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.

Hengshan Mountain

Also known as Nanyue , Hengshan Mountain, the most famous for its beauty in South China, is one of China's five most distinguished mountains across the country. Its range beginning south from Huiyan Peak (Wild Goose Returning) (It is the "Number One" of the famous peaks of Mount Hengshan. Legend has it that wild geese always linger in this region on their southward migration.) in Hengyang city winds its way north to Yuele Mountain in Changshan City, stretching out 400 kilometres with 72 peaks rising from the horizon, of which five are the most well known such as Zhurong (God of fire) , Tianzhu , Furong (Hibiscus) , Zigai and Shilin and with Zhurong as its highest peak, 1,290 metres above sea level. It is 45 kilometres away from Hengyang City. In Hengyang Mountain there are many places of historic interest and scenic spots .

and is also an illustrious sacred place of religion in China. There both the :emples of Buddhism and Taoism have long been scattering in the deep forests n the mountain and the two religions co-existed and flourished peacefully ever lince, constituting a "miracle" in China's renowned mountains. The steles, ;tone inscriptions, sculptures are dotted everywhere in the mountain and it has sot its reputation for being a mystery area of civilization since Tang (618-907) md Song (960-1279) dynasties. The mountain has been accredited as one of the five celebrated mountains for its unique characteristic of incorporating into tself the antiquity, grace, serenity of seclusion, risk and wonder to form a marvellous spectacle for sightseeing . The Visitor can enjoy himself/herself with different scenery in different seasons as the can have a beautiful sight of hundreds of flowers blossoming in spring, a sood look of immense clouds floating and winding around the mountain valleys in summer, joyous watch of sunrise in autumn and pleasurably wandering in mow world in winter. It is indeed a very magnificent scenic spot for the tourist for sightseeing, for vocation and for summer resort. The Five Sacred Mountains in China refer to the Eastern Mountain (Mount Tai) in Shandong Province, the Southern Mountain (Mount Hengshan) in Hunan Province, the Western Mountain (Mount Huashan) in Shaanxi Province, the Northern Mountain (Mount Hengshan) in Shanxi Province, and Central Mountain (Mount Songshan) * in Henan Province.

The Yandi Mausoleum

Yandi, also known as Shennong (, was one of the original five legendary rulers. Emperor Yandi and Emperor. Huangdi have been regarded as the ancestors of the Chinese nation . The Yandi Mausoleum is located in Hunan Province's Yanling County (the then Lingxian County ). Legend tells that Yandi taught his people how to farm, weave cloth and make earthen wares (. To cure people's diseases, Yandi tasted different medicinal herbs , 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 devotio

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 mausoleurn. 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.

Phoenix County

Lies in the south of the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Minorities Autonomous Prefecture, Phoenix County-a treasure trove and pristine paradise in Hunan Province-is one of China's famous historical and cultural cities. It is known as the hometown of Shen Congwen (1902-1988), a distinguished writer, hailed as the father of modern Chinese pastoral. Covering an area of 1,751 square kilometres and sitting on the Tuojiang River , the county boasts 31 villages and townships embracing 370,000 inhabitants, of whom 62.5 per cent of the total population in the county are minority people. In 687 in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), a county named Weiyang was set up there. Since then the county has for long been the political, military, economic and cultural centre of the Xiangxi region (west Hunan). The county's traditional layout, style and features took shape in the Ming (13681644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties and have been well preserved. At present, the county has 68 historical buildings and 116 relics. It also has over 120 residences and 20 stone pavements with distinct Ming- and Qing-dynasty characteristics. The Yellow Silk Bridge Castle, built during the Tang Dynasty, is one of the best-preserved stone castles in China. The meandering Xiangxi Border Wall, which was built during the Ming Dynasty, has been recognized as China's Southern Great Wall and has attracted world attention. The corner buildings, former Wanming Pagoda, and Shawan Ancient Residential Quarters are all valuable historical buildings. The phoenix is emblematic of good luck in Chinese culture, and the county has turned out many influential personalities in the political, military and artistic arenas. The politician, philanthropist and educator Xiong Xiling (1867-1937), the past oralist Shen Congwen and the famous painter Huang Yongyu have brought national and even world fame to this outlying county.

As an ethnic group area, Phoenix County has kept intact its unique folklore.

Its Hunan culture, glamorous local dialect, exquisite Miao costume and diverse eating habits have greatly fascinated tourists from home and abroad. The local Nuo Opera is regarded as a living fossil of Chinese opera . ,. It is named after Nuo, a god who drives away pestilence. The county is also famous for its variety of handicrafts. The timehonoured Miao minority's wax painting or batik is still a favourite among art lovers.

Apart from this cultural heritage, Phoenix County abounds with natural resources and captivating scenes. The Nanhua Mountain National Forest Park , with forest coverage of over 98 percent, is the habitat of 100 precious animals and plants. The 12-kilometre-long Qiliang Cave is characterized by seclusion, splendour and adventure. In recent years, local governments in the county and the whole autonomous prefecture have spared no effort in revamping a number of key cultural relics. They have turned the 5.3- kilometre-long stone pavement into a pedestrian street and cleared some disorderly and illegally built buildings.

The county has been striving to be inscribed on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) in the near future.

Yueyang Tower

Standing in the western part of Yueyang City, the majestic Yueyang Tower overlooks Dongting Lake and faces J unshan Islet in the distance. I t 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) during 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.

The Southern Great Wall

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 Guzhang County and ends at the Tingziguan Pass with a total length of more than 190 kilometres. 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.