Chinese Name: 怀化市 (huái huà shì)

Population: 5,000,000 

Area: 27,600 square kilometers (10,656 square miles) 

Nationalities: Han, Dong, Miao  

Administrative Division: 1 district (Hecheng); 5 counties (Yuanling, Chenxi, Xupu, Zhongfang, Huitong); 5 autonomous counties (Mayang Miao Autonomous County, Xinhuang Dong Autonomous County, Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County, Jingzhou Miao and Dong Autonomous County, Tongdao Dong Autonomous County); 1 county-level city (Hongjiang)  

Seat of the City Government: 665, Yingfeng Zhong Lu, Hecheng District, Huaihua City 

Useful Telephone Numbers: Tourist Complaints: 0745-2720768
                                           Weather Forecast: 121
                                           Zip Code Inquiry: 184

Bank of China Huaihua Branch: 9, Yingfeng Dong Lu, Hecheng District, Huaihua City 

China Post Huaihua Branch: 48, Renmin Nan Lu, Hecheng District, Huaihua City

Location: Situated in the southwest region of Hunan Province, Huaihua City is bordered by Guangxi Province in the south and Guizhou Province in the west. Within the province, it is near Shaoyang, Loudi, Yiyang, Changde, Zhangjiajie, and Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture.        

History: It was in the late Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC) that the Chu State expanded its domain southward to Hunan and administrative organizations began to be formally established in this area. During the Warring State period (476BC-221BC), Qianzhong Shire was set up here, and the territory of present Huaihua City is essentially the same as in that period.      
 
Physical Features: The city lies between the Xuefeng Mountains and Wuling Mountains, with mountainous areas making up a large part of Huaihua. Mountains are found mainly in the east and west, and the central region consists of ravines, plains and hills. The Yuanshui River flows through Huaihua from the south to the north. Huaihua is a veritable green city, with sixty-five percent of its territory covered by forests.                

Climate: Huaihua has a subtropical, humid, monsoon climate featuring rich rainfall and moderate weather all the year around. The annual average temperature falls round 16.8℃ (62.2℉).  
     
When to Go: Huaihua can be visited at any time during the year and is at its best in spring, summer and autumn.

Local Highlights: festivals
Lusheng Festival: in Dong villages around Chongyang Festival (the ninth day of the ninth lunar month)
Dujuan (Azaleas) Festival: during late April to mid-May in Huangyan Tourist Holiday Resort
Dragon Boat Festival: the twelfth to the fourteenth day of the fifth lunar month in Yuanling

Special Local Products: engraved candied fruit of Jingzhou, brocade of Dong ethnic minority in Tongdao, mint crisp cake of Zhijiang, candy oranges of Qianyang, Jietan Tea of Yuanling

 Attractions:
Furong (Lotus) Tower is a classical garden architectural group located in the northwest of Qiancheng, an age-old and rustic town of Hongjiang City. The main wooden tower together with pavilions and towers are the famous historical relics on the bank of the Yuanshui River.

Ancient Trade city of Hongjiang. It was formed in late Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) built on the riverbank. There are residences scattered along the maze of lanes and streets. More than two thousand old buildings are still extant, through which the bygone days of this prosperous commercial town can be faintly seen. 

Huangdu Dong Cultural Village is located in the Huangtu Town of Tongdao Dong Autonomous County. It is said that when the king of the ancient Yelang Kingdom passed by the village, he was infatuated with the full bodied folk customs and ethnic flavor. Therefore he constructed the imperial city there. The whole scenic area consists of four stockaded villages. Visitors can admire folk performances by the local Dong people and appreciate the characteristic Dong architecture set among green mountains and rivers. 

Other Scenic Spots: Longjin Roofed Bridge, Matian Gulou (Drum Tower)
 
Travel Tips:
1. Huaihua is the south gate and an important transport hub for western Hunan. Most of the visitors from Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi and Shanghai to Zhangjiajie will changes vehicles at Huaihua.
2. Huaihua Zhijiang Airport is another important regional airport for Hunan. It is situated in Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County, 31 kilometers (19 miles) from Huaihua City proper. At present, flights to Changsha, Beijing and Guangzhou are available in the airport. Compared with Zhangjiajie Lotus (Hehua) Airport, Zhijiang Airport is much handier for getting to the famous water town in western Hunan, Feng Huang Cheng (Phoenix Town).  
3. Because of the Xuefeng Mountain Tunnel, the trip time between Changsha and Huaihua has been shortened to four hours by bus. There is no expressway connecting Huaihua and Zhangjiajie right now. Most visitors make the trip by train. It takes about four hours. By bus, the 300 kilometers (186 miles) will take at least five hours.
4. Huaihua Central Bus Station: 2, Renmin Dong Lu, Hecheng District
The South Station: 178, Yingfeng Xi Lu, Hecheng District
The West Station: Zhijiang Lu, Hecheng District, Hecheng District