Huguang

historical province, China

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June 29, 2026

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Huguang was a historical province in China that, during the Qing dynasty, encompassed the areas now known as Hubei and Hunan. The name "Huguang" means "vast light". In the reign of the Kangxi emperor (1661–1722), Huguang was divided into two separate provinces: Hubei, meaning "North of the Lake," and Hunan, meaning "South of the Lake," based on their location relative to Dongting Lake. Hubei is situated in the heart of China, within the middle basin of the Yangtze River. Its capital is Wuhan, formed from the cities of Hankou, Hanyang, and Wuchang.1

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Hubei
…Hunan formed a single province, Huguang. They were then divided and given their present names, based on their location in relation to Dongting Lake: Hubei, meaning, “North of the Lake”; and Hunan, “South of the Lake.”
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…Hunan formed a single province, Huguang. They were then divided and given their present names, based on their location in relation to Dongting Lake: Hubei, meaning, “North of the Lake”; and Hunan, “South of the Lake.”
Read More