Chinese Name: 郴州市 (chēn zhōu shì)

Population: 4,560,000  

Area: 19,317 square kilometers (7,458 square miles) 

Nationalities: Han 

Administrative Division: 2 districts (Beihu, Suxian); 8 counties (Guiyang, Yongxing, Yizhang, Jiahe, Linwu, Rucheng, Guidong, Anren); 1 county-level city (Zixing) 

Seat of the City Government: 9, Wuling Lu, Beihu District, Chenzhou City 

Useful Telephone Numbers: Tourist Complaints: 0735-2368889
                                          Weather Forecast: 121
                                          Zip Code Inquiry: 184

Bank of China Chenzhou Branch: Riyue Lu, Wuling Guangchang, Beihu District, Chenzhou City 

China Post Chenzhou Branch: Shengping Lu, Beihu District, Chenzhou City

Location: Chenzhou is located in the southwest region of Hunan Province, neighboring Yongzhou in the west, Zhuzhou and Hengyang in the north. It is also bounded on the east by Jiangxi Province and on the south by Guangdong Province. The capital city of Hunan, Changsha, is about 350 kilometers (217 miles) from Chenzhou.        

History: An ancient form of the character 'Chen' consisted of two characters, meaning town in forest. Chen, as a county was first built in the Qin Dynasty under the administration of Changsha Shire. Through a thousand years of changes, the Chenzhou has always been the center of administrative organizations here.      

Physical Features: Mountainous and hilly areas make up about three fourths of the city. The terrain generally declines from the southeast to the northwest. Mountains occupy the main part of its southeast region, while the northwest is mixed with hills, hillocks and plains.                

Climate: The city is situated in the subtropical monsoon climate zone, and the weather is humid. Spring usually comes early and the weather is unstable. Summer is long and hot, while it is clear and dry in autumn. A chilly period in winter is relatively shorter. The annual temperature averages 17.4℃ (63.3℉).   
     
When to Go: Actually, Chenzhou is an all-year-round tourist destination, especially pleasant in spring and autumn. If aiming at drifting in Dongjiang Lake Scenic Area, late April to late October is the most suitable season.    

Special Local Products: Linwu Duck, tea (Linglong Tea of Guidong County, Bitter Tea of Rucheng County, Gounao Tribute Tea of Zixing), Guidong dried fungus, pinto beans

 Attractions:
Suxian Hill, 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) northeast of Chenzhou city proper, is an attraction mixed with historic legends, beautiful natural sceneries and Taoist relics. The Suxian Temple on the top of the hill is the key scenic spot.
Dongjiang Lake is in the upper reaches of Dongjiang River in Zixing City. Doushuai Island is the largest island in the lake, with an amazing limestone cave. Visitors can experience drifting in the river.
Other Scenic Spots: Yangtian Lake, Bianjiang Scenic Area, Mangshan Mountain, Wanhua Cavern

Travel Tips:
1. Drafting in Dongjiang River will require two hours. Usually, visitors should first get to the Dongjiang Dam by bus in the early morning, and go yachting to Huangcao Town. They are advised to get there before 09:00 am, and then to take the special bus to the starting point, Longwang Miao (Dragon King Temple). 

2. Chenzhou Railway Station is in the Jiefang Lu, Beihu District, and the new railway station is located at Zenghuling with service beginning in 2008. When the Wuhan-Guangzhou Railway is completed in the near future, it will be about a one-hour trip to Guangzhou and Changsha. 

3. Hengyang is about a two-hour drive from Chenzhou. That is to say, visitors can add Mt. Hengshan to their trip around Chenzhou. It will take five hours from downtown Chenzhou to Changsha, and three hours to Guangzhou New Baiyun International Airport. Chenzhou's central bus station is in Guoqing Bei Lu.