Xiangxi Bamianshan, 湘西八面山
The Mysterious Xiangxi, China, A Beautiful Work of Art of Nature, and also The Wonderful and Romantic Imagination of Man
“When you step into Xiangxi, it’s like listening to a vivid dialogue between the natural and humane landscapes.”
Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (湘西土家族苗族自治州) is an autonomous prefecture of the People’s Republic of China. Located in the northwestern Hunan province, it consists of one city, Jishou, and seven counties: Baojing, Fenghuang, Guzhang, Huayuan, Longshan, Luxi, and Yongshun. Jishou is the capital. Of the 2,480,000 residents, 66.6% are ethnic minorities from 25 different ethnic groups, including 860,000 Tujia and 790,000 Miao.
Shibadong Village (十八洞村), Xiangxi
Shibadong Village (十八洞村)
Located in Huayuan County, Hunan Province, this village of the Miao people literally gotten its name from the 18 karst caves nearby. Although blessed with beautiful scenery, Shibadong village only produced a per-capita net income of 1,668 yuan in 2013. This made it difficult for young village men to find wives, as few women would want to marry into this poor village.
The situation changed after an inspection tour of the village by Xi Jinping on 3 November 2013. Xi proposed targeted efforts based on local conditions to alleviate poverty.
Shibadong has since undergone great changes; it now has tapped water, power access, indoor flushing toilets and a bank branch with an ATM. Infrastructure such as roads now link Shidadong to the outside world. In additional, the village, with a yearly yield of 300 tons of fruits, has obtained an organic certification for export. Each household will earn a dividend of at least 5,000 yuan per year. A mineral water plant has begun operation, and an 18 karst caves tourist zone is to open soon. The per-capita net income has since risen from the 1,668 yuan to more than 10,000 yuan and alleviated the poor villagers from poverty.
Aizhai Bridge (矮寨大桥), Xiangxi
Aizhai Bridge, Xiangxi
Aizhai Bridge is honoured to be one of the greatest engineering feats. It is located in Aizhai Grand Canyon, about 20km from Jishou City, in Xiangxi Tujia & Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Hunan Province. Aizhai Bridge spanned over more than 1000 meters and built at an elevation of 355 meters from the valley floor.
The Aizhai Bridge has not only boosted local tourism but also the income of local villagers.
Fenghuang County (凤凰), Xiangxi
Fenghuang County, Xiangxi
Fenghuang, with a history of over 400 years, is a small county town renowned for its natural beauty, rich history, colorful ethnic customs, and photogenic night scenery. It has a reputation of the most beautiful town in China.
Furong Town (芙蓉镇), Xiangxi
Furong Town, Xiangxi
Furong Town, is an ancient town with more than 2,000 years history and home to the Tujia minority people. Surrounded by green mountains and clear water, the town is full of winding alleys, the Tujia stilted wooden houses, and streets paved with flagstones. One of the must sees in Furong Town is the Furong Waterfall, with a drop height of 60 meters and 40 meters wide.
Red Stone Forest (古丈红石林)
Red Stone Forest, Xiangxi
Red Stone Forest National Geological Park is a very distinctive karst landform located in Guzhang County, Xiangxi Autonomous Prefecture. Covering an area of 20 square kilometers, it faces the beautiful Furong Town on the other bank of Youshui River. The formation of the stone forest can be traced back to more than 425 million years ago during the Ordovician period.
Liye Museum of Qin Bamboo Slips (里耶秦简博物馆)
Liye Museum of Qin Bamboo Slips
The Liye Museum of Qin Bamboo Slips is a large collection of bamboo slips which were unearthed in Liye Ancient City, Longshan County, Hunan Province in 2002.
It is one of China’s most important archaeological discoveries in the 21st century. Archaeologists found more than 37,000 pieces of bamboo slips, on which more than 290,000 Chinese characters record government and legal documents of the Qin Dynasty.
Xiangxi Cuisine
Xiangxi Bacon
Xiangxi traditional cuisine, with red and bright color, made by smoking, fat but not greasy, and tasted delicious.
Making Sour Radish (制作酸萝卜)
Jiugui Liquor (酒鬼酒)
Xiangxi Baogu Sour Braised Pork (湘西包谷酸扣肉)
Development in Xiangxi
Xiangxi High Tech Industrial Development Zone (湘西高新技术产业开发区)
Jishou University (吉首大学)
Today, the development in Xiangxi is speeding up to follow the times and pace of the world. And it is opening up to welcome friends not only all over the country but also all over the world. Welcome to the Mysterious Xiangxi!
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