怀化市

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.

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.

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.

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.