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.
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.
(china.org.cn)
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