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Introduction of Changde, Hunan, China

Changde & Yueyang & Hengyang 2010/03/19 View:12270

Located in the northwest of Hunan Province, the city of Changde is adjacent to the vast Dongting Lake on the east, lies within easy access to Yiyang City to the south, is connected to the Wuling and Xuefeng Mountains to the west, and borders Jinsha and Yichang to the north. Due to its advantageous geographical location, the city was historically called “the throat of Guizhou and Sichuan and the gateway of Yunnan and Guizhou”. Previously it was called Changde Prefecture, and it was renamed Changde City by the State Council in June 1986. The jurisdiction of Changde covers Wuling District, Dingcheng District and six other counties including Hanshou, Taoyuan, Linli, Lixian, Shimen, Jinshi and Anxiang. Jinshi city is governed by Changde on behalf of the Hunan provincial government. Changde has an area of 18,200 km2 (116 km2 urban) and a total population of 5.87 million (500,000 urban). The city is both historically important and contemporarily famous.

As an ancient city, Changde boasts a unique feature. According to scientific research, there were human beings inhabiting here some 8,000 years ago. It lay in the area of Jinzhou, one of the nine regions at the time of the Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties. It was the central area of Chu and Qian in the Warring States Period, while in the Qin Dynasty it belonged to the central county of Qian. It was called Wuling County in the Han Dynasty and named Langzhou in the Sui Dynasty, and Dingcheng in the Song Dynasty. In the 7th year of the Song Dynasty under Emperor Huizong (1117 AD), Changde County was established, and in 1165 AD (the first year of Song Emperor Xiaozong), it was upgraded to be Changde Prefecture. The name of Changde has been used ever since.

Changde has produced many important figures in Chinese history. Many fine works of literature praising the beauty of Changde’s landscapes have been written here by many historical masters like Qu Yuan, Tao Yuanming and Liu Yuxi. In contemporary times, a group of important people and revolutionaries emerged from here, including Lin Xiumei, Jiang Yiwu, Song Jiaoren, Lin Boqu etc., and literary celebrities such as Ding Ling, and Jian Bozan (former president of Beijing University). History has given Changde both unique natural scenery as well as historical sites. At present, more than 500 relic sites from the Paleolithic and Neolithic Eras have been discovered. Among the 276 specially protected relic sites already discovered, 15 are of national value and 14 of provincial value. Located in this beautiful land are three national forest parks, three provincial forest parks, one nature reserve, and one provincial tourism area. Taohuayuan Resort, a well-known historical resort enjoying fame at home and abroad, has become a modern place of sightseeing where people enjoy the beauty of nature in a unique setting. It is worth mentioning that Changde Poem-engraved Wall, designed on the basis of displaying many famous poems and articles by ancient and modern celebrities and created with the expert help of a group of famous Chinese calligraphers, painters and carvers, adds a new cultural view to modern Changde.

With great potential in natural resources and considerable strength in its modern economy, Changde City enjoys pleasant weather and multiple landforms. The Yuan River and the Li River, admitting different sources of water, run through the districts and counties in Changde. The city is home to some 2,472 types of animals and plants, including 24 types of rare animals. Among nearly 100 kinds of minerals, the reserve amount, quality and yield of realgar rank number one in China. The yield of salt, gold, gypsum, bone coal, quartz sand and bentonite are on the top in Hunan. In addition, reserves of silicon sand, gypsum, marble, granite, barite, diamond, talc, ground phosphate rock, soft coal and bone coal are abundant in Changde.

Since the liberation in 1949, and especially since the implementation of reform and free-market policies, the people of Changde have grasped the opportunity to open and develop the region. Coupled with a strong agricultural base, Changde’s economy has been increasingly strengthened. As one of China’s main areas of grain and cotton produce and the biggest producer of grain and cotton in Hunan, Changde has built an export-oriented agricultural economy.

At the same time, it has formed an industry with unique characteristics: major local industries include tobacco, food, textiles, electronics, chemicals, construction materials, bamboo and special cement. Over 400 products, including Gold Lotus series cigarettes, Wuling Wine, Deshan Liquor and Special Cement, have won the title of “High Quality Commodity” awarded by the State, Ministries and the Province. They are marketed nationwide and some of them have even penetrated the international market. The city also organises local business fairs that are adequately distributed between urban and rural areas. Numerous modern hotels, guesthouses, department stores and recreational centres have been built to provide excellent services. The annual business volume at the Qiaonan Market alone has reached more than 11.5 billion Yuan. Changde’s high-tech industries are also promising.

In recent years, Changde’s infrastructure has been improved daily, and development prospects are becoming more attractive to investors. A local 3-dimensional transportation system has taken shape incorporating aviation, rail, road and waterways. The 4C level airport where Boeing 737 and 757, Douglas 80 and 82 planes can land and take off has opened seven flight routes to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, etc. Two major railways, the Zhicheng-Linzhou Railway and the Shimen-Changsha Railway, pass through Changde City connecting to the Jiaozuo-Zhicheng Railway and the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway. By building the Yuan River Bridge, Li River Jinshi Bridge, Li River Shimen Bridge and Anxiang Dajingang Bridge, the Yuan and Li Rivers have become traversable waterways. The widened and reconstructed National Highways G207 and G319 connect all major regions and lead to 8 other provincial routes. By the end of 1998, an expressway from Changde to Changsha had been open to traffic. The total length of accessible land roads and waterways in Changde is estimated to be more than 6,200 km and 2,400 km respectively, and the 36 docks along the Yuan and Li Rivers have a total capacity of 10 million tons per year. Both passenger and freight ships can now sail directly to the Dongting Lake and the Yangtze River from Changede.

Local power stations can generate 1.4 million kw of electric power to meet demands in the urban and rural areas. The Shimen Thermal Power Station, with the largest generating capacity in Hunan, is now in operation. Being the first of its kind in Hunan, the station’s first stage has been completed and is now in operation. Changde has installed a total number of 135,000 advanced digital telephones that link towns and factories, and connect Changde to 180 foreign countries. Mobile telephone services are available in Changde’s nine districts and counties. Combined with its constant urban expansion and improved management, the city enjoys tidy and clean streets (about 100 km in length), and has ample water and electricity supplies. It also provides complete services in banking, consultation, auditing, notarization, law, commodity inspection and customs.

Changde is an inland city, but its geographical location makes it a great gateway to the interior. Its development has now been greatly contributed by the famous Three Gorges Project in the neighboring Hubei Province. Changde has become a frontier city connecting the Three Gorges to Hunan Province, which will in turn help in opening up and developing Hunan Province.

Changde is embracing new opportunities with further reform and development in line with the construction of a harmonious society. We warmly welcome friends at home and abroad to visit Changde, invest in our local economy, and work together to develop a bright future.

Reading
  • Changde Chengtoushan Cultural Site

    Changde Chengtoushan Cultural Site

    The site in Chexi Township in the west of Lixian County is the oldest and best preserved site of a city with the richest cultural relics in China. There are sites of the city moat and an altar. Some plots of rice field under the city wall, dating back to 6,500 years ago, are the earliest and best-preserved rice plots so far found in China. They prove that the Yangtze River Valley is also a cradle of the Chinese civilization.
    2017-05-22 17:01 View:3676
  • Changde Huayanxi National Forest Park

    Changde Huayanxi National Forest Park

    50 kilometers southwest of Changde City, not far away from Taohuayuan Scenic Area is Huayanxi National Forest Park, in which mountains are covered with nearly 700 hectares of primeval mixed forests. In the north of the park is Wuxi Lake and in the South is Longfeng Lake. From March to September every year, thousands of egrets come to this place, presenting a fascinating sight.Transport: Take a bus from Changde to Dingcheng District Stadium and and with a transfer you can get to the park.Tel: (86)736-7490018Admission (For reference): RMB20yuan /adult
    2017-05-22 17:00 View:3282
  • Changde Poetry Wall

    Changde Poetry Wall

    Changde Poem Wall is a 3-kilometer-long anti-flood dyke alongside the Yuanjiang River, which is engraved with poems, calligraphy and painting. Thus, it is listed as the longest wall with engraved arts in Guinness Book of World Record.There are art works from many famous Chinese artists and outstanding figures like Mao Zedong, Qi Baishi and so on.The Poem Wall is a large-scale cultural project with distinct artistic characteristics.Facing the river, the Wall is grand and imposing with the embellishment of towers. A total of 1,267 poems about Changde or noted poems at home or abroad have been selected and engraved on the wall. They fall into six chapters, Changes in Changde over Centuries, Celebrities’ Inscriptions on Changde, Beautiful Natural Scenery in Changde, Outstanding Natives and Local Customs, Big Events of China, and Great Poems from Other Countries.They are written in regular script, running hand, official script, seal character and cursive script in Chinese calligraphy by 948 calligraphers from mainland China, as well as Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, with 43 stone-wall carvings embedded.The name of the Wall and the titles of chapters are inscribed by well-known modern calligraphers, Zhao Puchu, Shen Peng, Qi Gong, Yan Jialong, Sun Qifeng, Wang Xuezhong, Xiao Xian, Zhang Ding, Zang Kejia, Fang Yi and Chen Tianran. The late artists Cao Yu, Shu Tong and Wu Zuoren have also left their mark there.With rich cultural meaning, positive ideological content and exquisite art, Changde Poem Wall draws visitors throughout the country. It is considered by the modern circles of poetry, calligraphy and painting to be unique in these fields and unique in China. It is regarded by Yu Guangzhong, a noted scholar from Taiwan, as “a Great Wall in the Poetry World”, and “a History Book of Literature”.
    2017-05-22 17:21 View:3849
  • Changde Introduction

    Changde Introduction

    Whether you would like to enjoy the flourishing peach blossom in spring or to experience the splendid cultural atmosphere, Changde has it.Changde is located in the northwest of Hunan, with the Dongting Lake on its east, and bordering on Hubei province on the north, Hunan Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture on the west and Yiyang city on the south.It is a key city in the west of the vast alluvial plain around the Dongting Lake. Its output of grain, cotton and oil ranks first in Hunan, making it a major base for the production of such commodities in the whole country. Its production of fish, pigs, oranges, tabacco and sugarcane also holds an important position in the province.The most famous scenic spot in Changde is Taohuayuan (Peach Blossom Valley). It is a well known scenic area with lush woods and tranquil environment, which was depicted vividly by TaoYuanming (365AD-427AD), a great poet in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. In his prose \\\\\\\"Peach Colony\\\\\\\", Tao described a fairy valley with enchanting natural scenery where people lived a simple and peaceful life.Changde is also the birthplace of the eminent writer Ding Ling. With its unique culture and beautiful scenery, it attracted numerous great men of letters, such as Qu Yuan, Tao Yuanming, Fan Zhongyan, Wang Changling and Liu Yuxi, who toured or stayed here and wrote a large number of masterpieces in praise of this land.Whether you would like to enjoy the beautiful peach blossom all over the mountains and plains in Spring or to experience the splendid culture and humanity atmosphere, Changde has it.
    2017-05-22 16:58 View:3408
  • Changde Huayan Stream

    Changde Huayan Stream

    Located in the southern part of Changde City, Huayan stream has convenient traffic. Over there, you can see traveling highway with concrete pavement.Huayan stream is originally Huayan stream tree farm in Dingcheng district, Changde City. The mountains in Huayan stream tourist holiday zone belong to Xuefeng Mountain. Famous Peach Garden is in the other side of the hills.There are less than four thousand residents in Huayan stream scenic spot. The area of mountain forest is more than 40 thousand mu. In the broad forest, 80 families’ cedars, catalpas and pines can be found, including 17 rare plants, such as taxus mairei and black bamboo. Hundreds of wild animals and precious medicinal materials are also seen there, such as leopards, pangolins, tu-chong and so on.Translated by Becky
    2012-10-12 00:56 View:2665
  • Shimen Jiashan National Forest Park

    Shimen Jiashan National Forest Park

    Jiashan National Forest Park locates at the southeast of the Shimen County 8 kilometers away. Since the mountain is between two peaks to the east and west and has a passway to the south and north, it was named as Mount Jiashan.With green mountains, lush trees, fresh air, elegant quiet environment and long cultural history, Jiashan National Forest Park was rated as China 3A scenic area.Based on natural forest resources, it has cultural history, giving expression to the holy place of Buddhism and simple original local customs. You can go on tour on horse, by boat. Besides, you are able to watch fish and fishing. You are also accessible to observe Buddhist things, trail King Chuang (Leader of a peasant uprising in the late Ming Dynasty.), enjoy martial arts, appreciate antiques and go on a meditation. In addition, you can look down from the peak, take a walk in forest and enjoy plants and take in the fresh air. The tour guide will introduce the rich connotation and tell a wonderful legend to you, making you enjoy yourself in fairy-like wonderland, lingering on without any thought of leaving.Traffic: A minibus passenger car across the county passing in every 10 minutesTicket price: 35 RMB per personOpen time: 8:00-18:00By Zumi
    2012-10-04 00:43 View:2625
  • Changde Baaroque Rock Ditch

    Changde Baaroque Rock Ditch

    Changde is usually acknowledged by people as a city of gourmet like rice noodle and spicy food. Still, there exists rare natural sight view as well. Today, I will take you to appreciate amazing rocks in Baaroque Rock Ditch.Baaroque Rock Ditch, located in Xianchi Mountain near Huayan Stream scenic zone in Changde, is as long as five to six miles. Spring out from rock gap and underwater merging into a verdurous stream flows along ditch sometimes with sound of tricklet and sometimes with ding-dong sound. In Baaroque Rock Ditch, another rare view in Huayan Stream scenic zone, is a amazing land where scatters various strange and interesting rocks. Some rocks look like elephant’s nose (Trunk Rock), some like huge frog (Frog Rock), some like Leopard’s head (Leopard Rock), some like lover leaning against each other (Lover’s Rock), some like golden pheasant arrogantly standing straight (Golden Pheasant Rock) and so on. Walking into Baaroque Rock Ditch is just like into a natural park of rare rocks.Baaroque Rock Ditch, a land which people will marvel at the splendid art of natural sculpture, will definitely light your imagination.By Patricia
    2013-02-08 12:15 View:2976
  • Changde Taiyang(Sun) Mountain

    Changde Taiyang(Sun) Mountain

    Hunan Changde Taiyang(Sun) Mountain, A majestic and splendorous holy mountain, is located 14 meters away from the downtown of Changde, a city granted as Charm city in China for tourism.Hunan Changde Taiyang(Sun) Mountain, also named as Liang Mountain, used to be the cultural center of Buddhism and Taoism. There have been numerous temples and Taoist abbey around Liang Mountain since Donghan Dynasty, thirty relatively famous ones including Bailu temple,Liangwang Palace, Yangshan Abbey,Xingguo Temple,Lingquan Temple,Chongqing Temple. It has been crowned as the center of 42 temples and 72 abbeys, which is the heart of religion and culture rarely seen at that time.Beautiful mountains and crisp waters will capture your eyes when you approach it. By climbing to the top of the mountain, you will find yourself immersed in a picture where bustling city life and natural beauty perfectly blend.By Brenda
    2012-05-08 14:30 View:3015
  • Changde White Horse Lake Cultural Park

    Changde White Horse Lake Cultural Park

    Sweltering summer is around the corner, how and where to relieve yourself after whole days’ work without paying. This summer will be different for people who have experience in the White Horse Lake Cultural Park, which is located in Changde city, north of Hunan province. Covering a total area of 625 mu (1MU=667 Square Meters), the White Horse Lake Cultural Park is crowned as a green heart of Changde city. It combines functions of collective leisure, sightseeing, city culture display, fit and fun into one. Urban Planning Exhibition Center,Mass Art Exhibition Centerand Urban Construction Archives Centerare the three exhibition centers in White Horse Lake Cultural Park.Most impressing scenery is the musical fountain. Every night from 19:30 to 21:30, the musical fountain always attracts groups of passengers. Approximately speaking, the water spout can reach 150 meter high. In hot summers days, to have relax and fun in this “green heart” will be comfortable and relieving.By Aileen
    2012-04-18 23:12 View:2969
  • Shimen Longwang Cave

    Shimen Longwang Cave

    Shimen Longwang Cave is located in Wangyangqiao Village, Baiyang Town of Shimen County. In fact, it is a peculiar big karst cave in the northern part of Wuling Mountain, lying in the same recreational route as Wulingyuan. The North-south Longwang Cave has a long history of about 0.6 billion years and a overall length of 10 miles. Over there, water flows through the whole cave. In total, more than 60 scenic spots are seen, sceneries by steps, treasures in every where. Favorable climate (warm in winter and cool in summer) makes Longwang Cave a wonderful resort.The constructing project of Longwang Cavewas begun in March, 1987. From the New Year’s Day in 1988,Longwang Cavewas open to the public. In the north of Longwang Cave, Xianren Cave and Xiannv Cave are still waiting for exploiting.Translated by Becky
    2012-05-16 15:31 View:3407