Hengyang

Understand

Hengyang is the second largest city and the most populous prefecture in Hunan. The Hengyang Basin is a prosperous agricultural area with an abundance of fish and rice, the area is also very rich in natural resources such as coal, zinc, lead and other non-ferrous metals. And it is one of the emerging industrial cities in China.

Orientation There are five districts in Hengyang:

Yanfeng District 雁峰区: Huiyan Peak, Yueping Park and Nanjiao Park, etc. are in this district. Shigu District 石鼓区:Shigu Academy, West Lake Park and Lianhu Square etc. are in this district. Zhuhui District 珠晖区: Hengyang Railway Station, Hengyang East Railway Station, Linghu Bus Station, Xiangjiang Scenic Belt, Linghu Lake and Hengyang College Town etc. are in this district. Zhengxiang District 蒸湘区: Hengyang Zhongxin Bus Terminal, City Government, Ecology Park and University of South China etc. are in this district. Nanyue District 南岳区: Mount Heng is in this district. And two county-level cities: Leiyang City 耒阳市 and Changning City 常宁市 Also five counties: Hengnan County 衡南县, Hengyang County 衡阳县, Hengshan County 衡山县, Hengdong County 衡东县 and Qidong County 祁东县

History Hengyang is a city with a long history. According to historical relics, ancestors who settled in the area as early as five to six thousand years ago had already begun to use primitive tools made from stones. They also grew rice and raised animals, chiefly cattle and pigs.

The primeval district of Hengyang was first occupied by the ancestors of the modern Miao, Zhuang, and Hakka people. In the Warring States period, it was a much-fought-over territory of the Chu State. In 221 BC, when Emperor Qinshihuang united China, the southern state of Chu was divided into Qianzhong county and Changsha county to which the Hengyang district belonged. 400 years later in 220 AD, it was renamed Hengyang and became the administrative seat of Hengyang prefecture. During the Western Jin Dynasty, its name was changed to Hengzhou, and under the Eastern Jin Dynasty (618–907) it became the seat of Xiangdong prefecture. During the Southern and Northern Dynasty it was the capital of Hengyang kingdom. After the fall of the Sui Dynasty, Hengyang was a county. It was changed into a superior prefecture which was a part of the province of Huguang until the Qing Dynasty. This status was retained until 1912, when the superior prefecture was abolished and the city became a county seat, which was in the charge of 34 counties of Hunan province. During the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), not only was Hengyang a traffic hub in south China, but also t

Getting there

By plane 1 Hengyang Nanyue Airport (HNY IATA). Opened in 2014. It only has connections from Shanghai Pudong and Beijing Nanyuan. There are local buses about 300 m in front of the main gate. Walk through the car park and gate. The old Hengyang airport, Jinjialing Airport, is now merely military.

By train 2 Hengyang Railway Station (in Zhuhui District). Although a bit run-down because of early date of construction (there's a Kuomintang-era building between the ticket office and the main entrance), it's one of the oldest and the busiest train stations in China. It's also the conjunction of Beijing-Guangzhou line and Hunan-Guangxi line with frequent services to many cities in China. It's about 7 hours to Guangzhou, 15 hours to Shanghai and 21 hours to Beijing. The station can be reached by many bus routes. (updated Oct 2023) 3 Hengyang East Railway Station. Serves high-speed trains. Located in the eastern suburb of Hengyang. The station is a unique sight due to the resemblance to a flying wild goose. Next to Hengyang College Town, it's around 30 minutes' bus ride from downtown Hengyang. Hengyang East Railway Station is in the middle of Wuhan-Guangzhou High-speed Railway, so it takes about 1½ hours to both cities. The station can be reached by bus routes K1, K2, K3, and K5. The under-construction Lanzhou-Xiamen, Kunming-Taipei, Xi'an-Guangzhou High-speed Railways are crossing Hengyang, making it one of the largest transportation hubs in China once they are finished. Hengyang North, South and West Railway Stations are now mostly cargo stations.

By bus Hengyang Zhongxin Bus Terminal (near Pinghu Park). It can be reached by bus routes K5, 4, 9, 18, 24, 32, 40, 46, 81, and 30. It has long-distance coaches throughout the country, mainly north and west bound. 4 Linghu Bus Terminal (near Linghu Lake). It can be reached by bus routes K1, K2, K3, K5, 2, 7, 11, 23, 25, 27, 36, 37, 40, and 81. It offers services to nearby cities and counties, mainly south and east bound. Huaxin Bus Terminal. West of Ecology Park, it can be reached by bus routes K1, 19, 101, 102, 104, and Lvyou旅游1. It has buses to Hengyang County, Qidong County and Hengyang county. Yujiang Bus Station. Next to Hengyang East Railway Station, it can be reached by bus K1, K2, K3, K5, and Night夜36.

Getting around

By bus Buses are the main mode of public transport in Hengyang. The bus network is run by five companies, which provide more than 64 lines, as well as taxis, which connect all parts of the city with suburban areas. Regular buses only cost ¥1 or ¥2 for air-conditioned buses. Some buses to suburban areas may cost more, but there are usually ticket conductors who tell you how much.

By taxi Taxis are ubiquitous, they normally start at ¥5, a taxi across town shouldn't cost more than ¥30. But expect some haggling if you're a foreigner, the best way is to jump in the taxi and ask the driver to turn on the meter. Also, meters may not apply during important Chinese festivals as they make their own prices.

By motorcab Local people probably use this mode of transportation more than taxi. It's cheaper, more convenient and more Hengyang style, but safety is not always guaranteed. Motorcab fares are completely arbitrary, so it's best to consult local people how much it costs first before hopping on one, otherwise it depends how your bargaining skills are.

By ferry There is a ferry service between Yangjia Huayuan and Xianfeng Matou. There are also ferry services from both riverbanks to Dongzhou Island across river from it.

See

Landmarks 1 Mount Heng. One of China’s Five Sacred Mountains. The mountain range runs 150 km from Hengyang to Changsha. Of the cluster of 72 peaks, the most known is Zhurong Peak. Mount Hengshan is acknowledged as a holy place, the most scenic mount of the Five Sacred Mountains in China. To reach Mount Heng/Nanyue from Hengyang City, take a bus from Zhongxin or Linghu Bus Station (¥7-13 depending on time and bus); or take a city bus to Gongxiao Dasha stop, there are shared taxis or buses to Nanyue. Otherwise a taxi there might cost ¥100-150. The trip takes around 45 minutes. Huiyan Peak (Bus 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, or K1 will get you there). May-Oct: 08:00-18:00; Nov-Apr: 08:00-17:30. Situated in the South District of Hengyang City, Huiyan Peak, 98 meters above sea level, ranks the first of the 72 peaks of Mount Hengshan. Legend has it that when wild geese flew from North China to South China, they made a migrating stop, hence the name Huiyan (Delaying Wild Goose Migration) Peak. At the foot of the peak lies the Misty Rain Pond. The pond from which “misty rain rises”, has never dried up, making “Misty Rain on Huiyan Peak” one of the Eight Wonders in Hengyang. Famous poet Du Fu wrote the poem in which he said that “having crossed one thousand kilometers, the wild geese in Hengyang returned to the north again”.:The hill door of Yan Peak is a stone torii. The Banshan Pavilion is not far away from the door hill. Through the upward and across “one hundred step scaling ladder”, one reaches the peak. In the peak, there is Yanfeng Temple. According to records, this temple was built in the Southern and Northern Dynasties. During Liangwu Emperor Period, it is called Chengyun Temple. After Tang Dynasty, it was named Yanfeng Temple, Yanfeng temple, Huayao Temple, Xichan Temple, Luohan (Arhat) Temple are called four pillar temples of Zen Buddhism in Hengyang. There have been many hierarchs coming here to study Zen. ¥10/adult. 2 Shigu Academy (The Stone Drum Academy). May-Oct: 08:00-18:00; Nov-Apr 08:00-17:30. Named after its location on the Shigu Mountain north of Hengyang City. It was the place where Li Kuanzhong, a scholar in the Tang Dynasty, built a studio, and later on in the Song Dynasty, became an academy, attracting many famous scholars and followers. Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty bestowed the land and the tablet bearing Shigu Academy on it, making the Academy highly reputed throughout the country. The original academy was destroyed in 1944 because of Japanese bombings. Today the Shigu Academy, the Shigu Park and some other buildings are rebuilt on the b

Do

Linghu Water Resort. Leiyang Shennong Hot Springs. The largest hot springs in Hunan Qidong Hongcheng Hot Springs. Jiulong Valley Water Rafting. Jiulong Valley literally means Nine Dragons Valley; it's supposedly one of the most exciting water rafting routes in China. Mishui River Water Rafting. Xijiang River Water Rafting.

Buy

Jiefang Road (解放路). South & North Zhongshan Road (中山南北路). Hengyang Commerce City (商业城). Jingzhu Square (晶珠广场).

Eat

Spicy Freshwater Snails Fish Head Stewed with Tofu

Sleep

Budget The idea of guesthouses and hostels haven't really reached Hengyang yet, but for many Chinese travelers, budget places can be found near Hengyang Railway Station. Just walk around, ask and compare, nonetheless use your haggling skills. There are cheap places to stay near Hengyang Normal University or University of South China that cater to university students. Another option is to head to Dongzhou island, where it may be possible to stay in the monastery for rock bottom price. But communication may be a problem between you and the monks and nuns.

Mid-range Mid-range hotels can be found along Jiefang Road (解放路).

Huatian Hotel (华天大酒店), No.55 Jiefang Road, ☏ +86 734 8188888. The 18th hotel of Huatian company. It has 282 rooms and suites. It has served visitors Chinese and foreign, such as president of Tanzania, president of Zambia, prime minister of Belarus, and a Princess of Thailand. Prices range from ¥250 to ¥15,000. Shenlong Hotel (神龙大酒店), No.3 North Zhengyang Road, ☏ +86 734 8988888. Shenlong is recognized as providing wonderful and creative dining. The hotel boasts a revolving restaurant on the top floor, which offers not only delicious food but also a spectacular view of the whole city. Rooms starting from ¥300. Youth Hotel (青年宾馆), No.23 Yancheng Road (Shoufeng Xiaoqu) (very close to Huiyan Peak), ☏ +86 734 8139888. Kangnian International Hotel (康年国际大酒店), No.8 Renmin Road. Prices from ¥150.

Splurge Yancheng Hotel (雁城宾馆), No.91 Jiefang Road, ☏ +86 734 8211288. The first international luxurious four-star hotel in Hengyang. Rooms starting from ¥400. Linyin Holiday Hotel (林隐假日酒店), No.43 Jiefang Road, ☏ +86 734 8888888.

Go next

Zhuzhou:You can go from Hengyang to Zhuzhou by high-speed rail in only 27 minutes.