Yongzhou Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 永州 (yǒng zhōu)
Population: 5,452,100
Area: 22,400 square kilometers (8,649 square miles)
Location: in the south of Hunan Province, south-central China
Administrative Division: 2 districts (Lengshuitan, Lingling); 8 counties (Yong'an, Daoxian, Ningyuan, Jiangyong, Lanshan, Xintian, Shuangpai, Qiyang); 1 autonomous county (Jianghua Yao Autonomous County)
Area Code: 0746
Zip Code: 425000
GDP (2018): CNY 180.565 billion (USD 27.289 billion)

Yongzhou is located in the south of Hunan Province, neighboring Chenzhou to the east and Hengyang to the north. It is also bordered by Guangdong Province to the south and Guangxi to the west. It features the female script in Jiangyong County, the only special character invented by women in the world. In the old days, local women used the female script to communicate, record, and make friends with each other. The female script is mostly written on paper, books, Chinese fans or embroidered on clothes and handkerchiefs. It is pronounced in the local dialect, and taught to women only. Visitors can  learn more about this magic language in the Jiangyong Female Script Ecological Museum. Another highlight is Shanggantang Village which has preserved many ancient buildings, such as pavilions, bridges, residences as well as many stone inscriptions.

Located 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Ningyuan County, the mountain consists of nine peaks. It is charming and attractive not only for the unique natural scenery, but also for a vivid legend. The story tells of one of the five great emperors in Chinese prehistoric times, Shun the Great, and his two concubines. On hearing about his death in the Cangwu Mountain (this was the old name for Jiuyi Mountain), the two concubines went there but failed to find their husband. They missed the way because the nine peaks all look so alike. Nowadays, the central peak is called Shunyuan Peak and the two elegant peaks around it are said to be the two women. 
 

Admission Fees	Yongfu Temple: CNY 30 Shunyuan Peak: CNY 30 Zixia Rock: CNY 90 Mausoleum of Shun the Great: CNY 80 Combo ticket: CNY 230 (including four scenic spots mentioned above)
Opening Hours	08:00 to 17:30
Transportation	Take bus from Yongzhou North Bus Station or Lingling Bus Station to Ningyuan Bus Station and then change direct bus from there to Jiuyi Mountain

 

Since the time of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the Zhou family lived in Shanggantang Village in present southwestern Jiangyong County. This is the most historical village discovered in Hunan. There are still two hundred old resident houses of ancient styles, and many buildings of Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties. 
 

Forest of Steles at Wuxi has garnered hundreds of inscriptions carved on rocks from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) to 1920, and is an outstanding art treasure of Chinese culture.

Yongzhou Lingling Airport is being rebuilt from April, 2019. It is 8 kilometers (5 miles) away from Downtown. Presently, passengers can transfer at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport or Changsha Huanghua International Airport firstly, then go to Yongzhou by taking train or intercity bus.

There are three main bus stations: Lingling Bus Station, North Station and the West Station.
North Bus Station (Hequ Bus Station or Yongzhou Bus Station): beside the Hequ Bridge, Lengshuitan District
Bus Routes: 2
West Bus Station: Fenghuang Yuan, Lengshuitan District
Bus Routes: 2, 14
Lingling Bus Station (Zhishan Bus Station): 115, Zhishan Nan Lu
Bus Routes: 1, 3, 7, 13, 19, 21
 
Note: Downtown Yongzhou is 200 kilometers (124 miles), about three hours' drive from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport of Guangxi, which is another way for visitors to get in and out of the city.

Situated at the junction of temperate and subtropical zones, Yongzhou enjoys a humid monsoon climate characterized by a moderate temperature, abundant rainfall and sufficient sunshine. The annual average temperature is around 17.6-18.6 C  (63.7-65.5 F).    
 
 When to Go: throughout the year

 History: Yongzhou was known as Lingling before the Sui Dynasty (581-618). Lingling County was first established in the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC) and was later promoted to Lingling Shire. The Sui Court decided to abolish the system of prefectures and counties, and Lingling was then changed to Yongzhou Fu. After that, the place was called both Yongzhou and Lingling.        
 
 Physical Features: Within the city, there are mountains and hills standing in the northwest and southeast, and mountain ranges cut Yongzhou in the middle, forming the Lingqi and Ningdao plains surrounded by mountains. On the whole, its terrain is higher in the southwest and lower in the northeast and the centre.                
 
 Special Local Products: ebony, bamboo shoots, pomelo, flue-cured tobacco, red melon seeds, Chinese mushrooms