Qidong County, located in southwestern Hengyang on the northern bank of the Xiangjiang River's middle reaches, governs 25 townships (subdistricts), one national forest park administration, and one provincial wetland park administration. It covers a total area of 1,871.29 square kilometers with a population of 1.0065 million. It is celebrated as "China's Hometown of Daylilies," "Hometown of Generals," and "Hometown of Ferrous Metals," while holding the distinction of being Hunan Province's sole "Hometown of Chinese Quyi Art." In recent years, the county has been honored with prestigious titles including "Provincial Civilized County" and "Top Ten County for Province-wide Urban-Rural Environmental Sanitation."

A Land of Cultural Brilliance and Eminent Talents Qidong, historically part of Qiyang County, became an independent administrative unit in 1952. Tracing its origins to the ancient Yangyue territory during the Spring and Autumn Period (part of the Chu State), it was formally established as Qiyang County in the Three Kingdoms era. This ancient land, steeped in ancient civilization, has cultivated a unique cultural identity blending Chu-Han cultural heritage with intellectual and martial traditions. Local art forms like Qidong Opera (a nationally acclaimed art form) and Yugu storytelling (fishermen's drum narrative) have thrived for over 400 years. The fertile soil of this Jing-Chu region has nurtured generations of luminaries: Jiang Wan, Prime Minister of the Shu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period; Ming Dynasty statesmen Ning Liang and Chen Jian; Qing Dynasty Minister of Revenue Chen Dashou; Red Army commander Wang Ruchi; revolutionary martyr Cao Yan; and modern master painter Guan Chufei, all emerging from this cradle of talent. Qidong County is currently home to 14 generals, 2 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, 7 provincial/ministerial-level officials, 78 department-level leaders, and over 1,300 division-level cadres.

A pivotal corridor bridging eastern and western regions Strategically positioned at the critical crossroad of the Hunan-Guangxi transport corridor and commanding the southwestern gateway to Hengyang City, Qidong holds unparalleled location advantage, known as the "Strategic Throat of Hunan-Guangxi Railway." The Hunan-Guangxi Railway strategically anchors Qidong within China's high-speed rail network, while the Loudi-Hengyang, Quanzhou-Nanning, and Qidomg-Yongzhou Expressways integrate it into the national highway grid. The "Six Vertical and Six Horizontal" National/Provincial Highways interconnect with an efficient arterial highway system, complemented by the Guiyang kiloton-class Wharf - a river-sea intermodal transport hub. From the county seat, the national expressway network becomes accessible within 20 minutes' drive, with both the Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta economic megalopolises reachable within a 3-hour radius.

A Treasure Trove of Natural Resources. The Tang poet Li Qi extols in "Fisherman's Song": "With a bamboo rod from the Xiang River's banks, Burning reeds from the marshland's edge, Emerald waters cook fragrant rice, Lotus leaves wrap purple-scaled fish." This vivid tableau epitomizes the poetic essence of a "land of fish and rice."The county's underground mineral resources exceed 30 varieties, with proven iron ore reserves surpassing 500 million tons – the largest in central-south China. Its lead-zinc deposits exceed 1.38 million tons, sufficient to establish another mining complex comparable to Shuikoushan (a historic lead-zinc mining hub). The agricultural sector shines through its "Four Treasures of Qidong" – daylily, rush grass, taro, and ginger. Notably, Qidong produces over 70% of China's daylilies and has been nationally certified as the "Geographical Indication Place of Origin for Daylily." Recognized nationally as an Advanced Grain Production County and Major Pork Exporter, Qidong's burgeoning jujube industry features the China GI-certified Qidong Crispy Jujube, driving its emergence as the "Jujube Capital of Jiangnan" – South China's premier cultivation and processing hub.

A Scenic Wonderland of Tourism. Qidong is adorned with undulating ridges and layered peaks, where fields crisscrossed by pathways meet meandering streams, and springs and wells dot the landscape. Since ancient times, it has been celebrated for the poetic imagery of "emerald-clad Qi Mountains embraced by the crystalline currents of the Xiang River." The ethereal elegance of Misty River's Stone Swallows, the enigmatic charm of Plum Pond's Drizzling Veil, the cavernous depths of Swallow Rock, the precipitous grandeur of Bear Ridge, the towering majesty of Siming Mountain, the serene seclusion of Stone Gate, and the mythic allure of geothermal springs—all have inspired odes from literati across dynasties. Qidong County capitalizes on its rich tourism resources by strategically weaving cultural and natural assets into a curated One-Day Tour Circuit. The program highlights:Three premier destinations: the Xiangqi Hydropower Station scenic belt near Guiyang Zhuangyuan Bridge, Siming Mountain Provincial Forest Park, and Dingshan Ecological Park.Eight distinctive sites: Luopai Wetland Park, Hengbao Campaign Memorial, Shajingwan folk architecture cluster, Kuigong Ancestral Shrine, Paishan Ancient Theater, and Cao Yan Martyrs' Memorial.Concurrently, the county is advancing its "Five Lakes & Four Seas" urban cultural initiative, breathing new life into historical sites through immersive narratives while upgrading red tourism offerings. These efforts are transforming scattered heritage gems into a Pearl-String Heritage Trail, enhancing visitor experiences through thematic route optimization.

A Dynamic Hub for Entrepreneurial Vitality "Come to Qidong, where opportunities thrive and pathways align." In recent years, the Qidong County Committee and County Government have revamped institutional mechanisms and streamlined administrative services. Building on full implementation of higher-level preferential policies, they have rolled out a series of more favorable taxation and land use policies than those in peer regions. Guided by its "Industry-First, Park-Centric" strategy, Qidong County has made significant strides in developing its "1+2" industrial hub system—comprising the Economic Development Zone alongside Guiyang and Yunhe Industrial Parks. This strategic framework has positioned the county as a premier destination for industrial relocation, cultivating six thriving sectors:

Metals & Mining: Anchored by seven major iron ore operations

Construction Materials: Powered by industry leaders Nanfang Cement and Nanling Chemical

Renewable Energy: Spearheaded by Kaidi Bioenergy's innovative solutionsFood Processing: Showcasing Zhiwei Master's culinary expertise

Furniture Craftsmanship: Driven by Kaifu Furniture's artisanal legacy

Smart Logistics: Streamlined through Hengyuan Logistics' networks

Key players like Shenlong Mining and Daling Lead-Zinc continue to expand their operations, while transformative projects such as the Xiangnan Electromechanical Park have taken root. This industrial renaissance has propelled exponential economic growth, elevated living standards across social services, and cemented Qidong's status as an emerging powerhouse in central Hunan—where historical Chu culture meets 21st-century ambition.