Yo-Chow Fu - Encyclopedia

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES

YO-CHOW FU, a prefectural city in the Chinese province of Hu-nan, standing on high ground E. of the outlet of Tungring Lake, in 29° 18' N., 113° 2' E. Pop. about 20,000. It was opened to foreign trade in 1899. The actual settlement is at Chinling-ki, a village 51 m. below Yo-chow and half a mile from the Yangtsze. From Yo-chow the cities of Chang sha and Chang to are accessible for steam vessels drawing 4 to 5 ft. of water by means of the Tung-ring Lake and its affluents, the Siang and Yuen rivers. The district in which Yo-chow Fu stands is the ancient habitat of the aboriginal San Miao tribes, who were deported into S.W. China, and who, judging from some non-Chinese festival customs of the people, would appear to have left traditions behind them. The present city, which was built in 1371, is about 3 m. in circumference and is entered by four gates. The walls are high and well built, but failed to keep out the Taiping rebels in 1853. Situated between Tung-ring Lake and the Yangtsze-kiang, Yo-chow Fu forms a depot for native products destined for export, and for foreign goods on their way inland. The net value of the total trade of the port in 1906 was 747,000 taels.