Changde Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 常德 (cháng dé)
Population: 6,042,000
Area: 18,200 square kilometers (7,027square miles)
Location: in the northwest of Hunan Province, south-central China
Administrative Division: 2 districts (Wuling, Dingcheng); 6 counties (Anxiang, Hanshou, Lixian, Linli Taoyuan, Shimen); 1 county-level city (Jinshi)
Area Code: 0736
Zip Code: 415000
GDP (2018): CNY 339.42 billion (USD 51.30 billion)

Changde lies in the north of Hunan Province, separated from Yiyang by West Dongting Lake in the east. It neighbors Zhangjiajie to the west and Hubei Province is just adjacent to its north. It is said that Changde is the archetype of the fairyland in Tao Yuanming's Peach Blossom Spring which describes a beautiful fairyland where people live a peaceful, happy, free and equal life. And visitors can go to the Taohuayuan (Land of Peach Blossom) to enjoy the picturesque and stunning natural scenery as the story writes down, highlighting a large number of peach blossoms in full bloom in March. It is a must-see place in Changde. What’s more, whether you want to explore nature or experience the local culture and ancient buildings, Changde will offer all you need. There is Huping Mountain knowns as natural gene species bank, Jiashan Temple, a holy land of Buddhism with a long history and Changde Poetry Wall, the world's longest wall of poetry, calligraphy, painting and carving.

 Taohuayuan (Land of Peach Blossom)
In China, Taohuayuan is synonymous with Eden and Utopia, an ever-beautiful place without any external disturbances that has inspired numerous eminent writers and poets of successive dynasties. It originated in the Jin Dynasty (265-420) and reached its prosperity during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties. The Yuanjiang River flows though the scenic area, endowing the countryside with both elegance and excitement.

Admission Fee:	CNY 128; CNY 64 children between 1.3 and 1.5m (4.3 - 4.9 feet); Free for children under 1.3m.
Opening Hours:	All day
Transportation:	Take regular bus from Changde North Bus Station to Taohuayuan.

 
 Shimen County is a land of refined and elegant green landscapes together with historical marvels. Xiashan Temple is the Buddhist cultural center and the headstream of tea culture in Lishui River drainage. Huping Mountain, the roof of Hunan Province is also located in this area. Additionally, the Longwang (Dragon King) Cave, the masses of wild calyx canthus trees in the valleys, and Mengquan Lake are all interesting natural wonders of Shimen which make it a 'must see' destination.

1. Changde Taohuayuan Airport is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) southwest of downtown Changde, which operates flights to/from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, Wuhan, Kunming, Xi'an and other major domestic cities.  
 
2. Central Bus Station is in the north of downtown at Wuling District, near to the railway station. South Bus Station is in Wuling Town of Dingcheng District. North Bus Station is located at Renmin Road, which provides buses to Taohuayuan.
 
3. It is navigable by river between Changde and Yueyang. Boats usually leave Changde in the afternoon and get back from Yueyang in the early morning.

Changde has four distinct seasons and abundant rainfall. Its annual average temperature falls around 16.7 degrees centigrade (62.1 degrees Fahrenheit). Actually, the east part has a higher mean temperature than the west because of its landform.  

 When to Go: The weather in both spring and autumn is favorable. In the spring, it is the flowering season of peach blossom which can be seen all over the mountains. Every year in late March, Taohuayuan Scenic Area holds a peach flower festival, and the festival usually lasts one month.

 History: In the year of 227BC, a city was constructed in the east of present Wuling District. That was the beginning of Changde. In the following two thousand, two hundred or so years, administrative divisions here have changed greatly.  The area had been known as Wuling, Langzhou and Dingcheng before becoming Changde.     
 
 Physical Features: Northwestern Changde belongs to the Wuling Mountains and its eastern part is located in the lower reaches of the rivers adjacent to the Dongtinghu Plain. Therefore, the terrain of Changde generally slopes downward from the west to the east. Medium mountains, lower mountains, mounds, alluvial and lake plains line up in order with the changes in the relief.                  
 
 Special Local Products: Furongwang Brand Tobacco, Wulingwang Liquor, Yechawang Tea and freshwater pearls are the most famous local products of Changde. Additionally, Chinese gooseberry, honey pomelo and lotus seed yields here are also of good quality.