Chenzhou: Encounter Lake Scenery, Mountain Views, and Ancient Charm​

Are you longing for a trip to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, to embrace the grandeur of nature, and to feel the charm of historical culture? Starting from Guangzhou, just a short drive away, you can reach Chenzhou, a city full of allure, waiting for you to explore every wonderful corner. Now, follow this carefully planned guide to start an unforgettable journey in Chenzhou!​ 🚗 Itinerary​ Day 1: Guangzhou → Chenzhou → Yuhou Street​ Transportation: Choose self-driving, about a 4.5-hour drive with picturesque scenery all along the way, allowing you to start enjoying the trip even before arriving at your destination. Upon arrival in Chenzhou, it feels like entering a whole new world, with the air filled with freshness and freedom.​ Dinner: In Chenzhou, find an authentic farmhouse restaurant to taste local specialties. The tender farmhouse dishes, original and flavorful, will immerse your taste buds in the rustic countryside flavors, injecting full energy into your journey.​ Activities: After dinner, head straight to Yuhou Street. This ancient street carries the historical memories of Chenzhou; every blue brick and gray tile tells stories of the past. Stepping into Yuhou Street feels like traveling back in time. Numerous ancient costume photo studios along the street add a touch of antiquity. If you love photography, don’t miss this perfect opportunity to dress in ancient costumes and leave beautiful portraits in the alleys of the old street. We leisurely strolled around Yuhou Street, feeling the evening breeze, then returned to the guesthouse to rest and recharge for the next day’s itinerary.​ Accommodation: It is recommended to choose a guesthouse located in the city center or near scenic spots, with affordable prices around 80 RMB per person per night. Book a lake-view room in advance so you can wake up in the morning to a beautiful lake view and start a wonderful day.​ Day 2: Xiaodong River → Bailang → Songyin Lodge​ Xiaodong River: Early in the morning, before the first ray of sunlight fully lights up the sky, we rushed to Xiaodong River for an appointment with a fairyland. The mist on Xiaodong River is dreamy and magical, as if nature spilled a bottle of milk, covering the entire river surface with a white veil. Standing by the river, you feel as if you have entered a fairyland; everything before your eyes is so beautiful and surreal, making you marvel at nature’s craftsmanship. We chose the 85 RMB route, strolling slowly along the riverbank and taking plenty of photos. Here, every shutter click captures a stunning shot that needs no filter to impress your friends. Key point! Be sure to go early because as the sun rises, the mist quickly dissipates, and the fairyland beauty of Xiaodong River fades. So, to catch the most beautiful moment, remember to get up early.​ Bailang: Around noon, we moved on to Bailang. Although light rain was falling, Bailang in the rain has a unique charm. Mist swirls over the lake, and distant mountains appear faintly, like a slowly unfolding ink painting. We strolled along the lakeside, feeling the cool raindrops on our faces, admiring the poetic and picturesque scenery, and our mood became especially peaceful.​ Gaoyiling: We originally planned to visit Gaoyiling, known as "China’s Most Beautiful Danxia," where red cliffs and green lake water complement each other, creating spectacular scenery. But when we arrived, it was almost 5:30 PM. Considering the limited time, to avoid rushing, we decided to leave this regret for next time. Leaving some regrets is part of traveling; it fills us with more anticipation for the next trip.​ Songyin Lodge: Afterwards, we headed to Songyin Lodge. On the way, we specially bought barbecue ingredients because the guesthouse has a dedicated barbecue area. Cooking our own barbecue allowed us to enjoy delicious food and add fun to the trip. Upon arrival, we found the environment very elegant, the rooms clean and tidy, and the quiet mountain atmosphere instantly relaxed us. At the guesthouse’s barbecue area, we enjoyed the food we grilled ourselves while feeling the tranquility of the night, and all the day’s fatigue vanished at that moment.​ Food Recommendations: During this day’s itinerary, don’t forget to try local specialties. For example, Dongjiang fish noodles, with fresh fish soup paired with smooth rice noodles, are unforgettable; also, Linwu duck, with firm meat and rich flavor, is one of Chenzhou’s representative dishes.​ Day 3: Yangtian Lake Grassland → Guangzhou​ Yangtian Lake Grassland: Early in the morning, we set off for Yangtian Lake Grassland. Although it was cloudy, the vastness of the grassland was still breathtaking. The endless grassland and rolling hills looked like a green carpet spread over the earth. We ran and took photos on the hills, feeling the wind roaring past our ears, as if all worries were blown away. The wind here seems filled with the scent of freedom, making people feel refreshed and relaxed.​ Return: By noon, we set off on the return journey with full beautiful memories. Although reluctant to leave, every moment of this Chenzhou trip has been deeply imprinted in our hearts. We look forward to coming back next time to explore more of this city’s wonders.​ Practical Tips: The wind at Yangtian Lake Grassland is strong, so remember to bring a light jacket to keep warm and also use it as a stylish accessory for photos.​ 🍢 Food Tips​ Chenzhou has many delicious foods, but the dishes are generally quite spicy. We randomly picked several highly rated restaurants, and the flavors were indeed amazing, but the spiciness was a bit much for those of us who can’t handle heat well. So, if you are like us and not good with spicy food, remember to tell the waiter in advance that you want “Guangdong spicy” (mild spice). Locals understand this mild spicy preference and will adjust the dish’s spiciness so you can enjoy authentic flavors without being overwhelmed by heat.​ 🏠 Accommodation Recommendation​ Highly recommend Songyin Lodge! Its unique decoration style is full of elegance, the rooms are clean and tidy, and it feels especially comfortable. Staying in the mountains, surrounded by the tranquility of nature, waking up to birdsong in the morning and falling asleep to insect sounds at night, you instantly relax as if all your stress is released at that moment. Spending a night here lets you experience a lifestyle completely different from the city’s pace, allowing your body and mind to fully relax and heal.​ 💡 Practical Reminders​ The mist period at Xiaodong River varies with season and weather. Before traveling, you can ask the guesthouse owner for the specific mist period to avoid missing the dreamlike mist-covered river scenery.​ The wind at Yangtian Lake Grassland is strong; be sure to bring a light jacket and keep warm to avoid catching a cold. Also, the strong wind may affect your hairstyle, so bring a hat or headband to protect against the wind and look stylish.​ The mountain road from Bailang to the guesthouse is winding and twisting, looking like a curled intestine on the navigation map. So, drive slowly, carefully, and pay attention to safety. While enjoying the scenery along the way, also ensure your own and your vehicle’s safety.​ Chenzhou, this charming city, boasts stunning natural scenery, profound historical and cultural heritage, and mouthwatering cuisine. We believe that with this guide, you will have an unforgettable time in Chenzhou and collect many wonderful memories. Come start your Chenzhou journey and discover more of this city’s splendor!​