Yiyang, a place hiding the secret happiness of Hunan people! A 3-day, 2-night itinerary you can directly copy
🌿 First stop: Dive into the "natural oxygen bar," where Hunan people flock in summer
1. Taohuajiang Bamboo Sea — praised as a "green ocean" by National Geographic
Hunan's largest bamboo sea is no exaggeration! 70,000 acres of bamboo stretch continuously, rustling in the wind, feeling 5°C cooler than an air-conditioned room.
- Must-do: Ride a bamboo raft drifting along the bamboo forest creek, look up to see a "green tent" made of bamboo leaves. Take a horizontal phone shot, and your friends will ask, "Is this Guilin or Zhangjiajie?"
- Hidden spot: Climb up to the "Bamboo Viewing Tower" for 20 minutes; the top floor offers a panoramic view of the bamboo sea. Go at 7 a.m. when the mist hasn't cleared, it feels like a fairyland (wear a white dress for a glowing ethereal look).
- Money-saving tip: Tickets are 55 yuan, 20 yuan off with a student ID; the bamboo tube rice sold by the auntie at the entrance costs 10 yuan each, sticky rice mixed with cured meat aroma, super satisfying to eat while strolling.
2. Dongting Lake Wetlands — come in autumn and winter to watch the "bird conference"
In summer, it's a lush green wetland; in autumn and winter, it turns into a "migratory bird paradise"! White cranes, swans, and wild geese gather here, known by Hunan locals as the "birdwatching ceiling."
- How to enjoy: Rent a bike to ride along the lake (20 yuan/hour), stop by the reed beds—you might see ducklings darting past your feet; take a boat into the deeper wetlands (60 yuan/person), the boat captain will teach you to identify birds, both educational and fun.
- Note: Bring a telephoto lens in autumn and winter! Birds are far away, and phones can't capture them clearly; in summer, wear long sleeves as mosquitoes by the lake are quite "enthusiastic."
🍵 Second stop: Hunan people's "carb happiness," perfectly captured in Yiyang
1. Lei tea — the "divine drink" locals can have three bowls of for breakfast
Don't think lei tea is only sweet! Yiyang people drink "savory lei tea," made by grinding sesame, peanuts, and tea leaves into a paste, then adding hot water with fried rice, beans, and sweet potato chips. One sip is so fragrant you'll want to stomp your feet.
- Recognize these two places:
- "Liu Po Lei Tea" in the old town: 8 yuan a bowl, served with fried sweet potato chips, the auntie grinds the tea on the spot, just watching makes you hungry;
- "Lei Tea Courtyard" in Taohuajiang Town: you can grind your own lei tea (15 yuan/person), drink it right after grinding, full of accomplishment.
2. Anhua Black Tea — drink it and you can even "collect" it
Yiyang Anhua is the "hometown of black tea." Locals drink tea like drinking wine, boiling it in a big pot, getting stronger the longer it brews.
- Must experience: Visit the "Black Tea Museum" (free!), see how black tea turns from leaves into tea bricks, and try 10-year-old aged tea. It tastes mellow and not astringent, even if you don't know tea, you can appreciate it.
- Take some home: Buy "Qianliang Tea" from street tea shops, tea cakes shaped like pillars. Buy a small piece (around 50 yuan), brew it at home, healthier and more refreshing than milk tea.
3. Crayfish — Hunan people's "life-saving meal" in summer
Yiyang's crayfish are milder spicy than Changsha's but even fresher!
- How to eat: Definitely order "garlic crayfish," garlic aroma wrapped in shrimp roe, paired with local "Haozi Baba" (made from glutinous rice with a hint of mugwort fragrance), dipping in the sauce is amazing;
- Where to eat: "Old Wharf Night Market" by the Zi River, stalls open after 6 p.m., 60 yuan per person to eat until full, enjoy the river view while eating, so refreshing!
🚶 Third stop: The "slow soul" of Yiyang hidden in old alleys
1. Ming and Qing Dynasty Ancient Alleys — every few steps you bump into "timeworn old objects"
Several old alleys by the Zi River have shiny bluestone paths worn by footsteps, old houses with wooden windows carved with patterns, inhabited by native Yiyang people.
- What to explore: Find the "old handmade shops" in the alleys, grandpas weaving bamboo baskets (30 yuan each), grandmas sewing cloth shoes (50 yuan a pair), all genuine craftsmanship;
- Photo tip: At 4 p.m., sunlight slants into the alleys, casting long shadows. Caption it "In Yiyang, time moves slowly," and you can skip the rest of the caption on social media.
2. Zhou Libo's Former Residence — the writer from textbooks, his home looks like this
A free-to-enter old courtyard with blue bricks and black tiles, pomelo trees full of fruit in the yard, and inside are the old desk and oil lamp from back then, instantly transporting you to the textbook story "Great Changes in a Mountainous Village."
- Hidden activity: On weekends, local aunties sing "Yiyang Huagu Opera" in the courtyard. The tune is lively; even if you don't understand it, it feels festive. Sit and listen for 10 minutes to soak in the local flavor.
🚗 Transportation & Accommodation Cheat Sheet
- How to get there: Take the high-speed train directly to "Yiyang South Station," then take a Didi to the city center (20 yuan); driving within the province is more convenient, 1.5 hours from Changsha, 1 hour from Changde.
- Where to stay:
- If you want to explore the ancient city: choose a "homestay by the Zi River," open the window to river views, prices 150-200 yuan/night;
- For convenience: "All Seasons Hotel" in the city center, with a snack street downstairs, and you can have local lei tea for breakfast.
- Best time to visit: Bamboo sea is greenest from June to August, birdwatching at Dongting Lake from November to December, peach blossoms at Taohuajiang bloom from March to April, there's something all year round!