Xupu

Where Qu Yuan lived in exile — Chuanyan Mountain Forest Park and Fengxiang Yao Village in the Xuefeng Mountains, the Huayao rice terraces of Shanbei, the old village of Yangquepo and the Longtan war cemetery make up a highland journey in southwestern Hunan.

Xupu County belongs to Huaihua in Hunan Province, lying on the eastern slopes of the Xuefeng Mountains in the basin of the Xu River, a tributary of the Yuan. During the Warring States period, the exiled poet Qu Yuan wrote that he “entered Xupu and lingered,” earning it the title “Qu Yuan's second home.” The county seat, Lufeng Town, is built along the Xu River, while the main range of the Xuefeng Mountains runs through the southeast, with high peaks and deep valleys — in recent years it has emerged as a highland wellness and rural tourism destination in southwestern Hunan. Sightseeing falls roughly into three areas: in Tongxihe Town in the southeast, Chuanyan Mountain National Forest Park (including Fengxiang Yao Village and the old village of Yan'ejie) is known for its seas of clouds, glass viewing platform and highland Yao village; in the south, the Huayao rice terraces of Shanbei in Gezhuping Town, plus the old village of Yangquepo and the Longtan Cemetery for Fallen Soldiers of the Battle of West Hunan in Longtan Town, combine Huayao culture with the history of the “last battle of the War of Resistance”; around the county town are the Former Residence and Memorial Hall of Xiang Jingyu, the Simeng Ten-Li Danxia (a national wetland park) and smaller sights such as Feishui Cave and Luozi Mountain. The best seasons are Apr–May (flooded terraces, azaleas) and Sep–Nov (golden ripe rice, autumn scenery); Jul–Aug is cool in the mountains and ideal for escaping the heat, while in winter the high peaks occasionally see rime and snow, so take care on slippery mountain roads. Getting there: Xupu South Station on the Shanghai–Kunming high-speed railway is in Beidouxi Town, about half an hour from the county town; expressways connect from both Huaihua and Changsha. Attractions are scattered across the mountains — about 1 hour from town to Chuanyan Mountain and about 1.5 hours to the Shanbei terraces — so driving or hiring a car is recommended. Allow 2–3 days: one day at Chuanyan Mountain (stay at Fengxiang Yao Village to catch the sunrise and sea of clouds), one day for the Shanbei terraces, Yangquepo and the Longtan cemetery, and half a day for a boat trip at Simeng and Xiang Jingyu's former residence. Local food includes Xupu goose, Xupu cured pork, pillow-shaped zongzi and Huayao oil tea. Ticket prices for mountain attractions, glass walkways and the like change often; check official scenic-area announcements.

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