Wonderful Mountains and Waters, a Heaven-sent Blessed Land (Part 5)
Section 5: Natural Heritage, Hunan's Scenic Wonders. A National Key Scenic Area — Changsha Yuelu Mountain Scenic Area. Yuelu, a sacred mountain rich in culture, lies on the west bank of the Xiang River. A national-level scenic area, it comprises hills, low mountains, rivers, lakes, natural flora and fauna, cultural relics, tombs of modern notables, and revolutionary memorial sites.
This article has been compiled from historical materials in the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com · City Overview section). Some administrative divisions, population, socioeconomic data, and policy information may be outdated and are for reference only; for the latest situation, please refer to official releases by the local government and scenic areas.
Section Five
Natural Heritage, Hunan's Scenic Wonderland
A national key scenic area — the Changsha Yuelu Mountain Scenic Area
Yuelu, the sacred mountain, gathers culture and talent. The Yuelu Mountain Scenic Area is located on the west bank of the Xiangjiang River and is a national-level scenic area. It is composed of hills, low mountains, rivers, lakes, natural flora and fauna, as well as cultural relics, modern celebrity tombs, and revolutionary memorial sites. It is an urban mountain-type scenic area, with attractions such as Yuelu Academy, Aiwan Pavilion, Lushan Temple, Yunlu Palace, and the Xinmin Society. "Clouds and mist from the southwest come to Mount Heng; the sound of the river flows down to Dongting day and night" is a superb summary of Yuelu Mountain. Yuelu Mountain has continuous ravines and valleys; groundwater flows along faults toward the low valleys, forming many famous springs such as "White Crane" and "Clear Breeze." Here ancient trees tower to the sky, and the scenery differs in all four seasons: in spring azaleas bloom brilliantly, in summer the shade of rocks and trees is dense, in autumn the whole mountain turns red, and in winter the pine ridges are wrapped in white. "Green falls within the layered city; a screen opens before ten thousand households," and "frosted leaves red as brocade, the sound of pines like waves." Through the ages, exiled officials and poets have left many inscriptions and exclamations of praise. Yuelu Mountain is both a natural scenic area and a famous cultural mountain, and it is located in the center of the city, possessing an overall advantage formed by both its geographical and cultural veins.
Hunan's first world natural heritage protected area — the Wulingyuan Scenic Area
The Wulingyuan Scenic Area is composed of three parts: Zhangjiajie, Suoxiyu, and Tianzi Mountain. Its total area is 369 square kilometers, of which 53.5 square kilometers are national first-class protected area. There are now 14 tourist routes totaling 70 kilometers and more than 560 viewing points. Wulingyuan features the world's rare sandstone peak forest landform. Throughout the scenic area, ravines crisscross, rock peaks tower, green trees and verdant vines abound, and beasts and birds gather in flocks. It has the reputation of being a "labyrinth of nature" and "the finest strange mountain under heaven." In December 1992, the Wulingyuan Scenic Area became the first in Hunan's history to be inscribed by the World Heritage Committee on the World Natural Heritage List. In May 2007, the Wulingyuan tourist area was approved by the National Tourism Administration as a national 5A-level tourist attraction.
China's largest alpine platform grassland — the Chengbu Nanshan Scenic Area
The Nanshan Scenic Area is located in the southwest of Chengbu Miao Autonomous County, with a total area of 192 square kilometers. The Nanshan Scenic Area is centered on China's largest alpine platform grassland. Within the scenic area there are more than 230,000 mu of contiguous natural grassy mountains, widely recognized by all sectors of society as a resort for leisure and summer retreat and a natural oxygen bar for human survival. Within its territory are the Laoshanjie Scenic Area, Daping Scenic Area, Chang'an Camp Scenic Area, Wutuan Folk Custom Village, Ziyang Peak Scenic Area, Maoping Lake Scenic Area, Shajiao Cave Scenic Area, Baiyun Lake Scenic Area, and so on, as well as the steep and deep Jiaolong Cave Scenic Area, Nanshan Summit Scenic Area, and Baiyun Cave Scenic Area.
Hunan's "Home of Nan Bamboo" — the Taohuajiang Scenic Area
The Taohuajiang Bamboo Sea Scenic Area lies by the banks of the Taohua River. With a hundred thousand mu of bamboo forest, layer upon layer of ridges and peaks, and lush verdant green, the bamboo sea ripples in waves, magnificent and boundless, a truly spectacular sight. In the forest, springs trickle, mountain flowers bloom in profusion, and a hundred birds sing. Emerald bamboo and blue sky set each other off, beautiful and elegant, with natural scenery too lovely to take in all at once, refreshing the heart and mind, making one linger and forget to return. The scenic area is rich in bamboo resources; its bamboo forest area ranks first in Hunan, third in China, and fourth in Asia, enjoying the reputation of the "Home of Nan Bamboo." Bamboo products and bamboo industrial goods sell well throughout the country and in Southeast Asia. The scenic area develops rapidly with strong momentum, and has already become a scenic tourist destination where one can taste, enjoy, stay, and shop. It is a brilliant pearl of tourism in central Hunan.
A Gem of the Three Xiangs — Lianyuan Meijiang Scenic Area
Known as "A Gem of the Three Xiangs," the Meijiang Scenic Area is centered on Meijiang Town in Lianyuan City, with a total area of 110 square kilometers, famed for its fantastic mountains, beautiful waters, and lovely caves. In 2009 it was designated a National Geopark. Within the scenic area, the scenery is elegant and the gorges deep and secluded, with waterfalls, calm lakes, clear streams, gushing springs, caves, deep ravines, precipices, and fantastic peaks scattered throughout. The Ten-Li Gallery is a rare and unique geological and landform landscape in China, possessing scientific research value for geological structures. The karst cave formed by thin-bedded limestone-type siliceous rock in Xianren Mansion is rarely seen in China. Meifeng Lake is a reservoir lake formed by the Dajiangkou Reservoir; the lake surface extends more than 30 kilometers along the valley from the dam. Tourists boating on it can enjoy the elegant lake and mountain scenery.
Hunan's First Multi-Functional Tourist Area — the Ancient Capital Tourist Area of the Marquis State of Fuyi in Xinning
The Ancient Capital Tourist Area of the Marquis State of Fuyi is located within Xinning County, Hunan, and is Hunan's first multi-functional scenic area integrating red, green, and ancient elements, hailed as "a wonder of tourism in southern Chu." Within the scenic area there is not only the ancient culture of a capital over 2,000 years old, but also natural landscapes such as fantastic mountains and rivers, towering fantastic peaks and bizarre rocks, soul-stirring secluded valleys, and the clear blue Fuyi River. Moreover, the Red Army passed through Laoshanjie twice, filling this place with magical red culture. The scenic area blends natural landscapes with red culture, cultural landscapes, and the ancient scenery and culture of the ancient capital. It is a fine place for sightseeing, competitive exploration, scientific investigation, and art sketching.
Hunan's Best Tourist Sightseeing and Vacation Destination — Dongjiang Lake Scenic Tourist Area
The Dongjiang Lake Scenic Tourist Area is located within Zixing, Chenzhou City. It is a national AAAA-level tourist area and a provincial key scenic area, a brilliant pearl on the golden tourist route of Hunan, Guangdong, and Jiangxi, and Hunan Province's best tourist sightseeing and vacation destination and one of its top ten scenic areas. With a total area of 200 square kilometers, it blends the elegance of mountains with the charm of water, and is praised as "a lake of water in the sky of the human world, with countless scenes on earth." Dongjiang Lake's 160 square kilometers of water surface stretch vast and misty, the lake water crystal clear, with water quality meeting the national first-class drinking water standard. Islands are scattered across the lake area like stars, the lake surface glistens with rippling light, and tour boats shuttle back and forth. It is hailed as the "Dongting of southern Hunan, the Switzerland of the East." The main landscapes within the scenic area include: Dongjiang Lake, the Dongjiang Rafting known as "China's Number One Ecological Tourism Rafting," the "Chinese Marvel" — Misty Xiaodongjiang, Asia's Number One Double-Curvature Thin-Shell Arch Dam — the Dongjiang Dam, a world-class giant karst cave — Doushuai Lingyan, the "Natural Oxygen Bar" — Longjing Gorge, and Bailang's Five Islands and One Village, among others.
A Scenic Wonder of Southern Chu — Wugang Yunshan Scenic Area
The Wugang Yunshan Scenic Area is located south of Wugang County town and belongs to the remaining ranges of the Xuefeng Mountains. According to the Guangxu-era Qing dynasty Wugang Prefecture Gazetteer: "Yunshan has seventy-two peaks; one peak flew away beyond the walls of Jingzhou city and thus became a scenic wonder, which is why today outside Jingzhou city there is a mountain named 'Feishan.' The names of most of the remaining peaks have been lost to history; only Zixiao, Rihua, Yuehua, Furong, and Xianglu are well known, and it is called the sixty-ninth blessed land of Daoism." Legend has it that in the Qin dynasty, Lu Sheng and Hou Sheng, having been ordered by Emperor Qin Shi Huang to seek immortal tea and failing, fled and dwelt here. The highest point is Zixiao Peak, at an elevation of 1,372.9 meters. Within the area, peaks and ridges pile up in emerald green, clouds and mist drift ethereally, springs flow and waterfalls fly, and there is a world apart. It integrates scenic spots, historic sites, and forests into one, and since ancient times has been praised as "a scenic wonder of southern Chu." In September 1992, the Ministry of Forestry designated Yunshan a National Forest Park.
The First China (Hunan) Red Tourism Culture Festival — the 2010 China (Hunan) Red Tourism Culture Festival
The 2010 China (Hunan) Red Tourism Culture Festival and the "Red Hunan, Hubei, and Guangdong, Linked by High-Speed Rail" large-scale themed event in Yizhang, Chenzhou, was held in Chenzhou in July 2010, co-hosted by the National Tourism Administration and the Hunan Provincial People's Government. Hunan was the first in the country to propose and practice the concept of "seizing the high-speed rail opportunity to develop red tourism." Red tourism will enter a period of high-speed development with the arrival of the high-speed rail era. Zhou Qiang, Secretary of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee, also repeatedly stated that "high-speed rail changes my view of time and space." Connected by high-speed rail, Hunan, Guangdong, and Hubei can fly wing to wing, and the major urban agglomerations across the country can promote each other, develop together, and rise together. Hunan has long been known as the "cradle of revolution and hometown of leaders," and is a famous province rich in red tourism resources in China. Statistics from the Hunan Provincial Tourism Bureau show that in 2009, Hunan's red tourism received 26.6805 million visitor trips, a year-on-year increase of 21%, and realized comprehensive red tourism revenue of 7.551 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 21.5%. Red tourism's role as a political project, cultural project, and project enriching the people has been continuously demonstrated. Since 2006, the Hunan Tourism Culture Festival has been held for four consecutive sessions. The 2010 Red Tourism Culture Festival integrated the rich red tourism resources of the three places, built a new tourism circle and economic circle for Hunan, Hubei, and Guangdong, and comprehensively showcased Hunan's economic and social development achievements with its profound heritage, deep connotations, unique creativity, and rich activities.
Related Records
On the "Three Xiangs"
When Hunan people speak or write, they love to use "Three Xiangs and Four Rivers" in place of Hunan. Through the ages, many people have treated "Three Xiangs and Four Rivers" as a synonym for Hunan. The "Four Rivers" in "Three Xiangs and Four Rivers" refer to the four rivers Xiang, Zi, Yuan, and Li. There is relatively unified understanding of the meaning of this term, but as for the meaning of "Three Xiangs," there are multiple formulations and different interpretations.
One formulation is: Xiangtan, Xiangxiang, and Xiangyin, collectively called the Three Xiangs. However, these three counties are distributed only in northern and central Hunan and cannot encompass the entire province. Another formulation is: northern Hunan, southern Hunan, and western Hunan. Although this understanding has a broader geographical scope, it omits central and eastern Hunan, and therefore also cannot encompass all of Hunan. Yet another formulation summarizes based on Hunan's geographical features. According to the Commentary on the Water Classic: "The Xiang River emerges from Yanghai Mountain in Shian County, Lingling." The northern Guangxi region was under the jurisdiction of Lingling Commandery in the Han dynasty, and Shian County is present-day Xing'an County in Guangxi. Yanghai Mountain is now called Yangshuo Mountain. On Yangshuo Mountain stands a large stone tablet reading "Xiang and Li Divide Here." The Xiang River flows northeast, and the Li River flows northwest. This is the watershed of the Xiang and Li rivers, commonly called "Li Xiang." The Xiang River meanders into Lingling, Hunan, and after converging with the Xiao River, which originates from Jiuyi Mountain, rushes northward. This section is the middle reaches of the Xiang River, called "Xiao Xiang." The Xiao and Xiang rivers roll on to Hengyang, where they converge with the Zheng River, forming the lower reaches of the Xiang River, called "Zheng Xiang." Thus "Li Xiang," "Xiao Xiang," and "Zheng Xiang" are collectively called the "Three Xiangs" — this is yet another formulation. But the obvious shortcoming of this formulation is that it does not cover the vast land of northwestern Hunan. At the same time, the Li River does not flow into Hunan territory but turns northwest, so including it in the "Three Xiangs" seems inappropriate.
There is yet another formulation, which holds that the so-called "Three Xiangs" should be the abbreviations of "Xiao Xiang," "Zheng Xiang," and "Yuan Xiang." Because after the Xiang River flows through Changsha and Xiangyin and converges with the Yuan River, it is the lower reaches of the Xiang River, called "Yuan Xiang." Qu Yuan has the poetic line "Vast and mighty, the Yuan and Xiang, their divided streams flow on," showing that the name Yuan Xiang already existed in ancient times.
The Xiang River is the largest river in Hunan and the first of the four rivers Xiang, Zi, Yuan, and Li, running through the whole of Hunan. The Yuan River is the longest river in Hunan, flowing through western Hunan and emptying into eastern Hunan. The Xiao and Xiang rivers, after converging with the Zheng River at Hengyang, are called "Zheng Xiang" and flow into Dongting Lake. Therefore, it is better to take "Xiao Xiang," "Zheng Xiang," and "Yuan Xiang" collectively as the "Three Xiangs," which encompasses the whole of Hunan and more comprehensively reflects Hunan's geographical features.
The Eight Views of Xiao and Xiang
The Eight Views of Xiao and Xiang are said to be eight scenic wonders along the Xiang River basin in the Xiao and Xiang region, described in Shen Kuo's Dream Pool Essays · Calligraphy and Painting from the Song dynasty. Through the ages, talented scholars have written matching verses.
Night Rain over Xiao and Xiang — east of Yongzhou city. After the Xiang River converges with the Xiao River within Yongzhou territory, it is called Xiao Xiang. The night scene of rain falling on Xiao and Xiang was a famous landscape through which old-time literati expressed their feelings. "Dense and dripping, the trees by the Xiang River; vast and desolate, the road to Chu's sky. Steadily moor the boat at the ferry; do not let it drift away." (Jie Xisi, Yuan dynasty) The desolate and helpless state of mind, like the night rain itself, is mournful and lingering. For a thousand years, what people have cherished — is it the night rain of the mountains and rivers, or the night rain of the soul?
Wild Geese Alighting on Level Sand — Huiyan Peak in Hengyang City. The Xiao and Xiang, flowing down several hundred kilometers from Yongzhou, reach Huiyan Peak, the first of the seventy-two peaks of the Southern Sacred Mountain. "The mountain ends at Hengyang; at the peak, the shadows of geese grow sparse. One should pity the long return journey; they cannot bear to fly farther south." Due to the limitations of ancient geographical thinking, people mistakenly believed that geese did not fly south beyond Hengyang. When the northern weather turns cold, the geese fly south in formation; in the south, autumn breezes bring coolness, the sun shines brightly, the open plains are level sand, and reeds grow in clumps, often attracting flocks of geese to roost. What a fine picture of autumn geese sporting on the sand!
Evening Bell from a Misty Temple — Qingliang Temple north of Hengshan County town. The Xiang River, flowing north another hundred kilometers, passes the Buddhist holy site of Mount Heng, the Southern Sacred Mountain. At evening the wind rises sharply, all things fall asleep, and only the ancient time-telling bell in the temple rings out with melodious, resonant sounds from time to time. Travelers in boats on the river moor their boats or set off on journeys amid this bell sound.
Mountain Market in Clearing Mist — Zhaoshan at the border between Xiangtan and Changsha. The Xiang River, flowing north from Hengshan for more than 150 kilometers, reaches Zhaoshan. Purple vapors coil around, misty haze assails the senses, and clouds steam and rosy clouds glow. A single peak stands alone by the river, elegant and beautiful as a freshly bathed fairy.
Evening Snow on River and Sky — Orange Isle. Orange Isle has been a famous Changsha scenic spot since ancient times. To the east it looks toward Changsha, to the west toward Yuelu. When heavy snow falls in swirling flakes, white snow and river sky merge into one color, all things in the world are silent, merchant boats on the river lower their sails and moor at the bank, and the dusk on the snow light floats uncertainly like smoke. One's mood becomes especially cold and clear, and one's thoughts dance with the snowflakes. That cool leisure is perhaps the leisure closest to the essence of winter snow.
Returning Sails at Distant Shore — by the river at Xiangyin County town. Going north along the river from Orange Isle about 70 kilometers, one reaches Xiangyin. At dusk, distant mountains hold dark blue, bank willows seem like mist, returning sails appear dot by dot, and fishing songs rise in waves. Fisherwives waiting for returning boats and courtesans hoping for overnight guests stand in the evening breeze and slanting sun, setting off a bustling scene of warmth and wistful gazing.
Autumn Moon over Dongting — Dongting Lake. Going north from Xiangyin, one reaches the boundless Dongting Lake. On an autumn night, the moonlight is like silver, the sky is free of any trace, and across the eight-hundred-li lake surface, the blue water is like a mirror, wind stilled and waves calm. Sky and lake reflect each other, moonlight and lake light blend together. Boating on the lake offers a special charm, and climbing Junshan or Yueyang Tower must offer yet another feeling.
Evening Glow over a Fishing Village — Wuling Stream in Taoyuan, West Dongting. Tao Yuanming said in Record of the Peach Blossom Spring that "the people of Wuling made fishing their occupation." Because the people of Wuling fished, they discovered the Peach Blossom Spring, and the fishing village where the people lived became a place longed for by literati and poets. By day, fishermen cast nets on Dongting; by evening, they gather their nets, carrying plump fresh fish, and tread home to fishing songs in the evening glow. "Jiuyi Mountain" and "Jiuyi Mountain"
In the autumn of 1962, Mao Zedong's friend Le Tianyu returned to his hometown in the Jiuyi Mountain area for a scientific survey and ran into Zhou Shizhao and Li Da, who were then also conducting social investigations in Hunan. Meeting old friends in one's hometown, the three agreed to send a few distinctive souvenirs to their mutual friend Mao Zedong, along with their own poems. Thus Zhou and Li sent spotted bamboo pens from Jiuyi Mountain and a rubbing of Cai Yong's Inscription on Jiuyi Mountain from the Han dynasty, while Le Tianyu cut a few stalks of spotted bamboo from Sanfen Stone on Jiuyi Mountain, trimmed them into four sections, and attached a seven-character poem, presenting them to Chairman Mao. Le Tianyu signed his poem "The Man of Jiuyi Mountain." After receiving the gifts, Mao Zedong looked at the objects and felt stirred, his heart roaming far away, and so he poured his full poetic feeling onto paper, writing a reply poem titled Seven-Character Regulated Verse · Reply to Comrades Zhou Shizhao, Li Da, and Le Tianyu. The manuscript was sent to Guo Moruo for comments, and Guo Moruo in turn met with Le Tianyu. Le Tianyu said in trepidation, "I am a reckless fellow; if things go badly I may cause trouble for Chairman Mao. It would be best not to write my name in the poem." So in front of Elder Guo he crossed out the three characters "Le Tianyu." Later, when the poem was published, it was titled Reply to a Friend, and the date of composition became 1961. "White clouds fly over Jiuyi Mountain; the emperor's daughters ride the wind down from the green heights. A branch of spotted bamboo, a thousand drops of tears; ten thousand red clouds, a hundred layers of clothing. Dongting's waves surge like snow reaching the sky; the people of Long Island sing earth-shaking poems. I would dream boundless dreams because of this; throughout the land of hibiscus, morning radiance fills all."
Originally Mao Zedong sent the poem manuscript to Guo Moruo for comments, and Guo Moruo in turn met with Le Tianyu. Le Tianyu immediately pointed out that there was a wrong character in it: "Jiuyi Mountain" should be "Jiuyi Mountain." The Illustrated Gazetteer of Jiuyi Mountain states clearly: "The nine peaks resemble one another; looking at them, one is doubtful, hence it is called Jiuyi." The various stone inscriptions on the mountain by the ancients also all read "Jiuyi." Yet Mao Zedong insisted on adding a "mountain radical," clearly a slip of the pen. Guo Moruo spoke up: "This character can be written either way. Since the Chairman wrote it this way, let it be."
And so "Jiuyi Mountain" became "Jiuyi Mountain." Thereafter, all writings concerning "Jiuyi Mountain" were written as "Jiuyi Mountain." Had Elder Guo not glossed over it for the great man, not taken it upon himself to let the Chairman's error stand, but instead pointed it out directly to the Chairman, Mao Zedong would certainly have gladly corrected the error — after all, he had asked Elder Guo for comments in the first place! Had that been so, today's situation of taking the error as correct would not have arisen.
In fact, whether great leaders or ordinary folk, everyone makes slips of the pen and writes wrong characters — what is so terrible about that? Look at the manuscripts of Mao Zedong's poems; some of them were revised several times before being finalized!
Therefore, we must say that this was not Mao Zedong's fault, but Guo Moruo's fault.
The Legend of Junshan
Standing at Yueyang Tower and looking out, the small island emerging on the lake surface is the famous Junshan on Dongting Lake. Junshan is also called Xiangshan or Dongtingshan, separated from Yueyang Tower by only a stretch of water. The Tang dynasty poet Liu Yuxi compared Dongting Lake, with its "light above and below, a vast expanse of blue," to a white silver plate, and compared the elegant Junshan to a green snail in the silver plate: "Gazing afar at Dongting's mountain and water scene, a green snail in a white silver plate." (Gazing at Dongting) Seen from Yueyang Tower, this metaphor is remarkably vivid.
Junshan is a long, narrow island made up of 72 peaks of varying size. Though Junshan is small, its scenic spots, historic sites, and mythological stories are too numerous to take in. Legend has it that in remote antiquity there was no island in Dongting Lake. Whenever fierce winds arose and white waves surged to the sky, passing boats had nowhere to moor and were often swallowed by the savage waves, and the local people suffered unbearably. This aroused the sympathy of 72 snail maidens beneath the water. They endured the pain of taking off their snail shells and formed them into small islands, which later joined together to become today's Junshan. The 72 peaks on Junshan are the 72 snail maidens transformed.
Another legend says: more than 4,000 years ago, Emperor Shun made a southern inspection tour, and his two beloved consorts Ehuang and Nüying followed after him, but their boat was blocked by wind and waves at Dongting Mountain. Suddenly they heard that Emperor Shun had died at Cangwu. The two consorts were overcome with grief, and leaning on bamboo they gazed south, tears streaming down their faces. Drop after drop of tears fell on the bamboo, leaving mottled spots, and thus arose the "Xiang Consorts' Bamboo" now growing north of Junshan, also called "spotted bamboo." The two consorts also died from excessive grief and were buried here, which is why at the eastern foot of Junshan there is the Tomb of the Two Consorts. A folk poem says: "Emperor Shun went south on inspection and never returned; the two consorts' hidden grief lies among clouds and water. How many tears were shed then, no one knows; even now the bamboo is still spotted." In front of the tomb of the two consorts stands a stone tablet reading "Tomb of the Two Consorts of Emperor Shun," beside which stand stone pillars carved with reliefs of the qilin, lion, and elephant. In front of the tomb is a pair of stone pillars inscribed with a couplet: "The two souls of the consorts of the lord are fragrant through the ages; every spot on the mountain bamboo is a tear for one man." The two consorts were called the Lord's Consorts and the Xiang Consorts. To commemorate them, Dongting Mountain was renamed Junshan, and also called Xiangshan. It is said that this is the origin of the names Junshan and Xiangshan.
Interestingly, Junshan also has a legend of guilt in history. It is said that when Qin Shi Huang was touring the realm, his boat passed by Junshan when suddenly great winds and waves arose. The First Emperor was furious and said: "I am the true Son of Heaven traveling by boat; it should be calm and peaceful. Who is so bold as to stir up winds and waves?" Then he asked his attendants, "What place is this?" The attendant replied that it was Junshan. Hearing this, the First Emperor grew even angrier and said: "Under all heaven, only I am 'Jun' (lord); how can a mountain also be called 'Jun'?" He then ordered three thousand convict laborers to cut down all the trees on the mountain and commanded that a sealing order be carved on the cliff face. Today, on the lakeside cliff, a stone seal can still be seen, one meter long and 0.8 meters wide, with characters faintly discernible, seemingly the two characters "Yong Feng" (Eternal Seal), commonly known as the "Mountain-Sealing Seal".
Three Wonders of Biquan Pool in Xiangtan
Biquan Pool is located in Jinshi Township, Xiangtan County, about 40 kilometers from Xiangtan City. The Qing Dynasty Jiaqing edition of the Xiangtan County Annals states: "During the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty, a spring suddenly gushed out from the rock, its color like indigo; when objects were thrown into the water, they all turned emerald green." This is the origin of the name Biquan (Emerald Spring). In addition, a legend of a malevolent dragon circulated in central Hunan: "Its head is at Tieshu Temple in Jiangxi, its tail is in Biquan Pool in Hunan; shake it a little, sway it a little, and it will wash Hunan away to become the central sea." It was also said that to subdue this malevolent dragon, every Spring Festival iron chains were thrown into Biquan Pool to lock the evil dragon and ensure Hunan's safety. Thus, Biquan Pool became widely renowned.
People say Biquan Pool has three wonders, and this is indeed not fabricated. First is the wonder of the spring's appearance. The pool surface resembles boiling water, with circular ripples spreading ring by ring. An earlier writer described it thus: "The spring emerges from the rocks, churning sand and swirling waves, spiraling upward like a snail's whorl." This describes how the upward surge of the springwater drives the gravel at the pool bottom into arc-shaped snail-whorl formations, continuously spiraling upward; as they near the surface, the force diminishes and they scatter and fall, while the gravel behind forms new whorls, repeating endlessly in a remarkable spectacle. Especially under sunlight, the water plants, stones, gravel, and debris at the pool bottom are tinted in seven colors, making it even more magnificent. Second is the wonder of the water quality. The water of Biquan remains at about 20°C year-round. In the heat of midsummer, arriving at the poolside, one immediately feels a refreshing chill, pleasant and comfortable; cupping the water to drink, it is lightly sweet and agreeable. In deep winter, steam rises, suitable for washing one's face and feet. Since ancient times, rice paddies irrigated with Biquan water have produced plump grains shaped like "osmanthus stamens," once presented as tribute grain. Tofu made with Biquan water can stay fresh without spoiling for a longer time; ducks raised with Biquan water lay eggs that are round and solid without gaps; fish raised in it have tender, sweet flesh. In 1984, the Xiangtan County Biquan Pool Aquatic Improved Variety Breeding Farm was established here. That year, tilapia fingerlings were transferred in three times for overwintering and spawning breeding experiments, producing 150,000 fry. In the spring of 1986, artificial hatching of the catfish (Clarias leather) was successfully carried out, producing 500,000 fry, a first for Hunan Province. In August 1988, 2,000 freshwater pomfret were introduced from Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, for overwintering experiments, which also succeeded. In recent years, some have also developed eel production here. Third is the wonder of the fish behavior in the pool. Before every dawn, large numbers of crabs suddenly swarm into the spring; once the sun rises, they flee without a trace. At midnight when the wind is clear and the moon bright, a group of snakehead fish darts out from the pool bottom, each weighing about two to three jin, swimming swiftly like shuttles in the pool; but at the slightest sound, they quickly dive into stone crevices at the bottom, not emerging again until midnight the next day.
With such wondrous scenery, Biquan Pool has been a fine place for people to visit and compose poetry since ancient times.
The Thrilling and Exciting Mengdong River Rafting
The Mengdong River is located in Yongshun, western Hunan. The rafting section is on the Si River, a tributary of the Mengdong River, with a total length of 47 kilometers. The most spectacular part is from Hani Palace to Niulu River, about 17 kilometers long. The scenic area on both banks is mostly virgin secondary forest, lush and verdant, with rushing, emerald-clear waters. It is praised as having ten li of sheer cliffs, ten li of waterfalls and springs, ten li of painted scrolls, and ten li of cave heavens. Within it are 108 rapids and dangerous shoals, and 20 large and small waterfalls. Rafting through rushing currents, over dangerous shoals, through narrow gorges, and catching surging waves is thrilling yet safe, leaving endless aftertaste. Particularly the scenic spots of Hani Palace, Sanjiao Rock, Jilong Gate, Yuxian Gorge (Nietu), Yama Shoal, Luoshui Pit, Mengsi Gorge, Carp Belly Split, and Three Cannons are all breathtaking. After rafting, Liu Yi, then Director of the National Tourism Administration, praised it as "unique in all China." Fei Xiaotong, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, wrote after rafting: "The Number One Rafting Under Heaven." Mr. Chen Fuli, a famous Hong Kong photographic artist, praised after rafting: "True rafting is not in the Philippines, but on the Mengdong River in Hunan, China," and inscribed: "Seeking seclusion, exploring wonders, excitement, and expressing emotion all in one—Mengdong River rafting will soon be famous throughout the world." In February 2002, "The Number One Rafting Under Heaven" obtained the title of Famous Trademark of Hunan Province, the only famous trademark in China's tourism service industry.
The Number One Rafting Under Heaven begins at a place called Hani Palace, more than ten kilometers from the ancient town of Wangcun. The pressing green, the chirping of birds, and the ethereal sound of water rush toward you with the wild wind of the gorge, soaking into every inch of your skin. Sunlight slips down through ancient vines covered with halberd-shaped leaves, suddenly struck by jutting cliff rocks, twisting and filtering through dense foliage, leaping like ancient coins on the river that is so green it seems blue, shimmering with an ancient luster. Sandbanks, pebbles, mugwort, cattails, fishermen's songs, and the wild, untamed flowing water all remind you in the simplest, most direct way: board the rubber raft, and drift toward mystery, toward places your thoughts have never reached.
The boatman's long, drawn-out call rings out. With a push of the long pole, the rubber raft is wrapped and dragged by the impatient water, drifting toward the depths of the gorge where cliffs face each other and green vines entwine. At this moment, riding on the rubber raft that shuttles through the wave crests, you are like riding an unruly wild horse, galloping through the great canyon. All distracting thoughts in your mind have been washed clean by the rushing currents. What faces you are shoals higher than the last, strange rocks more perilous than the last. You charge toward the shoals, toward the giant waves, toward the most thrilling passage in the river of life. Between intense excitement, between shouting and raising your arms, your life's raft suddenly passes through the rapids, and before your eyes are egrets circling low and waterfalls flowing with emerald green. At this moment, you have unloaded the stubborn stone of inferiority in life and ignited the flame of confidence to illuminate every day of your life...
The main reason to visit the Mengdong River is to go rafting. The river is flanked by towering peaks on both banks, and the scenery is beautiful and delightful to the eye.
Generally, rafting goes from Hani Palace to Hou'er Tiao, a section with many shoals and relatively rapid currents. This section takes about 5 hours to raft in full. Of course, you can also raft only half the route, from Hani Palace to Nilu River Bridge, which takes 3 hours. If rafting the full route, upon reaching Hou'er Tiao, a tour boat will transfer you to Furong Town, taking about 2 hours. If you start rafting in the morning, you can do the full route and then visit Furong Town; if you start in the afternoon, you will only have time for half the route.
During rafting, generally 6 to 10 people ride one rubber raft, and everyone wears a life jacket. The raft is poled by a local boatman, so it is thrilling but safe.
Luoxi Waterfall in Taojiang Scatters Pearls and Jade
The Luoxi Waterfall in Taojiang County has a drop of 103 meters and is known as the "Number One Waterfall in Central South China." Luoxi Waterfall is 35 kilometers from Taojiang County seat, and has been regarded by renowned experts as a unique wonder of the central-south region. The stream originates from Ji'anlun at an elevation of 847 meters, converging five mountain gullies and several small streams, winding and twisting for 2.5 kilometers until it meets a cliff ledge 103 meters high and 50 meters wide, which local people call "Feishui Rock." Here the stream forms a waterfall cascading down, looking from afar like a silver curtain hanging in the air, and up close like scattering pearls and jade. From the top of Feishui Rock, the waterfall passes through a stone channel several dozen meters long, not artificially carved but formed by centuries of stream erosion. Water rushes through the stone channel like a long silver-white silk ribbon, flickering unpredictably, possessing a certain natural charm. After leaving the stone channel, the stream meets another stone ledge and becomes a silver waterfall pouring down. Where the water strikes below the rock, it forms a deep pool. The stream overflows from the pool and flows down 20 meters, meets another stone ledge, and cascades again. The Luoxi water plunges straight down from Feishui Rock, forming three terraced and adjacent waterfalls. Visitors here feel as if they have stepped into a "Water Curtain Cave" of a deep mountain gorge, quite extraordinary. Around the waterfall are green trees and red flowers, dense forests and tall bamboo, and peach trees—a superb resort for sightseeing and vacationing.
The Monk Diverts Water at Qianfo Cave
Legend has it that at the foot of Cuiping Mountain in Ningxiang, there has been a beautiful village since ancient times, home to over a hundred households. One year, a great drought struck, and the crops were about to wither and die. People followed the only small stream up the mountain and came to the entrance of Qianfo Cave. They saw a deep pool on the right side of the cave, with green waves rippling. Some wanted to develop a water source here, but those who entered the cave were never seen again. Just as the people were helpless and worried that hard times were about to come, two monks came down from Jiangong Temple on Cuiping Mountain, one old and one young. The old monk was named Guangyong, and the young monk was named Huiqing. Carrying packs on their backs, they arrived at the cave entrance. The old monk handed a brass gong to the young monk and said: "Disciple, after I enter the cave, no matter what happens around you, you must never stop striking the brass gong: one, two, three; three, two, one; one, two, three, four, five, six, seven—strike repeatedly like this. Do you remember?" The young monk nodded repeatedly, saying yes again and again. The old monk held a bundle of white cloth, grasped the end, and threw it forcefully into the cave. At once, silver light flashed inside the cave, dazzling the eyes, and before the old monk appeared a bright cloth path leading into the cave. The old monk quickly took off his cloth shoes and stooped to enter the cave. Every ten steps he took, he planted a sandalwood incense stick emitting thick smoke on the cave wall. The young monk struck the brass gong and chanted with eyes closed: one, two, three; three, two... Before long, the young monk opened his eyes to look and saw sparks flying in all directions inside the cave, with shouts of killing, extremely fierce. Looking at the cave entrance, the water flow was sometimes large, sometimes small. Several gusts of cold wind blew, and the young monk felt some fear and fright, so he quickened his gong striking. When he inadvertently turned his head, he noticed the two cloth shoes the old monk had taken off, one up and one down, tumbling and dancing. The young monk found it very amusing and momentarily forgot to strike the brass gong, only watching the dancing pair of cloth shoes. It was not until the cloth shoes stopped jumping that the young monk remembered his master inside the cave. But he saw the white cloth turn into flowing water, flowing down the mountain. The thick smoke from the sandalwood incense turned into a blue cloud
that spurted out. With a "whoosh," a white dove flew out from the cave and soared away with the blue cloud. The young monk understood and knew something was wrong. He knelt before his master's cloth shoes and shouted for his master toward the flying white dove. Though his cries were sorrowful and heart-wrenching, he never saw the old monk again. From then on, water flowed ceaselessly from Qianfo Cave, and the village at the foot of Cuiping Mountain never worried about lacking water again. To commemorate the monk Guangyong, who transformed into a white dove to divert water, people built a White Dove Temple by the cave. On every festive occasion, people go to this temple to burn incense and make offerings. This custom has been passed down to this day, and the small temple under the big tree on the mountain to the left of Qianfo Cave can still be seen. It is wonderfully constructed, warm in winter and cool in summer. It is said that before the founding of New China, not far from the cave entrance stood a magnificent temple, with incense smoke curling and morning bells and evening drums unceasing. Beside the cave is a stone dragon, winding and coiling, remarkably lifelike.
The Enchanting Boyue Cave in Lengshuijiang
The world-famous Boyue Cave is located at the foot of Zhengjia Mountain in the northern suburbs of Lengshuijiang City. Boyue Cave has twenty-seven halls of various sizes. Upon entering the cave gate, a gentle breeze blows, cool and refreshing to the skin. Descending the steps, one enters the Welcome Hall, over twenty meters high and over thirty meters wide. In the hall, comb-shaped stalactite formations cluster together, with greenish layers, resembling a giant welcoming pine. Passing through the welcoming pine and along a long corridor, one arrives at Guanyin Hall. On the left wall of this hall is a huge group of stalactites, like a waterfall rushing down, splashing pearl-like droplets, brilliantly colorful. In the center of the hall stands a stalactite pillar, fifteen meters high and over six meters in circumference, with head and eyes complete, vividly lifelike, exactly like Guanyin. Passing through Guanyin Hall, one comes to the Immortal Elephant Hall, which is long and curved, uniquely styled. On the left side of the entrance is a stone platform, on which stand three stone screens embroidered with sea flowers; on the right, a huge rock resembles an immortal elephant, remarkably true to life, dignified and steady. Around the stone elephant, stone pillars breaking through the ground stand in rows facing each other; waterfalls formed by congealed magma compete in beauty upon landing; stone monkeys bare their teeth and brandish claws, silver towers stand gracefully; stone bamboo shoots grow in clusters everywhere, reflecting one another near and far, composing an extremely gorgeous picture. On the hall ceiling is a peculiar group of stalactites, looking up like torches suspended in the air. Visitors here feel as if they have entered a fairyland, like viewing beautiful scenery before the Jade Emperor's tower, or touring a thousand wonders in the Crystal Palace. Moving further, heavy stone curtains make one suspect there is no path, but in the deep, dark recesses there is a cave door.
The Martial Arts Hall, which can accommodate over two thousand people, is the largest hall in the cave. In front of the hall is a natural reviewing platform of sixty square meters; on the left, a giant roc spreads its wings as if about to fly; on the right, a thousand plots of stone fields can be cultivated; on the ceiling, chairs hang upside down, fully a thousand of them. Beyond the Martial Arts Hall is Zhaoyang Hall. In the hall, rocks stand in profusion, in a thousand postures. Across the center lies a small river, its water clear as a mirror, reflecting figures in the water, even eyebrows and beard visible. Climbing the stone steps in the hall, there is a pool named "Fairy Pool," with clear, serene water. On the pool bank is a clothes rack, carved with dragons and phoenixes, and a dressing table with a bright mirror hanging high. On the ceiling of Zhaoyang Hall, white stalactites are like millions of jade hairpins inserted in curtain-like stone screens, appearing noble and magnificent, resplendent in gold and jade. Behind Zhaoyang Hall is a narrow pass, where cliffs on both sides face each other, and "Guan Yu's Broadsword" hangs from the rock ceiling. The passage allows only one person to pass sideways—a natural fortress where birds cannot fly and monkeys would despair to climb. Entering the pass and ascending a heavenly ladder, the view suddenly opens up, breathtakingly beautiful. On the rock ceiling, a thousand swords hang, flashing cold silver light; higher up are rows of stone vats, their water level as smooth as mirrors, with horses galloping on both sides—a scene of troops stationed and strength nurtured. Not far away is a very large Coral Village. Cloud-like corals bloom in clusters. On the wall of Coral Village, a five-clawed golden dragon spouts water, occasionally emitting a humming sound.
From Coral Village down the White Jade Slope, along the way are dozens of glistening stalactites, and the ground seems paved with mica, glittering silver and dazzling. Crossing over a "mountain ridge" along the way, one enters the "Tropical Rainforest" hall. This hall is over twenty meters high, surrounded by cliffs, majestic in momentum and spectacular in scenery. Amid swirling clouds and mist, stone bamboo shoots break through the ground, stone pillars rise from the earth, stone branches spread out, stone vines climb stems and branches; lions and tigers crouch in forward and backward stances, hunters pursue with guns—vivid and remarkably true to life. On the thick stone pillars, small "flowers" cluster, reminding one of the "cauliflory" of tropical rainforests. Water droplets condensing on the lower ends of dense soda straws on the cave ceiling glisten, like sunlight filtering through the dense shade of a rainforest. The scenery of this hall is not only strange in form but also colorful, mutually enhancing. The many hanging stone curtains, when gently tapped, produce pleasant sounds. Visitors here often stop to rest and are reluctant to leave.
Among the countless wonders inside Boyue Cave, three treasures rank first in the world: the cradle-chair-shaped structure on the ceiling of the Martial Arts Hall; the soda straw over two meters long on the ceiling of the "Tropical Rainforest" hall; and the stone vats at "Yijia Pass." Their strangeness, length, and depth are unmatched by caves elsewhere. Groups of geological experts who have come to investigate Boyue Cave all agree that it is rare in the world and a dazzling pearl of central Hunan, praising it: "Having Boyue Cave is a blessing for the Chinese people."
Hunan's Forest Ecotourism Is Uniquely Blessed
Forest ecotourism relies on forest resources, with forest landscapes as the main body, comprehensively utilizing natural resources and developing them rationally, providing the public with a fine form of sightseeing, summer vacationing, convalescence and recuperation, conference training, scientific research, and hunting. Forest parks are important venues for developing modern forest ecotourism.
Hunan is rich in forest tourism resources, with a great variety of forest wildlife, continuous and majestic mountains, and water systems that complement the forests. Its natural beauty, blending natural and cultural elements, has made it a destination people long to visit. In 1982, China's first national forest park—Zhangjiajie National Forest Park—was established, marking the beginning of a great expansion of forest eco-tourism in Hunan and across the country. In just over 20 years, Hunan's forest eco-tourism, centered on Zhangjiajie, grew from weak to strong and gradually expanded. Relying on forest landscape resources, localities across Hunan invested more than 2 billion yuan and built 90 forest parks, with a total operating area of 240,000 hectares; developed and built 330 scenic areas of various types; upgraded and built 702 kilometers of roads leading into the parks and 1,558 kilometers of walking trails; and built more than 110 hotels and reception facilities with over 11,500 beds. Forest sightseeing tours, flower-sea viewing tours, rafting adventure tours, alpine grassland tours, rock-climbing experience tours, forest science tours, folk-custom tours, farmhouse leisure tours, southern hunting tours... New tourism products keep emerging, and a forest eco-tourism system integrating food, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, shopping, and entertainment has basically taken shape across the land of the three Xiangs.
Hunan Province also takes the 100-kilometer radius around its 14 cities as a strategic focus, planning to build a number of forest parks and forest leisure resorts (campgrounds) to promote the development of forest eco-tourism. According to the plan, by 2020 Hunan will build 50 national-level forest parks, 80 provincial-level forest parks, 100 prefecture (city) and county-level forest parks, 500 forest leisure resorts (campgrounds), and 50 wetland parks. The overall layout of Hunan's forest eco-tourism will be divided into six major forest eco-tourism zones: eastern Hunan, northwestern Hunan, southern Hunan, northern Hunan, western Hunan, and central Hunan. Each zone includes two to three cities or prefectures and has its own unique functions.
In order to vigorously develop the forest tourism industry, Hunan Province will focus on building four major forest tourism bases: Changsha, Zhangjiajie, Chenzhou, and Dongting Lake. On the basis of these four bases, four major industrial clusters will be formed: the Chang-Zhu-Tan cluster, including the three cities of Changsha, Zhuzhou, and Xiangtan, which will vigorously develop suburban forest eco-tourism and form a suburban forest eco-tourism industry cluster with the Chang-Zhu-Tan urban agglomeration as its main market; the Greater Xiangxi cluster, including the four cities and prefectures of Zhangjiajie, Xiangxi, Huaihua, and Shaoyang, which will focus on developing landform forest eco-tourism, forming a development trend focused mainly on the domestic market in the near term and paying equal attention to international and domestic tourists in the medium and long term; the Dongting Lake rim cluster, including the three cities of Yueyang, Yiyang, and Changde, which will vigorously develop wetland eco-tourism and form a wetland and forest eco-tourism industry cluster that pays equal attention to international and domestic tourists; and the central-southern Hunan cluster, including the four cities of Chenzhou, Yongzhou, Hengyang, and Loudi, which will form a landscape forest eco-tourism industry cluster with the Pearl River Delta as its main source market.