The document provides a detailed travelogue of a tour through several cities and sites in Hunan Province, China. It describes visits to the Ancient City of Qianyang including the Zhongzheng Gate and an opium den. Other stops included the Ancient Commercial City of Hongjiang, Grape Valley Scenic Area, Ancient City of Phoenix where performances and local cuisine were enjoyed. The tour also visited historic buildings, shops, and heard talks to learn about the local history and culture.

1. In Hunan, the Heat is On!
Stepping into Serendipity
A Talking Travel Destination Presentation
Part One: Shanghai
Part Two: Natural
Wonders
Part Three:
Ancient Cities
and more

2. Leaving Langshan, we drove 2.5 hours to Hongjiang to visit the Ancient City of Qianyang

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Strolling through the city, taking photos, visiting some shops and learning a bit of history along the way

12. The Zhongzheng Gate is the western entrance to the ancient City of Qianyang

13. After lunch we visited the Ancient
Commercial City of Hongjiang,
known for his history of brothels
and opium dens.

16. An opium den--but the 'mannikan' turned out to be real...so I did the natural thing, and joined him for a puff

21. Many of the historic buildings feature enactments of the various transactions that would have taken place.

23. One of the street vendors

24. Play-Swords provide a great excuse
to play Starwars. Here I am with
Johnson Lin, our tour guide.

25. In the evening, we checked into our hotel in Huaihua and then enjoyed an outdoor performance
celebrated the history of the area.

28. The next morning we visited the Grape Valley Scenic Area

29. We were accorded a VIP greeting by musicians as we got off our coaches to attend the festivities

31. We were treated to
some welcoming
talks and dance
performances and
then mermerized
by the magician

32. ...and the sword swallower

33. Time to taste the grapes and, oh yes, the wine. It was quite good!

34. Some of the bottles
sold for nearly
$100.00 (CAD). I was
honoured to be
presented with two
very nice wines,
which were shared
with the group over
the next two dinners.

35. A very special lunch of local dishes was served in Zhijiang, as we watched a musical performance.

39. In the late afternoon, we arrived in the Ancient City of Phoenix and checked into the Phoenix Grand Hotel

40. Amazing wooden sculptures fill the hotel lobby

41. A woman from the Tujia
ethnic group selling her
wares on the street leading to
the market in Phoenix.

42. Johnson Lin, our
tour guide, giving
us some pointers
about buying
Chinese alcohol

43. After dinner we attended the Ethnic Minority Dancing Show, "Phoenix's Timeless Love"

52. After the performance a few of us walked the 15 minutes to the Ancient City

53. All the buildings are lit up at night...

55. Early the next morning, we walked to the ancient city again...

57. Our 3rd visit to the Ancient City...a Miao woman sets up her food stand

58. Stretching ginger candy, one of the local specialties

59. Pounding candy to
break it into small
pieces--you can try
a free sample

60. along one of the scenic alleys

61. Signs announce the historical houses

62. And some scenes around town and from the river cruise

78. For more insights into Hunan, please see my article
"Stepping into Serendipity: In Hunan the Heat is On"

79. Steve Gillick
Travel Writer, Speaker, Photographer
Steve@talkingtravel.ca
www.gillicksworld.ca