Hengyang Travel Guide

Located in the middle reaches of Xiangjiang River and to the south of Mt. Hengshan in Hunan Province, Hengyang is the second largest city in Hunan with a population of over seven million. Hengyang is a busy and growing industrial city and the leading transportation centre of Hunan, linking water, rail, and highway routes.
 

History
 

The city is located in the south of Mt. Heng, so it is named Hengyang (South of mountain and north of river was called “Yang” in classical Chinese.). It is also known as 'Wild Goose City' because flocks of wild geese flying south for the winter have been known to stop there to rest.
 

Attractions
 

Mt. Hengshan Scenic Spot:
It is also known as 'Longevity Mountain' and is the core scenic spot in the region. It has eminent mountain peaks and wonderful mountain scenery. There magnificent views are called ’four oceans’ on Mt. Hengshan: ocean of flowers, ocean of trees, ocean of cloud and ocean of snow. Mt. Hengshan is a holy land of Buddhism and Taoism. Additionally Zhusheng Temple located in Nan Yue ancient town and Qingliang Temple near Hengshan City is worth visiting. In addition, many other scenic spots can be found in Mt. Hengshan such as Banshan Pavilion, Magu Wonderland, GaoTai Temple, the Martyry and the Jingang (solid-based) Dagoba.

Mt. Jiuyi National Forest Park: It is located in the south of Ningyuan County; straight mountains are sheer and elegant. Mt. Jiuyi owns its name because of nine similar peaks. Shundi Mausoleum, who is one of the five emperors in Hua Xia in remote antiquity, is in Jiuyi Mountain. Wild animals and plants are around the Mountain.

Other sceneries in Hengyang City: Wuxi Forest of Steles, Mt. Liangshan Scenic Spot, Dongjiang Lake, Mt. Mangshan and Chenzhou Heaven hot spring
 

Transportation 

By Air

Since there is no airport in Hengyang, the best air connection is from Changsha Huanghua International Airport or Zhangjiajie Lotus Airport.

By Train

Hengyang is an important transportation hub in southern China. Jing Guang line (from Beijing to Guangzhou) intersects at Hengyang. The station has daily trains to other big cities in China and to Zhangjiajie or Changsha in Hunan Province. Bus No. 1, 16, 18 will take you to the Hengyang Railway Station.

By Long-Distance Bus

There are two long-distance bus stations in Hengyang City.
Hengyang Central Bus Station: located in Jiefang Road, buses running to other cities within Hunan Province such as Changsha, Xiangtan, Zhuzhou, Shaoyang, and Yongzhou. Moreover, and reaching Guangxi Province including Guilin, and Guangdong Province including Shenzhen, Huidong, Zhongshan.

Huaxin Bus Station: located in the suburban area of Huaxin Development Zone, buses in this station are mostly to Hengyang's surrounding cities and counties such as Shaoyang, Qidong, and Yongzhou.

City transportation

There are more than 40 bus lines in Hengyang City covering most of the main buildings and avenues within Hengyang. In Hengyang city the flag fall of the taxi is CNY5.
 

Weather and climate
 

Hengyang enjoys four distinct seasons due to its pleasant subtropical maritime monsoon climate. It is warm in winter and cool in summer. The annual average temperature is 18.2 C (about 65 F). The climate is mild and wet all the year round.
 

Food and Restaurants
 

The most popular food is Hunan Cuisine (Xiang Cuisine). Yu Lin Xiang Yao is strongly recommended among the Hengyang dishes. He Ye Bao Fan (rice wrapped in lotus leaf) tastes cool. A local snack called Cream Pineapple Jelly is popular among adults as well as children.

Wang Fu Restaurant
Recommended Dish: traditional dishes of Hunan Cuisine, Guangdong Cuisine and Sichuan Cuisine
Address: No.66 Renmin Road
Getting there: Bus No.9 passes by Renmin Road.

Hengshan Local Dish Restaurant
Recommended Dish: Hunan Cuisine and local style dishes
Address: No.10 Zhengxiang Road (north)
Getting there: Bus K38 passes by Zhengxiang Road.
 

Accommodation
 

Recommended hotels
Linyin Holiday Hotel
No.43 Jiefang Avenue, Yanfeng District, Hengyang
Shen Long Hotel
No.3 Zhengxiang North Road, Zhengxiang District, Hengyang
 

Shopping
 

The craftwork is usually first choice among the local souvenirs. Some local snacks will arouse your appetite if you wander in the streets in Hengyang. Hengshan is a tea-producing region. Yun Wu Tea is produced on the high mountains of Mt. Hengshan and it has been the tribute for the royal court since Tang Dynasty. In Hengyang City, there are many department stores and supermarkets for you to buy the above-mentioned local products:
 

Travel tips
 

1. It seems to be suitable to go there in all seasons. However, it is recommended to visit Mt. Hengshan at the end of summer and in the beginning of autumn. If you want to see the snowy scenery, you'd better come to Hengshan during December to February.
2. Every branch of Bank of China provides foreign exchange service for visitors in Hengyang city.
3. Hengyang City Post Office
Address: Beside Taiyang (sun) Square, Zhengxiang District