Huaihua

Understand

The prefecture encompasses several autonomous ethnic counties, towns and villages. Major ethnic groups found here are the Dòng or Kam (侗族), Miáo or Hmong (苗族), Tǔjiā (土家族), and Yáo (瑶族). It was long inhabited by these ethnic groups before the arrival of the Han Chinese more than a thousand years ago. They are known to be indigenous to these mountainous areas. They also inhabit neighboring Guizhou province.

Administration Hecheng District (鹤城区) Hongjiang city (洪江市) Hongjiang District (洪江管理区) Yuanling County (沅陵县) Chenxi County (辰溪县) Xupu County (溆浦县) Zhongfang County (中方县) Huitong County (会同县) Mayang Miao Autonomous County (麻阳苗族自治县) Xinhuang Dong Autonomous County (新晃侗族自治县) Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County (芷江侗族自治县) Jingzhou Miao and Dong Autonomous County (靖州苗族侗族自治县) Tongdao Dong Autonomous County (通道侗族自治县)

History Huaihua has a long history. It has been known as the "Gateway to Guizhou and Yunnan", "Throat of Chu" and "Western Gate of Hunan" since ancient times. As early as the Neolithic Age, people of all ethnic groups were living, living and multiplying.

Festivals

Spring Festival The Spring Festival is the Chinese New Year with a long history. It evolved from the ancient rituals of praying for good luck at the beginning of the year. The origin of the Spring Festival contains profound cultural connotations and carries rich historical and cultural heritage in its inheritance and development.

Mid-Autumn Festival It is said that the moon is the largest, roundest and brightest on the Mid-Autumn Festival night. Since ancient times, people have had the custom of having a feast and admiring the moon on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The daughter-in-law who returns to her parents' home must return to her husband's home on this day to express perfection and good luck. On this day, people will enjoy the moon, eat moon cakes, watch lanterns, appreciate osmanthus flowers, drink osmanthus wine, etc.

Climate

Huaihua has four distinct seasons, with severe cold and short summers.

Geography and economy Huaihua lies in the mountainous west of Hunan, southeast of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, and shares the same mountain belt. Railroads are a major means of transportation in the region, and an airport was opened in 2004. Huaihua is home to the Second Artillery Corps Base 55, which is charged with maintaining ICBMs.The nuclear assets at Huaihua are intended for small-scale nuclear conflicts (with a limited, but nuclear, exchange), as well as the ability to strike Guam, one of only two B-2 bases.

Getting there

By train

Huaihua is located on the Shanghai-Kunming railway line, which now host both fast and regular trains. 1 hour and a half by fast train and 5 to 9 hours on regular trains from Changsha. 1 hour and 15 minutes by fast train and 3 to 5 hours on regular trains to Kaili in Guizhou province. Regular trains also go northwest towards Chongqing and it takes between 8 and 18 hours. Check out schedules and journey time on 12306.com, because it can vary in an exaggerated way. There are trains to Zhangjiajie as well.

By plane 1 Huaihua Zhijiang Airport (HJJ IATA). Has flights from several cities in China.

Getting around

The two train stations in the north and south of the city are connected via bus number 12 (~30 minutes).

See

Huaihua's central urban area has only a few low-key sights such as the Huaihua Museum. All the main attractions and ethnic towns are outside the main urban area and in other parts of the prefecture. Those places can be reached by bus and in some cases by train.

Tongdao Dong Autonomous County (通道侗族自治县). Visit Kam people, whose language is a branch of the Tai-Kadai linguistic family. A distant relative of the Thai people. Jingzhou Miao and Dong Autonomous County (靖州苗族侗族自治县). Visit Hmong people, whose language is a branch of the Hmong-Mien linguistic family. Hongjiang old commercial town (洪江古商城). A Ming dynasty town that flourished back in the old days. Has an ancient brothel with waxwork figures and it explains a lot about the local lives back in imperial China. Qianyang old town (黔阳古镇). The airport is of some historic importance—back in World War II it was known as Chihkiang Airfield and used by the U.S. air force. Nowadays there's a museum about the airport's history. World War II general Su Yu (粟裕) was born in Huitong County, and it's possible to visit historic sites related to his life.

1 Xiangshipo Forest Park (象狮坡森林公园), Next to Longmen Villa, National Highway 320, Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County. It is an ideal place for vacation and leisure. You can enjoy Dong cultural customs and unique Dong architectural art such as drum towers, stilted buildings, wind and rain corridors, village gates, and pavilions. (updated Dec 2023)

2 Gaoyi Ancient Village (高椅古村), Gaoyi Village, Gaoyi Township, Huitong County, toll-free: +86 7458726148. Monday to Friday 08:00-16:30. It is one of the top ten ancient villages in China. It is named because it is surrounded by mountains on three sides and faces water on one side. The terrain is like a Taishi chair. free. (updated Dec 2023) 3 Qianyang Ancient City (黔阳古城), Gucheng Road, Hongjiang City, toll-free: +86 7457312000. 8:30-17:30 (ticket sales stop at 16:30). The ancient city of Qianyang is a famous cultural city with a history of more than 2,200 years. It is one of the best-preserved ancient cities of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in China. 55¥. (updated Dec 2023) 4 Wanfo Mountain (万佛山), Taipingyan Village, Wanfoshan Town, Tongtong Dong Autonomous County, toll-free: +86 07458620369. The Wanfo Mountain Scenic Area is known as the "Green Great Wall" by geographers and consists of five major scenic spots: Wanfo Mountain, Shenxian Cave, Qixing Mountain, Jiangjun Mountain and Ziyun Mountain. In the scenic area, there are "Single Rock", "Seven Star Ancient Temple", "Blessed Cave", "Lion Watching the Moon", "Optical

Do

Wanfu Mountain (万福山 Wànfúshān). (updated Apr 2019)

Sports Huaihua Tai Chi Championship ：Tai Chi enthusiasts can learn from each other and improve together.

Movie theaters 1 Wanda Cinema (万达影城), F3, Huaihua Wanda Plaza, 200 meters northwest of the intersection of Nanhuan Road and Hutian Avenue, Hecheng District, Huaihua City. (updated Dec 2023)

Eat

Pao Cai (泡菜) or pickled vegetables are found everywhere around the city. It's a must try if you are in this dusty city.

1 Gourmet Kitchen. Home Kitchen Catering (飨厨行.老家厨餐饮), 2nd Floor, City Garden Hotel, Hecheng District. 09：00-21:00. It is a time-honored restaurant, mainly decorated in Chinese style, with private rooms. (updated Dec 2023) 2 Cuicui's Three-Way Duck (翠翠家三道鸭), Shop Nos. 3020 and 3021 on the 3rd floor of Wanda Plaza, Nanhuan Road. every day10:00～21:00. This store is a local signature store in Huaihua, with a lot of diners. The Zhijiang duck soup is very tasty and authentic, and the crispy chicken is also highly recommended. (updated Dec 2023) 3 Jiahe Liangtian (嘉禾良田), 4th Floor, Xintiandi City Plaza, Renmin North Road. every day10:00～21:00. This is a home-style stir-fry restaurant. The stir-fried yellow beef and Neptune Vermicelli Clay Pot are both highly recommended. (updated Dec 2023)

Drink & nightlife

1 Beipo courtyard cafe (北坡小院咖啡馆), S250 (Sifang Road), Hecheng District. daily 10:30-23:30. The environment of this coffee shop is very good, it has the feel of a quaint small town courtyard. Recommend the salad. (updated Dec 2023) 2 Grinding Time Coffee (Tiebei South Road Store) (研磨时光咖啡(铁北南路店)), No. 40, Tiebei South Road, Hecheng District. daily 09:00-23:30. The environment of this coffee shop is very quiet. There are separate compartments on the second floor so you don’t disturb each other. (updated Dec 2023) 3 Green Horse Coffee Tavern (绿马咖啡酒馆), About 190 meters southeast of Country Garden Hezhou Mansion, Gaoyan Road, Hecheng District, Huaihua City. daily 10:00-23:00. This coffee shop is in an excellent location between nature and the city, making people feel comfortable and secure. There are resident singers on weekends. (updated Dec 2023)

Sleep

1 Xiyue Hotel (希悦酒店), ☏ +86 745-2589999. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 14:00. Huaihua Xiyue Hotel is a collection of rooms, catering, conference in one of the business conference boutique hotel. The hotel is located in Building 2, Aodu Mansion, Tianxing East Road, Hecheng District (opposite the gymnasium). The hotel features fully functional meeting rooms as well as free parking and wifi. one room from ¥360. (updated Oct 2023) 2 Baidun Hotel (柏顿精品酒店), ☏ +86 745 8685555. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. The hotel has four floors. 65 rooms. The hotel offers free parking and Wi-Fi. Double room from ¥220. (updated Oct 2023) 3 Yuezhi Hotel (Huaihua Municipal Government Store) (悦致酒店（怀化市政府店）), No. 167, Pingan Road, Hecheng District. Check-in: After 14:00, check-out: Before 13:00. The service is in place, the decoration is very new, equipped with intelligent robots, the location is also very good, and it is very convenient to travel. (updated Dec 2023) 4 Jiahe Supreme Hotel (珈禾至尊酒店), Pengcheng Building, Shuntian North Road, Hecheng District. Check-in: After 14:00, check-out: Before 14:00. The service is very good and warm, and the room is large, clean and tidy, but the hotel only accepts guests from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. (updated Dec 2023)

Go next

Fenghuang – well-preserved ancient town Go east to Changsha, the provincial capital, west to Tongren (not to be confused with the one in Qinghai province) or Kaili in Guizhou province, south to Guangxi Province or northwest to Chongqing. From Chongqing or Changsha there are fast trains all over China. A route popular with tourists is from Changsha to Guiyang and on to Kunming.