It is known that Hengyang City is home to more than 200 species of mammals and birds, including 30 species of mammals and over 170 species of birds from 17 orders and 40 families.

National First-Class Protected Animals: Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), white stork (Ciconia ciconia), river deer (Hydropotes inermis, also known as water chevrotain), and Chinese merganser (Mergus squamatus).

National Second-Class Protected Animals: Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), tiger-striped frog (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus), otter (Lutra lutra), large Indian civet (Viverra zibetha), small Indian civet (Viverricula indica), masked palm civet (Paguma larvata), sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), gorals (Naemorhedus), Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), and mandarin duck (Aix galericulata).

Birds of Prey and Other Notable Species: Barn owl (Tyto alba), various species of owls including the Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo), brown wood owl (Strix leptogrammica), short-eared owl (Asio flammeus), kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus), silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera), northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), white-crowned long-tailed pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii), and the temminck’s tragopan (Tragopan temminckii). Additionally, Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) is also among the notable species.

Provincial Key Protected Animals: Egret (Egretta), ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), bamboo partridge (Bambusicola thoracicus), white-breasted waterhen (Amaurornis phoenicurus), spotted dove (Spilopelia chinensis), South China tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis), oriental turtle dove (Streptopelia orientalis), grey heron (Ardea cinerea), cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), and more. Additionally, species like the Chinese bamboo rat (Rhizomys sinensis), silver star bamboo rat (Rhizomys pruinosus), fox (Vulpes spp.), yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula), raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), various snakes, toads, and frogs—over 30 species in total—are included.

Hengyang City has 99 families, 342 genera, and 1,047 species of woody plants.

National First-Class Protected Rare Tree Species: Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), money tree (Pachira aquatica), golden money tree (Podocarpus macrophyllus), water pine (Glyptostrobus pensilis), Bretschneidera (Bretschneidera sinensis), velvet-pod honey locust (Gleditsia vestita), and fragrant fruit tree (Emmenopterys henryi), among others.

National Second-Class Protected Rare Tree Species: Cephalotaxus (Cephalotaxus spp.), eucommia (Eucommia ulmoides), zelkova (Zelkova spp.), Machilus (Machilus spp.), Chinese yew (Taxus chinensis), and magnolia (Magnolia officinalis).

National Third-Class Protected Tree Species: Yellow-branch oil fir (Cunninghamia konishii), soft-hair oil fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata var. pubescens), concave-leaf magnolia (Magnolia obovata), Phoebe (Phoebe spp.), Chinese ash (Fraxinus chinensis), silver dove tree (Davidia involucrata), Chinese torreya (Torreya grandis), golden-leaf tree (Chrysolepis chrysophylla), Michelia (Michelia spp.), Hunan stone oak (Lithocarpus hancei), and Yao mountain sorbus (Sorbus randaiensis).

Fast-Growing and High-Quality Native Tree Species: Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata), Masson pine (Pinus massoniana), oak (Quercus spp.), Castanopsis (Castanopsis spp.), Lithocarpus (Lithocarpus spp.), Cyclobalanopsis (Cyclobalanopsis spp.), Liquidambar (Liquidambar formosana), oak (Quercus spp.), Schima (Schima superba), and Kalopanax (Kalopanax septemlobus), totaling 20 families and 120 species.

Introduced Tree Species: Slash pine (Pinus elliottii), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), Huangshan pine (Pinus hwangshanensis), Chinese white pine (Pinus armandii), dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), bald cypress (Taxodium distichum), pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens), smooth-bark birch (Betula luminifera), alder (Alnus spp.), and Italian poplar (Populus).

Economic and Specialty Trees for Selective Breeding and Cultivation: Nan bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens), oil-tea camellia (Camellia oleifera), sandalwood (Santalum spp.), chestnut (Castanea mollissima), Qidong seedless fragrant pomelo (Citrus maxima), Hengshan Kowloon plum (Prunus salicina), apple plum (Prunus salicina), smooth-skinned jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana), ginkgo nut (Ginkgo biloba), among others.

A total of 69 mineral types have been discovered in Hengyang City, with proven reserves for 57 of them. These include six energy minerals, 29 metal minerals, 33 non-metal minerals, and one type of water and gas mineral. The city has implemented 20 geological exploration projects (including ongoing projects).

Hengyang is known as a major hub for non-ferrous metals in Hunan Province and serves as an important base for non-metallic mineral resources. Over 60 types of proven mineral deposits have been identified, including iron, manganese, lead, zinc, tungsten, copper, tin, gold, uranium, kaolin, barite, potassium feldspar, sodium feldspar, and coal, with more than 440 mining sites of varying sizes. The city’s lead-zinc reserves total 2.1447 million tons, ranking first in the province.

Tin reserves amount to 12.67 million tons, accounting for 66% of the provincial total, while gold reserves make up nearly 50% of the province’s total. Feldspar reserves account for 99% of the province’s supply. Changning’s Shuikoushan is renowned as the “Kingdom of Lead and Zinc” and has been mined for over a century. As of the end of 1992, it still held the largest lead-zinc reserves in China. The kaolin deposits in Jiepai and Hengshan-Maji areas cover more than 40 square kilometers, making it one of the four major porcelain clay bases in China. The potassium feldspar deposits in Maji and Donghu areas have reserves of 13.2 million tons, ranking first in Asia.

Gold Deposits：Both rock gold, placer gold, and associated gold deposits are present within the region. Major deposits are found in Changning’s Shuikoushan, as well as Jinan Temple, Jinximiao, Huangtutang, Liusiqiao, and Da’an in Hengyang County. Other deposits exist in Ganxi of Hengdong County, Dianmenqian and Lingpo of Hengshan County. Among them, Shuikoushan in Changning has associated gold reserves of 82.88 tons, accounting for over 50% of Hunan’s total.

Rock Salt Deposits：The city’s rock salt resources are mainly located in Hengyang’s urban area, extending from Jinjialing in the north to Jiangjiashan in the south, covering an interconnected mining area of 800 square kilometers. The total rock salt reserves reach 140 billion tons, with large-scale deposits, simple geological structures, and stable mineral layers. The halite mineral layers range from 51 to 335 meters in thickness, with an average sodium chloride content of 46.62% and a mineralization rate of 86%. The establishment of Xiangheng Salt Mine in 1969 marked the end of Hengyang’s salt shortage.

Barite Deposits：Major barite mines are located in Tanzishan of Hengnan County, Xinqiao of Hengshan County, Quanxin of Hengdong County, Zhaobingling of Hengyang County, and Dingling of Qidong County. The barite from Tanzishan in Hengnan County is of the highest quality, with barium sulfate content reaching 94.5%, making it a key barite production area in Hunan.

Kaolin Deposits：Also known as porcelain clay, kaolin is mainly found in Jiepai, Guoqing, and Jiangbaiyan of Hengyang County; Maji, Donghu, and Wangfeng of Hengshan County; Xiling and Shuang’an of Changning City; and Shangbao and Jixian of Leiyang City. The Jiepai-Maji region is one of China’s four major porcelain clay bases, with industrial reserves of 9.314 million tons.

Iron Ore Deposits：Hengyang has the largest iron ore reserves among all cities in Hunan Province. The main deposits are concentrated in Maduqiao, Qingshan, Yuanliping, Lingguan, Hejiachong, and Liyushan in Qidong County, which hold around 200 million tons. Other deposits are found in Zhangcunjiao, Jinzhu, Huaqiao, and Lijiang in Hengnan County, as well as Yangjia, Tonghuang in Changning City, and Shangbao, Daozi in Leiyang City.

Lead-Zinc Deposits：With over 30 lead-zinc ore deposits, Hengyang’s total reserves stand at 2.62 million tons, ranking first in China. Major deposits are found in Shuikoushan, Yangjia, Miaoqian, Baisha, Daohu of Changning; Lingpo, Maji, Donghu, Futian of Hengshan; Tubao, Luodu of Leiyang; Sankouwan, Qingshuitang of Qidong; Shuangxi of Hengyang; Yuxing, Donggangshan, Diaomalong, Yinkengchong of Hengdong; and Huaqiao, Dongyang of Hengnan. Shuikoushan in Changning has the largest lead-zinc reserves in China, earning it the title “Kingdom of Lead and Zinc.” Despite a century of mining, it still had 765,300 tons of reserves as of 1992, maintaining its top position nationwide.

Coal Deposits：Hengyang’s coal resources are primarily found in Baisha, Mashui, Dahetan, and Nanjingqiao of Leiyang; Yanhu, Dapu, Baifang of Changning; Zhoushi of Hengshan; Shanchao of Hengyang; Gaohu of Hengdong; Baiji, Jingzichong, and Moshitang of Qidong. The most concentrated deposits are in Leiyang, covering 427.6 square kilometers with estimated reserves of 460 million tons. In 1993, raw coal production reached 4.238 million tons, making Leiyang one of Hunan’s leading coal-producing counties.

Gypsum Deposits：Hengshan County has abundant gypsum resources, with preliminary proven reserves exceeding 10 million tons. Its blue gypsum contains more than 75% calcium sulfate and is mainly used as a setting agent in silicate cement. White gypsum (also known as fiber gypsum) contains 95.5% calcium sulfate and is widely used in ceramics, chemicals, education, and agriculture. Raw gypsum powder contains 99.1% calcium sulfate, while calcined gypsum has 99.5% purity. These products are used for casting molds in ceramics, special metal castings, and other applications. Hengshan’s gypsum board products are highly durable, easy to install, and widely distributed across Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Hainan, with annual sales exceeding 150,000 tons.

Marble (Han White Jade) Deposits：Leiyang has identified over 40 million cubic meters of Han white jade, available in two types: egg-green and snow-white, with the former being particularly valuable. This marble is known for its purity, fine texture, and strong luster, resembling jade in smoothness. With excellent hardness and stable properties, it has been used in iconic buildings such as the Great Hall of the People, the Monument to the People’s Heroes in Beijing, the Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, Orange Isle in Changsha, and the Nanyue Temple. Its products are sold in over 10 provinces and cities, including Guangdong and Hainan.

Sodium Feldspar Deposits：Hengshan’s sodium feldspar reserves are the largest in Asia, with an annual production capacity of 120,000 tons and mineral powder processing capacity of 50,000 tons. Proven reserves stand at 40 million tons, with a projected reserve of over 100 million tons, making it the largest sodium feldspar deposit in Southeast Asia. The feldspar has high quality and stable chemical composition. It is widely used in medium-alkali glass, flat glass, ceramics, chemicals, and rubber industries, with customers in Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Anhui, as well as exports to Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Taiwan.

Located in the middle reaches of theXiangRiver, Hengyang enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate. There is neither intense heat in summer nor severe cold in winter. The annual average temperature is about 17.9℃. Its temperature is relatively higher in spring and autumn, which is very pleasant. Annually, the city has 1524 hours of sunshine and an average rainfall of 1301.9 millimeters, 57.5% of which came during the April-September rainy season.

    As to the water amount, the natural water flow on land of the entire city is about 14.55 billion cubic meter in 2006, with an increase of 11.8 billion cubic meter about 23.3 percent, and an increase of 24.4 percent compared with the 11.7 billion cubic meter in 2005. The distribution of the water in the four districts of the downtown, and Hengyang County, Hengnan County, Changning County, Leiyang City, Hengdong County, Hengshan County, Nanyue County and Qidong County are as following: 369.1 million, 2.012 billion, 2.102 billion, 2.223 billion,3.2 billion,1.849 billion, 733 million, 218.2 million, and 1.797 billion. The total amount of the underground water flow in about 2.598 billion cubic meter. And the water use is distributed as following: 1.792 billion cubic meter for the irrigation of the agriculture, 106.5 million cubic meter for forest, stock breeding and fish breeding, 1.22 billion cubic meter for the industry, 48.36 million cubic meter for public water use in the city and the surrounding towns, 121.3 million cubic meter for the living of the people living in the city and towns, 167.5 million cubic meter for the living of the people living in the countryside, 4.03 million cubic meter for the ecology and environment, and the total amount is 3.460 billion cubic meter in which the amount of underground water used is 307.8 million cubic meter. The total amount of the water flow of the mainstream and the four sub streams of Xiangjiang River in the city in a year is as follows: the amount given by Guiyang Hydrological Station, Hengyang Hydrological Station and Hengshan Hydrological Station on the mainstream of Xiangjiang River are 27.63 billion, 53.38 billion and 63.15 billion cubic meter respectively; Ouyang Hai Hydrological Station on the Chonglin River 5.818 billion cubic meter; Shenshan Tou Hydrological Station on Zhengshui River 1.986 billion cubic meter; Leiyang Hydrological Station on Leishui River 11 billion cubic meter; and Ganxi Hydrological Station on Maoshui River 11.37 billion cubic meter. As to the water quality, according to the statistics given by The Sub-center of Water Environment Monitoring in Hengyang which evaluates the water quality with Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water (GB 3838-2002) as its standards, the water environment of the mainstream of Xiangjiang River, Guiyin River belongs to the II category; Wenchang the IV category; Songbai, Nan Daqiao, Hengyang and Dafu the hyper-V category; Leishui River in Leiyang the IV category; Ganxi on Maoshui River the III category; and the water environmental quality on the river month of Maozhui belongs to the IV category. The main super-scaling item in the super-scaling rivers is mainly fecal coliform bacteria. The total amount of the wastewater discharge in the city is 361 million cubic water, in which 106 million cubic meter reaches the rank and 361 million cubic meter has been discharged into river.

Hengyang is abundant in the resources of wild animals and plants. It is known that Hengyang has more than 200 species of wildlife, including 30 species of wild animals and 17 orders, 40 families,  170 species of birds. Among them some belong to the first grade wildlife of China for protection,  namely, clouded leopard, white stork, Chinese water deer and scaly-sided merganser; some belong to the second grade of China for protection, namely, malayan pangolin, tiger frog, common otter, large Indian civet, small Indian civet, civet cats, sambar, goral, musk deer and mandarin duck. Birds of prey include grass owl, owl, brown wood owl, short-eared owl, cormorant, red-footed falcon, silver pheasant, harrier, Reeves`s Pheasant, Tragopan temminckii and giant salamander. About 30 species of wildlife are provincially protected birds, namely, heron,  Phasianus coichicus, bamboo partridge, peale, spotted-necked dove,  south China tiger,  oriental turtle dove, grey heron, bubulcus ibis,  cormorant, Chinese bamboo rat,  hoary bamboo rat, fox, martes flavigula, raccoon dog, leopard cat, snake and Puddle frogs.  

There are up to 99 families, 342 genus and 1047 species of woody plants in Henygang. Some are on the list of the first grade of China for protection, namely, ginkgo, Zamioculcas zamiifolia,Paliurus hemsleyanus,Glyptostrobus pensilis,Gleditsia japonica var. vestita ,Henry Emmenopterys; some belong to the second grade of China for protection, namely, Cephalotaxus oliveri,Zelkova serrata, Phoebe bournei,Taxus wallichiana var.chinensis, Magnolia officinalis subsp. Officinalis;some belongs to the third grade of China for protection,  namely, Keteleeria davidiana var.calcarea,Keteleeria pubescens, Magnolia officinalis subsp.biloba, Aidia canthioides, Pteroceltis tatarinowii,Tapiscia sinensis var.sinensis, Cyclocarya paliurus, Torreya grandis Fort,Chrysophyllum lanceolatum (Bl.) A. DC. var. stellatocarpon P.Royen,Michelia alba DC.,sweet oak, Reevesia pubescens.The local excellent fast-growing species include 20 families and 120 species, including fir,  Pinus massoniana Lamb,  sweet  oak, Castanopsis fargesii, oak, Cyclobalanopsis glauca(Thunb.) Oerst, Liquidambar formosana Hance, Quercus, Schima superba Gardn et Champ and Kalopanax septemlobus (Thunb.) Koidz. The alien species mainly contain pinus elliottii, Pinus taeda L., Pinus tabuliformis, Pinus taiwanensis Hayata, PinusarmandiiFranch, Metasequoia glyptostroboides,Taxodiumascendens.Brongn,Betula luminifera, Alnus cremastogyne Burk. and Populus euramevicana cv.`I-214`. The native excellent economic species include Phyllostachys pubescens,  Camellia oleifera Abel, Castanea mollissima, Citrus maxima, Furong plum, Chinese date and ginkgo.  

Hengyang is abundant in mineral resources and has got fames as “Land of Non-ferrous Metals” and “Land of Non-Metals”. So far more than 50 kinds of minerals have been discovered in Hengyang, such as coal, iron, lead, zinc, tungsten, manganese, tin, copper, porcelain clay, fluorite, barite, boron, gypsum, salt, albite, marbles, etc. The proved reserves of nonferrous metals are at the top of the list in China. The reserves of porcelain clay and the production of albite are at the first rank in China, and fluorite and barite is well-known both in China and abroad. The following are the most competitive ones: Lead, zinc, copper are at the top of the list in Hunan and their proved reserves are 135,600 tons, 1,230,000 tons and 136,000 tons respectively. Among the precious metals, gold reserve is 48,143 kg, which ranks first in Hunan; silver reserve is about 1852.3 tons and nickel also has its remarkable reserve. The non-metal albite has the largest reserve in China and reaches 34,997,000 tons. The reserve of boron in Hengyang is 1,009,400 tons, which is second only to that in Liaoning province and is the only producing area in South China. Besides the well-known Jiepai Porcelain Clay, the laminated porcelain clay in Leiyang county has the largest reserve in South China and has a bright exploiting prospect. Rock salt, a kind of raw chemical material, has a large reserve of 1,240,000 tons, and glauberite has 404,528,000 tons, which ranks first in Hunan province.