Langshan Mountain-World Natural Heritage

On April 19, 2025,  the 8th Xiaoxiang 100 Hunan · Langshan Cross-Country Race kicked off. More than a thousand cross-country running enthusiasts from home and abroad gathered in Langshan Mountain to start the cross-country journey in the beautiful scenery of Danxia landform, ​​measuring nature with their footsteps and interpreting persistence with sweat.

With the firing of the starting gun,  led by the Olympic champion Wang Mingjuan, the runners rushed out of the starting line like arrows leaving the bow, instantly igniting the enthusiasm of the competition venue. On both sides of the track, the cheers and shouts of support from the audience rose one after another, injecting infinite energy into this competition in the mountains.

It is reported that this competition has set up three groups: the 55KM Elite Group, the 30KM Mass Group, and the 13KM Experience Group, which meets the participation needs of runners at different levels. The competition route is cleverly designed, passing through Tianyi Lane, Chili Peak, Camel Peak, Bajiao Strongholds and other famous attractions in Langshan Mountain. The whole journey is magnificent in scenery and full of challenges.

Martin, a foreign participant from Poland: I’m very happy to come to Xinning county to participate in this cross-country race. I really enjoy this track. I also particularly like the navel oranges here. This track is really beautiful, and the scenery of Langshan Mountain is amazing!

On September 28th, the symposium on the reconstruction of Jincheng Academy and Wenchang Pavilion was held in Jinshi Town, Xinning county. With the theme of “Civilization creates the world, culture prospers the country”, this symposium was organized by Jincheng Academy of Classical Learning to gather people from all walks of life and local elites from Xinning county to warmly discuss the rebuilding of Wenchang Pavilion and Jincheng Academy.

Famous writer Mr. Zhou Xiaobo, who has been devoted to the cultural research of Xinning county’s academies for many years, reported to the attending guests on the historical evolution of the Wenchang Pavilion and Jincheng Academy of Classical Learning. The rise and fall of Jincheng Academy and Xinning’s cultural heritage have close relationship with the emergence of talented people. The reconstruction has historical origins and practical significance, and benefits the future. It not only inherits and promotes the virtues of the ancestors, but also inspires future generations, which is of great significance and urgency.

The attendees spoke up enthusiastically and unanimously suggested the reconstruction of Wenchang Pavilion, reaching a consensus on the site selection, construction scale and method. They urgently asked for the support and attention of the relevant regulatory authorities and all sectors of society, sincerely called on people of insight to contribute ideas and suggestions, and work together to actively promote the reconstruction.

The Jincheng Academy of Classical Learning was founded in the 24th year of the Kangxi reign (1685) and is highly renowned in history. Xinning county is the birthplace of the Xiang army, and a group of Xiang army (Chu Yong) generals such as Jiang Zhongyuan, Liu Changyou, and Liu Kun studied in Jincheng Academy and Yuelu Academy. At that time, Xinning county (though a small remote county) emerged with 241 court officials of fourth or higher rank, demonstrating a unique phenomenon of talent explosion and highlighting the influence of Huxiang Academy culture. In the 27th year of the Guangxu reign (1901), an edict was issued to transform the academies of various counties into small schools, and the Jincheng Academy withdrew from the historical stage. With the support of the county party committee and government, and with the promotion of a group of retired cadres and cultural figures such as Li Zhongping, Liu Liehong, Wang Ruiqian, Xiao Jianfeng, Xiao Fushan, Zhang Caishan, and Li Jinlan, Jincheng Academy of Classical Learning was reopened and resumed operation in 2018.

Taking the opportunity of the 6th China ~ Langshan Navel Orange Cultural Tourism Festival, a group of social medial influencers went to Xinning county to find the birthplace of Langshan navel orange, Xiangtang Village in Qingjiangqiao town to pick navel oranges.

Why must they choose Xiangtang Village? There are two reasons.

Firstly, Xiangtang is the birthplace of Langshan navel orange. To make a long story short, the time goes back to 1930, when Chen Zhong, who was studying at the Huangpu Military Academy and was excellent in academics, obtained several Washington navel orange seedlings from the American instructors and planted them in his hometown of Xiangtang.

The American navel orange that came across the ocean is very well suited to the soil and water of Xiangtang. Chen Zhong became the first person to introduce navel orange to China, and Xiangtang Village became the birthplace of Chinese navel orange.

Secondly, the Big-V opinion leaders, a group of travel experts who love to catch typical examples and pretend to be forced, went to Xiangtang to pick navel oranges, which seemed to be higher.

Besides, the joy of picking lies in the pleasure of reaping without work. No farming in spring, no management in summer, no maintenance in winter, just waiting for the joy of autumn harvest, let alone the social media influencers, who is not so?

It’s better to take advantage of this year’s export hindrance and choose a weekend to pick Langshan navel orange in Xinning county, Hunan province!