An Introduction to Hunan Province 湖 南 省 简 介

Abbreviation: Xiang湘
Capital: Changsha
Area: More than 210,000 square kilometers
Population: 65.64 million
Location: In central-south China

Hunan Province has a history of nearly 3,000 years. Its industries include nonferrous metallurgy, iron and steel, machinery, electric power, coal, textiles, chemicals, electronics, and food processing. Special local products are Xiang embroidery and porcelain.

Liu Shaoqi Memorial Museum刘少奇纪念馆

The Memorial Museum of Liu Shaoqi (1898-1969) was listed in 2001 as one of the first batch of 4A-class tourism resorts by the National Tourism Administration of China. The museum consists of the former residence, the memorial hall, the bronze statue of Liu Shaoqi, and the square. The residence was renovated in 1980 to appear in its original state as when Liu was born in 1898. Twelve photos and 178 utensils are exhibited in the residence, vividly reflecting Liu’s living conditions when he was a child and a young man. The Memorial Hall includes a lobby and eight exhibition rooms, where 605 photos and 188 relics or replicas are placed to display Liu’s revolutionary career. The 7.1-meter-high bronze statue was built on the square 100 meters from the memorial hall. In recent years, new scenic spots have been built in the neighbourhood, making the memorial museum both a sacred place of the revolution and a tourist attraction.

The Southern Great Wall 南方长城

In Fenghuang (Phoenix) County, this section of the Southern Great Wall has similar defensive functions and structures as the Ming-dynasty Great Wall in north China. Located at the border of Hunan and Guizhou, the Southern Great Wall starts at Xiqueying Village of Guzheng County and ends at the Tingziguan Pass with a total length of more than 190 kilometers. According to the textual research, by the specialists, the Southern Great Wall was first built in 1615 at a tremendous financial cost. Mostly constructed on high and precipitous ridges, 4,000-5,000 soldiers used to be stationed along this section of the Southern Great Wall.

The Yandi Mausoleum 炎帝陵

Yandi, also known as Shennong神农, was one of the original five legendary rulers. Emperor Yandi and Emperor Huangdi have been regarded as the ancestors of the Chinese nation炎帝为我国传说中的古帝.The Yandi Mausoleum is located in Hunan Province’s Yanling County炎陵县(the then Lingxian County酃县). Legend tells that Yandi taught his people how to farm, weave cloth and make earthen wares史称其教民耕农.To cure people’s diseases, Yandi tasted different medicinal herbs尝百草，发明医药, and unfortunately died of poisonous herbs. As the inventor of farming civilization, Chinese people have remembered Yandi from generation to generation for his pioneering spirit and selfless devotion.

The Yandi Mausoleum was built before the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). Emperors of different dynasties offered sacrifices to Yandi every year. Memorial activities were also popular among the people. In 1986, the Hunan provincial government renovated the main hall of the Yandi Mausoleum. Party and State leaders have written inscriptions for the mausoleum. As an important cultural relic under state protection, the Yandi Mausoleum has attracted overseas Chinese, who come here to “seek roots” and take part in various cultural activities. Overseas tourists also come here to attend the memorial ceremony and visit such scenic spots as Jinggang Mountains and the Peach Blossom Cave State Forest Park.

Yueyang Tower 岳阳楼

Standing in the western part of Yueyang City, the majestic Yueyang Tower overlooks Dongting Lake and faces Junshan Islet in the distance. It is one of the three famous towers south of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River, the other two being Huanghe Tower in Wuchang and Tengwang Pavilion in Nanchang. The predecessor of Yueyang Tower was a platform on which Lu Su, a general of Wu State (222-280) duringt the Three Kingdoms period, reviewed the navy in training. The tower was first built in 716. Both Li Bai and Du Fu, master poets of the Tand Dynasty descended it and composed poems there. In 1045 during the Nothern Song Dynasty, Yueyang Tower was reconstructed, and Fan Zhongyan, a man of letters, was invited to write Notes on Yue yang Tower. “Being the first to show concern for the people and the last to enjoy comforts,” a line from Fan’s masterpiece essay, has made Yueyang Tower known through the ages. The tower has undergone many renovations but it maintains its architectural style and appearance. The tower we see today is a three-story wooden structure with four columns, upturned eaves, and a helmet-style top. It is a major historical relic under state protection.

Zhangjiajie Scenic Area 张家界风景区

Zhangjiajie Scenic Area is situated at the juncture of Zhangjiajie City, Sangzhi County and Cili County. Zhangjiajie scenic area together with the neighbouring Suoxiyu belonging to Wulingyuan Scenic Area lie in the northwest Hunan Province. There are immense forests of ancient trees, with more than 2,000 marvellous peaks. They are concentrated on the characteristics of strangeness, wildness, loftiness, perilousness, peacefulness, and elegance集中了奇﹑野﹑峻﹑险﹑幽﹑秀。The sheer precipices and overhanging rocks and towering aloft of the Qingbianyan Huangshizhai (at an elevation of 1,334 meters, the summit) are very projecting. In 1982, it was designated as a National Forest Park. It encompasses 13,000 square kilometers. The entire area is a primitive limestone landscape, home to over 500 species of trees and animals. Rare trees include the gingko, dove tree and dawn redwood, fauna ranges from civet cats and monkeys to game, birds, and salamanders. It is also home to three ethnic groups—Tujia, Bai and Miao, which together make up approximately 70％ of the local population. Although influenced by China’s dominant Han culture, these ethnic group people maintain much of their traditional culture, including the language, festivals, clothing, and architectural styles as well. UNESCO inscribed the Wulingyuan scenic area, Hunan Province on the World Heitage List in 1992.

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