Chenzhou () is a

prefecture-level city A prefecture-level city () or prefectural city is an administrative division of the China, People's Republic of China (PRC), ranking below a province of China, province and above a Counties of the People's Republic of China, county in China's ...

located in the south of

Hunan Hunan is an inland Provinces of China, province in Central China. Located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze watershed, it borders the Administrative divisions of China, province-level divisions of Hubei to the north, Jiangxi to the east, Gu ...

province, China, bordering the provinces of

Jiangxi ; Gan: ) , translit_lang1_type2 = , translit_lang1_info2 = , translit_lang1_type3 = , translit_lang1_info3 = , image_map = Jiangxi in China (+all claims hatched).svg , mapsize = 275px , map_caption = Location ...

to the east and

Guangdong ) means "wide" or "vast", and has been associated with the region since the creation of Guang Prefecture in AD 226. The name "''Guang''" ultimately came from Guangxin ( zh, labels=no, first=t, t= , s=广信), an outpost established in Han dynasty ...

to the south. Its administrative area covers , 9.2% of the provincial area, and its total population reached 4,581,779 in the 2010 census, 26% of them living in urban areas, 74% of them live in rural areas.

History

Chenzhou is a historical city dating back from the

Qin dynasty The Qin dynasty ( ) was the first Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China. It is named for its progenitor state of Qin, a fief of the confederal Zhou dynasty (256 BC). Beginning in 230 BC, the Qin under King Ying Zheng enga ...

. The area was historically named Guiyang (simplified Chinese: 桂阳; traditional Chinese: 桂陽; pinyin: Guìyáng)

Commandery In the Middle Ages, a commandery (rarely commandry) was the smallest administrative division of the European landed properties of a military order. It was also the name of the house where the knights of the commandery lived.Anthony Luttrell and G ...

before being renamed to the current name in the year 735 during the

Tang dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, c=唐朝), or the Tang Empire, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an Wu Zhou, interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed ...

. The Chinese character 郴, meaning "City in the Forest", uniquely refers to only the area. Known to be popular among the literacy circle of the Tang courts, poets such as

Wang Changling Wang Changling (; 698–756) was a major Tang dynasty poet. His courtesy name was Shaobo (). He was originally from Taiyuan in present-day Shanxi province, according to the editors of the '' Three Hundred Tang Poems'', although other sources cla ...

Du Fu Du Fu (; 712–770) was a Chinese poet and politician during the Tang dynasty. Together with his elder contemporary and friend Li Bai, Du is often considered one of the greatest Chinese poets of his time. His greatest ambition was to serve ...

Han Yu Han Yu (; 76825 December 824), courtesy name Tuizhi (), and commonly known by his posthumous name Han Wengong (韓文公), was an essayist, Confucian scholar, poet, and government official during the Tang dynasty who significantly influenced t ...

Liu Yuxi Liu Yuxi ( Wade-Giles: Liu Yü-hsi; zh, t=劉禹錫, p=Liú Yǔxī, Liú Yǔxí; 772–842) was a Chinese essayist, philosopher, and poet active during the Tang dynasty. Biography Family background and education His ancestors were Xiongnu noma ...

and

Qin Guan Qin Guan (; 1049 – ) was a Chinese poet of the Song Dynasty. His courtesy name was Shaoyou (). Taixu was also his courtesy name. His pseudonym was Huaihai Jushi () and Hangou Jushi (). He was honored as one of the "Four Scholars of Sumen" (), ...

have visited and wrote

poems Poetry (from the Greek language, Greek word ''poiesis'', "making") is a form of literature, literary art that uses aesthetics, aesthetic and often rhythmic qualities of language to evoke meaning (linguistics), meanings in addition to, or in ...

to the natural beauty of the area. According to unsourced claims from

Jung Chang Jung Chang (, ; born 25 March 1952) is a Chinese-born British author. She is best known for her family autobiography ''Wild Swans'', selling over 10 million copies worldwide but Censorship in China, banned in the China, People's Republic of Ch ...

and

Jon Halliday Jon Halliday (born 28 June 1939) is an Irish historian specialising in modern Asia. He was formerly a senior visiting research fellow at King's College London. He was educated at University of Oxford and has been married to Jung Chang since 1991. ...

in their book Mao: The Unknown Story, Chenzhou, along with neighboring

Leiyang Leiyang () is a county-level city and the third most populous county-level division in Hunan Province, China. Leiyang is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Hengyang. Located on the south of the province, the city is bordered ...

city was razed in 1928 by troops (

Chinese Red Army The Chinese Red Army, formally the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army( zh, labels=no, t=中國工農紅軍) or just the Red Army( zh, labels=no, t=紅軍), was the military wing of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from 1928 to 1937. I ...

) under the command of

Zhu De Zhu De; (1 December 1886 – 6 July 1976) was a Chinese general, military strategist, politician and revolutionary in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Zhu was born into poverty in 1886 in Sichuan. He was adopted by a wealthy uncle at ...

, who was following directives which originated in

Moscow Moscow is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Russia by population, largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva (river), Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents with ...

and passed on by higher officials of the

Chinese Communist Party The Communist Party of China (CPC), also translated into English as Chinese Communist Party (CCP), is the founding and One-party state, sole ruling party of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Founded in 1921, the CCP emerged victorious in the ...

. The strategy was to leave large numbers of peasants from the cities with no option but to join communist uprisings. Chenzhou was the site of a large investigation when its municipal government and party committee, led by Secretary Li Dalun, was charged on multiple counts of corruption in June 2006.

Food

Chenzhou is a thousand-year-old city, known as the "land of the Nine Immortals and Two Buddhas". It is a blessed place for the development of Taoism and Buddhist culture, leaving many legends of gods and Buddhas. Among them, Su Dan, Shoufo Zhou Quanzhen, Liu Zhan, Liu Yi and other legends have also spread overseas, becoming the most valuable intangible cultural heritage in China. In addition to visiting the local treasures of nature, you can also taste the folk flavors of Chenzhou.

Zilong County Tanzi Pork

Zilong County Tanzi Pork is a famous traditional dish in Chenzhou, Hunan Province, which belongs to Hunan cuisine. It is said that General Zhao Zilong, a famous general of the Three Kingdoms, planned to take Guiyang County. During the period when he was stationed in Guiyang County, he was good at governing the army and the people. The army did not disturb the people and was supported by the people. The people called Guiyang County Zilong County. In order to express their love for General Zhao Zilong, the local people used pork skin and pork belly into the five-clawed chili sauce jar in Fangyuan. After marinating with traditional folk techniques for several months, they gave them wine and rice to General Zilong. The taste was fragrant and spicy, and the aftertaste was long. General Zilong did not want to enjoy it alone, so he gave it to the lord Liu Bei to enjoy. After eating, Liu Bei had a great appetite and was full of praise, and then gave him the name "Zilong County jar meat". Zilong County's jar meat got its name from this, and it has been passed down.

Yongxing Roast Chicken

"Yongxing Roast Chicken" is quite strict with the ingredients. The main material is a native rooster for more than two years. The ginger is ginger, and the oil must be made of native tea oil. For each step of stewing, stir-frying and slightly simmering, you must master the heat and time. Dry rice pepper, three-color pepper, soybean oil, chicken essence and other ingredients and seasonings are available to make a spicy and delicious roast chicken. There is an endless stream of people around the country who come to taste it, and they are full of praise after enjoying it.

Anren Dou pepper

Anren Dou pepper is the most classic famous dish in Anren County, Hunan Province. As long as Anren people hear this dish, they will be full of praise and clap their hands. When outsiders eat this dish, they all have an endless aftertaste. This dish is spicy and fragrant. It is classic but not flamboyant. It is low-key and willing to be lonely to accompany generations of Anren people, and can be deeply rooted in the hearts of the hearts of the symbol of disease prevention and health.

Linwu duck

A specialty of Linwu County, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province, is a Chinese geographical indication product. It is one of the eight famous ducks in China. It is a food owned by Shunhua Duck Industry. It has a long breeding history and is mainly produced in the Wushui River Basin of Linwu County, one of the sources of the Pearl River. The growth cycle of Linwu duck is very long. It weighs only two and a half catties in 70 or 80 days. It has the characteristics of tender meat and delicious taste. It is famous for nourishing yin and reducing fire, beauty and fitness. Its taste ranks first among local hemp ducks in China. As a tribute to the imperial court, it is well known in southern Hunan and Guangdong. It was included in the Records of Livestock and Poultry Breeds in Hunan Province and won the Gold Award for High-quality Agricultural Products in Hunan Province.

Guiyang rice noodle meat

Guiyang rice noodle meat is a traditional famous dish in Guiyang County, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province. It has always been well known among the people in Guiyang. It is a must-have dish for banquets such as festivals, weddings and parties in Guiyang.

Taro lotus duck

Taro lotus duck is a famous dish of Yizhang. The tender green taro lotus and a little spicy taste are combined with delicious duck meat. The taste is rich, fresh and spicy, delicious, the taste is mellow, the oily color is thick, and there is no greasy feeling, which is mouth-watering. At the 3rd Chenzhou Folk Cuisine Cooking Competition, Yizhang taro lotus duck was rated as a famous folk dish in Chenzhou.

Geography

Chenzhou is situated at the juncture of Hunan and Guangdong provinces at the foot of small

Qitian Mountains The Qitian Mountains (), also known as ''Guiyang Mountains'' () are a series of mountains located in Chenzhou, Hunan Province, the smallest one of the Five Ranges in the Nanling Mountains. The Qitan Mountains runs through Beihu District Beihu Dis ...

of the Nanling Mountain Range. Places of interest, natural scenic spots, ancient relics and buildings make for over 100 tourism spots in the city. The major ones are the Suxian Hill, the Wanhuayan, the Dongjiang Lake, and the Wugai Mountain Hunting Field. Suxian Hill is located 2 kilometers east of Chenzhou, and covers 15 square kilometers.

Climate

Chenzhou has a

humid subtropical climate A humid subtropical climate is a subtropical -temperate climate type, characterized by long and hot summers, and cool to mild winters. These climates normally lie on the southeast side of all continents (except Antarctica), generally between ...

(

Köppen climate classification The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...

: ''Cfa''), with four distinct seasons. Spring is subject to heavy rainfall, while the summers are long, hot, and humid with lesser rainfall, and autumn is comfortable and rather dry. Winter is rather brief, but cold snaps occur with temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing, and while not heavy, rain can be frequent.

Administrative divisions

Beihu District Beihu District () is one of two urban districts in Chenzhou Prefecture-level City, Hunan province, China. The district is located in the southwestern part of the city proper. It is bordered to the northeast by Suxian District, to the southeast ...

(), . Population: 300,000 (2003). *

Suxian District Suxian District () is one of two urban districts in the prefecture-level city of Chenzhou Chenzhou () is a prefecture-level city located in the south of Hunan province, China, bordering the provinces of Jiangxi to the east and Guangdong to the ...

(), . Population: 249,900 *

Zixing Zixing () is a county-level city in Hunan Province, China. It is under the administration of Chenzhou prefecture-level City. Located on the southeast of the province, it is near to the north of the Chenzhou city proper. The city is bordered to t ...

City () . Population: 360,000 *

Guiyang County Guiyang County () is a county in Hunan Province, China. It is under the administration of Chenzhou prefecture-level City. Located on the southern part of the province, it is adjacent to the east of the city proper in Chenzhou. The county is bor ...

(), . Population: 790,000 *

Yongxing County Yongxing County () is a county in Hunan Province, China. It is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Chenzhou. Located on the south eastern part of the province, it is adjacent to the north of the city proper in Chenzhou. The c ...

(), . Population: 630,000 *

Yizhang County Yizhang County () is a counties of China, county in Hunan, Hunan Province, China, it is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Chenzhou. Yizhang County covers . As of 2015, it had a registered population of 644,300 and a residen ...

(), . Population: 560,000 *

Jiahe County Jiahe County () is a county in Hunan Province, China. It is under the administration of Chenzhou prefecture-level City. Located on the southern part of the province and the west of Chenzhou, the county is bordered to the northwest by Xintian C ...

(), . Population: 340,000 *

Linwu County Linwu County () is a county in Hunan Province, China. It is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Chenzhou. Located on the southern margin of the province, it is adjacent to the southwest of the city proper in Chenzhou. The co ...

(), . Population: 310,000 *

Rucheng County Rucheng County () is a county in Hunan Province, China. It is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Chenzhou. Located in the southeastern corner of the province, the county is bordered to the northwest by Yizhang County, to the ...

(), . Population: 360,000 *

Guidong County Guidong County () is a county in Hunan Province, China, bordering Jiangxi province to the east. It is under the administration of Chenzhou prefecture-level City. Located on the southeastern margin of the province, it is the easternmost county-le ...

(), . Population: 170,000 *

Anren County Anren County () is a county in Hunan Province, China. It is under the administration of Chenzhou prefecture-level City. Located on the southeast of the province, it is the northernmost county-level division of Chenzhou City. The county is borde ...

(), . Population: 390,000

Economy

Major deposits of

tungsten Tungsten (also called wolfram) is a chemical element; it has symbol W and atomic number 74. It is a metal found naturally on Earth almost exclusively in compounds with other elements. It was identified as a distinct element in 1781 and first ...

bismuth Bismuth is a chemical element; it has symbol Bi and atomic number 83. It is a post-transition metal and one of the pnictogens, with chemical properties resembling its lighter group 15 siblings arsenic and antimony. Elemental bismuth occurs nat ...

and

molybdenum Molybdenum is a chemical element; it has Symbol (chemistry), symbol Mo (from Neo-Latin ''molybdaenum'') and atomic number 42. The name derived from Ancient Greek ', meaning lead, since its ores were confused with lead ores. Molybdenum minerals hav ...

make Chenzhou a production base for non-ferrous metals.

Colleges and universities

* Xiangnan University (湘南学院) * Chenzhou Vocational Technical College (郴州职业技术学院)

Notable people

Duan Yixuan Duan Yixuan (; born August 19, 1995, in Chenzhou, Hunan, central southern part of China) is a Chinese singer and actress, and member of Chinese idol group SNH48, of which she is the Captain of Team SII. Career On July 25, 2015, during SNH48's ...

, a singer and actress * Long Yang, a hostess in

CCTV Closed-circuit television (CCTV), also known as video surveillance, is the use of closed-circuit television cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place on a limited set of monitors. It differs from broadcast television in that the signa ...

Ouyang Jingling Ouyang Jingling (born 27 November 1987) is a Paralympic athlete from China who competes in throwing events for F37 classification athletes. Athletic career Ouyang became involved in sport in 2002, after her father noticed a talent and took her ...

, a paralympic athlete *

Xue Yiwei Xue Yiwei (, born in 1964) is a Chinese-born Canadian author. His hometown is Changsha, Hunan, and his birthplace was Chenzhou in the same province. He attended the Beijing University of Aeronautics (now Beihang University) in a computer science ...

, Chinese writer living in

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

*Li Xingxue (李星学), Chinese botanist and member of

Chinese Academy of Sciences The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS; ) is the national academy for natural sciences and the highest consultancy for science and technology of the People's Republic of China. It is the world's largest research organization, with 106 research i ...

Government

The current CPC Party Secretary of Chenzhou is Wu Ju Pei and the current mayor is Kan Bao Yong.

Tourism

The areas of interest in Chenzhou include: Wanhua Rock (), Wugai Mountain Hunting Field, Suxian Hill and Dongjiang Lake.
Suxian Hill, also known as the "18th blessed land in china," is a natural and historical tourism site. The hill is the site of many cultural legends, and boasts a scenic temple and

Taoist Taoism or Daoism (, ) is a diverse philosophical and religious tradition indigenous to China, emphasizing harmony with the Tao ( zh, p=dào, w=tao4). With a range of meaning in Chinese philosophy, translations of Tao include 'way', 'road', ...

relics. It also features an observation building designed by architect Yang Ying (杨瑛). The city is served by

Chenzhou Beihu Airport Chenzhou Beihu Airport is an airport serving Chenzhou city in Hunan province, China. Its location in Tashui Village, Huatang Town, Beihu District was approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China in January 2015. The airport construction ...

References

External links

Chenzhou News Website
run by Chenzhou Government
Official website of Chenzhou Government
{{Prefectural-level divisions of the People's Republic of China Cities in Hunan National Civilized City