Venture to Zhangjiajie

Originally I planned to spend the summer vacation with Toastmaster Pamela Yang in Shanghai for a week. But when I went on-line to search for a cool destination for summer, I signed up on the spot when I saw the beautiful scenery of Zhangjiajie.

Located in the northwestern part of Hunan province in China, Zhang-jia-jie was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 as well as an AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration. The three-character name (張家界) can be interpreted as follows: "Zhang" (張) is a common surname in China; "jia" (家) can be translated as "family"; and "jie" (界) can be translated as "homeland", giving the completed translation of "Zhang family homeland." Its official name is linked to a Han general, Zhang Liang, who resettled in the area after a suspicious Liu Bang, the Han emperor, started to persecute his staffs and generals who had contributed to his becoming emperor. It was so named to signify that the Zhang family had set up home in this far-to-reach area.

Because of the remote geographical position, undeveloped land, river transportation, mountainous terrain making cultivation difficult, Zhangjiajie has been labeled, the Land of the Savage Southern Minority. Also, the people have borne the names of Wuling Rude People, and Tujia Rude People for generations.