Huaihua Travel Guide
Huaihua City is located in the southwestern part of Hunan Province. It is "the Dong Culture Tourism Zone of China",with Dong culture tours in the lead, and the tours of scenic spots and historic sites and the forest resorts as the important contents.
Facts of Huaihua
Chinese Name: 怀化市 (huái huà shì)
Population: 5,000,000
Area: 27,600 square kilometers (10,656 square miles)
Nationalities: Han, Dong, Miao
Administrative Division: 1 district (Hecheng); 5 counties (Yuanling, Chenxi, Xupu, Zhongfang, Huitong); 5 autonomous counties (Mayang Miao Autonomous County, Xinhuang Dong Autonomous County, Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County, Jingzhou Miao and Dong Autonomous County, Tongdao Dong Autonomous County); 1 county-level city (Hongjiang)
Seat of the City Government: 665, Yingfeng Zhong Lu, Hecheng District
History of Huaihua
Huaihua was in the late Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC) that the Chu State expanded its domain southward to Hunan and administrative organizations began to be formally established in this area. During the Warring State period (476BC-221BC), Qianzhong Shire was set up here, and the territory of present Huaihua City is essentially the same as in that period.a
Geography of Huaihua
Location: Situated in the southwest region of Hunan Province, Huaihua City is bordered by Guangxi Province in the south and Guizhou Province in the west. Within the province, it is near Shaoyang, Loudi, Yiyang, Changde, Zhangjiajie, and Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture.
Physical Features: The city lies between the Xuefeng Mountains and Wuling Mountains, with mountainous areas making up a large part of Huaihua. Mountains are found mainly in the east and west, and the central region consists of ravines, plains and hills. The Yuanshui River flows through the region from south to north. Huaihua is a veritable green city, with sixty-five percent of its territory covered by forests.
What to see in Huaihua?
The tourist attractions in Huaihua are divided into the north, central and south sections. Those in the north feature folklore of the Dong and Miao ethnic groups and beautiful natural scenery. There are the Fenghuang Mountain Scenic Area, the Eyou Mountain Scenic Area and the Wuxi Lake with a thousand islets in it; those in the central part feature historic structures of the Dong and Miao ethnic groups, such as ancient trade city of Hongjiang, an ancient village of Gaoyi, the ancient city of Qiancheng, the ancient village of Jingping and the sheltered bridge in Longjin; those in the south are fairyland-like villages of minority peoples. Visitors can appreciate the drum towers, sheltered bridges, roadside pavilions and ancient cottages, all particular to the local inhabitants of the Dong and Miao ethnic groups. Mountains there echo with the singing of the “Grand Song” of the Dong people and the love songs of the Miao people. Top Attractions are listed as below:
When to visit Huaihua?
The area of Huaihua has a subtropical, humid, monsoon climate featuring rich rainfall and moderate weather all the year around. The annual average temperature falls round 16.8℃ (62.2℉). The city can be visited at any time during the year and is at its best in spring, summer and autumn.
How to get to Huaihua?
Huaihua has well-developed network of air routes, railways and highways that reaches out to major cities in Hunan Province and other regions in China. Special tourist buses take visitors to every place of interest in the city.
By Air
Zhijiang Airport of Huaihua is located in Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County. At present it has regular flights to Changsha, Guangzhou and other large cities in China. The airport shuttle bus starts from the municipal government building and Huaihua Hotel at 3:30p.m. and 4:00p.m.
Zhijiang Airport Information: (86)745-6838888
Ticket Office: (86)745-2253777
By Railway
The long-distance trains that pass through Huaihua go to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing. Some short-distance trains reach to Changsha, Zhangjiajie, Zhuzhou and other cities in Hunan Province.
By Highway
There are three bus stations: the Central, South and West. Travelers can take the bus to Yuanling, Zhijiang and other places.
Huaihua Central Bus Station: (86)745-2260414
Huaihua West Bus Station: (86)745-2224016
Huaihua South Bus Station: (86)745-2360215
Huaihua Travel Tips
Local Highlights: festivals
Lusheng Festival: in Dong villages around Chongyang Festival (the ninth day of the ninth lunar month)
Dujuan (Azaleas) Festival: during late April to mid-May in Huangyan Tourist Holiday Resort
Dragon Boat Festival: the twelfth to the fourteenth day of the fifth lunar month in Yuanling
Special Local Products: engraved candied fruit of Jingzhou, brocade of Dong ethnic minority in Tongdao, mint crisp cake of Zhijiang, candy oranges of Qianyang, Jietan Tea of Yuanling
Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0745-2720768
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
Bank of China Huaihua Branch: 9, Yingfeng Dong Lu, Hecheng District
China Post Huaihua Branch: 48, Renmin Nan Lu, Hecheng District
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