Hunan is a province famed throughout China for its magnificent tourism draw. It is only a matter of time before this province is known throughout the world. A capital city bursting with life and flavour, beyond-picturesque ancient towns, and without question one of the worlds most insane natural landscapes – Zhangjiajie. What more could you ask for? So brave the spice and heights and take your time exploring this wonderfully rewarding region.
Changsha
The provincial capital of Hunan is known for it’s fiery cuisine, innovative attitude (the city has over 100 research institutions and engineering laboratories), entertaining aura and impressive history (traced back to at least 3,000 years). The city’s rich historical heritage discernible in old wall remnants, tomb sites and ancient religious temples earn Changsha a mention alongside some of China’s bigger and more travel-worn cities. Changsha is sure to rouse a spark within every visitor.
Orange Island is one of Changsha’s most famous attractions. The world’s longest inland river island, Orange Island is about as distinctive as they come: the island has a huge Mao Zedong statue smack-bang in the middle of it. Changsha is the home of Mao Zedong: one of modern history’s most influential figures (and certainly China’s most prominent).
Be sure to visit the Hunan Provincial Museum to get up-to-scratch with the regions ancient history. Housing thousands of relics including mummies, silk products, paintings, lacquer works, potteries, weapons and more, the museum is a real gem. Head to the Tongguanyao Ancient Town and soak in the vibes of former Changsha.
Changsha is not without it’s own natural drawcards. Shiyan Lake is a suburban ecological park bursting at the seams with activities: karting, horse riding, tour boats, paintball, dragon boat competitions and more… Yuelu Mountain is a stunning place to enjoy the autumn foliage and photograph picturesque pavilions. If you are afforded the luxury of choice, a visit to the Hunan Forestry Botanical Garden in mid March to mid April is a cherry blossom wonderland. If you find yourself visiting outside of the cherry blossom period, the garden has plenty of flora on show all year round.
Zhangjiajie
Zhangjiajie is a town located in the north of Hunan. The name may be a bit of a tongue-twister, but the scenery here is a mind-bender. Skip a visit to Zhangjiajie at your own regretful expense: the landscape here exceeds all superlatives – we will let the pictures do the talking. It is a real sin that Zhangjiajie is not listed on all of the “must see before you die” and “greatest places on Earth” internet lists: Zhangjiajie is without question one of the world’s (let alone China’s) most dramatic and incomprehensible natural wonders.
When most people mention Zhangjiajie, they are probably referring to the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is huge, and you will most likely need (and want) a few days to explore the area. The sheer size of the area is mind-blowing, with around 250 peaks and more than 3,000 pinnacles and spires dominating the landscape. The national park is understandably nicknamed the “Hallelujah Mountains” (yep, from the movie Avatar).
When within the national park, take a ride on the Bailong Elevator: not only is the elevator a great way to save a bit of time, it is also the world’s tallest and fastest outdoor lift (326 meters, or 1,070 feet, in 66 seconds…)
The Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon is a bit off the main area of the national park and is home to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge: the world’s tallest and longest glass bridge. The bridge dangles 400 meters (1,312 feet) above the valley floor. If standing on the bridge itself doesn’t get your heart pumping, you can bungee jump (the world’s highest, of course) off it… (yeah, we will skip that).
Tianmen Mountain sits apart from the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park but is without doubt equally impressive. Hitch a ride on the world’s longest cable car (with a length of 7,455 meters – or 24,458 feet) to reach the summit of the mountain. When at the top, brave the glass skywalks: as the name suggests, these are transparent walking paths which literally hang on the side on the mountains edge. Tianmen Mountain is as close as you can get to walking on clouds.
Tianmen Mountain is also home to the “Stairway to Heaven”. Flights of stairs lead into the huge Tianmen Cave: a karst cave 132 meters (431 feet) high which spans under the mountain. So crank some Led Zeppelin and embark on the ascent.
Also set outside of the national forest park area, Huanglong Cave is a world-renowned karst cave home to a rich variety of stalactites, stone columns, stone flowers and more. The cave also houses two underground rivers and three underground waterfalls.
Xiangxi
Besides a stack of natural drawcards (caves, canyons and waterfalls), a visit to Xiangxi is all about the ancient towns. In Xiangxi, the Tujia and Miao ethnic minorities account for 80% of the total population, and this is evident in the unique worship, marriage, and funeral customs of the region. Do not miss the Fenghuang Ancient Town: this may well be one of the most beautiful and well-preserved ancient towns in the whole of China (and that is saying a lot!). The morning mist rising above the wooden houses and stone roads here is a true I-really-am-in-Asia seen.
As if one monumental ancient town was not enough, be sure to pack the camera and head to Furong Town. This 2,000 year old town is literally built upon a gigantic boulder, with a huge waterfall running through the town (yes you read that right – see pictures below…) Furong Town is also locally known as the “million-year-old town hanging on a waterfall” (at least they got the description right).
Finish a trip to Xiangxi by crossing the adrenaline-spiking Aizhai Bridge. The Aizhai Bridge is 355 meters (1,165 feet) high and 1,073 meters (3,522 feet) long, making it the highest tunnel-to-tunnel bridge in the world.
Yueyang
Located in the north east of the province, Yueyang’s 2,500 year old history has been shaped by its many lakes and mountains. Yueyang Tower (or pavilion) is a standing reminder of the city’s ancient heritage. The entire structure is built without a single metal nail or support beam – an inspired feat of engineering. Head just outside of the city centre to the Glass Bridge Scenic Area of Shiniuzhai. Brave the gigantic glass suspension bridge for uninterrupted views of bizarrely shaped rock formations, mountain peaks, and stone caves.
