Huaihua Southern Grape Valley Tourist Area (also known as Tongmu Grape Valley Scenic Area) is located in the southern suburbs of Huaihua City, covering a total area of 50 square kilometers. It borders Zhongfang Ecological City and Hongjiang urban area, with the Baomao Expressway running through the scenic zone. Currently, it is classified as a national 3A tourist attraction, a national demonstration site for leisure agriculture and rural tourism, and a provincial agricultural tourism demonstration site. Huaihua Southern Grape Valley is the main producing area of wild spiny grapes, which, due to the species variation environment of Xuefeng Mountains, possess unique characteristics different from ordinary grapes. These grapes serve both fresh consumption and wine-making purposes, bearing distinct Chinese heritage and holding value comparable to Eurasian varieties. The area boasts over 20,000 mu (approximately 1,333 hectares) of wild spiny grape plantations, with vast, interconnected grapevines forming a spectacular sight. The large-scale cultivation is of significant tourism and aesthetic value and has been designated as a research base by Hunan Agricultural University. The Xiangzhenzhu variety studied here has been listed in China’s geographical trademark protection catalog. Benefiting from the shelter of Xuefeng Mountains and the nourishment of the Wushui River, the region enjoys a favorable climate and enchanting scenery, featuring verdant green mountains, pastoral fields and villages, and quaint bridges over flowing water. Centuries-old grapevines, the pastoral views of Nishuixi Stream, the idyllic landscape of Huabanxi Peach Source, the blessed land of Dongkandong Cavern, the thousand-year-old trees bearing witness to vicissitudes, and the traditional Xiangxi residential towers adorn the grape valley with magnificent charm and vivid folk customs. In 2013, the grape valley was awarded the title of “Hometown of China’s Spiny Grapes” and established as a mountain bike training base in Hunan. Yuan Longping, the father of hybrid rice, inscribed “Grape Valley of Southern China” for the scenic area.

(Translated by Yang Hong)