dialect is a fusion of the northern and Jiangxi dialects. Its accent is close to those of the Sichuan, Chongqing, and Hubei dialects. It is categorized as Southwestern Mandarin. Culture Taoyuan has its unique folk custom characteristics since it is located in a zone neighbouring surviving distinct ethnic groups. In cooking, Lei cha (pounded tea), is a "five flavors soup" made by smashing a mixture of tea leaves, ginger, corn, meng beans and salt into a powder; it is popular drink in Taohuanyuan area. According to legend, Lei cha protected soldiers from pestilence caused by their inability to acclimatize to the environment in Taoyuan during the Eastern Han period when General Ma Yuan fought southward to Taoyuan. Taoyuan has unique local operas. Wuling Opera is a popular local opera performed by professionals. Musty Notes received the National Artist Award for its performance and script writing. Nuo opera drama, called a "living fossil", is still widespread. The town of Sangyanggang is known as the home of Nuo Opera. The Three Bar Drum, Yugu Drum, and string instruments are very popular as well. Notable residents Song Jiaoren (Apr 5, 1882 - Mar 22, 1913), a Chinese republican revolutionary, political leader and a founder of the Kuomintang. Liu Kan (1906 – Mar 03, 1948), posthumously awarded rank of General of the Republic of China Army in 1953, was born in Zhengaotian village, Taohuanyuan Town. Wang Qimei (, Dec 27, 1914—Aug 15, 1967), awarded rank of Major General of PLA in 1955, was born in Wangjiaping village, Sanyanggang Town. Jian Bozan (1898-Dec 18, 1968), a prominent Marxist historian, Vice President of Beijing University from 1952 to 1968, was born in Huiwei village, Fengshu Uyghur Autonomous Township. You Rizheng (1949 – May 25, 2002), second legislator of Taoyuan County, former mayor of Longtan District, and member of the second Legislative Yuan from 1993 to 1996. Tourist attractions The Taohuayuan Scenic Area is a park modelled after the Peach Blossom Spring fable, (), about a land secluded from the outside mortal world depicted as an idyllic shangri-la by Tao Yuanming, (365–427), an Eastern Jin Dynasty poet. References External links Taoyuan County profile Taoyuan County overview Taoyuan County Government official website Changde County-level divisions of Hunan