Huaihua is located at the southwest border of Hu'nan Province, on the upper reaches of Yuanshui River. It is connected with Guilin of Gangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the south and the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and Zhangjiajie in the north.

Many historical places and cultural relics radiate out from Huaihua in this tourism area. It is also a major home of the Dong ethnic group. Important scenic spots here are the Zhijiang Memorial Site which witnessed the surrender of Japanese troops, the Furong (hibiscus) Mansion, the Qiancheng Nanzhengjie Street, and the Huangdu Dong Nationality Cultural Village of Tongdao, etc.