-old Shanggantang Village

Photos taken on May 5, 2012 shows Shanggantang Village near Xiemu River in Jiangyong County, central China's Hunan Province. Shanggantang Village, with a history of more than 1,000 years, locates at 25 kilometers southwest of Jiangyong and has more than 400 families. Most of the villagers are surnamed Zhou. Until now, there still remains more than 200 resident houses and a number of other historical relics built in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. (Xinhua/Li Ga)

Rainy scenery in Fenghuang County

Tourists enjoy the scenery in boats on Tuojiang River by the ancient town of Fenghuang in Fenghuang County of Xiangxi Tu and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan province, April 29, 2013. Fenghuang witnessed rainfall on Monday, the first day of the three-day Labor Day holiday. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)

The old town of Phoenix

The old town of Phoenix is like an impressive community living on the banks of the Tuojiang River.  The town is situated on the western boundary of Hunan Province.

The unique lifestyle has long fascinated visitors, as has the town's enchanting scenery and peaceful atmosphere. It's free to enter the old town but some cultural relic buildings and notable residents' homes still have admission charges.

Source: Photo/bbs.fengniao

New entry fees for scenic town

Authorities in Fenghuang county, Hunan province, reduced student ticket prices for its scenic old town and gave more people free entry amid rising pressure from netizens and small businesses who protested the tourist site's new paid-entry requirement.

Tourists have been charged 148 yuan ($23.93) for a ticket to visit the old town since April 10. Entry was previously free.
Cai Long, deputy head of the county government, said on Tuesday that the new ticketing policy will not be abandoned. He said it helps to better protect the site and ensures a more pleasant experience for tourists.

Starting April 20, Cai said, students with a valid ID or student card only need to pay 20 yuan for a ticket to the old town of Fenghuang, which has stood for at least 300 years. The current student admission charge is 80 yuan.

He said the government has also adjusted its free-entry policy, which now applies to two additional counties in Xiangxi in addition to residents of the Tujia-Miao autonomous prefecture, which now applies to all residents in Huaihua, Tongren, two neighboring cities of Fenghuang apart from local residents from Xiangxi
Tujia-Miao autonomous prefecture (Fenghuang was a part of the prefecture).

Cai said the government received 40 yuan from each ticket, adding that revenue from the tickets will go to the town's maintenance work.

He said that the abundance of tourists generated heavy traffic and an excessive amount of trash.

Gong Fuyun, who has been running a hostel in the Fenghuang old town for more than eight years, said he hopes the new entry charge will "bring some positive changes".

Gong said the government has started repairing the roads and banning non-local vehicles from entering the old town.

Cai from the county government added that about 3 billion yuan will be allocated to infrastructure improvement and other management work in the old town by the end of 2015.

Fenghuang is not the first such site to begin charging admission fees. The entry price for the ancient town of Pingyao in Shanxi province is 150 yuan on ordinary days and 160 yuan during Spring Festival.

However, the new policy in Fenghuang has sparked fierce debate and protests since its implementation.

Yuan Yulai, a lawyer who specializes in administrative law, took to his official Sina Weibo account on Saturday to call for a boycott of Fenghuang, which won support of many netizens.

Many shop owners and small traders in Fenghuang closed their shops on Thursday in a strike protesting the decision to charge for entry.

Du Xiaoli, who works for a travel agency in Fenghuang that helps tourists book hotels, said reservations had decreased by at least 70 percent compared with the same period last year despite April normally being the peak season for travel to the old town.

Wang Jianmin, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Tourism Research Center, said the government of Fenghuang is defending its ticket policy with "a lousy excuse".

"There are many other available measures to limit tourist numbers, such as asking tourists to make reservation one day before a visit and establishing a maximum daily capacity of tourists," he said.

"Tourists need to pay taxes on accommodation and food at tourist sites, so the government of Fenghuang is guaranteed sufficient money for its preservation work."
Source: By He Dan in Beijing and Wen Xinzheng in Changsha (China Daily)

Entrance Fee to Ancient Town Hurting Tourism

The introduction of an entry fee for an ancient scenic town in Hunan province has led to a sharp decline in tourists, and Chinese Internet users say the policy discourages visitors.

"We have begun to witness the impact of the new policy," a female employee at March Inn in Fenghuang county, which is well known for its historical and scenic attractions, said on Sunday. She declined to give her name.

"All the rooms in my hostel were usually booked up during weekends in the past, but this weekend we have seen a sharp drop in guests and reservation. There are far fewer tourists on the streets than before."

According to an online poll by Sina, one of China's most popular news websites, nearly 93 percent of respondents said they will not go to Fenghuang because of the charge. The poll had drawn nearly 90,000 participants by late Sunday.

Six percent said they do not care about the policy since they are not interested in visiting Fenghuang.
Only 1 percent said they will go to the ancient town regardless of the cost.

Tourism is Fenghuang'a main industry. According to the county government, Fenghuang received around 2.3 million travelers and earned 5.3 billion yuan ($856 million) in tourism revenue last year. The industry provided more than 20,000 jobs, and about 60,000 people make a living by serving tourists.

To "regulate the tourism market", the county issued a ticket policy on Wednesday that stipulates tourists must pay an entrance fee of 148 yuan to visit the old town of Fenghuang, which includes admission to 10 scenic areas.

Entry to the town used to be free but tourists had to buy tickets for each scenic spot they visited.
The measure has sparked a backlash from businesses and tourists.

"The policy's results are not very clear since it just took effect, but I think it will have a substantial impact on us in the long run," said the owner of Bianke Cafe, who only gave his surname Cai.

"As far as I know, some hostels have begun to receive calls from people wanting to cancel their reservation.

The number of customers to my cafe has also been declining over the weekend compared with the past."

Concerned business owners staged a protest on Thursday, blocking access to tourist sites and requesting authorities adjust the charge policy.

The crowd was later dispersed by law enforcement officers, and four people involved in a physical conflict with officers were taken away by police, Cai Long, deputy head of the county government, said on Saturday.

He said the policy was introduced to regulate the tourism market and will help to protect the old town and benefit business in the long run.

Meanwhile, Zhao Haifeng, executive deputy head of Fenghuang county, said the government is aware of the policy's effect on small businesses and will take measures to assist them.

"It is inevitable that hostels will receive less independent tourists than before, and reforms will definitely produce some pains," he said. "During this process, the government is going to help those affected overcome difficulties."

However, business owners remain skeptical toward the policy and its possible consequences.

"The government never contacted or negotiated with us before the policy was made, and we have not seen any concrete efforts by the government to help us," the employee at March Inn said.

"Authorities claim that one of the measure's intentions is to address 'illegal businesses and irregular operations' in the tourism market, and I am OK with that. But I think the ultimate solution to those problems is to help people get better jobs rather than taking their bread."

Source: china daily

Green waters, black magic in Fenghuang, Hunan Province

Nobody knows who gave the name Phoenix to the picturesque town on the western border of central China's Hunan province, but it lives up to the name in beauty and mystery. Written about by Shen Congwen in the 1934 novella Border Town, Fenghuang, (which means phoenix), has since become a place of many travelers' dreams.

The town and its surrounding area are famous for natural beauty, colorful culture, their history and the Miao people's black magic.

Early in the day before 7 am is the best time to photograph this green city, when there are few people on the streets and views along the Tuojiang River, which winds its way through the old town, are ethereally beautiful.

Here are some of the city's main attractions:

1. Former residence of Shen Congwen

Phoenix is known across China through the writing of Shen. Although he left the town at the age of 15 he continued to eulogize it throughout his life and today his former home is the city's main tourist attraction.

It is said Shen's grandfather built the courtyard home in 1866 on the site of another building that he had torn down, after resigning from the Qing government.

The home consists of two parts separated by a patio. With wings on each end, the building looks both delicate and striking, and is a good example of architecture from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.

Some original furniture remains inside the house, which is displayed alongside Shen family photographs and some of the poet's manuscripts.

2. Boating on the Tuojiang River

Winding like a green snake through the city's old town, the banks of the Tuojiang River are lined with picturesque houses on stilts and beyond them are mountains.

Boating on the river is an excellent way to take in the old town's beauty. At times the view from the river can look like a Chinese painting, with soft lines and warm colors. And at dusk the setting sun gilds the water's surface and silhouettes the surrounding buildings.

Boat rides begin at the North Gate and head downstream past Hongqiao Bridge, Wanming Tower and Wanshou Palace, each of which is worth a visit. Hongqiao Bridge, was built early in the Ming Dynasty, more than 600 years ago.

3. Miao villages

A trip to one of the Miao villages scattered around Phoenix is a must. The Miao ethnic group is famous across China for delicate handmade silver jewelry, including distinctive silver hats and necklaces that the women wear on special occasions.

Miao women are said to practice black magic, which often features in Chinese martial arts novels. The truth behind this is a real skill in making poisons using the venom of spiders, snakes and centipedes.

According to Miao tradition, if a body is buried in a bad area, Miao men can raise the corpse from the ground using ancient rituals and have it follow them to be laid to rest in a better location. Some villages around Phoenix perform tourist shows of this ancient belief.

The Miao Museum in Phoenix is a good place to learn more about Miao culture and black magic beliefs.

4. Qiliang cave

Four kilometers north of Phoenix, this 6,000 meter-long cave is home to a surreal collection of oddly shaped rocks, stalagmites and stalactites interspersed with springs and waterfalls. The cave is split into several areas, called ancient battlefield, gallery, paradise and dragon palace. A third of the cave's length has been developed as a tourist attraction.

5. The Ancient Town Museum

Housed in the former home of Chen Baozhen, a reformist senior official of the late Qing government, this museum showcases the history of the Chen family and Phoenix, and includes a sound and light show on the region's geography.

The Chen family has held a prominent place in Chinese history. Chen Baozhen's son Chen Sanli was a famous poet at the beginning of the Republic of China, his grandson Chen Hengke was a well-known painter and another family member Chen Maoke was a prominent historian.

The house covers more than 1,600 square meters and is over a century old.

Source: China Daily

Wulingyuan Geopark in Zhangjiajie

Wulingyuan Geopark is of scenic and historic interest. Located in Zhangjiajie City, about 270km away from the provincial capital of Changsha, in Hunan Province, this geopark is famous for its numerous quartzite sandstone pillars. Some of the over 3,100 pillars in this karst formation reach for the sky at over 800 meters tall. The Wulinyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area is made up of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the Tianzishan mountain ranges, Bao Feng Hu and the Suoxi Valley.

Source: china.org

Traditions and celebrations

There are a thousand ways to celebrate Spring Festival or Lunar New Year because of the vastness of the country. We track from north to south and from east to west to give you four different ways.

Harbin in Northeast China offers you the coldest ice sculptures and frozen pears with the hottest yangko dance and dumplings. Sanya in South China brings the warmest tropical wind and bluest ocean.

In Hunan's Fenghuang ancient town, the starlight-like river lanterns lead you into the most poetic scene. At Shanxi's Qikou township, the roaring Yellow River, accompanied by the cracking of ice, thrills you with the best of nature.

Harbin, Heilongjiang

Dubbed "Paris of the Orient", Harbin carries the post-Christmas joy right up to Lunar New Year.

The provincial capital of Heilongjiang province in Northeast China still maintains some traces of Western lifestyle and more than 200 fine examples of Russian architecture in town.

But come Spring Festival, the city blends Eastern and Western elements to perfection. The highlight is the annual Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, bringing with it ice sculptures, on-ice performances and entertainment galore.

From Lunar New Year's eve right up to the 15th day of the first month in lunar calendar, every family has a red lantern in their home. Locals and visitors are treated to the yangko dance, a form of folk dance popular in northern China. The dance is so contagious that tourists are not expected to remain observers for long, but to join the dancers and have a good time.

Like most Chinese, local Harbin residents pay special attention to family reunion dinner on the eve of Lunar New Year. The meal must include the "big four" - chicken, fish, ribs and pork leg. If any of the "big four" is missing, it is not considered a reunion dinner with Northeast flavor.

And of course, dumpling is the most important food on the dinner table. The filling can range from sauerkraut to pork, shallot and lamb, and tomato and egg.

Making dumplings with family members is the best bonding activity, and the fastest way for new friends to warm up. Some families will also put a few coins into some of the dumplings. There is a belief that those who chance upon the "fortune dumplings" will be blessed with good luck throughout the coming year.

After a sumptuous dinner, sink your teeth into a frozen pear - a genius creation that can only be inspired by a temperature of -30 C.

Sanya, Hainan

If you are not coping with the cold in North China very well, you will love Sanya in South China. Celebrating Lunar New Year in the tropics is equally exciting.

Nature has blessed Sanya with the best weather, the freshest air, the sunniest sunshine, the bluest ocean and the most delicious seafood. Staying in the island makes you forget about time.

Yalong Bay is a half-moon-shaped bay of 7.5 km in Southeast Sanya. Sand here is soft and glitters under the sun, while the sea is blue and as clear as crystal, with an average temperature of 25 C, making it an ideal year-round swimming paradise.

You may also consider having your wedding portraits done in Sanya. With the breathtaking scenery, you are guaranteed the best and most memorable photographs.

Fenghuang, Hunan

With a name that means "phoenix", you can be assured of a remarkable Spring Festival celebration in this ancient small town in western Hunan province.

The locals keep to the traditional way of celebrating the Lunar New Year. Before reunion dinner, they will have a ceremony to worship their ancestors and after dinner, the older generations in the family will distribute hongbao or red envelops with money to children. And everyone stays up until the wee hours of the morning to usher in the New Year.

Fenghuang cuisine is mainly hot and sour, which makes you perspire as you savor the dishes. The names of the dishes, such as potted mushrooms and sour soup tofu, are enough to make you salivate.

Customs like making sausages and sweet wine, and shopping on the New Year Miao ethnic market remain very much alive.

The most interesting tradition is to float the river lantern. People gather on the Tuojiang River, put the paper-made lanterns on the water surface, light the candles and let the river takes the lanterns and the wishes of the people to wherever it flows. At midnight of New Year's eve, the local government will let off large-scale fireworks, which last for 40 minutes and are really a feast for the eyes.

From the first day to the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, there are also all kinds of performances and galas from various organizations and villages on Phoenix Congwen Square.

Qikou, Shanxi

The Qikou township is a remote town along the Yellow River in Shanxi's Linxian county. Its location at the boundary of Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces gives it the rich culture and characteristics of both the places.

At Qikou, you can watch the ice floating along the Yellow River during the Spring Festival. The Yellow River looks like a huge snake that is casting off its skin. The ice cracks and rumbles like a rock concert on the river.

You can hide in one corner and daydream, or you can sit on heated adobe bed and learn to make cloth tiger and paper-cut decorations from local villagers.

Source: By Zhang Zixuan (China Daily)

Top attractions in Hunan, China

Hunan is a fantastic part of China that counts many famous scenic spots. Among these, the best-known include: Dongting Lake, the Yueyang Padoga, Fenhuang Ancient Town and the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area where the gorgeous Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is located.

 The following are the top 10 attractions that Hunan Province has on offer.

Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area（武陵源自然风景区）

The Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area is located in Zhangjiajie City, about 265 kilometers (164.66 miles) away from the provincial capital of Changsha, Hunan Province.

Covering an area of more than 26,000 hectares, Wulingyuan is composed of the world-famous Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the Tianzishan mountain range and the Suoxi Valley, which all together offer visitors a large number and variety of scenic sights. It is known for its beautiful forests, odd-shaped rock formations, exquisite canyons, limestone caves and jaw-droppingly stuning panoramic views. It is also home to a wide number of endangered plant and animal species.

The area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.

Admission: 248 yuan (US$39.22)/person

 Mount Heng（衡山）

Located some 45 kilometers (27.96 miles) north from Hengyang City, Mount Heng is one of the five famous Chinese mountains in China. Thanks to its favorable climate, it enjoys a reputation of being "the most outstanding amongst all five." The mountain stretches out over 150 kilometers (93.21 miles), with a total of 72 peaks.

Mount Heng features dense forests, flowers, bamboo and serene gullies, all surrounded by the clouds and fog. The place looks like it comes straight out of a fairytale. It has good scenery throughout all four seasons, with a flower market in spring, a summery sea of clouds, a sensational autumn sunrise l and a white winter wonderland.

Admission:100 yuan (US$15.84)/person

Fenghuang Ancient Town（凤凰古城）

Located on the western edge of Hunan Province next to Guizhou, Fenghuang Ancient Town, also known as Phoenix Ancient Town, is one of the most beautiful towns in China.

With a l history of 1,300 years, the town features distinct residential buildings, elegant bridges plus several mysterious towers and pagodas. Upon entering the town, the visitor will immediately get a sense of the area's mystery, elegance and primitive simplicity. When an early morning mist sets in around the bridges over the water and stilted houses, the area simply becomes a mirror of traditional Chinese paintings.

Visiting a Miao village is a must when traveling in Fenghuang. Visitors will find a large array of silver ornaments, homemade tie-dyes, and unique local snacks there.

Admission:186 yuan (US$29.47)/person

Mount Lang（崀山）

Located in Xingning County, Shaoyang City, Hunan Province, Mount Lang is a scenic area close to Guilin of Guangxi in the south and Zhangjiajie of Hunan in the north. It features a galaxy of Danxia landforms. Huge deep red rocks in various bizarre shapes present tourists with a marvelous view.

Including Mount Lang, a total of six Chinese areas were named UNESCO Natural World Heritage in 2010 because of their Danxia landforms. The other five are: Mount Danxia in Guangdong Province, Taining in Fujian Province, Mount Longhu in Jiangxi Province, Chishui in Guizhou Province and Mount Jianglang in Zhejiang Province.

The mountain is covered by dense vegetation, with clear streams flowing through, which have attracted a great number of animals. The whole area is divided into five partscalled Purple Glow Land, Fuyi River, Camel Peak, Ox Nose Castle and Octagonal Castle, respectively.

Admission:130 yuan (US$20.6)/person

Yueyang Tower（岳阳楼）

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

The tower was first built around 220 during China's Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), when Lu Su, commander in chief of the forces of Wu, was sent to the area to fortify it and he trained the fleet there. The main tower bears a flying eave and helmet roof with wooden constructions in a unique style.

Standing on the tower, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Dongting Lake.

Admission: Free

Dongting Lake（洞庭湖）

Located in northern Hunan Province, Dongting Lake is the second largest fresh water lake in China, which is usually praised as "the picturesque Dongting Lake with 400 kilometer span." The lakeside Yueyang Tower is one of the four famous Chinese towers.

There is an island located right in the lake named Junshan where, or so legend has it, two wives of the ancient Shun Di Emperor, Ehuang and Nuying, died to become goddesses of the Xiangjiang River after searching thousands of miles for their husband.

The vast lake, the famous tower, the mysterious island and the legend, all these have made the lake a popular site throughout the decades.

Admission: Free

Mawangdui（马王堆）

Mawangdui is an archaeological site located in Changsha, Hunan Province. The site consists of two saddle-shaped small hills, set20 meters apart, that are connected to each other underground.

Mawangdui contains the tombs of three people from the western Han Dynasty (206 BC–9 AD), including Marquis Li Cang, his wife, and a male who is believed to be their son. The site was excavated from 1972 to 1974.

Tombs No.1 and No. 2 have been filled, and only tomb No. 3 is open to visitors. Most of the artifacts from Mawangdui are now on display at the Hunan Provincial Museum, which is free to visit.

Admission: 2 yuan (US$0.32)/person

Juzi Island（橘子洲）

Juzi Island, also known as Ju Island or Orange Island, is a shoal located in the center of Xiangjiang River, opposite Hunan's capital city of Changsha. It was named after the oranges scattered across the island during the harvesting season.

Formed in 305, the island got its name in the six century, from the poem of a famous poet in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). At 140 meters long and 40 meters wide, the island looks like a huge green vessel, covered in a carpet of flourishing trees. It is believed to be the largest inland islet in the world and is now a popular site for summer relaxing in Changsha as temperatures never go soaring high, not even May to July.

Admission: Free

Yuelu Academy（岳麓书院）

The Yuelu Academy is located on the eastern side of Yuelu Mountain in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, found on the western bank of the Xiangjiang River. It was established in 976, the 9th year of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), under the reign of Emperor Kaibao, and was one of China's four most prestigious academies of the past 1,000 years. Renowned Confucian scholars Zhu Xi and Zhang Shi both lectured at the academy.

Since 1926, the academy has become a part of Hunan University. It is now a research center for humanities, social sciences and Chinese studies.

Admission: 50 yuan (US$7.91)/person

Peach Blossom Land（桃花源）

Peach Blossom Land, located at 23 kilometers (14.29 miles) from Changde City, is a fairytale land described by Tao Yuanming (365-427), a famous poet of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (316-420).

With a history of more than 1,600 years, the area now has become a famous tourist site. It features beautiful mountains, peach forests, fields, temples, as well as the mystique of many wonderful legends. It has nearly 100 spots and four great scenic areas, including the Taoxian Ridge, Taoyuan Mountain, Taohua Mountain and Qinren Village. Every year, the area witnesses a peach blossom party which is an important festival in Hunan.

Admission: High season: 75 yuan (US$11.88)/person (March-October)

                     Low season: 65 yuan (US$10.3)/person (November-February)

Source: china.org by Xu Lin