South-central China

The Southern Central Region of China is largely an agricultural area, but it has some quite large cities and considerable industry as well. This area is generally poorer than the coastal provinces on the eastern and southern coasts and is the main source of migrant laborers for those provinces.

Regions

Anhui

Hubei

Hunan

Jiangxi

Cities

• 1 Changsha, Hunan
• 2 Fenghuang, Hunan - a beautiful historical city
• 3 Hefei, Anhui
• 4 Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, a center of pottery
• 5 Nanchang, Jiangxi
• 6 Wuhan, Hubei
• 7 Yichang, Hubei

Other destinations

• 1 Three Gorges , Cruise along the Yangtze River between Yichang and Chongqing
• 2 Wudang Mountains The birthplace of Tai chi
• 3 Wulingyuan Scenic Area nature reserve
• 4 Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie
• 5 Huangshan (Yellow Mountain)
• 6 Mount Sanqingshan National Park

Get around

As elsewhere in China, there is an extensive rail network. Rail is the main means of inter-city travel for the Chinese themselves, and many visitors travel that way as well. The system now includes fast bullet trains on most major routes; unless your budget is very tight, these are the best way to go — fast, clean and comfortable.

All the major cities have airports with good domestic connections; some have international connections as well. See the individual city articles for details.

There is also an extensive highway network, much of it very good. Buses go almost anywhere, somewhat cheaper than the trains. See the China article for more. Driving yourself is also a possibility, but often problematic due to the dangerous driving habits and lack of law enforcement; see Driving in China.

See

• The beautiful Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan
• Historic sites from the 1911 Wuchang Uprising in Wuhan

Stay safe

As with most mainland China your only risk is being pick pocketed provided you use common sense. Driving can be very dangerous, in particular in places with mountainous roads and during heavy down pours. Some people recommend sitting at the back of the bus in case of a crash. On occasion foreigners are banned from minority regions (Tibetan) during political sensitive times without warning and you will be sent back and fined if you are discovered. More likely you will not even be able to buy a ticket. Check out beforehand if traveling into these areas to make sure they are open! (West Sichuan)