Hengyang, known as the "gateway to Hunan," is an important strategic point in southern Hunan. Located at the confluence of the Leishui, Zhengshui, and Xiangjiang rivers and at the Junction of the Beijing-Guangzhou and Xiangtan-Guilin railways, it is an entrepot both of land and water transportation in south Hunan.

Nanyue Grand Temple

Located on Beijie Street ofNanyue Town, it covers an area of more than 9,800 square meters. Imitating the style of the Forbidden City in Beijing, it is divided into nine rows. The Temple faces the south and its turrets stand tall. Clear brooks flow around the red walls. Eight Taoist temples are situated in the eastern part and eight Buddhist temples in the western part of the Temple, showing the connection between the two kinds of religions. The elaborate building, complete structures and careful layout are hard to find in other ancient buildings in China.

Zhu Rong Peak

The peak is 1,290 meters high, the tallest one in Nanyue district. It is named after a person Zhu Rong. On the top is the Zhu Rong Hall, the Nantiamnen (South Gate Heaven) and the WanRyuetai (Platform to watch the moon). Nearby are the Xianren Bridge, the Luohan Cave, the Sheshen Rock and the Huixian Bridge.

The Tomb of Emperor Yan

Emperor Yam is regarded as among the first ancestors of Chinese people. His tomb is in the Luyuanpo of Tangxiangtian, 15 km southwest of Yarding County, It is said that in remote antiquity, Emperor Yan (Shennongshi) went to the south to treat patients and unintentionally tasted some gelsemium elegans and died from it a short time later. He was buried in Luyuanpo. The present tomb was renovated in 1988. It has five rows of rooms, which are solemn and simple, but quite magnificent.

Returning Geese Peak (Huiyanfeng)

This steep pinnacle, the highest of the seventy-two peaks of Mount Hengshan, known in ancient times as Nanyue Mountain, is covered with luxuriant trees and commands a bird's eye view of the city of Hengyang. It is said that whenever the south-bound geese from the north come to this place, they will look back and then stop flying to winter here-hence the name.

Stone Drum Hill (Shigushan)

This hill, standing outside the northern gate of Hengyang, is known as the "number one scenic attraction of Hunan." It got its name because there is a two-meter high huge rock shaped like a drum on its summit. The Stone Drum Hill Academy of Classical Learning, which was built here during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), was one of the four most famous classical schools in China at that time. On the northeast slope of the hill there is a cave called Chuling Cave, where many poets and tourists have left their writings on the stone walls.

Mount Hengshan (One of the Five Sacred Mountains)

Known as Nanyue Mountain in the old times, Mount Hengshan lies most in Hengshan County, in Central Hunan Province. Located on the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, it is most easily reached by train. One of China's five sacred mountains, it consists of seventy-two peaks, of which the most famous are Zhurong., Dazhu, Furong, Zigai, and Shiping. Zhurong Peak, 1,290 meters above sea level, commands a panoramic view of the mountain range and is a wonderful vantage point for viewing the sunrise. Emperors, lords, and scholars over the dynasties who came here for hunting or ceremonial, social, or academic gatherings have left valuable cultural relics, including poems, inscriptions, and stones carvings. Ancient trees and exotic flowers add to the beauty of the magnificent mountain scene. Hengshan occupied an important position in the spread of Buddhism among China, Japan, and other southeast Asian countries.