Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve-----'the Monarch of the Peak Forest'

Located in the northern part of Wulingyuan Scenic Area in Hunan Province, Tianzi Mountain makes up a ''golden triangle'' along with Zhangjiajie Forest Park and Suoxiyu Valley. The range undulates 40 kilometers and covers an area of 5400 hectares. The main peak of Tianzi Mountain dwarfs others and rises 1262.5 meters above sea level. It has a touring line of 45 kilometers, an average temperature of 12°C, an annual waterfall of 1,800 mm, a frost-free period of 240 days and a frozen period of 60-80 days. The landscape in Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve is natural and primeval.

Tianzi Mountain, literally means son of heaven in Chinese, it came from a man, Xiang Dakun. He was the leader of the Tu ethnic group during the last years of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 -1279). Xiang Dakun led a revolution and avowed himself as Tianzi (Son of Heaven). Visiting the Tianzi Mountain Area, visitors can see many sites about his story, the most impressive being: the Yu Bi Peaks, the Xian Nü San Hua, and the Shen Bing Ju Hui.

With pine trees on the top, the Yu Bi (imperial brushes) Peaks rise upward into the sky. Legend goes that they are brushes the Tianzi-Xiang Dakun used that became stone peaks after his martyrdom. The Xian Nv San Hua (floral tributes by fairies) is slightly opposite the Yu Bi Peaks. A legend goes that Xiang Dakun and his army were defeated to fall back on the Tianzi Mountain. He fought to the finish, but finally jumped off the cliff. A girl in love with him went across the mountain to search for him. She strewed flowers over the cliffs and turned into a stone statue. Shen Bing Ju Hui is a forest of soldier-like peaks arrayed for a review. 

The landscape here varies in different seasons and also in one day, which makes Tianzi Mountain a very interesting destination. There are four highlights for the breathtaking sceneries: peak forest, cloud sea, sunrise and winter snow. Cloud and mist in Tianzi Mountain enjoys high reputation nationwide, especially just after the rain, which adds much charm to Tianzi Mountain.

Tianzi Mountain has four scenic wonders, namely Cloud Billows, Moon Brightness, Sun Glow and Winter Snow. The cloud billows are ever changing, morning and evening sun glows vast sky, moon shines in the still night, winter snow falls enchanting the scenery, like a lyric, like a landscape painting. Here in the Tianzi Mountain, scene majestic is in all its variety. There are five main scenic zones and over ten scenic spots in the Tianzi Mountain area. They include more than 80 natural platforms to take in the magnificent scenery. Highlights in Tianzishan: Helong Park, West Sea Stone Forests, Divine shrine and Immortal Bridge. 6 tourist areas have been built to accommodate visitors and they include more than 80 natural platforms to take in the magnificent scenery. Visitors can also reach the peaks of the mountain by cable car.

Visitors can take a cable car to see these charming peaks. With 692 meters' (about 2,270 feet) difference in elevation, the aerial tramway is 2,084 meters (about 2,279 yards) in length. The minimum running time is six minutes and twenty-two seconds for a single trip during which visitors can keep the wonderful scenery of the Tianzi Mountain in view.

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Phoenix Ancient Town (Fenghuang)

Fenghuang Ancient Town or literally translated into Phoenix Ancient Town is a national-level famous town for its history and culture. It was built in the reign of Emperor Kangxi of Qing Dynasty. This small town boasts the Pearl of West Hunan Province. On the southwest side of Fenghuan ancient town, there is a mountain looked like a flying phoenix. So this ancient town was called Fenghuang Ancient Town.

As a famous ancient town for its history and culture in China, The attraction of Fenghuang Ancient Town is organically comprised of the natural landscape and the humanistic environment. Located in the west side of Hunan province, Fenghuang Ancient Town is a hidden gem for a long time. Thanks to human’s ignorance and its obscurity, it is well preserved and the original appearance and environment are both well protected. The original and ecological environment of culture and nature is the most attractive aspect to draw the attention and preference of so many people.

Stretching diagonally from the northwest to southeast of the town, Tuo Jiang River is a life force of the local people. Here in its waters women wash their clothes and the men fish with their nets, while on the bank food is prepared in much the same way as it has for centuries. The river also provides a means for boatmen to support their families by ferrying visitors up and down stream for sightseeing.

The Miao ethnic minority is predominantly settled here and a visit to a Miao village is a must when going to the town. The Miao women have a natural beauty that renders the use of cosmetics quite unnecessary. They love to dress in traditional blue garments set off with a white scarf. They love also their silver jewellery especially during festivals. Visitors will find a large array of hand made items of silver ornaments for sale in the local shops. Home made tie-dyes, printed and batik cloths are other local specialities that make wonderful souvenirs. The Miao are friendly and hospitable and like nothing more than to interact with visitors with a variety of traditional entertainments and activities. Food here also is different from that found elsewhere in China. Pickled red peppers are a particular local delicacy and their appetizing smell wafts from the many small family run restaurants.

There are many old houses of famous people in the town. Yang-Family Ancestral Memorial is one of the most famous. Yang-family ancestral memorial was built in 1836. The building is made of wood and shown in the style of Siheyuan. The memorial is comprised of two stories with the total area of 770 square meters. The buildings include the gate, opera stage, corridors, main hall and subsidiary rooms this memorial is located near to the ancient town wall in north side of the town. It is strongly showing the local tradition and carving art of architecture. Currently it is the cultural site under the county-level protection.

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Yueyang Pavilion

Situated at the shores of Dongting Lake in Yueyang City, Hunan Province, together with Tengwang Pavilion in Hubei Province and the Yellow Crane Tower in Jiangxi Province, Yueyang Pavilion is known as one of three greatest pavilions in south China. In 1988 it was listed by the State Council as a national key cultural relic’s protection unit.

It is generally believed that Yueyang Pavilion was built more than 1,700 years ago. During the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280) the rudimentary form of the building was that of a parade (ceremonial) pavilion. During the Western Jin (265-316) and the Northern and Southern Dynasties (386-589), it was used by the military with the name of 'Baling Tower'. It was not until the Tang Dynasty that it was renamed as the Yueyang Pavilion. The pavilion was destroyed and rebuilt for several times. In North Song Dynasty, the famous writer Fan Zhongyan wrote the prestigious article of “Essay on Yueyang Pavilion”. The magnificent words and sentences made the Yueyang Pavilion enjoy high reputation in all dynasties. Moreover, the pavilion was the ideal place for the writers, scholars, and political officials to write poems and essays, drink wine and talk about country and lives.

The Yueyang Pavilion is a three storey, rectangular building which reaches 15 meters (about 49 feet) high and is constructed entirely from wood. Surprisingly, no nails or beams have been used in its construction. This is a rare feature in classical architecture. Pillars have been included in the construction to ensure the strength of the building. Four pillars made of 'Nanmu' wood support the entire pavilion; twelve pillars of catalpa wood support the eaves of the first storey and a further twelve pillars have been included to support the second storey. The roof is built using unusual curved lines which are similar to the shape of a helmet used by a knight of ancient times.

Seen from a distance, the Yueyang Pavilion seems like a giant bird which is in flight. The red building with its yellow glazed roof tiles is a splendid and colorful sight. Views here are spectacular. You will see the pavilion glowing in the sunshine together with the drifting clouds as reflections on the glimmering surface of the Dongting Lake. You will also see the white sails of passing boats contrasting with the blue sky. Couplets and carved screens are hung on the wall inside the building providing the visitors with the history of this pavilion.

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Dongting Lake

Brief Introduction

Dongting Lake is the second largest freshwater lake in China. It is also known as 'eight- hundred Li Dong Ting Lake', which means Dongting Lake has an area of almost eight hundred Li(Li: a Chinese length unit equal to 500 meters or about 1,640 feet). Dongting Lake is a large, shallow lake in northeastern Hu'nan province, China. It is a flood basin of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang). Hence the lake's size depends on the season. The provinces of Hubei and Hu'nan are named after their location relative to the lake: Hubei means "North of the Lake" and Hu'nan means "South of the Lake" in Chinese.

Geography and Climate

Four streams including the Xiangjiang River, the Zishui River, the Yuanjiang River, and the Lishui River, all flow into Dongting Lake, and the lake is sometimes known as 'the holder of the four streams'. Because it acts as a tremendous natural reservoir or flood-basin, it plays an important role in adjusting the flow of the Yangtze River The Lake is sometimes known as 'the taker and sender of the Yangtze River'.

The climate here is between middle and northern subtropical, so it is warm and humid, but there is also a 'draught window' from which cold air from the north sometimes enters. So in spring and summer, the temperature is variable, while in late summer and autumn, it's sunny and hot with a little rain. Occasionally in autumn, it's a little bit cold and windy. The area around the lake has tremendous agricultural production ability with a long history of development. Since the plain is graced with fertile soil, proper temperature and plentiful rain, Dongting Lake is also called 'a land flowing with milk and honey'.

Culture and Mythology

The area is well known in Chinese history and literature. "Dongting" literally means "Grotto Court", and the lake was named for the huge hall or cavern, which was believed to exist beneath the lake, where the spirits of the Sage-King Shun's wives Ehuang and Nüying were said to be the rulers of this grotto, which was claimed to have underground passages opening to all parts of the empire. Dragon boat racing is said to have begun on the eastern shores of Dongting Lake as a search for the body of Qu Yuan, the Chu poet (340–278 BC), and a dragon-king is said to live at the bottom of the lake.

Scenic Spots

Dongting Lake is famous in Chinese culture as the place of origin of Dragon boat racing. There are numerous scenic spots on the lakefront, including the Yueyang Pavilion, Junshan Mountain, Tomb of Du Fu, Wen Temple, and Longzhou Academy. At present, tourists can still enjoy five famous sights out of Eight Views of Xiaoxiang, namely the Autumn Moon on Dongting, Returned Sail from Faraway Riverside, Wile Gooses Settle on the Smooth Sand, Sunset Glow over Fishing Village, and Snow Curtain Hanging over the River Sky. Moreover, the Ten Shadows of Dongting Lake are also attractive sights, including Shadow of Sun, Shadow of Moon, Shadow of Cloud, Shadow of Snow, Shadow of Hill, Shadow of Tower, Shadow of Sail, Shadow of Fishing, Shadow of Gull, and Shadow of Wild Goose.   

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