It was in the late Spring and Autumn Period (770BC-476BC) that the Chu State expanded its domain southward to Hunan and administrative organizations began to be formally established in this area. During the Warring State period (476BC-221BC), Qianzhong Shire was set up here, and the territory of present Huaihua City is essentially the same as in that period. The city lies between the Xuefeng Mountains and Wuling Mountains, with mountainous areas making up a large part of Huaihua. Mountains are found mainly in the east and west, and the central region consists of ravines, plains and hills.