Hunan province is located on the south bank at the mid-stream of Yangtze River,with its name meaning "south of the lake" because most of the province is located on the south of the Dongting Lake. It is the birthplace for Maozedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China.
Xiang embroidery, one of China's four famous embroideries, has high artistic value even by now.

The map of Hunan province

Ethnic Minority Group
There are over 1 million members of ethnic groups living in the western highlands. These minority peoples consist of four groups, the Miaos, the Tujia, the Dong, and the Yao. Each group has its own distinctive handicrafts, notably embroidery and cross-stitch work.

Climate
Hunan in the sub-tropical area has a warm climate,the monsoon rain falls mostly in April, May, and June. July and August are uncomfortably hot and humid.The best time to visit is in the fall, when temperatures are cooler and the rainfall lighter.

Cities and Highlights
Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province,has a long history of civilization and a splendid ancient culture. There are many ancient tombs and relics here,such as the the Mawangdui Tomb.Having a lot of talents and heroes, Changsha was called the Cradle of Revolution.
The Yuelu Academy in Changsha,one of the fourth ancient academies in China,is quite a good place for people to feel the atmosphere of ancient study.

The Yuelu Academy

Xiangtan City, an ancient city with a history of more than 1,500 years, it is the hometown of Mao Zedong, the great leader of the Chinese people, and Qi Baishi, a world-famous master of Chinese painting.
The Zhangjiajie National Park ,which was listed in the Directory of World Natural Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1992,is known for its quartz-sandstone rock formations, bare stone sculpted by nature and set among green trees and frequent clouds.

The Zhangjiajie National Park

Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture,is well-known by Tuojiang Township ,the national-level “Ancient City of History and Culture” ,and the birthplace of the writer Shen Congwen,whose work describes a beautiful local scenery for readers.
Mount Hengshan, named the Southern Mountain of the Five Sacred Mountains,known for its precarious cliffs and rime, it is a holy mountain for both Taoists and Buddhists.

Rime in Hengshan Mountain

The Peach Blossom Fountainhead, from a work of Chinese literature from the Jin Dynasty ,is in the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area,its a an isolated Utopia-like paradise that all of the people dream of.

The Peach Blossom Fountainhead

Besides,there are still many attractions waiting for you to visit.The National Forest Park at Mount Big Bear in Loudi is the largest primitive secondary forest in southern China.And the Yueyang Pavilion built in the style of the Song Dynasty,is a very famous pavillion in Chinese history which sits at the side of Dongting Lake.
There are a lot of celebrities in Hunan history, and the most famous are: Qu Yuan, a great poet and one of the four ancient cultural celebrities in the world;Qi Baishi, the most famous contemporary Chinese painter;Mao Zedong,etc.
Hunan is a such place full of historical sites and natural resources that it becomes a hot destination for travellers.

Great Taste
Hunan cuisine is one of the eight regional cuisines of China and is well known for its hot spicy flavor, fresh aroma and deep color.The people of Hunan like eating peppery foods.
Famous dishes include Dong'an Chicken, Orange Beef, Dongting Fat Fish Maw, etc.There is A special hot pot called lover's hot pot,it is famous for splitting the pot into a spicy and a lighter side.