Wulingyuan

scenic and historic interest area in Hunan Province, China

Wulingyuan Chinese: 武陵源) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in south-central China's Hunan Province.[1]

Wulingyuan
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The sandstone pillars of Wulingyuan extend hundreds of meters over the valley floor
Official nameWulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area
LocationZhangjiajie, Hunan, China
CriteriaNatural: (vii)
Reference640
Inscription1992 (16th Session)
Area26,400 ha (102 sq mi)
Wulingyuan
"Wulingyuan" in Chinese characters
Chinese武陵源

The site has over 3,000 quartzite sandstone pillars and peaks, many over 200 metres (660 ft) in height. There are many ravines and gorges with attractive streams, pools, lakes, rivers and waterfalls.[1]

There are 40 caves, many with large calcite deposits. There are two natural bridges, Xianrenqiao ("Bridge of the Immortals") and Tianqiashengkong ("Bridge Across the Sky").[1]

The site is between 29°16′0″N 110°22′0″E / 29.26667°N 110.36667°E / 29.26667; 110.36667 and 29°24′0″N 110°41′0″E / 29.40000°N 110.68333°E / 29.40000; 110.68333. This is about 270 kilometres (170 mi) to the northwest of Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province. The park covers an area of 690 square kilometers (266 square miles).[2]

Wulingyuan is part of the Wuling Mountain Range. The scenic area has four national parks. Overall there are over 560 attraction sights to view.[2]

Panorama of the Five Fingers Peak of Huangshizhai
Zhangjiajie River

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area". Unesco World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Area". Travel China Guide.