Tongren Travel Guide
Population: 3,900,000
Area: 18,023 square kilometers (6,959 square miles)
Nationalities: Han, Tujia, Miao, Dong
Administrative Division: 1 city (Tongren); 4 counties (Jiangkou, Shiqian, Sinan, Dejiang); 4 autonomous counties (Yuping Dong, Yinjiang Tujia and Miao, Yanhe Tujia, Songtao Miao); 1 special district (Wanshan)
Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0856-5221401
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
Bank of China: 0856-5224264
Location: The Tongren Region lies in the northeast part of Guizhou Province, east of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. It is a vital nexus between Central China and the southwest frontier, neighboring Chongqing Municipality to the north and Hunan Province to the east.
History: There are no historical records about Tongren before the Warring States Period (476BC-221BC), and little information about the following several hundred years. A legend has it that during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) a man found three bronze figures underwater, hence the name Tongren (bronze figure). In 1413, the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) government established the Tongren Fu to administrate the area.
Physical Features: Tongren is located between the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the hilly land of western Hunan Province. Having complex geography, Tongren also boasts outstanding karst peaks. On the whole, the terrain of the central area is lower than that of the surrounding areas, and most of the land of the Tongren Region is mountainous.
Climatic Features: Tongren has a typical subtropical humid monsoon climate and is rich in rainfall. The annual average temperature is about 17C (62.6F). Because of the low altitude, Tongren usually has the highest temperatures in Guizhou during summer.
When to Go: Winter is a bit chilly, but visitors can enjoy their journey during the other three seasons. Although the summer is hot, the forests of Fanjing Mountain can help keep away the heat.
Local Highlights: Ethnic minorities make up sixty eight percent of Tongren's population. The customs, folk songs, and performances of the Dong, Tujia, and Miao ethnic minorities are not to be missed in Tongren.
Special Local Products: Dried bean curd, Yuping endblown flute
Scenic Spots:
Fanjing Mountain: As the highest peak in the Wuling Mountain Range, Fanjing Mountain is one of the five famous Buddhist mountains in China. Apart from the natural scenery and the plant and animal resources, the Buddhist temple complex on the mountain creates a sense of mystery and solemnity.
Jiulongdong National Park: This is a scenic area well known for its enthralling karst landscape. The main spot is the Jiulong Cave (Nine-Dragon Cave). There are some other notable sights in the scenic area such as the Dongshan Temple, the Jinjiang reservoir area, and ancient residential architecture of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
Tourist Tips: Feng Huang Cheng (Phoenix Town) is an ancient town on the western boundary of Hunan Province, just adjacent to the Tongren Region in the east. It is just 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Tongren Daxing Airport. In addition, visitors can find direct flights from Tongren to Chongqing, Guiyang, Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shenzhen.