Why Leiyang
Leiyang is a county-level city administered by Hengyang in southern Hunan Province, China. Situated along the Lei River, it spans an area of 2,656 square kilometers. The city shares borders with Hengnan County to its north, Changning City to its west, Guiyang and Yongxing counties to its south, and Anren County to its east. Local residents speak a regional dialect that resembles Gan Chinese.
Inhabited since the Neolithic Age, Leiyang possesses more than two millennia of recorded urban history. It is historically celebrated as the birthplace of Cai Lun, who created papermaking technology. Originally formed as Lei County during the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC, the settlement was later renamed Leiyang in 202 BC under Guiyang Commandery. Over the centuries, the area transitioned through various historical administrative divisions and states, including Chu, Wu, and Machu, before officially being reorganized as a county-level city in 1986. Local folklore tied to the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms connects the historical official Pang Tong to the territory, giving rise to the creation of Zhang Fei Wine.
Paper manufacturing remains a primary economic industry in Leiyang, supported by significant local deposits of kaolin. Additional mineral and natural resources extracted or cultivated in the surrounding region include white marble, heavy calcium carbonate, and large reserves of anthracite coal. The area is also rich in forestry, producing fir, pine, tea, and South bamboo.
Visitors exploring Leiyang will find several public gathering spaces and leisure destinations. The expansive Inventor and Dragon Square serves as a central location for outdoor activities, while Wuyi Square, Cai Lun Park, and the Martyrs Cemetery offer space for exercise and community gatherings. Situated on an islet along the river, Du Park marks a site associated with the poet Du Fu, and the Yanhe area features numerous snack stalls and karaoke options. Transit to and around the city is facilitated by major roads including National Highway 107, Provincial Highway S320, and the G4 Expressway, alongside rail services at Leiyang Railway Station and Leiyang West Railway Station.
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