Loudi

Loudi is a city in central Hunan built on mining, steel and the surrounding Meishan cultural region. Its most striking scenery is the Ziquejie Terraced Fields near Xinhua, ancient hillside rice terraces watered entirely by natural springs, alongside the illuminated karst caverns of the Meishan Dragon Palace. History buffs visit the Fuhou Hall, the country estate of Zeng Guofan, the influential Qing-era statesman and general born nearby. Local cooking is hearty and fiery, known for Xinhua sanhe soup and Yongfeng chili sauce. With a humid subtropical climate and high-speed rail on the Shanghai–Kunming line, Loudi mixes industry, terraces and heritage.