Overview
Hunan ("south of the lake") is a south-central province of hills, rivers and fiery cuisine, the birthplace of Mao Zedong and a land of revolutionary history.
Province
Hunan
湖南省 · Capital: 长沙
Map & Prefectures
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Tip: click a prefecture on the map to open its page.
Prefecture-level cities
Changsha长沙Zhuzhou株洲Xiangtan湘潭Hengyang衡阳Shaoyang邵阳Yueyang岳阳Changde常德Zhangjiajie张家界Yiyang益阳Chenzhou郴州Yongzhou永州Huaihua怀化Loudi娄底Xiangxi湘西土家族苗族自治州
Read articles about Hunan → About Hunan
Geography
Dominated by the Xiang River basin and Dongting Lake, Hunan is hilly and humid, with the Wuling and Xuefeng mountains to the west and north.
History
The heart of the ancient Chu culture and the Mawangdui Han tombs, Hunan was the cradle of modern Chinese revolution (Mao's hometown is Shaoshan).
Culture
Hunan is home to the Tujia, Miao and Dong minorities, the Hunan opera, and a vibrant folk arts scene; its people are known for frankness and resolve.
Cuisine
Hunan cuisine (Xiang cai) is one of China's eight traditions, prized for bold, smoky, chili-hot flavors: steamed fish head with chili, Chairman Mao's red-braised pork, and cured (larou) meats.
Highlights
Highlights: Zhangjiajie's sandstone peaks (Avatar mountains), the Fenghuang ancient town, and the Yueyang Tower by Dongting Lake.