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Hunan

Where to go in Hunan

Tap a city on the map — or use the list underneath it — to narrow the food, the places to stay and the things to see down to that city.

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Newest in Hunan

The three most recent stories in each section, wherever they are in the province.

Shuiche Pressed Duck, Cured in the Cold FoodXinhua County Shuiche Pressed Duck, Cured in the Cold 28 September 2026 Zhumei Free-Range Chicken, Sold by the Bird Not the Kilo FoodLianyuan Zhumei Free-Range Chicken, Sold by the Bird Not the Kilo 28 September 2026 Baixi Tofu, Pressed in the Hills Above the River FoodXinhua County Baixi Tofu, Pressed in the Hills Above the River 28 September 2026 A River-View Hotel at Lengshuijiang StayLengshuijiang A River-View Hotel at Lengshuijiang 28 September 2026 A Homestay Beside the Meijiang Gorge StayLianyuan A Homestay Beside the Meijiang Gorge 28 September 2026 A Forest Retreat on Daxiong Mountain StayXinhua County A Forest Retreat on Daxiong Mountain 28 September 2026 Boyue Cave, the Grotto That Played the Monkey King's Mountain TravelLengshuijiang Boyue Cave, the Grotto That Played the Monkey King's Mountain 28 September 2026 Fuhoutang, the Zeng Family's Walled Mansion TravelShuangfeng County Fuhoutang, the Zeng Family's Walled Mansion 28 September 2026 Meijiang Geopark, the Karst Cut Through the Hills TravelLianyuan Meijiang Geopark, the Karst Cut Through the Hills 28 September 2026

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Food0

  1. Shuiche Pressed Duck, Cured in the Cold Shuiche Pressed Duck, Cured in the Cold Xinhua County The 板鸭 of 水车镇 in 新化县, salted, pressed flat under weight and dried through the 小雪 winds until the meat goes firm and red.
  2. Zhumei Free-Range Chicken, Sold by the Bird Not the Kilo Zhumei Free-Range Chicken, Sold by the Bird Not the Kilo Lianyuan The 珠梅土鸡 of 涟源市, a slow-grown bird from the 珠梅 hills, stewed with chilli and ginger and eaten with rice.
  3. Baixi Tofu, Pressed in the Hills Above the River Baixi Tofu, Pressed in the Hills Above the River Xinhua County The 白溪豆腐 of 新化县, set with a spring the town has guarded for centuries and pressed hard enough to carry sauce.
  4. Yongfeng Chilli Sauce, the Zeng Family's Condiment Yongfeng Chilli Sauce, the Zeng Family's Condiment Shuangfeng County The 永丰辣酱 of 双峰县, a chilli paste fermented in crocks since the Ming, sent to the Xianfeng court and still made the slow way.
  5. Xinhua Sanhe Soup, Three Kinds of Beef in One Bowl Xinhua Sanhe Soup, Three Kinds of Beef in One Bowl Xinhua County The 三合汤 of 新化县, a dark soup of tripe, blood and sliced beef brought to the table with a spoonful of 山胡椒油.
  6. Xiangxiang Fire-Cured Fish, Ten Days Off the Reservoir Xiangxiang Fire-Cured Fish, Ten Days Off the Reservoir Xiangxiang The 火焙鱼 of 湘乡市, small fish salted, dried, steamed and then smoked over husk and tea seed for two nights.
  7. Huashi Lotus Seed, the Crop of the Xiangtan Ponds Huashi Lotus Seed, the Crop of the Xiangtan Ponds Xiangtan County The 湘莲 of 花石镇 in 湘潭县, husked, cored and sorted by hand in the town that trades a tenth of the country's lotus seed.
  8. Dengxin Cake, the Pastry That Burns Like a Lamp Wick Dengxin Cake, the Pastry That Burns Like a Lamp Wick Xiangtan The 灯芯糕 of 湘潭市, a bar of rice flour and cassia oil thin enough to be lit, and sweet enough that nobody does.
  9. Longpai Soy Sauce and the Barrel Yards That Still Sun It Longpai Soy Sauce and the Barrel Yards That Still Sun It Xiangtan The 龙牌酱油 of 湘潭市, brewed since 1740 in earthenware jars that stand outdoors for the better part of a year.
  10. Betel Nut, the Habit That Came Up the River to Xiangtan Betel Nut, the Habit That Came Up the River to Xiangtan Xiangtan The 槟榔 of 湘潭市, a southern drug that arrived as cargo and turned into a local industry of curing, smoke and brine.
  11. Shaodong Daylily, the Golden Needle Picked Before It Opens Shaodong Daylily, the Golden Needle Picked Before It Opens Shaodong The 黄花菜 of 邵东市, cut at dawn before the bud opens and steamed and dried into the golden needles that go into a Hunan soup.
  12. Chengbu Insect Tea, the Drink That Begins as a Leaf Chengbu Insect Tea, the Drink That Begins as a Leaf Chengbu Miao Autonomous County The 虫茶 of 城步苗族自治县, a mountain leaf fed to moth larvae and brewed from what they leave behind, dark red and faintly sweet.
  13. The Pig-Blood Ball That Smokes Above the Fire The Pig-Blood Ball That Smokes Above the Fire Longhui County The 猪血丸子 of 邵阳, bean curd, pork and pig's blood worked into a ball and smoked over the kitchen fire until it is hard.
  14. Wugang Lu Cai, the Braise That Runs on a Dozen Herbs Wugang Lu Cai, the Braise That Runs on a Dozen Herbs Wugang The 卤菜 of 武冈市, bean curd and copper goose simmered in a spiced master broth the town has kept going for centuries.
  15. Shaoyang Rice Noodles, the Thick Round Strand of the Morning Shaoyang Rice Noodles, the Thick Round Strand of the Morning Shaoyang The 米粉 of 邵阳市, a coarse round rice noodle in beef-bone broth with a spoon of mountain-pepper oil on top.
  16. Yiyang Century Eggs, the Pine-Flower Pattern Under the Shell Yiyang Century Eggs, the Pine-Flower Pattern Under the Shell Yiyang Duck eggs cured in ash and lime until the white turns amber and the surface bears a pattern like frost on glass, eaten cold with a spoon of chili.
  17. Xiushan Dried Noodles, Hung Out to Dry Above the River Xiushan Dried Noodles, Hung Out to Dry Above the River Taojiang County Thin salted wheat noodles made by hand in one riverside town, dried on bamboo frames in the wind and sold everywhere in the county as the everyday breakfast.
  18. Anhua Lei Cha, the Tea That Is Pounded and Eaten Anhua Lei Cha, the Tea That Is Pounded and Eaten Anhua County Tea leaves ground with rice, peanuts and ginger into a thick pale-green soup, poured over puffed rice and eaten with a spoon rather than drunk.
  19. Yuanjiang Asparagus Lettuce, the Green Stem Sold by the Bundle Yuanjiang Asparagus Lettuce, the Green Stem Sold by the Bundle Yuanjiang A thick-stemmed vegetable grown on the reclaimed land around South Dongting, peeled, cut into lengths and stir-fried until it squeaks.
  20. Crayfish, the Rice-Field Crop That Took Over a County Crayfish, the Rice-Field Crop That Took Over a County Nan County Boiled red in a spiced broth and eaten with the fingers, the crayfish of Nanxian grow in the same flooded paddies as the rice and are the county's second harvest.
  21. Huairong Mustard, the Pickle Behind a National Industry Huairong Mustard, the Pickle Behind a National Industry Huarong County The county grows a mild, thick-stemmed mustard that pickles into the sour greens sold across the country, and eats it at home with pork and chili.
  22. Dongting Silver Fish, the Transparent Catch of the Lake Dongting Silver Fish, the Transparent Catch of the Lake Yueyang A finger-length fish so translucent it is nearly invisible, eaten whole in omelettes and soups, and the reason the lake has a fishing season at all.
  23. Zhangshugang Chili, the Pepper Sold by the Grain Zhangshugang Chili, the Pepper Sold by the Grain Xiangyin County A thin-skinned green chili from one stretch of riverbank that costs many times what ordinary peppers do, cooked down with pork into a Hunan staple.
  24. Pingjiang Dried Tofu, the Snack Sold by the Bagful Pingjiang Dried Tofu, the Snack Sold by the Bagful Pingjiang County Pressed, smoked and dried until it can be carried in a pocket, the county's tofu is chewy, dark and built to be eaten cold with a bottle of beer.
  25. Miluo Zongzi, the Rice Pyramid That Started a Festival Miluo Zongzi, the Rice Pyramid That Started a Festival Miluo Glutinous rice packed into bamboo leaves and boiled for hours on the river where the poet drowned, sold here in alkaline and pork versions alike.
  26. Nanyue Vegetarian Feast, Temple Cooking at the Foot of the Mountain Nanyue Vegetarian Feast, Temple Cooking at the Foot of the Mountain Hengshan County The mountain's temple kitchens cook without garlic, onion or meat, a delicate cuisine built for pilgrims who climb to the summit.
  27. Suo Luo, the River Snails You Suck Straight Out of the Shell Suo Luo, the River Snails You Suck Straight Out of the Shell Hengyang River snails starved for two days and their tails clipped, simmered with dried chili and perilla, and eaten by suction at a night stall.
  28. Hengdong Crispy Tripe and the Yellow Chili It Cannot Do Without Hengdong Crispy Tripe and the Yellow Chili It Cannot Do Without Hengdong County Pork tripe cut into threads and flash-fried for forty seconds with pickled yellow chilies until it curls and snaps.
  29. Tutou Wan, the Nine-Layer Bowl That Opens Every Hengyang Banquet Tutou Wan, the Nine-Layer Bowl That Opens Every Hengyang Banquet Hengyang A tower of nine stacked layers, from sweet red dates at the base to a crown of pork kidney, served first at every wedding and New Year table.
  30. Hengyang Fish Noodles, the Bowl the Whole City Eats at Dawn Hengyang Fish Noodles, the Bowl the Whole City Eats at Dawn Hengyang Rice noodles under a milky, chili-red fish broth, made with a fish killed minutes before, is the breakfast Hengyang will not give up.
  31. Anren Mashed Chili and the Bowl That Empties the Rice Pot Anren Mashed Chili and the Bowl That Empties the Rice Pot Anren County Charred green chilies pounded with black beans and garlic, the plainest and most addictive thing on the table.
  32. Guiyang Jar-Braised Pork Sealed Under Clay Guiyang Jar-Braised Pork Sealed Under Clay Guiyang County Pork belly sealed inside an earthen jar with soy and rock sugar, then left to soften for a season.
  33. Dongjiang Fish from the Coldest Water in Hunan Dongjiang Fish from the Coldest Water in Hunan Zixing Perch and silver carp pulled from a deep reservoir, steamed plain so the sweet, clean flesh does the talking.
  34. Linwu Duck and a Thousand Years of Patient Braising Linwu Duck and a Thousand Years of Patient Braising Linwu County A duck raised along the Wushui river, braised in dark spiced liquor until the skin turns amber and the meat stays firm.
  35. Qifengdu Fish Noodles and the Broth That Wakes Chenzhou Qifengdu Fish Noodles and the Broth That Wakes Chenzhou Chenzhou Rice noodles in a fiery red fish broth, the breakfast bowl that gets Chenzhou out of bed before sunrise.
  36. Chenxi Pickled Radish Chenxi Pickled Radish Chenxi County Radish dried in the sun, salted in a crock and eaten with everything, including breakfast noodles.
  37. Xinhuang Yellow Cattle of the Dong Country Xinhuang Yellow Cattle of the Dong Country Xinhuang Dong Autonomous County Small mountain cattle, dry-fried with pickled chilli until the meat is chewy and almost black.
  38. Hongjiang Blood Cake Duck Hongjiang Blood Cake Duck Hongjiang Duck braised with sticky rice cakes set in duck blood, dark and faintly sweet, from the ancient market town.
  39. Yuanling Pig Trotter Rice Noodles Yuanling Pig Trotter Rice Noodles Yuanling County A whole trotter stewed to jelly and poured over noodles at breakfast, in the old county town on the Yuan.
  40. Zhijiang Duck, the Bird of the Peace City Zhijiang Duck, the Bird of the Peace City Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County Fattened duck simmered in sweet bean paste and ginger, the signature dish of the town where Japan surrendered.
  41. Baiguan Loofah, Zhuzhou's Summer Vegetable Baiguan Loofah, Zhuzhou's Summer Vegetable Zhuzhou A ridge of dark green loofah grown in Baiguan town, sweet enough to eat with nothing but garlic.
  42. Chaling Hula, the Thick Soup of the Hills Chaling Hula, the Thick Soup of the Hills Chaling County A glutinous, peppery bowl of ground rice and dried goods, the winter breakfast of Chaling county.
  43. Yanling Hakka Stuffed Tofu Yanling Hakka Stuffed Tofu Yanling County Hakka bean curd parcels packed with pork and dried shrimp, pan-fried then simmered in broth.
  44. Liling Fried Rice Noodles on a Porcelain Street Liling Fried Rice Noodles on a Porcelain Street Liling Wide flat noodles charred hard in a wok with bean sprouts, eaten where the kilns used to be.
  45. Youxian Dried Tofu, Pressed and Smoked Youxian Dried Tofu, Pressed and Smoked You County Bean curd pressed under stone until it squeaks, then smoked brown and sliced with pork.
  46. Shimen Cured Meat from the Huping Mountains Shimen Cured Meat from the Huping Mountains Shimen County Mountain pork smoked over chestnut wood and tea branches, sliced thin and fried with dried chilli.
  47. Hanshou Softshell Turtle from the West Dongting Hanshou Softshell Turtle from the West Dongting Hanshou County A wetland turtle stewed with ham and garlic until the skirt goes gelatinous, a banquet dish of the lake.
  48. Taoyuan Lei Cha, the Pounded Tea of Changde Taoyuan Lei Cha, the Pounded Tea of Changde Taoyuan County Tea leaves ground with rice, peanuts and ginger, then flooded with boiling water in a clay bowl.
  49. Changde Jiangbanya, the Lacquered Duck Changde Jiangbanya, the Lacquered Duck Changde Pressed flat, air-dried, then braised in spiced soy until the skin turns the colour of furniture.
  50. Changde Beef Rice Noodles at Dawn Changde Beef Rice Noodles at Dawn Changde Round rice noodles in a red beef broth, a fistful of pickled beans, eaten standing at six in the morning.
  51. Yongzhou He Luo, Snails from the Xiang River Yongzhou He Luo, Snails from the Xiang River Yongzhou River snails cooked with perilla and chilli, sucked from the shell on a stone bank at dusk.
  52. The Yao Eighteen Niang of Jianghua The Yao Eighteen Niang of Jianghua Jianghua Yao Autonomous County Eighteen things the Yao of Jianghua stuff, steam and braise, from bitter melon to pomelo skin.
  53. Qiyang Quyu, the Red Fish of the Xiang River Qiyang Quyu, the Red Fish of the Xiang River Qiyang Grass carp cured in fermented red rice, steamed into a deep crimson block that tastes of the river.
  54. Dongan Chicken, Yongzhou's Vinegar-Braised Classic Dongan Chicken, Yongzhou's Vinegar-Braised Classic Dong'an County Rice vinegar and chilli over a young bird, sour-hot and pale, the banquet dish of Dongan county.
  55. Yongzhou Blood Duck, the Pride of the Xiaoxiang Yongzhou Blood Duck, the Pride of the Xiaoxiang Yongzhou A whole duck braised down in its own blood, dark and glossy, the dish every Yongzhou family argues about.
  56. Zhangjiajie Blood Tofu Zhangjiajie Blood Tofu Zhangjiajie Pig's blood, tofu and Sichuan pepper smoked for weeks beside the family bacon, then sliced and fried hard with garlic shoots.
  57. Mugwort Rice Cakes of Zhangjiajie Mugwort Rice Cakes of Zhangjiajie Zhangjiajie Steamed green rice cakes made on the third day of the third month, from a recipe the mountains invented to keep snakes out of the villages.
  58. Kudzu Root Noodles from the Zhangjiajie Hills Kudzu Root Noodles from the Zhangjiajie Hills Zhangjiajie Wild mountain kudzu starch that turns translucent the moment boiling water hits it, eaten as a jelly and stir-fried with cured pork.
  59. Rock Ear Fungus Chicken of Zhangjiajie Rock Ear Fungus Chicken of Zhangjiajie Zhangjiajie A lichen that grows a centimetre a year on sandstone cliffs, lifted off the rock by rope, and stewed for ten minutes in a free-range chicken broth.
  60. Tujia Sanxiaguo, Zhangjiajie's Dry Pot Tujia Sanxiaguo, Zhangjiajie's Dry Pot Zhangjiajie The city's signature dry pot, invented when a Ming-dynasty chieftain brought the new year forward a day so that his troops could march.
  61. Qianzhou Pressed Duck Qianzhou Pressed Duck Jishou A duck flattened under a board, salted and dried on a roof through the winter, then steamed to a deep mahogany red.
  62. Xiangxi Rice Tofu Xiangxi Rice Tofu Yongshun County Rice set with lime water into a cool yellow jelly, dressed with chilli oil and pickled beans — Futong's most famous five-yuan bowl.
  63. She Fan, the Spring Rice of Xiangxi She Fan, the Spring Rice of Xiangxi Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture The green rice cooked for the day of the soil god, once a year, out of the last of the winter pig and the first of the spring.
  64. Xiangxi Congjun Mushrooms Xiangxi Congjun Mushrooms Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture A milk cap that bleeds orange, grows only with pine roots, and has never been successfully farmed — fried with cured pork.
  65. Hunan Chili Fried Pork: The Farmhouse Classic Hunan Chili Fried Pork: The Farmhouse Classic Changsha The everyday fiery plate of Hunan: sliced pork and blistering green chilies, cooked hot and fast with nothing to hide behind.
  66. Mao's Braised Pork Mao's Braised Pork Changsha Hunan's famous twist on braised pork belly, the dish named for the leader who wanted it less sweet, more savoury.
  67. Changsha Spicy Crayfish Changsha Spicy Crayfish Changsha Red-braised crayfish by the basin with perilla, garlic and a great deal of chilli — Changsha's summer night market in one dish, and its cheapest summer in five years.
  68. Chopped Pepper Fish Head Chopped Pepper Fish Head Changsha A whole fish head crowned with minced chilies, steamed until the spice seeps into the bone.
  69. Peppery Stir-Fried Pork Peppery Stir-Fried Pork Changsha The everyday dish of every Hunan kitchen, and the one most people miss the most when they leave.
  70. Xueba Ya (Xiangxi Blood Cake Duck) Xueba Ya (Xiangxi Blood Cake Duck) Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture Xiangxi braised duck with fried glutinous blood cake — dark, rich and slow-cooked, food from the cold hills of western Hunan.
  71. Duck Blood & Vermicelli Soup Duck Blood & Vermicelli Soup Changsha A hot bowl of duck blood and clear broth that warms what the city has made cold.
  72. Shuangyanlou Shuangyanlou Changsha Wontons rolled to a third of a millimetre, folded into swallow tails, since the last years of the Qing.
  73. Heji Noodle Shop Heji Noodle Shop Changsha The north-gate noodle shop of 1906, where the rice is ground only after the washing water runs clear.
  74. Yuloudong Yuloudong Changsha A banquet house open since 1904, where Changsha learned to eat out — peppery chicken and tripe cooked by poured soup.
  75. Granny Wu's Stinky Tofu Granny Wu's Stinky Tofu Changsha Black tofu fried to order at a lane mouth off Huangxing South Road since 1979 — brushed only with chilli oil and served on a plate, never a bowl.
  76. Zhou Ji Rice Noodle Shop Zhou Ji Rice Noodle Shop Changsha A lane-side noodle shop that opened in 1938, the year the old city burned — meat-patty-and-egg noodles on clear bone broth, unchanged since.
  77. Shangbixiang Street Market Shangbixiang Street Market Changsha Nanmenkou's old wet market — a few hundred metres of chili jars, fried rice cakes and family stalls that outlasted the city.
  78. Sugar-Oil Rice Cakes Sugar-Oil Rice Cakes Changsha Sticky fried rice balls rolled in amber sugar, sold warm on rainy corners after the market closes.
  79. Steamed Cured Meats Steamed Cured Meats Changsha Smoky sausages and salted pork, steamed slow — the pantry of a southern winter.
  80. Griddled Tofu Skewers Griddled Tofu Skewers Changsha Bean curd brushed with cumin and chili, eaten under streetlights that hum like they are also trying to keep warm.
  81. Chili Sesame Noodles Chili Sesame Noodles Changsha Cold noodles under a violent red spoonful, for evenings when you want to taste the danger.
  82. Soup Steamed Dumplings Soup Steamed Dumplings Changsha Thin-skinned buns full of burning broth that hurt the tongue just before they comfort it.
  83. Rice Noodles in Broth Rice Noodles in Broth Changsha Slippery morning noodles that taste of steam and hungover streets.

Stay0

  1. A River-View Hotel at Lengshuijiang A River-View Hotel at Lengshuijiang Lengshuijiang A hotel on the 资江 at 冷水江市, the tin town on the river, where the whole city turns out along the bank after dark.
  2. A Homestay Beside the Meijiang Gorge A Homestay Beside the Meijiang Gorge Lianyuan A small guesthouse at 湄江镇 in 涟源市, a few minutes from the geopark gate and run by a family who cook what the garden gives.
  3. A Forest Retreat on Daxiong Mountain A Forest Retreat on Daxiong Mountain Xinhua County A lodge inside 大熊山国家森林公园 in 新化县, at 1,600 m the highest ground in central Hunan and cold enough to need a quilt in August.
  4. A Lodge Among the Ziquejie Terraces A Lodge Among the Ziquejie Terraces Xinhua County A family lodge at 水车镇 in 新化县, sitting inside the 紫鹊界 terraces where the rooms look down the valley to the sunrise.
  5. A Riverside Hotel in the Middle of Loudi A Riverside Hotel in the Middle of Loudi Loudi A high-floor hotel in 娄星区, the centre of 娄底市, with the 涟水 under the windows and the 波月洞 an hour out of town.
  6. A Village Guesthouse Below Shaoshan A Village Guesthouse Below Shaoshan Shaoshan A guesthouse in the hills of 韶山市, ten minutes from the coaches and the memorial halls and a world away from both.
  7. A Lakeside Resort on the Shuifumiao Reservoir A Lakeside Resort on the Shuifumiao Reservoir Xiangxiang A place to sleep on the water at 水府庙水库 in 湘乡市, where the islands are wooded and the fish comes off the lake in the morning.
  8. A Farmstay Among the Lotus Fields at Huashi A Farmstay Among the Lotus Fields at Huashi Xiangtan County A family house at 花石镇 in 湘潭县, with the ponds on three sides and the seed-drying yards across the lane.
  9. An Inn in the Old Wharf Quarter at Yaowan An Inn in the Old Wharf Quarter at Yaowan Xiangtan A small inn among the repaired lanes of 窑湾 in 湘潭市, where the teahouse trade starts at six and the stone flags are older than the town.
  10. A City Hotel on the Xiang River at Xiangtan A City Hotel on the Xiang River at Xiangtan Xiangtan A hotel on the riverfront of 湘潭市, with the Xiang below the window and the old wharf quarter a short walk downstream.
  11. A Minsu Among the Hua Yao of Huxingshan A Minsu Among the Hua Yao of Huxingshan Longhui County A family house on the 虎形山 slopes of 隆回县, in the village of the 花瑶 and their cross-stitched dress and mountain songs.
  12. A Lodge in the Huang Sang Forest of Suining A Lodge in the Huang Sang Forest of Suining Suining County A timber lodge inside the old-growth forest of 黄桑 in 绥宁县, with a stream below the veranda and no electric light after dark.
  13. A Guesthouse on the Nanshan Pasture Above the Clouds A Guesthouse on the Nanshan Pasture Above the Clouds Chengbu Miao Autonomous County A room on the high grassland of 南山 in 城步苗族自治县, where the cattle graze to the horizon and July nights are cold.
  14. A Minsu Below the Red Cliffs of Langshan A Minsu Below the Red Cliffs of Langshan Xinning County A farmhouse guesthouse at the foot of the 崀山 pillars in 新宁县, with the 夫夷江 in front of it and the orchard slopes behind.
  15. A City Hotel Where the Zi River Leaves the Mountains A City Hotel Where the Zi River Leaves the Mountains Shaoyang A practical hotel on the riverfront of 邵阳市, with the 资江 below the window and the noodle shops of 红旗路 a short walk inland.
  16. A Cabin Among the Reeds of South Dongting A Cabin Among the Reeds of South Dongting Yuanjiang A timber hut on the marsh edge where the reed beds run to the water and the only sounds at night are the frogs and the wind in the stems.
  17. A Lodge on the Edge of the Lotus Wetlands A Lodge on the Edge of the Lotus Wetlands Nan County A low building among the flooded fields south of the county town, where the lotus opens in July and the whole horizon turns pink and green.
  18. A Riverside Hotel Where the Zi River Meets the Lake A Riverside Hotel Where the Zi River Meets the Lake Yiyang A tower on the embankment in the middle of the city, with the river on one side, the old quarter on the other and the bridge lights on both.
  19. A Forest Lodge on the Slopes of Wujian Mountain A Forest Lodge on the Slopes of Wujian Mountain Linxiang Timber cabins halfway up a wooded ridge on the Hunan-Hubei border, with no light pollution and a trailhead for the summit a hundred metres away.
  20. A Lakeside Resort on the Shore of Yangshahu A Lakeside Resort on the Shore of Yangshahu Xiangyin County A low building on a shallow lake south of the county town, with balconies over the water and a sand bank that appears when the level drops.
  21. A Courtyard Guesthouse Inside Zhangguying Village A Courtyard Guesthouse Inside Zhangguying Village Yueyang County Rooms in a restored Ming-dynasty house where every corridor leads back to a shared courtyard, and the village walls shut out the road entirely.
  22. A Farm Homestay Below Changning's Seal Mountain A Farm Homestay Below Changning's Seal Mountain Changning A family farmhouse near the carvings of Seal Mountain, with meals cooked from whatever the garden has that week.
  23. A Lodge Inside the Cailun Bamboo Sea A Lodge Inside the Cailun Bamboo Sea Leiyang Simple wooden rooms among the bamboo, with the ridge behind them and the sound of the grove instead of traffic.
  24. A Riverside Hotel on the Xiang in Central Hengyang A Riverside Hotel on the Xiang in Central Hengyang Hengyang Rooms high enough over the Xiang River to watch the barges go by, with the old city and its noodle shops at street level.
  25. A Guesthouse in Nanyue Old Town, Ten Minutes from the Temple A Guesthouse in Nanyue Old Town, Ten Minutes from the Temple Hengshan County A small courtyard house in the lanes of Nanyue town, a short walk from the temple gates and the start of the climbing trail.
  26. Tents on the Grass at Yangtianhu, Chenzhou's High Meadow Tents on the Grass at Yangtianhu, Chenzhou's High Meadow Chenzhou Canvas tents on a 1,300 m grassland, pitched for cool summer nights and long views over the Nanling ridge.
  27. Rucheng Hot Spring Resort in the Hills Above Reshui Rucheng Hot Spring Resort in the Hills Above Reshui Rucheng County Thermal water at 98C, cooled into stone pools, in the quiet corner of Hunan where Guangdong begins.
  28. A Gaoyiling Homestay Above the Red Rock Ridges A Gaoyiling Homestay Above the Red Rock Ridges Chenzhou A converted farmhouse on the edge of the red sandstone ridges, with the whole Gaoyiling basin in view.
  29. Sleeping Under the Cloud Line in a Mangshan Forest Cabin Sleeping Under the Cloud Line in a Mangshan Forest Cabin Yizhang County Timber cabins in the fir belt of Mangshan, where the sea of cloud arrives at your window before breakfast.
  30. A River Inn at Yuanling A River Inn at Yuanling Yuanling County A room over the Yuan River, opposite a Tang dynasty temple carved into the cliff face.
  31. A Dong Homestay in Tongdao A Dong Homestay in Tongdao Tongdao Dong Autonomous County A timber house beside a drum tower, with the grandmother's embroidery on every bed.
  32. The Gaoqi Ancient Village Lodge The Gaoqi Ancient Village Lodge Huitong County A lodge in a fan-shaped Ming village of carved eaves, where the lanes are barely a shoulder wide.
  33. A Guesthouse in Qianyang Old Town A Guesthouse in Qianyang Old Town Hongjiang A guesthouse behind the west gate of a walled river town that predates the market next door.
  34. An Inn Inside the Hongjiang Ancient Market An Inn Inside the Hongjiang Ancient Market Hongjiang A merchant's house of dark timber and high walls, in a town built on opium, timber and oil.
  35. An Inn on the Flank of Yunyang Mountain An Inn on the Flank of Yunyang Mountain Chaling County A courtyard inn below a Taoist mountain, where the tea is grown on the slope behind the kitchen.
  36. A Reservoir Lodge at Jiubujiang A Reservoir Lodge at Jiubujiang You County A guesthouse among two dozen wooded islands, woken by fish hitting the water.
  37. Sleeping Inside the Liling Porcelain Valley Sleeping Inside the Liling Porcelain Valley Liling A hotel shaped like a bowl and tiled in underglaze colour, in the town that paints half of China's dinnerware.
  38. Shennong Valley Forest Lodge, Yanling Shennong Valley Forest Lodge, Yanling Yanling County A timber lodge in a primeval forest where the temperature drops ten degrees at the gate.
  39. A Hotel in the Shadow of Shennong City, Zhuzhou A Hotel in the Shadow of Shennong City, Zhuzhou Zhuzhou A room above the Xiang River, looking at a city that builds locomotives and pretends to be a garden.
  40. A Guesthouse by the Changde River Street A Guesthouse by the Changde River Street Changde Rooms above the reconstructed Yuan River waterfront, ten minutes from the poetry wall.
  41. A Wetland Homestay on West Dongting Lake A Wetland Homestay on West Dongting Lake Hanshou County A stilted house at the edge of the reed beds, with egrets in the morning and mosquito nets at night.
  42. Huping Mountain Lodge above the Clouds Huping Mountain Lodge above the Clouds Shimen County A lodge near the summit of Hunan's highest peak, where the fog arrives at four and the stars are absurd.
  43. An Inn in the Taohuayuan Peach Blossom Town An Inn in the Taohuayuan Peach Blossom Town Taoyuan County A rebuilt Qin dynasty hamlet of grey tile and peach trees, quiet once the tour buses leave at five.
  44. A Lakeside Hotel on Liuye Lake, Changde A Lakeside Hotel on Liuye Lake, Changde Changde A room facing the water, a ring road for cyclists, and the city skyline a comfortable distance away.
  45. Shunhuang Mountain Retreat in Eastern Yongzhou Shunhuang Mountain Retreat in Eastern Yongzhou Dong'an County Timber cabins under ancient trees, a hot-spring trickle and no mobile signal worth the name.
  46. The Nushu Guesthouse of Jiangyong The Nushu Guesthouse of Jiangyong Jiangyong County A guesthouse built around a script that only women wrote, in the county where it survived.
  47. A Homestay Below the Jiuyi Mountains A Homestay Below the Jiuyi Mountains Ningyuan County Cold spring water, a persimmon tree and a grandmother who will not let you leave without soup.
  48. Yangming Mountain Lodge in the Shuangpai Clouds Yangming Mountain Lodge in the Shuangpai Clouds Shuangpai County A lodge at fourteen hundred metres where the azaleas open in April and the cloud sea arrives at dawn.
  49. An Inn Inside Lingling Ancient Town, Yongzhou An Inn Inside Lingling Ancient Town, Yongzhou Yongzhou A wooden courtyard house on Liuzi Street, insomniac with the sound of the Xiao River at night.
  50. Tianmen Mountain Foothill Inn Tianmen Mountain Foothill Inn Zhangjiajie Small owner-run inns under the cableway that rises straight out of Zhangjiajie city to the hole in the mountain.
  51. Badagongshan Forest Lodge Badagongshan Forest Lodge Sangzhi County Simple lodges on the edge of a national reserve holding one of China's largest surviving stands of primary mid-subtropical forest.
  52. Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Inn Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Inn Cili County Farmhouse guesthouses on the rim of the canyon whose glass bridge hangs three hundred metres above the stream.
  53. Tianzi Mountain Homestay, Wulingyuan Tianzi Mountain Homestay, Wulingyuan Zhangjiajie Sleeping at twelve hundred metres inside the park, where the cloud in the gorge sits at eye level at dawn and the viewpoints are still empty.
  54. Chadong Riverside Inn Chadong Riverside Inn Huayuan County A timber stilt house over the Qingshui river at the village Shen Congwen made famous, with a hand-pulled cable ferry to Chongqing.
  55. Liye Ancient Town Inn Liye Ancient Town Inn Longshan County A courtyard room in a You-river wharf town above the well that gave up thirty-seven thousand Qin dynasty documents.
  56. Hengshan Pilgrim Guesthouse Hengshan Pilgrim Guesthouse Hengshan County A plain guesthouse on the slopes of Hengshan, the Southern Great Mountain, where the day is shaped by a sunrise appointment.
  57. Anhua Tea Mountain Homestay Anhua Tea Mountain Homestay Anhua County A guesthouse among the dark-tea terraces of Anhua, Hunan — walkable mountain, pressed-tea logs on 千两茶, and the tea in your room grown on the hill outside.
  58. Dongjiang Lake Minsu Dongjiang Lake Minsu Zixing Guesthouses at the gate of Dongjiang Lake, where the alarm goes at four-thirty for the mist on the river. Fog season runs to the end of October; rooms from about ¥100.
  59. Namuting No.9 Namuting No.9 Changsha Thirteen rooms around a courtyard and a hundred-year-old tree, where the day begins with a kettle.
  60. Old Post Office Inn Old Post Office Inn Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture A converted courier station where the letters have stopped arriving but the rooms still smell of paper.
  61. Yuelu Mountain Lodge Yuelu Mountain Lodge Changsha A quiet cabin beneath the maple trees, close enough to the old academy to hear its ghosts.
  62. 6500 Chaozong Street 6500 Chaozong Street Changsha An award-winning red-brick conversion on the granite-slab lane that gave the hotel its name.
  63. Niccolo Changsha Niccolo Changsha Changsha Rooms on the 86th to 92nd floors of the IFS tower, with the river and Orange Isle far below.
  64. Bamboo Grove Cabin Bamboo Grove Cabin Taojiang County A single room among bamboo that knocks and clicks all night, like a hundred small doors.
  65. Glass Canyon Boutique Glass Canyon Boutique Pingjiang County A sleek room suspended over the canyon, for travellers who like their rest a little unnerving.
  66. Hot Spring Rest House Hot Spring Rest House Ningxiang Steaming pools after long roads; the water asks nothing of you at all.
  67. Orange Isle Hostel Orange Isle Hostel Changsha Bunk beds under a roof of river wind, and a skyline of bridges drawn across the water.
  68. Dongting Lake B&B Dongting Lake B&B Yueyang A fisherman's cottage on stilts, where the lake is the only neighbour worth having.
  69. Miao Village Farmstay Miao Village Farmstay Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture An earthen house in a singing village, where dinner is shared and the night is loud with insects.
  70. Cliff View Homestay, Zhangjiajie Cliff View Homestay, Zhangjiajie Zhangjiajie A balcony aimed at the stone peaks, mist rolling in like an apology at dusk.
  71. Riverside Guesthouse, Fenghuang Riverside Guesthouse, Fenghuang Fenghuang County A wooden room over the Tuo River, where you sleep to the sound of oars and lantern light.

Travel0

  1. Boyue Cave, the Grotto That Played the Monkey King's Mountain Boyue Cave, the Grotto That Played the Monkey King's Mountain Lengshuijiang The 波月洞 at 冷水江市, a stalactite cave whose chambers were used as the 水帘洞 of the 1986 television 西游记.
  2. Fuhoutang, the Zeng Family's Walled Mansion Fuhoutang, the Zeng Family's Walled Mansion Shuangfeng County The 富厚堂 of 双峰县, the country seat of 曾国藩 at 荷叶镇, a walled compound of halls and a library he filled himself.
  3. Meijiang Geopark, the Karst Cut Through the Hills Meijiang Geopark, the Karst Cut Through the Hills Lianyuan The 湄江国家地质公园 at 涟源市, a gorge of limestone walls, sinkholes and old riverbeds, walked on paths and one long boat ride.
  4. Meishan Dragon Palace, the Cave Under the Hills Meishan Dragon Palace, the Cave Under the Hills Xinhua County The 梅山龙宫 at 新化县, a limestone cave under 油溪镇 with an underground river and a national scenic-area listing.
  5. Dongshan Academy, the School a Young Mao Attended Dongshan Academy, the School a Young Mao Attended Xiangxiang The 1895 academy at 湘乡市, a walled courtyard school with its own pond, its own bridge and a long list of names.
  6. Peng Dehuai's Village at Wushi Peng Dehuai's Village at Wushi Xiangtan County The 乌石 farmstead and memorial in 湘潭县, the house, the courtyard and the hills the marshal came out of.
  7. Yaowan, Seventeen Centuries on the Xiang River Yaowan, Seventeen Centuries on the Xiang River Xiangtan The old wharf quarter of 湘潭市, laid out in the Jin and still carrying the bus station, the bridge and the teahouse of its trading years.
  8. Zhaoshan, the Hill That Was Painted into the Eight Views Zhaoshan, the Hill That Was Painted into the Eight Views Xiangtan The 185 metre hill at 昭山 in 湘潭市, where Mi Fu painted the mist and gave Hunan one of its eight famous scenes.
  9. Baoqing's Old City, the Wall and the River Temple Baoqing's Old City, the Wall and the River Temple Shaoyang The 宝庆古城墙 and 北塔 of 邵阳市, a wall first raised in the Han, a Ming brick pagoda and the 水府庙 stage on the 资江.
  10. Baishuidong, the Gorge and the Cave Behind Xinshao Baishuidong, the Gorge and the Cave Behind Xinshao Xinshao County The 白水洞 of 新邵县, a gorge of waterfalls and a limestone cave system in the hills north of the 资江.
  11. Tantou, the Town That Prints Its Own New Year Tantou, the Town That Prints Its Own New Year Longhui County The 滩头木版年画 of 隆回县, cut on local pear wood and printed on bamboo paper made in the same town, then finished by hand.
  12. Wugang, the Stone Wall That Held Out the Taiping Army Wugang, the Stone Wall That Held Out the Taiping Army Wugang The 武冈城墙, a wall of dressed stone that still rings the old town, with the 西直街 and the rebuilt 宣风楼 behind it.
  13. South Dongting Wetland, a Lake That Comes and Goes South Dongting Wetland, a Lake That Comes and Goes Yuanjiang A reserve of channels, mudflats and reed islands that triples in size in the flood season and fills with wintering birds when it drains.
  14. The Anhua Tea Horse Trail, Stone Flags in the Forest The Anhua Tea Horse Trail, Stone Flags in the Forest Anhua County The surviving stretch of the mule road that carried brick tea out of the mountains, its pavilions and bridges still standing where the porters rested.
  15. Taohuajiang Bamboo Sea, Hills That Are Entirely One Plant Taohuajiang Bamboo Sea, Hills That Are Entirely One Plant Taojiang County A range of low hills covered in moso bamboo so densely that the ground is never visible, with paths cut through it and a river at the foot.
  16. Luowen Flower Sea, a County That Plants for the Spring Luowen Flower Sea, a County That Plants for the Spring Nan County Fields of tulips, then of sunflowers, then of cosmos, laid out each year on the flat land beside the lake and walked by a hundred thousand people in a season.
  17. Yiyang's Old Lanes, a River Quarter Put Back Together Yiyang's Old Lanes, a River Quarter Put Back Together Yiyang A restored grid of Ming and Qing lanes and stone wharves on the Zi River, where the shopfronts were rebuilt and the residents never left.
  18. Qu Yuan Temple, Where the Miluo River Remembers a Poet Qu Yuan Temple, Where the Miluo River Remembers a Poet Miluo A memorial hall, tomb and stone stele beside the stretch of river where a minister of Chu is said to have walked into the water in 278 BC.
  19. Zhangguying Village, a Single Clan in One Walled Maze Zhangguying Village, a Single Clan in One Walled Maze Yueyang County Four hundred years of one family's houses packed behind a single perimeter, joined by covered corridors so nobody has to step into the rain.
  20. Junshan Island, a Hill of Tea in the Middle of Dongting Junshan Island, a Hill of Tea in the Middle of Dongting Yueyang A small island reached by boat from the city, with seventy-two peaks, bamboo, a tea grown nowhere else and a pair of tombs older than the tower.
  21. Yueyang Tower, the Pavilion Every Chinese Student Can Quote Yueyang Tower, the Pavilion Every Chinese Student Can Quote Yueyang A three-storey wooden tower rebuilt many times on the city's west wall, famous less for its timbers than for the essay written about it in 1046.
  22. Cailun Bamboo Sea, a Hundred and Sixty Thousand Mu of Bamboo Cailun Bamboo Sea, a Hundred and Sixty Thousand Mu of Bamboo Leiyang Continuous bamboo over two hundred hills, with a two-hundred-and-fifty-million-year-old fish fossil and a record-setting geyser inside it.
  23. Huiyan Peak, the Ninety-Six Metre Hill That Named a City Huiyan Peak, the Ninety-Six Metre Hill That Named a City Hengyang The first of Mount Heng's seventy-two peaks, a 96.8-metre hill inside the city that gave Hengyang its nickname, the City of Wild Geese.
  24. Shigu Academy, a Free Cliff-Top College Above Two Rivers Shigu Academy, a Free Cliff-Top College Above Two Rivers Hengyang A Song-dynasty academy on a rock above the meeting of the Xiang and Zheng rivers, rebuilt in 2006 and free to enter with an ID card.
  25. Nanyue Grand Temple, Where Monks and Taoists Share One Roof Nanyue Grand Temple, Where Monks and Taoists Share One Roof Hengshan County The largest surviving palace-style temple complex in southern China, laid out like a small Forbidden City and run by Buddhists and Taoists together.
  26. Banliang Ancient Village and Four Hundred Years of Brick Banliang Ancient Village and Four Hundred Years of Brick Yongxing County A Ming-and-Qing merchant village of 360 brick houses, built around a stream and still lived in.
  27. Suxian Ling, the Hill the Poets Would Not Shut Up About Suxian Ling, the Hill the Poets Would Not Shut Up About Chenzhou A wooded hill above downtown Chenzhou, with Taoist halls, a stone staircase and a view of the whole city.
  28. Mangshan National Forest Park and Its Sea of Cloud Mangshan National Forest Park and Its Sea of Cloud Yizhang County Primary forest on the Guangdong border, with a 1,900 m ridge that floats above the clouds most mornings.
  29. Dongjiang Lake and the Mist That Makes Photographers Get Up Early Dongjiang Lake and the Mist That Makes Photographers Get Up Early Zixing A reservoir so deep and cold that dawn fog rolls off it like dry ice, with boats drifting through the white.
  30. Xuefeng Mountain, the Ridge Between Two Worlds Xuefeng Mountain, the Ridge Between Two Worlds Hongjiang A hundred-kilometre escarpment where the weather changes sides, and the last tigers of Hunan were shot.
  31. Gaoqi, the Fan-Shaped Ancient Village Gaoqi, the Fan-Shaped Ancient Village Huitong County A village laid out like a folding fan between two rivers, with a Ming drainage system still working.
  32. Yutou Dong Village in Tongdao Yutou Dong Village in Tongdao Tongdao Dong Autonomous County A Dong village of drum towers and wind-and-rain bridges, holding a Song dynasty festival every year.
  33. The Zhijiang Surrender Memorial The Zhijiang Surrender Memorial Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County A memorial arch on the spot where the Japanese army in China signed its surrender in August 1945.
  34. Hongjiang, the Ancient Market on the Yuan Hongjiang, the Ancient Market on the Yuan Hongjiang Seven kilometres of stone alleys and high-wall shops, once the richest trading town in southwest China.
  35. Zhuting, a Riverside Town Where Zhu Xi Passed Zhuting, a Riverside Town Where Zhu Xi Passed Zhuzhou A crumbling stone street on the Xiang River, five hundred years of teahouses and one very old ferry.
  36. The Liling Porcelain Valley and Its Kilns The Liling Porcelain Valley and Its Kilns Liling A working industrial town that has been firing underglaze colour for two hundred years without a break.
  37. Jiubujiang, the Reservoir Lakes of Youxian Jiubujiang, the Reservoir Lakes of Youxian You County A drowned valley turned into a lake of islands, ringed by caves and drinkable water.
  38. Shennong Valley, Zhuzhou's Primeval Forest Shennong Valley, Zhuzhou's Primeval Forest Yanling County A gorge of waterfalls and thousand-year trees on the old smuggling road between Hunan and Jiangxi.
  39. The Mausoleum of Yandi at Yanling The Mausoleum of Yandi at Yanling Yanling County The tomb of the Yan Emperor, rebuilt and rebuilt again, still an object of pilgrimage after four millennia.
  40. Jiashan Temple and the Secret of Li Zicheng Jiashan Temple and the Secret of Li Zicheng Shimen County A Zen monastery where a peasant rebel emperor may or may not have ended his days as a monk.
  41. Chengtoushan, the Six-Thousand-Year-Old Town Chengtoushan, the Six-Thousand-Year-Old Town Li County The oldest walled settlement in China, with rice paddies under it that predate the pyramids.
  42. Huping Mountain, the Roof of Hunan Huping Mountain, the Roof of Hunan Shimen County Two thousand and ninety-nine metres, a bottle-necked summit, and a nature reserve full of things that bite.
  43. Liuye Lake, the Crescent Water of Changde Liuye Lake, the Crescent Water of Changde Changde A lake shaped like a willow leaf, ringed by a thirty-kilometre path and a great deal of very good wind.
  44. Taohuayuan, the Peach Blossom Spring of Changde Taohuayuan, the Peach Blossom Spring of Changde Taoyuan County The place a fourth-century poem invented, and which a thousand years of visitors decided must be real.
  45. Shang Gantang, the Village Time Forgot Shang Gantang, the Village Time Forgot Jiangyong County A Tang dynasty settlement of two thousand people, one stone bridge, and a river used as a street.
  46. Liuzi Temple and the Ten Records of Yongzhou Liuzi Temple and the Ten Records of Yongzhou Yongzhou The shrine of the exiled poet who turned a swamp posting into the most quoted prose in Chinese.
  47. Wuxi Stele Forest on the Xiang River Wuxi Stele Forest on the Xiang River Qiyang Three hundred and seventy inscriptions on a limestone cliff, including the one that made Yan Zhenqing famous.
  48. Yangming Mountain, the Azalea Sea of Yongzhou Yangming Mountain, the Azalea Sea of Yongzhou Shuangpai County Ten mu of wild rhododendron above a Buddhist temple, and a waterfall you can walk behind.
  49. Jiuyi Mountain, Where the Shun Emperor Rests Jiuyi Mountain, Where the Shun Emperor Rests Ningyuan County Nine peaks, a mausoleum burning incense for four thousand years, and the source of a river of poems.
  50. Huanglong Cave, the Dragon Palace of Zhangjiajie Huanglong Cave, the Dragon Palace of Zhangjiajie Zhangjiajie Seven and a half kilometres of limestone cavern with an underground river and a nineteen-metre stalagmite insured for a hundred million yuan.
  51. Aizhai Bridge Aizhai Bridge Jishou A 1,176-metre span over the Dehang gorge, built by sliding the deck out along its own cables — with the 1930s hairpin road still below it.
  52. Hongshilin Red Stone Forest Hongshilin Red Stone Forest Guzhang County Iron-red Ordovician limestone karst: four hundred and fifty million years old, and one of the only red stone forests in the world.
  53. Ziquejie Terraces: Stairways of Water Ziquejie Terraces: Stairways of Water Xinhua County Two thousand years of gravity-fed rice terraces stepping down a hillside in Xinhua, central Hunan.
  54. Baofeng Lake: A Still Mirror Among the Peaks Baofeng Lake: A Still Mirror Among the Peaks Zhangjiajie A spring-fed lake in the Zhangjiajie hills where still water doubles the karst peaks and the reflection is the main event.
  55. Langshan: The Red Pillars of Shaoyang Langshan: The Red Pillars of Shaoyang Shaoyang Red danxia rock towers rise from the forest in Xinning, near Shaoyang in southern Hunan, in one of China most dramatic danxia landscapes.
  56. Gaoyiling Danxia: The Red Ridges Gaoyiling Danxia: The Red Ridges Chenzhou Hunan's red sandstone ridges and jade lakes near Chenzhou.
  57. Furong Town Furong Town Yongshun County A sixty-metre waterfall dropping straight through the middle of a Tujia river town — the only old town in China with one. Tickets ¥100–108, valid three days.
  58. Taiping Old Street Taiping Old Street Changsha Three hundred and seventy-five metres of granite lane that has been a market for two millennia.
  59. Yuelu Academy Yuelu Academy Changsha A thousand-year schoolhouse under autumn maples, where the past still reads aloud after class.
  60. Tianmen Mountain Cableway Tianmen Mountain Cableway Zhangjiajie A cable car through the mist to a hole in the mountain, and a road of ninety-nine turns below.
  61. Tianxin Pavilion Tianxin Pavilion Changsha A Ming pavilion standing on the only surviving stretch of Changsha's city wall.
  62. Hunan Museum Hunan Museum Changsha Mawangdui: a 49-gram silk robe, a painted map of the universe, and a woman intact for two thousand years.
  63. Mount Hengshan Mount Hengshan Hengshan County One of the five sacred peaks, climbed at dawn through temple incense and pine fog.
  64. Dehang Miao Village Dehang Miao Village Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture A canyon village reached by footbridges, where embroidered sleeves and silver bells still matter.
  65. Shaoshan Shaoshan Shaoshan The birthplace of a chairman, now a quiet pilgrimage of rice fields and red flags.
  66. Dongting Lake Dongting Lake Yueyang The great southern lake, wide as an inland sea, where fishing boats stitch the evening together.
  67. Orange Isle Orange Isle Changsha A long green island in the Xiang River, with a young Mao looking out at the current.
  68. Fenghuang Ancient Town Fenghuang Ancient Town Fenghuang County Black-tiled roofs and midnight lanterns; a town that looks like a song written about itself.
  69. Glass Skywalk Glass Skywalk Zhangjiajie Walking on a pane over a thousand feet of air, gripping the rail and pretending to be calm.
  70. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Zhangjiajie Sandstone pillars rising out of cloud — the mountains movies borrow when they need another world.