Huaihua

Huaihua (怀化 Huáihuà) is in western Hunan, southwestern China. It is a prefecture-level city in a mountainous area with some rural poverty problems. The city itself has a population around 400,000, the prefecture as a whole 5 million.

Understand
The prefecture encompasses several autonomous ethnic counties, towns and villages. Major ethnic groups found here are the Dòng or Kam (侗族), Miáo or Hmong (苗族), Tǔjiā (土家族), and Yáo (瑶族). It was long inhabited by these ethnic groups before the arrival of the Han Chinese more than a thousand years ago. They are known to be indigenous to these mountainous areas. They also inhabit neighboring Guizhou province.

Administration

 * Hecheng District (鹤城区)
 * Hongjiang city (洪江市)
 * Hongjiang District (洪江管理区)
 * Yuanling County (沅陵县)
 * Chenxi County (辰溪县)
 * Xupu County (溆浦县)
 * Zhongfang County (中方县)
 * Huitong County (会同县)
 * Mayang Miao Autonomous County (麻阳苗族自治县)
 * Xinhuang Dong Autonomous County (新晃侗族自治县)
 * Zhijiang Dong Autonomous County (芷江侗族自治县)
 * Jingzhou Miao and Dong Autonomous County (靖州苗族侗族自治县)
 * Tongdao Dong Autonomous County (通道侗族自治县)

History
Huaihua has a long history. It has been known as the "Gateway to Guizhou and Yunnan", "Throat of Chu" and "Western Gate of Hunan" since ancient times. As early as the Neolithic Age, people of all ethnic groups were living, living and multiplying.

Spring Festival
The Spring Festival is the Chinese New Year with a long history. It evolved from the ancient rituals of praying for good luck at the beginning of the year. The origin of the Spring Festival contains profound cultural connotations and carries rich historical and cultural heritage in its inheritance and development.

Mid-Autumn Festival
It is said that the moon is the largest, roundest and brightest on the Mid-Autumn Festival night. Since ancient times, people have had the custom of having a feast and admiring the moon on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The daughter-in-law who returns to her parents' home must return to her husband's home on this day to express perfection and good luck. On this day, people will enjoy the moon, eat moon cakes, watch lanterns, appreciate osmanthus flowers, drink osmanthus wine, etc.

Climate
Huaihua has four distinct seasons, with severe cold and short summers.

Geography and Economy
Huaihua lies in the mountainous west of Hunan, southeast of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, and shares the same mountain belt. Railroads are a major means of transportation in the region, and an airport was opened in 2004. Huaihua is home to the Second Artillery Corps Base 55, which is charged with maintaining ICBMs.The nuclear assets at Huaihua are intended for small-scale nuclear conflicts (with a limited, but nuclear, exchange), as well as the ability to strike Guam, one of only two B-2 bases.

Talk
Huaihua dialect belongs to Southwest Mandarin or Xiang dialect. It is mainly divided into three types: Huaihua dialect, Anjiang dialect and Shaodong dialect.

By train
Huaihua is located on the Shanghai-Kunming railway line, which now host both fast and regular trains. 1 hour and a half by fast train and 5 to 9 hours on regular trains from Changsha. 1 hour and 15 minutes by fast train and 3 to 5 hours on regular trains to Kaili in Guizhou province.

Regular trains also go northwest towards Chongqing and it takes between 8 and 18 hours. Check out schedules and journey time on 12306.com, because it can vary in an exaggerated way.

There are trains to Zhangjiajie as well.

Get around
The two train stations in the north and south of the city are connected via bus number 12 (~30 minutes).

See
Huaihua's central urban area has only a few low-key sights such as the Huaihua Museum. All the main attractions and ethnic towns are outside the main urban area and in other parts of the prefecture. Those places can be reached by bus and in some cases by train.


 * The airport is of some historic importance—back in World War II it was known as Chihkiang Airfield and used by the U.S. air force. Nowadays there's a museum about the airport's history.
 * World War II general Su Yu (粟裕) was born in Huitong County, and it's possible to visit historic sites related to his life.
 * The airport is of some historic importance—back in World War II it was known as Chihkiang Airfield and used by the U.S. air force. Nowadays there's a museum about the airport's history.
 * World War II general Su Yu (粟裕) was born in Huitong County, and it's possible to visit historic sites related to his life.
 * The airport is of some historic importance—back in World War II it was known as Chihkiang Airfield and used by the U.S. air force. Nowadays there's a museum about the airport's history.
 * World War II general Su Yu (粟裕) was born in Huitong County, and it's possible to visit historic sites related to his life.





Sports

 * Huaihua Tai Chi Championship ：Tai Chi enthusiasts can learn from each other and improve together.

School

 * Huaihua first middle school
 * Huaihua City Yingfeng Road Primary School
 * Huaihua Normal College

Eat
Pao Cai (泡菜) or pickled vegetables are found everywhere around the city. It's a must try if you are in this dusty city.



Emergencies
Free emergency telephone numbers:


 * Police: 110.
 * Fire alarm: 119.
 * Medical care: 120.

Go next

 * Fenghuang – well-preserved ancient town

Go east to Changsha, the provincial capital, west to Tongren (not to be confused with the one in Qinghai province) or Kaili in Guizhou province, south to Guangxi Province or northwest to Chongqing.

From Chongqing or Changsha there are fast trains all over China. A route popular with tourists is from Changsha to Guiyang and on to Kunming.