SCENES & SIGHT

Zhangjiajie

Zhangjiajie, a northwest Hunan city 400 km from Changsha , is the site of the national Wulingyuan scenic resort, the first in China to be endorsed by UNESCO as a world natural heritage. The resort covers more than 500 square km and consists of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and two nature reserves-Suoxi Gully and Tianzi Mountain . With an unmatched sandy quartzie and karst landform, the resort is a sublime configuration of mountains, rivers, wood and caves. Major sights: Yellowstone Village , Golden Whip Stream, Tianzhi Mountain , Yellow Dragon Cave , Baofeng Lake and Maoyan River . Zhangjiajie International Forest Protection Festival is an annual event which takes place every September.

Ancient Phoenix City

Ming and Qing architecture remains large intact in the ancient city of Fenghuang ( Phoenix ) 53 km to the south of Jishou City . The streets are paved with slate, and most dwellings sit on stilts, looking classically elegant with flying eaves and curving roof corners. The former residence of Shen Congwen, a modern Chinese author, is in the city.