Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture is the only minority autonomous prefecture in Hunan Province. It is located in the northwest of Hunan Province, neighboring Zhangjiajie to the east and Huaihua to the south. It is also bordered by Guizhou Province and the city of Chongqing to the west and Hubei Province to the north. Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Minorities Autonomous Region is a top destinations in Hunan which is known to the world for its Fenghuang County, which is arguably the most picturesque town in China.English Name: Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture
Chinese Name: 湘西土家族苗族自治州(xiāng xī tǔ jiā zú miáo zú zì zhì zhōu)
Population: 2,649,500
Area: 15,462 square kilometers
Nationalities: Tujia,Miao,Dong, Han
Administrative: Xiangxi prefecture has jurisdiction over 1 city and 7 counties, namely Jishou City and 7 counties of Luxi, Fenghuang, Huayuan, Baojing, Guzhang, Yongshun and Longshan. There are 66 towns and 92 townships in this prefecture.And the prefecture government seat is located in Jishou City.
Xiangxi History
Xiangxi Geography
Xiangxi People
By the end of 2018, Xiangxi has a total resident population of the state was 2,649,500. Among them, the urban population is 1.233 million and the rural population is 1.4165 million. Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture is a place where ethnic minorities live, with a ethnic minorities population of 1967096, accounting for 77.21%. The population of the Tujia nationality is 1,083,301, accounting for 42.75%; the population of the Miao nationality is 863,141, accounting for 33.88%.
The area bears a subtropical humid monsoon climate with an annual average temperature of 15.8-16.9℃ (60.4-62.4℉). The weather is moderate all the year round, and bursts of precipitation become much more common in spring and summer.
Xiangxi Economy
Located in the Wuling Mountainous area,Xiangxi Prefecture transportation has been inconvenient since ancient times. The Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture is one of the poor areas in China. Its economy is dominated by agriculture. However, since 1980's, the economy of Xiangxi Prefecture has developed rapidly due to vigorous development of emerging industries and tourism industry. Xiangxi is the leading place for General Secretary Xi Jinping ’s important exposition on poverty alleviation. In 2019, the GDP of Xiangxi Prefecture was US $ 4,200 per person.
Xiangxi Education
By the end of 2019, there were 1984 schools at all levels in the state, with 54.851 million students in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. Jishou University, one of the famous universities in Hunan Province, has 1,782 faculty members and 36,580 students. Xiangxi Vocational Technical College has 695 faculty members and 11,346 students, Xiangxi Radio & TV University has 55 faculty members and 4,567 students.
Xiangxi Transportation
Since 1949, the transportation in Xiangxi Prefecture has been greatly improved. Now, there are railways and highways running through the whole area, and concrete roads lead to each village. Xiangxi Liye Airport will be opened to traffic in 2020. However, the transportation in Xiangxi will become more and more convenient for tourists.
Xiangxi Tourism
In 2015, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture was selected as the country's first batch of national tourism demonstration zone founding units. There are 1 world cultural heritage in Hunan, 12 national key cultural relics protection units; 12 cultural relics protection units in Hunan Province, 11 A-level scenic spots, including 4 4A-level high-level scenic spots.
In 2019, a total of 63.621 million domestic and foreign tourists were received, and tourism revenue was 71.697 billion yuan, of which 604,000 inbound tourists were received, and foreign exchange earnings from tourism were USD 97.69 million.
Xiangxi has been a mysterious place since ancient times. With a long history and culture, Xiangxi not only has primitive minority villages, ancient towns, but also charming natural landscapes. Welcome to Xiangxi !