Chenxi, known as Chenyang in ancient times, has a history of more than 2,000 years. It was set up as a county in the second year of Gaozu (205 BC) of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-9 AD). Chenxi is the intersection of Xuefeng Mountain and Wuling Range as well as the Chen River and the Yuanshui River, which makes it an important political, economic and cultural center with military significance in Chinese history. Moreover, Chenxi also offers a rich variety of natural sceneries and cultural attractions.

Chenyang Ancient Town

1. Quixing Pavilion: the pavilion, locating at the eastern end of Zhongshan Road, was originally constructed to worship the Star of Wisdom in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and was repaired many times in the following dynasties. The current one was built in the seventh year of Jiaqing (1802) in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Being listed as a municipal-level cultural relics protection unit in 1996, the pavilion is the most well-preserved ancient building in Chenyang Ancient Town.

2. Ancient alleys and ports: Chenyang Ancient Town is home to many traditional alleys, including Mafang Alley, Yujia Alley and Zhaojia Alley. The town also preserves a dozen of ancient ports such as Shuangxikou Port, Zhongnanmen Port, Si Port, Xin Port, Lingguan Port, Liangshui Port, Da Port and Yuchuan Port.

3. Ancient temples: Famous temples at Chenyang Ancient Town include Dayou Temple, Jiangdong Temple, Guang’en Temple, Danshan Temple, Guishan Temple, Yuhua Cave, Shuiyun Temple, Jinya Temple, Nengren Temple, Shuifu Temple, Zushi Temple and Puji Temple.

4. Jinya Tower: Known as one of the “Eight Scenes of Chenxi”, the tower is located on Jinji Mountain, two kilometers west of the town. It was originally built by Cao Xingjian, the county magistrate, during the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The original tower stood seven stories high, facing southeast, which means the purple air comes from the east - a propitious omen, and was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.

5. The Former Residence of Yang Ren: Located in Liushuwan Street, the rectangular-shaped residence was originally built in the Ming Dynasty, containing two patios and over 30 wooden rooms and covering an area of more than 1,700 square meters. The residence was badly damaged and is being repaired now. It is a county-level cultural relics protection unit. Yang Ren (1880-1911, a martyr of the 1911 Revolution) went to Japan in 1905 and studied at the Japanese Physical Education School and the Army Officers’ School. In 1908, he was introduced by Song Jiaoren to join the United League of China. Yang Ren, Tan Renfeng and Jiao Dafeng are known as the “Three Heroes of Hunan Province”.

6. Former site of the headquarters of the Second Corps of the Red Army: On November 27, 1935, He Long, head of the Second Corps, and Gan Siqi, political director, led more than 8,000 soldiers to Chenxi after the march from Yuanling, and withdrew from Chenxi on December 1. The headquarters was located at the building No. 225, Oujia Alley, Zhongshan Road. It is now a county-level cultural relics protection unit.

7. Former sites of the compounds for wartime relocation: After the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression broke out in 1937, many government offices, schools and factories were moved to Chenxi from Japanese-occupied territories. Many former sites were well preserved and listed as provincial cultural relics protection units, including Zaojiaoping Airport, Dayoushan Anti-Japanese Martyrs’ Cemetery, the field hospital, Nanzhuangping Arsenal, the Fourth Front Army Headquarters, and the defense bunkers.

8. Former site of the CPC Chenxi Provisional County Committee: The former site of the CPC Chenxi Provisional County Committee was located at No.4, Mafang Alley (present-day No.297, Yujia Alley), Liushuwan. In August, 1938, the CPC Hunan Provincial Work Committee sent He Liang to Chenxi to carry out organization work. In December, after receiving the proposal submitted by the CPC Western Hunan Work Committee, the CPC Hunan Provincial Work Committee approved the establishment of the CPC Chenxi County Committee. Liang Chunyang, head of the Military United Front Work Department of the CPC Western Hunan Work Committee, presided over a meeting and set up the CPC Chenxi County Committee consisting of four members: He Liang, Mi Qingxuan, Cheng Jinwu, and Pan Duching.

9. Victory Park Honoring the Campaign to Suppress Bandits in Western Hunan: In 1952, Chenxi County built a memorial hall to cherish the memory of the martyrs who bravely laid down their lives in the Campaign to Suppress Bandits in Western Hunan in the Zhongshan Park, which was later renamed as the Victory Park. In 2001, the memorial hall was listed as a provincial cultural relics protection unit and is now a provincial patriotic education base.

Dayou Mountain

Dayou Mountain is located on the south bank of Yuanshui River, residing in the southwest, the You direction in the Bagua map (which literally means “eight trigrams” in Chinese), hence the name “Dayou Mountain”. It is also called Jiufeng Ridge for its layer-heaped huge mass and aged pines. It earns another name “Zhonggu Mountain” for its bell-shaped main peak. On the basis of its natural landscapes, it distinguishes itself with many historic remains.

1. Tomb of King Mu of Zhou (the fifth king of the Zhou Dynasty. The dates of his reign are 976-922 BC.): According to Complete Library in the Four Branches of Literature and local legend, the tomb of King Mu of Zhou is located at the Zhonggu Mountain of Chenxi County.

2. Tomb of Shanjuan/Shanjuan Shrine: In the era of the Emperor Yao (about 4,300 years ago), Emperor Yao visited Shanjuan during his southern tour and wanted to cede the throne to him, but Shanjuan declined the offer and then traveled to Dayou Mountain at Chenyang along the Yuanshui River and lived in seclusion until the end of his life, and was buried in the mountain. In the Ming Dynasty, Ouyang Zhi, vice governor of Chenzhou, reported Shanjuan’s stories to the government, and the then emperor ordered a shrine to be built to honor his deeds. According to Chenxi County Annals (revised during the reign of Daoguang (1821-1850) of the Qing Dynasty), Tomb of Shanjuan is located in the Dayou Mountain, woodcutting was forbidden according to the order issued by the then emperor during the years of Dazhong Xiangfu (1008-1016) of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127). According the historic records in the County Annals revised during the reign of Kangxi (1662-1722) of the Qing Dynasty, Tomb of Shanjuan is located in the Dayou Mountain, woodcutting was forbidden during the years of Dazhong Xiangfu of the Northern Song Dynasty. It was said that grave robbers once tried to steal from the tomb of Shanjuan, and was scared aways by a thunderstorm which suddenly arrived shortly after they had started to dig.

3. Dayou Book Cave: As a Taoist holy place, it is also known as Huamiao Dongtian (In Taoist literature, Dongtian is a region where heaven and earth meet - the world of immortals), the 26th of the 36 smaller Dongtian (The world of immortals consists of 10 large Dongtian and 36 smaller Dongtian).

4. Danshan Temple: It was originally built in the 21st year of Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1683). “Evening bell ringing at the temple sitting on the top of the mountain cliff” was one of the ancient eight scenic spots. The design of the temple is very special, using a natural stone gap as the main gate, which is so narrow that only one person can pass at a time. The original temple was demolished in 1965 and rebuilt in 1990.

5. Dayou Daoist Temple: The two-story temple with a traditional Chinese brick-wood structure was originally constructed at the end of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and was named after the Dayou Mountain. The temple was famous in western Hunan, and in the old days, Taoists from neighboring counties came here to acquire the joss paper as a sign of securing the approval of the Jade Emperor to perform Taoist rituals. 

6. Danshan Cliff Inscriptions: The inscriptions are on the cliffs facing the Yuanshui River with poems written by famous scholars such as Wang Yangming, Hu Song, Xu Ting, Tao Qinkui, Zeng Caihan and Zheng Zhushi craved on the cliff-face. The most recent one was the poem written by Tian Zhenfan, a lieutenant general of the Republic of China and security commander of the Ninth District of Hunan, in 1921. The Danshan Cliff Inscriptions were listed as Hunan Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 2012.

7. Anti-Japanese Martyrs’ Cemetery: The Chinese 3rd Front Army (Tang Enbo as the Commander) and 4th Front Army (Wang Yaowu as the Commander) smashed the Japanese scheme and won victory in the Battle of Xiangxi, a 1945 confrontation in the central province of Hunan that was crucial to defending Chongqing, the wartime capital. More than 150 soldiers who died from serious wounds in the battle were buried in the cemetery.

Swallow Cave Scenic Area

Swallow Cave is located at Huomachong Township, Chenxi County, one kilometer away from Chenxi Railway Station and more than 50 kilometers away from Huaihua City. The scenic area was open to the public in March 1996. It was approved as a provincial scenic area by the Hunan Provincial People’s Government in May 1999 and was rated by the National Tourism Administration as a 2A tourist attraction in 2002. It was listed as a provincial water conservancy scenic area in 2010 and was upgraded as a national one in December 2012.

The scenic area features a karst landscape in the subtropical zone with several popular spots such as Yishen Garden and Swallow Cave. As the spotlight of the whole scenic area, the Swallow Cave has a total of nine layers from top to bottom with 4,800 meters of tunnel road. There are eight halls inside the cave, among which the biggest one is 120 meters high and 160 meters wide. With the cave as the hub, the scenic area fuses trees, mountains, water, and cave together.

Xiaoping Town

Located in the northern part of Chenxi County, Xiaoping borders Puyang Town in Luxi County, Banqiao Town and Tianwan Town in Chenxi County, with an area of 48.7 square kilometers and a population of 32,000 people. Surrounded by green mountains on three sides, the town has a unique landscape with a huge natural cave in the east leading to Changhuai highway, the only channel to the outside world in the old days. The town is called the land of Peach Blossoms because its topographical features are similar to those of the Peach Blossom Spring (a fable written by Tao Yuanming in 421 about a chance discovery of an ethereal utopia where the people led an ideal existence in harmony with nature, unaware of the outside world for centuries).

1. Xiaoping Arsenal (861 Arsenal): its predecessor was the Hanyang Arsenal founded in 1890 by Zhang Dongzhi, the then Viceroy of Huguang, who was one of the founders of China’s modern military and ordnance industry. With a history of more than 120 years, it is known as “the cradle of Hunan military industry”. The factory was well known in the 1980s for the Baiyun refrigerators it produced.

2. Jiangdong Temple: it was originally built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and was reconstructed at Jiangdong in the Northern Dynasty (960-1127). As a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit, the temple is famous for half “zang” (5,048 portraits as 1 “zang”) of portraits of Buddha.

3. Site of Jiangdong City of Song Dynasty (960-1279): Located on the east bank of the Yuanshui River, it is across the river from Pucheng, a famous town in western Hunan. Nanyang South Prefecture was set up here in Liang Dynasty (502-557), and Shouzhou in the Sui Dynasty (518-618). In 509, Chenyang was renamed as Jianchang County, and the county seat was set in Jiangdong. After hundreds of years of development in the Tang and Song dynasties, it reached its peak in the Ming Dynasty, with stores lined up, streets crisscrossed, eight ports sitting by the riverbank, making it one of the busiest towns in the western Hunan region.

4. Site of Zaojiaoping Airport: Located in Zaojiaoping Village, Xiaoping Town, Chenxi County, this site borders the southern bank of the Yuanshui River. It is 2 kilometers west of Pushi Town, 85 kilometers southwest of Dongjiang Airport, 56 kilometers east of Xupu Airport (Qiaojiang), and 152 kilometers southeast of Shaoyang Airport. The airport enjoys convenient water and land transportation. The airport is approximately 3,000 meters long from east to west and 300 meters wide from north to south. Inside the airport, there is a 600-meter-long and 30-meter-wide runway with a foundation of rubble stones and a surface paved with fine sand. This makeshift airport was built by the National Government’s Aviation Commission in 1944, employing 50,000 laborers. It forms a triangle with Zhijiang Airport and Xupu Airport, prepared for use during the War of Resistance Against Japan.

Famous historical and cultural villages

1. Wubaotian Ancient Village

The village is located in Shangpuxi Yao Ethnic Township and was first established during the Qing Dynasty. In 2010, it was rated as a Famous Historic and Cultural Village in Hunan Province and a Famous Historic and Cultural Village in China. In 2011, it was designated as a Cultural Relics Protection Unit in Hunan Province, and in 2013, it was included in the list of the first batch of Traditional Chinese Villages. The entire village is inhabited by residents surnamed Xiao. Their houses are neatly planned, compact in structure, and magnificent in appearance, displaying a unique charm in architectural art. There are 36 well-preserved ancient buildings, including the “Eight Great Houses” comprising the Upper Four Courtyards and the Lower Four Courtyards, as well as Lanling Villa and Gengdu Institute.

2. Gongjiawan Village

Gongjiawan Village is located in Xiuxi Township, to the east of the county seat, approximately 15 kilometers away. It was founded during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, occupying an area of 7 hectares, with ancient buildings covering about 1.5 hectares. There are 12 well-preserved ancient houses. In 2010, it was rated a Famous Historic and Cultural Village in Hunan Province. Originally, this place was inhabited by the Yao people. During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, the ancestors of the Gong clan migrated from Jiangjiaping in Yuanling County and settled here, renaming it “Gongjiawan”. Over the centuries, the Gong clan gradually prospered through hard work. The architectural features of Gongjiawan are based on the Eight Trigrams Formation, with crisscrossing alleys and winding paths that often confuse outsiders. The courtyard houses feature deep walls, spacious doorways, sturdy beams and columns, and a magnificent aura. The inscriptions such as “Reputation of the Bohai Clan” and “Long-lasting Influence of Wuling” are vigorous and powerful, reflecting the grandeur of the clan. The doorframes, walls, and window lattices are finely carved, depicting pine trees, bamboo, cranes, and deer with lifelike detail. Emphasizing both farming and reading, while being diligent and industrious, the Gong clan greatly valued education and culture, producing five Gongsheng (tribute students who are selected from among the provincial government studentsand given the privilege of a “scholarship” in either the National University or the Directorate of Education directly) and over forty Xiucai (one passes the imperial examination at the county level in the Ming and Qing dynasties).

3. Zhangjialiu Village

Zhangjialiu Village is located in the west of Chenyang Town, Chenxi County, Huaihua City. It borders on the Yuanjiang River to the east, adjoins Liujianao Village to the west, shares a border with Shanchong Village of Tanwan Town to the south, and meets Juntun Village to the north. The village comprises 8 villager groups, with a total of 284 households and 1,144 residents. The village covers an area of 4 square kilometers and enjoys a convenient transportation network with the highway from Chenxi County to Pushi Town in Luxi County passes through the village, and the Yuanjiang River flows around it.

The village was first built during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, less than 5 kilometers away from Pushi Town in Luxi County. Known as the “Little Nanjing”, it enjoys superior geographical location and convenient water and land transportation with villagers living a prosperous life. The ancient dwellings in the village feature a unique architectural style. Externally, they are constructed with grey bricks and earth-built firewalls, while internally, they feature wooden quadrangles. The doors and windows are intricately carved, exhibiting a strong ancient Hunan ethnic style. The former residence of Zhang Zhongning, who served as the commander of the Second Army of Kuomintang of China and the Director of the Hunan Provincial Finance Department, is also located here.

Since ancient times, the villagers have been diligent and thrifty. Beyond their farming and scholarly pursuits, as well as their household management, they have left behind invaluable treasures of craftsmanship, which have been handed down from generation to generation for hundreds of years. Hunan’s local operas such as Chenhe Gaoqiang, Yang Opera and dragon lantern dance have shone brightly. The paper-making craft, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty and is now one of the few surviving examples, was once all the rage in western Hunan. Using local bamboo as raw material, this unique craftsmanship and intricate production process yields coarse paper primarily used in daily life and the local traditional industry of fireworks and firecrackers. Zhangjialiu Village is not only a culturally renowned village with a long history but also a strategically important military location. Shi Dakai, the King of Yi of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and Marshal He Long, a founding father of the People’s Republic of China, both led their troops through here. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Hunan-Guizhou Military Training Corps camped in the village for half a year, serving as a rear field hospital during the Battle of Changde, where it treated nearly a thousand wounded soldiers, indirectly supporting the frontline of the war.

4. Chuanxiyi Village

Chuanxiyi Village is located in Chuanxi Township, 20 kilometers away from the county seat. It serves as the northern gateway to Chenxi County. The ancient post road was constructed in the 29th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1292), and in the 15th year of Emperor Hongwu’s reign of the Ming Dynasty, Chuanxi Station was established, marking it as a major stop on the Beijing-Kunming post road at that time. Due to its strategic location, connecting the capital in the north and Yunnan and Guizhou in the south, it became prosperous with some wealthy households settled here and reached its peak in the mid-to-late Ming Dynasty. Within the village, there are still a dozen magnificent Yinziwu (a type of traditional dwelling in Hunan Province), paved blue stone post roads, remnants of post station foundations, ancient wells, old pavilions, and other relics. The post station ceased operations in the second year of the Republic of China (1913), having operated for over 600 years across the Ming and Qing dynasties and the Republic of China.

5. Shendongxi Village

Shendongxi Village is located in the northeastern part of Chenxi County. It stretches 3 kilometers north to south and is 2.6 kilometers wide from east to west, covering a total area of 7.8 square kilometers. The village has a population of 730 individuals in 168 households, all of whom are Han people.

This village boasts a long history and rich culture, with its establishment dating back to the Tang and Song dynasties. In January 2016, the village’s old oil mill was listed as an important cultural relics protection site in Chenxi County.

Within the village, there are over 80 sites and artifacts related to agricultural cultural heritages, including oil presses, water mills, stone grinders, stone mortars, and the Wen family temple. These sites and artifacts carry forward intangible cultural heritages such as Chenhe Gaoqiang Opera, Yang Opera, and dragon lantern dances. The village is also rich in legendary stories, including the origin of Shendongxi Village, the famous Taoist figure Wen Fasheng and the legendary hunter Wen Hongyun. Unique wedding and funeral customs are also preserved within the village.

Old oil mill: boasting a history of over 300 years, it was constructed during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. It is the only remaining ancient oil mill in Chenxi County.

Wen Clan Ancestral Temple: Wen Fasheng is the Dharma name of Wen Wenhu, the son of Wen Sixian (also known as Wen Yuanba), a descendant of Wen Tianxiang, who was the prime minister of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), a national hero, and a patriotic poet. Wen Sixian had four sons: the eldest was Wen Long, the second Wen Bao, the third Wen Hu and the fourth Wen Bin.

6. Xikou Village

Xikou Village is situated at the confluence of Shixi River into the Yuanshui River, hence it is named “Xikou” (Creek Mouth). It is backed by lush green mountains and faces a vast river. After the construction of the Dafutan Power Plant, this area was transformed into a watery landscape and characterized by wide and tranquil water surface. A long dike divides the water into two parts, with verdant willow trees shading the dike and creating an ambiance of chirping birds and fragrant flowers, resembling the scenery of West Lake. In the midst of the water, there lies an island with cottages and taverns, surrounded by peach blossoms and willow trees, earning it the nickname “Peach Blossom Island”. This place is an ideal destination for fishing and lake tours.

Five-star village tourist spots

1. You Farm

Yu Farm is located in Maluping Village, Tanwan Town, Chenxi County, just 2.5 kilometers away from the county seat. Established in November 2012 with a registered capital of 12 million yuan, the farm spans an area of 1,880 mu (approximately 125 hectares), including 1,800 mu (120 hectares) of mountainous land and 80 mu (5.3 hectares) of water areas. Adjacent to Chenxi Southern Economic Development Zone and Chenxi Ecological Entrepreneurial Park, the farm boasts a superior geographical location and beautiful surroundings. In November 2008, the farm was awarded the title of “Leisure Agriculture Farm in Hunan” (Five-star level). In December 2012, it was rated as Hunan Rural Tourism Area (Five-star level). In May 2015, the farm jointly established the Chenxi Orange Expert Service Station for Chenxi Orange Production with Hunan Agricultural University, which was officially inaugurated with the authorization of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education’s New Countryside Development Research Institute. In 2016, the Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Department approved the farm as a pilot unit for an agricultural program.

A core park has been established within the farm, featuring 400 mu (about 26.7 hectares) of citrus orchards including Newhall navel oranges, and 200 mu (about 13.3 hectares) of Jinxiu yellow peaches and Cuiyu pears. Additionally, there is an eco-resort with a catering service area of 2,000 square meters, a tourist reception center of 2,100 square meters, four expert buildings totaling 1,200 square meters, a fishing center, and a barbecue site. A rice cultivation base of 100 mu (about 6.7 hectares) has also been set up, along with three Chinese native bee breeding bases, a wild boar breeding base, and a pure grain liquor brewing base. The farm has registered three trademarks: Dayi Mountain, Chengxi Orange Sea and Xiyou Passion, and has developed agricultural and sideline products such as Chengxi navel oranges, Dayoushan Ecological Rice, rose-scented oranges, Xiyou honey, Xiyou pure grain liquor, and free-range wild boar. Chengxi navel orange has won the golden Award multiple times at the Hunan Agricultural Expo and the Western Hunan Agricultural Expo. In 2015, the product was certified by the China Green Food Development Center.

2. Qiyun Villa

Qiyun Villa is located in Liangtingwan Village, Jinbin Town. It fronts the Sanjiaochong Reservoir and is backed by lush green mountains with peculiar peaks. The villa spans an area of 380 mu (about 25.3 hectares) and is an integrated leisure farm that offers dining, self-service barbecue, leisure fishing, board games, Chenhe Gaoqiang Opera performances, and religious culture experiences. In 2011, it was awarded the title of Five-Star Rural Tourism Spot in Hunan Province.

Rural tourist spots

1. Xinyue Lake

Xinyue Lake Ecological Leisure and Sightseeing Farm is located at the junction of the former Maoping Village and Tingliu Village in Chuanxi Township, more than 30 kilometers from the county seat and 10 kilometers from Provincial Highway S223. It stands across the river from the Xinnv Mountain Scenic Area in Luxi County.

Founded in 2012, the farm has grown and developed into a resort that integrates sightseeing, leisure, entertainment and dining. It features a 300-mu (about 20 hectares) floral sightseeing area with various flower species including 100 mu (about 6.67 hectares) of lupines, 100 mu (about 6.67 hectares) of gysopsophila, 65 mu (about 4.33 hectares) of sunflowers, as well as Iceland poppies, cleomes, purple coneflowers, baby’s-breath, blue flax, etc. There are also a green meadow covering more than 5,000 square meters, a tourist reception center of over 400 square meters, a leisure fishing area and a board and card game entertainment area of more than 200 square meters. It is an excellent destination for leisure and sightseeing for both urban and rural residents.

2. Chuanyanwan Ecotourism Resort

Established in February 2016, Chuanyanwan Ecotourism Resort is located in Zhonghuopu Village, Xiaolongmen Township. It is 28 kilometers away from the county seat and 30 kilometers from Huaihua City. With a registered capital of RMB 2 million, the company has leased 16.7 mu (approximately 1.1 hectares) of farmland from local farmers. Its primary business activities include the development of leisure eco-tourism, hot spring bathing, water amusement sports, and catering services. Completed infrastructure includes a parking lot, reception center, barbecue area, swimming pool, staff dormitories, dining center, tourist public toilets, basketball court, and hardened pedestrian trails for scenic spot tours. The resort has officially opened to the public.

3. Qianlong Mountain

Qianlong Mountain is located in the western suburbs of Chenxi County, marking the end of the famous Dayou Mountains. It borders on the Yuanjiang River, sharing proximity with Chenxi Dayou Mountain National Wetland Park, which was established in 2021. The area encompasses several natural villages including Qianlongshan, Shanchong, Changpo, and Yanxikou, covering a total area of 10 square kilometers, all characterized by small hill landscapes. Situated 6 kilometers away from the county seat, it is traversed by the newly constructed Chenxi-Pushi highway. An 8-kilometer-long village-circling road, shaded by lush trees, provides convenient transportation by both land and water. The region boasts picturesque scenery with clear waters and green mountains, creating an exquisite natural environment.

Qianlong Mountain boasts the well-preserved former residence of Xie Zucheng, a martial arts scholar-official from the Qing Dynasty, as well as the small-scale Class 2 Wujindong Reservoir, which stretches for 4 kilometers, and over 40 other ponds. The wetland area covers 3,000 mu (about 0.07 hectares), and the area is rich in wild animals such as pheasants, water ducks, egrets, and wildcats, as well as first- and second-class protected plants such as ginkgo, dalbergia, cedar, Chinese yew, and water pine. Currently, it is designated as a municipal ecological village, one of the first poverty alleviation demonstration villages through tourism, and a key village for building beautiful countryside in Huaihua City.

4. Wangjiazhou Island

Wangjiazhou Island is located on the right bank of the Chen River. The island is abundant in red-skinned radishes, which are the best ingredients for making pickled radishes. The lush aquatic plants on the island make it an ideal place for free-range Chenzhou ducks. Every year, approximately 2 million ducks are reared here.

5. Jiyan Village

Jiyan Village boasts undulating peaks and lush, majestic forests. Wild cherry trees, towering and abundant throughout the mountains, bloom in March with clouds of cherry blossoms in shades of pink and lavender, floating gracefully in the breeze. Bees and butterflies flutter amidst the flowers, filling the air with fragrance. As soon as the cherry blossoms fade, azaleas take their turn to dominate the scenery across the vast mountains. The two types of flowers bloom consecutively, extending the flowering season and creating a perfect landscape for spring outings.

6. Muzhou Island

Muzhou Island is 7.5 kilometers upstream from the county seat and surrounded by water on all sides, stretching approximately 2 kilometers in length and averaging 500 meters in width. Its area is roughly 5.6 square kilometers. Despite its seemingly low-lying terrain, Muzhou has never been flooded by any flood in history. Folklore claims that it is a wooden sandbar that rises and falls with the water level, hence its name “Muzhou”. In 2004, leveraging the unique advantage of the island, a medium-sized hydropower station with an installed capacity of 200,000 kilowatts was constructed here. The once treacherous rapids of Muzhou have now transformed into a serene lake, with the fragrance of orange blossoms and rows of willow trees lining the shore. In recent years, a beach park has also been established on the back river of the island, providing a place for people to take vacations. Muzhou has become a true large garden and an ideal destination for people to spend their holidays and leisure time.

7. Yizishan Martyrs Cemetery

Yizishan Martyrs Cemetery is located on Yizishan Mountain in Longquanyan Township. It was established in 1971 and stands against Yizishan Mountain, facing the Banwu Highway. It was built in honor of 37 revolutionary martyrs from the 47th Army of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army who sacrificed their lives during the anti-bandit campaign at Haoxingdi in 1949. In October 2007, the county Party committee and county government raised more than 1.5 million yuan to renovate and expand the cemetery. Comprehensive renovations and expansions were carried out, including the construction of a 3-mu (approximately 0.2 hectares) lotus pond on the right side of the cemetery and a new two-story, 400-square-meter exhibition hall for revolutionary historical materials on the left. The county also established the Yizishan Martyrs Cemetery Management Office and assigned three ex-servicemen to be specifically responsible for promoting and protecting revolutionary historical materials. The distinguishing feature of this attraction is its dedication to commemorating the revolutionary martyrs. A stone tablet in front of the tombs bears the inscription “Yizishan Martyrs Monument”, while a 3-meter-high and 5-meter-wide stone tablet stands behind the tombs, engraved with the words “Eternal Revolutionary Martyrs”. The cemetery is solemn and respectful.

8. Luozi Mountain

Luozi Mountain, located in the east of Chenxi County, was historically known as Dong Mountain. It borders on Xupu and Zhongfang counties and is part of the Xuefeng Mountain Range. With a total area of 2,000 square kilometers, it boasts over 90 peaks above 400 meters in altitude, among which the main peak reaches 1,378.5 meters, making it the highest peak in Chenxi. From the mountain’s summit, one can overlook the three counties. On ordinary days, the mountain is often shrouded in clouds and mist, presenting a magnificent and perilous landscape. Ancient trees tower on both sides of valleys, and strange rocks stand in clusters, offering great potential for sightseeing and adventure tourism. At the top of the mountain, there are temples: the Guan Sheng Temple in the front and the Qiaoyun Nunnery in the rear, where the Goddess of Mercy is enshrined. On the 18th day of the third, sixth, and ninth lunar months, believers from the three counties gather here for temple fair activities. Luozi Mountain boasts a forest coverage rate of over 70%, with an extremely rich variety of flora and fauna. In particular, it preserves a large number of Chinese yew trees, which are under first-class national protection. It is known as a natural oxygen bar and is an excellent destination for people to enjoy scenery. At the foot of the mountain is the Luozi Reservoir, a medium-sized reservoir built in the 1970s. With its picturesque scenery and beautiful environment, it is also a great place for leisure, entertainment and fishing.

9. Xianrenjie Forest Park

Xianrenjie Forest Park is situated amidst the Xianrenyan mountain ranges in Xianrenwan Yao Ethnic Township, which are also an extension of the Xuefeng Mountains. The mountain ranges encompass Bajiaoshan, Zhalongshan, and Fenghuangshan, characterized by overlapping peaks and ridges. Notably, Fenghuangshan, located on the banks of Chenzhou Beach, connects the undulating peaks of Xianrenyan with the vast, azure waters of Qingshuitang Hydropower Station, creating a spectacular scenery. This area serves as a state-owned forestry farm, featuring dense forests and abundant vegetation.

10. Xianrenwan Fishery Village

Chenxi Xianrenwan Eco-Cultural Tourism Development Co., Ltd. was established in April 2016 with an area of 1,160 acres and main construction projects including a museum dedicated to fishing culture, ebony and peculiar stones, a folk culture industrial park, fishing culture performance park, an amusement park, a folk craft workshop park, public toilets for tourists, parking lots, and a tourist reception center. The fishery village has officially opened to the public.

11. Longtouan Dragon Boat Base

Longtouan Dragon Boat Base is located in Longtouan Town. In recent years, dragon boat culture has become increasingly popular and thriving along the Chen River of the Yuanshui River basin, with Longtouan in particular showcasing the most distinctive dragon boat culture. Named after dragon, Longtouan is a place where people worship dragons. The dragon boats crafted here are unique: featuring a crocodile’s head, a python's body, and a swallow’s tail, creating a magnificent spectacle. Unlike regular dragon boats that require only twenty to thirty paddlers, dragon boats in Longtouan need 48 paddlers, 4-6 people at the helm, 3-4 people steering, 1 person waving the head flag, 1 person waving the waist flag, 1 person drumming, 2 people playing suona (a traditional Chinese musical instrument), totaling approximately 60 people. Whenever dragon boat races are held, entire village turns out, with thunderous cheers filling the air, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. As the hometown of dragon boat race, Chenxi County plans to establish a dragon boat base in Longtouan.

12. Qingshuitang Hydropower Station

Qingshuitang Hydropower Station originates from the Xianren Bay and serves as the sixth-level power station after the adjustment of cascade development on the main stream of the Yuanshui River. The reservoir area of the power station spans tens of thousands of hectares, with glittering waves that reflect the green mountains, villages, and farmland along its banks, creating a picturesque scene.

13. Jiyan Danxia Scenery

Jiyan Danxia scenery is located in Jiyan Village, Houtang Yao Ethnic Township, also known as Monk Rock, with the neighboring village named Danshan. As evident from their names, this area features typical Danxia landforms with each peak displays a unique and magnificent posture. Connected to the Xupu Simeng National Wetland Park, this place is praised as a Little Guilin.

(Translated by Yang Hong)