Xianning

Xianning lies in southeastern Hubei between Wuhan and the Hunan border, a green, hilly region famous as a city of hot springs and osmanthus flowers. Its geothermal spas make it a popular winter escape, and each autumn the scent of osmanthus fills the valleys around Xian'an. History looms large nearby: the Red Cliffs of Chibi, on the Yangtze, are traditionally identified with the legendary battle that shaped the Three Kingdoms era. To the south, Jiugong Mountain offers cool forests and ski slopes. With a humid subtropical climate and high-speed rail minutes from Wuhan, Xianning blends leisure, history and nature.