Hengyang

Hengyang (衡阳; Héngyáng) is in the middle reaches of Xiangjiang River and to the south of Mount Heng in Hunan Province. Hengyang is a historically significant city renowned as the 'Bright Pearl in Southern China'. It is also known as 'Wild Goose City' because flocks of wild geese flying south for the winter have been known to stop there to rest.

By plane
The old Hengyang airport, Jinjialing Airport, is now merely military.

By train


Hengyang North, South and West Railway Stations are now mostly cargo stations.

Understand
Hengyang is the second largest city and the most populous prefecture in Hunan. The Hengyang Basin is a prosperous agricultural area with an abundance of fish and rice, the area is also very rich in natural resources such as coal, zinc, lead and other non-ferrous metals. And it is one of the emerging industrial cities in China.

Orientation
There are five districts in Hengyang:
 * Yanfeng District 雁峰区: Huiyan Peak, Yueping Park and Nanjiao Park, etc. are in this district.
 * Shigu District 石鼓区:Shigu Academy, West Lake Park and Lianhu Square etc. are in this district.
 * Zhuhui District 珠晖区: Hengyang Railway Station, Hengyang East Railway Station, Linghu Bus Station, Xiangjiang Scenic Belt, Linghu Lake and Hengyang College Town etc. are in this district.
 * Zhengxiang District 蒸湘区: Hengyang Zhongxin Bus Terminal, City Government, Ecology Park and University of South China etc. are in this district.
 * Nanyue District 南岳区: Mount Heng is in this district.

And two county-level cities: Leiyang City 耒阳市 and Changning City 常宁市

Also five counties: Hengnan County 衡南县, Hengyang County 衡阳县, Hengshan County 衡山县, Hengdong County 衡东县 and Qidong County 祁东县

History
Hengyang is a city with a long history. According to historical relics, ancestors who settled in the area as early as five to six thousand years ago had already begun to use primitive tools made from stones. They also grew rice and raised animals, chiefly cattle and pigs.

The primeval district of Hengyang was first occupied by the ancestors of the modern Miao, Zhuang, and Hakka people. In the Warring States period, it was a much-fought-over territory of the Chu State.

In 221 BC, when Emperor Qinshihuang united China, the southern state of Chu was divided into Qianzhong county and Changsha county to which the Hengyang district belonged. 400 years later in 220 AD, it was renamed Hengyang and became the administrative seat of Hengyang prefecture.

During the Western Jin Dynasty, its name was changed to Hengzhou, and under the Eastern Jin Dynasty (618–907) it became the seat of Xiangdong prefecture. During the Southern and Northern Dynasty it was the capital of Hengyang kingdom.

After the fall of the Sui Dynasty, Hengyang was a county. It was changed into a superior prefecture which was a part of the province of Huguang until the Qing Dynasty.

This status was retained until 1912, when the superior prefecture was abolished and the city became a county seat, which was in the charge of 34 counties of Hunan province.

During the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), not only was Hengyang a traffic hub in south China, but also the third biggest industrial and commercial city in the area controlled by Kuomingtang. At that time, the population of the area increased tenfold. It became a city in 1942.

After the liberation of Hengyang on October 8th in 1949, the Railway Ministry set up Hengyang Railway Bureau, with jurisdiction over the railways of five provinces in the middle of southern China. The city has been governing the county since July 1983.

Climate
Located in the middle reaches of the Xiang River, Hengyang enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate. There is neither intense heat in summer heat cold in winter. The annual average temperature is about 24℃. Its temperature is relatively higher in spring and autumn, which is very pleasant. Annually, the city has 1524 hours of sunshine and an average rainfall of 1301.9 mm, 57.5% of which came during the April-September rainy season.

Talk
The primary language of Hengyang is Hengyanghua, although Mandarin is widely understood and used. Hengyanghua has lots of different dialects, for example, someone from Hengyang City can think that people in Hengshan County sound off, and can think someone from Qidong county sound hysterically funny. Due to Hengyang's importance during the Kuomintang era, there was a lot of communication between then capital Chongqing and Hengyang, thus explains its slight similarity to Chongqing dialect. Its unique features make it different to a more Changsha dialect-based Hunanese, while still keeping Old Xiang tones and phonology.

English is very uncommon, but students generally speak English well enough to give you directions and you're more likely to meet people who speak English in McDonald's and KFC or near universities. You may see weird and strange signs on the streets in English, which make good photo subjects.

By bus
Buses are the main mode of public transport in Hengyang. The bus network is run by five companies, which provide more than 64 lines, as well as taxis, which connect all parts of the city with suburban areas. Regular buses only cost ¥1 or ¥2 for air-conditioned buses. Some buses to suburban areas may cost more, but there are usually ticket conductors who tell you how much.

By taxi
Taxis are ubiquitous, they normally start at ¥5, a taxi across town shouldn't cost more than ¥30. But expect some haggling if you're a foreigner, the best way is to jump in the taxi and ask the driver to turn on the meter. Also, meters may not apply during important Chinese festivals as they make their own prices.

By motorcab
Local people probably use this mode of transportation more than taxi. It's cheaper, more convenient and more Hengyang style, but safety is not always guaranteed. Motorcab fares are completely arbitrary, so it's best to consult local people how much it costs first before hopping on one, otherwise it depends how your bargaining skills are.

By ferry
There is a ferry service between Yangjia Huayuan and Xianfeng Matou.

There are also ferry services from both riverbanks to Dongzhou Island across river from it.

Eat
Spicy Freshwater Snails

Fish Head Stewed with Tofu

Drink
Zhangfei Wine

Huzhijiu (Wine of Hunan)

Budget
The idea of guesthouses and hostels haven't really reached Hengyang yet, but for many Chinese travelers, budget places can be found near Hengyang Railway Station. Just walk around, ask and compare, nonetheless use your haggling skills.

There are cheap places to stay near Hengyang Normal University or University of South China that cater to university students.

Another option is to head to Dongzhou island, where it may be possible to stay in the monastery for rock bottom price. But communication may be a problem between you and the monks and nuns.

Mid-range
Mid-range hotels can be found along Jiefang Road (解放路).

Go next

 * Zhuzhou:You can go from Hengyang to Zhuzhou by high-speed rail in only 27 minutes.