Nature and history abound in Hunan, a mountainous province south of the Yangtze River in south-central China. This landlocked, rural province is almost completely covered by mountains and hills, with some major cities, small villages, and farms scattered throughout. Hunan’s fame predominantly comes from being the birthplace of Mao Zedong and for its magnificent national parks found in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area.

In the northeast, Hunan’s capital city, Changsha, makes a great base to try the local gastronomy, learn about the province’s history, and to explore the natural wonders of the region. Journey from Changsha to the village of Shaoshan, the place where Mao Zedong, the former President of the People’s Republic of China, was born and spent his childhood.

Afterward, venture towards Zhangjiajie for some breathtaking natural sights. Tianmen Mountain to the south of Zhangjiajie offers unforgettable views that you shouldn’t miss, but where Hunan shines the most is at the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. Here, you’ll discover waterfalls, caves, and thousands of breathtaking rock formations that will have you feeling like you’re on another planet — in fact, the area is often likened to scenes in Avatar.

Several national parks are found in the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, most notably Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Major attractions in the area include Hallelujah Mountain, the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, and the Bailong Elevator, a 326-metre-high glass elevator on the side of a cliff that is said to be the highest outdoor elevator in the world.

Hunan’s origins go back as far as 350 BCE. Literally, Hunan means “south of the lake”, referring to the province’s location south of Dongting Lake. Hunan has been ruled by several dynasties (Zhou, Quin, Han) over the years. Its current population of approximately 67 million people is mostly made up of Han Chinese along with some ethnic minorities such as the Hmong (Miao), Tujia, Dong, and Mien (Yao).