Huaihua (怀化 Huáihuà) is in western Hunan, southwestern China. It is a prefecture-level city in a mountainous area with some rural poverty problems. The city has a population around 620,000, the prefecture as a whole has 5.2 million people (2017).

Regions

Yuanling Yuanling has a long history and was once the political, economic, cultural and military center of the greater Xiangxi region.

Hecheng District Hecheng District used to be known as Huaihua County. Huaihua County has a long history. As far back as the Neolithic Age, ancestors lived and multiplied here secretly. There are ruins all over the place and the unearthed cultural relics are extremely rich.

Xupu Xupu is the birthplace of Qu Yuan culture. More than 2,300 years ago, the poet Qu Yuan searched for Xupu and lived in Xupu for 9 years. He wrote famous Chu Ci poems such as "Li Sao", "Nine Songs", and "She Jiang".

Chenxi There are the remains of Liu Shangcheng of the Han Dynasty, Neolithic shell mound sites such as Tanwan and Xianrenwan, and places of interest such as Jiangdong Temple, Kuixing Pavilion, Yanzi Cave and Erlong Cave.

Huitong There are places of interest such as Su Yu's former residence, Zhuge Well, the Prince Consort's Tomb, the Princess's Tomb, the Imperial Master's Tomb, the travel warning sign, and the Stone House Pagoda.

Zhongfang It has the reputation of "the hometown of Camellia oleifera", "the hometown of fruits", "the hometown of medicinal materials", and "the largest grape ditch in southern China".

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

Dong New Year Festival The Dong Year, also known as the Winter Festival, is a traditional festival celebrated by the Dong compatriots in Huaihua, commonly known as winter. Every year around the winter solstice, the Dong people in Huaihua counties will celebrate the most solemn traditional festival - the Dong New Year Festival. The Dong people celebrate the Dong Year, just like the Han people celebrate the Spring Festival, with all kinds of wine and food. During this period, the Dong people play the reed pipe, make glutinous rice cakes, kill New Year pigs, prepare their own banquets, and treat guests and friends. It is very lively. Each surname spends the winter separately and entertains each other. Family sacrifices are held on this day. During the sacrifice, a basket is used to hold clothes, cauldrons, etc. and is placed in front of the sacrifice table to show that the ancestors have not forgotten the labor of migration and the hardships of opening mountains and cultivating fields. In order to welcome the arrival of the Dong Year, every year at the end of November, Tongtong County will have a two-day holiday.

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
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       119     7 2       57     8 1       57     19 10       76     24 13       197     25 15       25     30 22       1.5     34 24       0     36 25       0     32 20       5.1     25 13       0     21 11       2.4     11 2 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm government data
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       4.7     45 36       2.2     46 34       2.2     66 50       3     75 55       7.7     77 59       1     86 72       0.1     93 75       0     97 77       0     90 68       0.2     77 55       0     70 52       0.1     52 36 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

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.

Talk

Huaihua dialect belongs to Southwest Mandarin or Xiang dialect. It is mainly divided into three types: Huaihua dialect, Anjiang dialect and Shaodong dialect.

Get in

By train

Huaihua railroad station

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.  

Get 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 Pillar", "Beauty Watching Her Husband", "Shenzhou Conch", "Golden Turtle Looking for Food", " "The Natural Magpie Bridge" and "The Thirty-Six Bends of the Forest" are known as the "Top Ten Scenic Spots". (updated Dec 2023)
• 5 Wuxi Cultural Plaza·Qianhe Lake (五溪文化广场·千鹤湖), Lulin Road, Hecheng District. The themed sculpture totem pole "Five Streams Culture" in the center of the square was created and designed by the famous Chinese sculptor Zhu Weijing. Suitable for night running. (updated Dec 2023)
• 6 Huaihua Yingfeng Park (怀化迎丰公园), Jinxi North Road, Hecheng District. The surrounding trees are green, the flowers and plants are luxuriant, and there is also an exquisitely designed Spanish-style roller skating rink. (updated Dec 2023)
• 7 Huaihua Jade Palace (怀化玉皇宫), 180 meters due north of No. 9 Wuling Road, Hecheng District. Located in the only national forest park in Huaihua City, the air is fresh and pilgrims from hundreds of miles around come to burn incense and worship every year, and the incense is prosperous. (updated Dec 2023)

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)

Learn

School

• Huaihua first middle school
• Huaihua City Yingfeng Road Primary School
• Huaihua Normal College

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

• 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)

Stay safe

Emergencies

Free emergency telephone numbers:

• Police: 110.
• Fire alarm: 119.
• Medical care: 120.

Connect

• Huaihua Public Security Bureau, toll-free: +86 745-2205819. (updated Dec 2023)
• Huaihua Tourism Bureau, toll-free: +86 745 2221974. (updated Dec 2023)
• Huaihua Public Service Center, toll-free: +86 745 2714117. (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.