2025 Xiangyin Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

✨Dongting Lake: China's Second Largest Freshwater Lake, Eight Hundred Li Dongting✨ 🏞️Dongting Lake, this ancient and mysterious body of water, historically known as Yunmeng, Jiujiang, and Chonghu, boasts rich history and natural scenery. Located on the southern bank of the Jingjiang section in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, it spans numerous counties and cities, like a brilliant pearl nestled between Hunan and Hubei provinces. 🌸Its name originated during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, named after Dongting Mountain within the lake. Dongting Lake connects to the Yangtze River's four outlets in the north and receives water from the Xiang, Zi, Yuan, and Li rivers, as well as smaller tributaries like the Miluo River in the south, ultimately flowing into the Yangtze River at Chenglingji in Yueyang City. 🌬️Some call it "Eight Hundred Li Dongting," but according to water conservancy department measurements, its area reaches 2,579.2 square kilometers, making it China's second-largest freshwater lake. Adding the flood channel areas of the Xiang, Zi, Yuan, and Li rivers and the "Four Outlets of the Yangtze River" covering over 1,300 square kilometers, the total area reaches 3,879.2 square kilometers. 💦Dongting Lake is an important regulating lake with powerful flood storage capacity, turning countless Yangtze River floods from danger to safety, allowing the Jianghan Plain and Wuhan's three towns to safely pass flood seasons. 💫As a historically important strategic location and cradle of traditional Chinese culture, the Dongting Lake region has numerous scenic spots and historical sites, with Yueyang Tower being a significant tourism and cultural resource. 🌾This is also the birthplace of traditional Chinese agriculture and a famous land of fish and rice. It serves as Hunan province's and even the nation's most important commercial grain, oil, and aquaculture base. A romantic encounter with Dongting Lake begins right by this stone monument 💙 When you see this stone monument carved with the three characters for "Dongting Lake," you truly feel that you've arrived beside this vast body of water. The natural texture of the stone complements the inscribed characters perfectly, like a unique symbol of Dongting Lake. Standing here, although the sky is somewhat gray and hazy, it doesn't diminish the anticipation for Dongting Lake at all. Imagining the magnificent waves of the lake fills the heart with excitement.

Yueyang Yangsha Lake Wetland Park Travel Guide 1. Transportation Guide 1. Self-driving: From Changsha: Drive along the G4 Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway for about 1.5 hours to Xiangyin County, and then follow the signs to Yangsha Lake Wetland Park. From Yueyang: Drive along the S61 Yueyang-Linxiang Expressway for about 1 hour to Xiangyin County, and then head to the scenic area. 2. Public transportation: Take a bus from Changsha or Yueyang to Xiangyin County, and then take a taxi or bus to the scenic area. 2. Ticket Information Ticket price: About CNY 50/person (subject to the announcement of the scenic area) Opening hours: 08:00–18:00 (please confirm in advance) 3. Main Attractions 1. Wetland Birdwatching Area: Suitable for birdwatching and photography, with common birds such as egrets and herons. 2. Lakeside Walkway: Built along the lake, suitable for walking and cycling, with beautiful scenery. 3. Lotus Pond: Lotus flowers bloom in summer, suitable for taking photos. 4. Wetland Science Museum: Learn about wetland ecology and knowledge of animals and plants. 4. Travel Tips 1. Best travel time: Spring and autumn have pleasant weather, suitable for outdoor activities; lotus flowers bloom in summer, with charming scenery. 2. Duration: Half a day to one day is recommended. 3. Equipment: Wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen, a hat, and water, and birdwatchers can bring binoculars. 5. Dining and Accommodation 1. Dining: There are simple meals and snacks in the scenic area, and more options in Xiangyin County. It is recommended to try local specialties. 2. Accommodation: There are many hotels and homestays in Xiangyin County, suitable for overnight visitors. 6. Recommended Nearby Attractions 1. Yueyang Tower: One of the four famous towers in China, about 1.5 hours' drive away. 2. Junshan Island: A small island in Dongting Lake, with beautiful scenery, suitable for a day trip. I hope this guide will help you better plan your trip to Yangsha Lake Wetland Park. Have a nice trip!

Zuo Zongtang was a famous general in the late Qing Dynasty. He recovered Xinjiang, resisted the French and defended the border, and established great achievements. But before he entered officialdom, he was an ordinary teacher. He married into a wealthy family as a son-in-law. After making some money, he bought an estate in Xiangyin, lived in seclusion, farmed and studied, and had children. 🌟Highlights: Although it is not a wealthy family, Liuzhuang has been preserved and restored by Zuo Zongtang and has been handed down to this day. It should be a very typical wealthy farmhouse in central Hunan at that time. Half of the pond is like a moon, there is a small island on the pond, willows are hanging by the pond, and there are houses, study rooms, and places for making friends along the pond. It does not have the grandeur of the Huizhou manor, but has a kind of private interest unique to literati. Beside the pond there is a long corridor with paintings and calligraphy, showing Zuo Zongtang's life-long achievements, including his recovery of Xinjiang and his defense of the border against the French. Zuo was once regarded as a representative of the landlord class and was criticized and ignored as a negative example, but life is like a game of chess, and his contributions to the nation and the country cannot be erased. 👍Most recommended: The couplets and family mottos on the door reflect the pursuit and interest of the Zuo family at that time, which was to work hard, study hard, and manage the household frugally. They have timeless significance for our later generations' self-cultivation and family education. The teahouse sells Xiangyin’s unique sesame bean tea, which is very fragrant and authentic. It is different from the packaged sesame bean tea that we usually buy in shopping malls. It is worth a try.

Huaguang Taoist Temple is the largest Taoist temple in Xiangyin County. It is located on the E-shaped Mountain at the junction of Changsha Wangcheng District and Yueyang Xiangyin County, about an hour's drive from Changsha (near Kaifu Temple). ▫️ I think there are three main attractions here: 🔹 First, there is a mysterious ancestor cave built in the cave. Walking into the cave from the narrow cave door, it feels magical to see a different world inside. 🔹 Secondly, there are natural attractions such as the Immortal Cave, the Turtle Stone and the Line of Sky. The Fairy Cave is pitch black and bottomless, with a narrow gap in the sky that only allows one person to enter sideways. Occasionally, Taoist priests can be seen meditating inside. The Divine Turtle Stone looks very much like a giant turtle, especially the shell. 🔹 Third, the Goose-Shaped Mountain here is the highest mountain in this area. The view from the top of the mountain is wide, and you can watch the sunrise and sunset. We drove there this time. The road conditions were good throughout the journey and it was a very friendly attraction for the elderly and children. ▫️ Recommendation reasons: 1. Few people. Very few people know about this place. There may be less than 20 cars coming here in a day. 2. It can be reached by car. There are mature hiking routes from the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain, suitable for hiking enthusiasts. But if there are elderly people or children with you, you can drive directly to the entrance of the Taoist temple. 3. Convenient dining. There are many farmhouse restaurants on the mountain with affordable prices. We had a chicken casserole which was delicious and cheap. I think it’s worth going out of your way to eat! 4. Free. Both the scenic area and the Taoist temple are free. ▫️ [Recommendations] Tour suggestions: 1. The approximately 2-kilometer journey up the mountain is only one lane wide, so you need to drive carefully (just drive slowly). 2. The temple is mainly divided into three parts: left, right and top. On the left is the most mysterious Patriarch Cave "Banzu Cave" in the scenic area, and on the right is the magical Fairy Cave, One Line Sky and Divine Turtle Stone natural landscape. Above are temples such as the Huaguang Hall and the Sanqing Hall. 3. It takes about an hour to hike from the foot of the mountain to Huaguang Taoist Temple, which is about 4 kilometers. It takes about twenty minutes to get from Huaguang Taoist Temple to Sanqing Temple on the top of the mountain, and the entire journey is paved with concrete steps. It is recommended to wear outdoor shoes for hiking to reduce the burden on your feet. 4. It is recommended to spend one day hiking. If you drive to the Taoist temple, it will take an afternoon.

📍Attraction address: Zuo Zongtang's Former Residence (Liuzhuang) is located in Liujia Chong, Liuzhuang Village, Zhangshu Town, Xiangyin County, Yueyang City, Hunan Province. 🚗Transportation: Xiangyin County Bus 208 → Nongjia Xincun Station. It is inconvenient to get there from Changsha City, so it is recommended to drive. 👍️Must-visit attractions: Zuo Zongtang's Former Residence. In 1848, Zuo Zongtang bought 70 mu of land in Liujia Chong and personally designed and built a brick-wood structure house 🏘️ with 48 rooms covering 4 mu. Because he loved the indomitable character of the willow tree, he named it "Liuzhuang". He lived here for 14 years. The scenic area also has a cultural corridor, agricultural culture museum, ancient bridge, ancient stage, Zuo Gong Temple, Zuo Gong Tea Garden and other attractions. 🎟️Ticket information: Tickets are CNY 30. 💗Other tips:

🌳Dear friends, today I’m sharing with you the ultimate travel guide to Doumijiu in Xiangyin County! 🗺️Travel Route: Start from the entrance and stroll along the riverside, enjoying the river view. Then, walk through the sea of flowers to feel the romance of nature, and finally explore the wetlands for a close encounter with nature. ✨Must-Do Activities: Be sure to take beautiful photos by the river, where the water and blue sky create a picturesque scene. Strolling through the sea of flowers feels like being in a fairyland. The unique ecological landscape of the wetlands will also broaden your horizons. 🎫Reservation/Ticket Guide: No reservation needed, free entry, it’s absolutely wonderful! 🕙Opening Hours: Open all day, you can come anytime to experience its charm. 💡Suggestions: Remember to bring sunscreen and comfortable shoes for an enjoyable visit. 📅Travel Time: It’s recommended to spend a day here to slowly enjoy the beautiful scenery. 🚗Parking Guide: There is a dedicated parking lot in the scenic area, parking is convenient and reasonably priced. 🏠Accommodation Guide: There are many unique homestays nearby with beautiful environments and moderate prices. You can also choose to return to the county for more hotel options. Come to Doumijiu in Xiangyin County and give yourself an unforgettable journey!💖

I finally came to the other side of the Anywhere Door, Yueyang Xiangyin, Doumi Jiao self-driving tour guide: Opening hours: All day Coordinates: Xiangyin County, Yueyang City Transportation: It is recommended to drive by yourself, parking is convenient and fast Doumi Jiao's original ecological scenery, a free attraction, offers a panoramic view of the pastoral beauty, with charming and picturesque scenery. In the distance, there are small hills, nearby are various wildflowers, Ziyunying (Chinese milk vetch), and trees, distinctive water ditches, herds of cattle and sheep, as poetic and picturesque as one can get, intoxicated by its beauty. It is known as Xiangyin's 'Jiuzhaigou', and is an ideal place for photography enthusiasts and flower admirers. The Ziyunying here all grow naturally; the sea of Ziyunying flowers, the primitive willow forests, and the small wooden boats, are like a secret realm away from the world. Immersed in it, you are surrounded by greenery and the light chirping of birds. During the flower viewing season, many people come to Doumi Jiao to check in and take photos, making it a popular spot on social media. The scenery is pleasant, the landscape is beautiful, with original ecological natural scenery, full of the breath of spring, vibrant, with fresh air, a natural oxygen bar, very comfortable and relaxing. It is refreshing and makes one linger and forget to return. Food recommendation: Country Home Restaurant Accommodation recommendation: Xiangyin Hotel

Just talk about the breeze and the sunset. The evening breeze is always gentle, roses are born to be proud and romantic, and being loved is not a luxury. Girls are brave and gentle, brilliant and bright. They are born to deserve the bright moonlight and the most brilliant sea of ​​flowers. The gentleness I'm talking about is not about being cautious and submissive, but about loving the beauty of the world and the people you love. It's about being open-minded and unrestrained in your soul and personality. It's about the joy of running wild in everything you love, and loving everything that is worth loving. The tenderness and patience unique to things. The world loves beautiful things, but a girl must not become beautiful in the eyes of others. My dear, it is absolutely beautiful for a fiery and brave soul to stand there. Everything you do is just to love yourself better, love your surging and brilliant life, and love your clear and shining soul. There is no need to cater to the masses, just pick your own flowers, love your own moon, and be your own rose. 📍Detailed address: At the entrance of the Four Seasons Flower Sea Scenic Area in Xichang Village, Baishui Town, Miluo City

Yangsha Lake Wetland Park is located in Xiangyin County, Yueyang, Hunan, and is very suitable for leisure vacations with family. Covering an area of 3,500 acres, it is one of the three major routes for migratory birds to winter and migrate, consisting of a freshwater fish museum, ecological farm, a garden with a hundred varieties of lotus, a hibiscus garden, a rare bird breeding base, a lake characteristic fishing village, and wetlands. The scenic area is vast, with a small train to take you to various viewing spots. Throughout the journey, you can see swans, deer, sheep, fragrant pigs, monkeys, birds, miniature horses, and other animals. The wetland park is shaded by green trees, the air is fresh, and it is very relaxing to watch the animals comfortably feeding and moving on the grass or lake surface, feeling the atmosphere of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. At Swan Lake, I witnessed a spectacle where a black swan picked up food from a wooden box with its beak and then buried its head to feed the fish that popped out of the water, as if to say: 'Brother, if I have a bite to eat, you won't go hungry .' The friendly interactions between the animals are very interesting. The elders in the family couldn't stop praising the scene and were a bit reluctant to leave. It's thought-provoking that in today's society, it's hard for people to have deep friendships, yet animals can still take care of each other , which is truly endearing and charming. The wetland park's tickets on Ctrip are 58 yuan including the small train ride, which is quite cost-effective.

Fish Kiln Town in Yangsha Lake Tourist Area, Xiangyin County, Yueyang, Hunan, is a free sub-scenic area not far from the city of Yueyang, about less than two hours' drive by car. Fish Kiln Town features a cluster of Ming and Qing dynasty courtyard-style buildings, comprising four squares and forty-three courtyards. The architectural complex exudes an elegant national style, standing by the lake and facing the Egret Island in the center of the lake, with willows on the lakeside, reminiscent of the water towns in the south of the Yangtze River. I took a stroll here during the Qingming holiday, and there were very few people around. Many shops were closed, giving off a somewhat desolate feeling. Perhaps the scenic area's promotion is not effective enough, but actually, there are still some things worth seeing in the town. The Fish Kiln Museum exhibits a number of Yuezhou Kiln ceramics. The Yuezhou Kiln of the Tang Dynasty is ranked fourth among the famous celadon kilns suitable for tea in Lu Yu's 'The Classic of Tea'. 'Yuezhou Kiln' ceramics are characterized by their fine and greyish-white body, thick shapes, metallic sounds when knocked, high degree of vitrification, celadon crackle, simple and beautiful design, smoothness; the fluorescence under the glaze twinkles, with a strong glassy feel. The Tang Dynasty tea sage Lu Yu praised it, saying 'Yuezhou porcelain is green, and the greener it is, the better it is for tea', and the Tang poet Liu Yanshi wrote 'Xiang porcelain overflows with blue flowers'. Therefore, experts affirm that 'Yuezhou Kiln' is rightfully one of the earliest celadon kilns in Chinese history. Inside the town, there are also places worth visiting such as the Yamen Office, the Escort Agency, the Military Governor's Office, and the Chuyun Courtyard, which you can savor slowly. The Yamen Office was an ancient institution that combined the functions of public security and the court, with a courtroom for trials, a council hall, prison cells, and torture rooms, resembling the scenes in TV dramas, very realistic. There is a statue of an old man by the lake, which reminds people of the verse 'White-haired fisherman and woodcutter on the river islet, accustomed to watching the autumn moon and spring breeze', evoking a sense of nostalgia. Invite a few close friends to stroll around Fish Kiln Town. By the lakeside, accompany you to watch the moon set and stars sink, and enjoy a carefree life.

It takes 1 hour to drive directly from Changsha. The place is huge and there are no crowds. You can visit the ancient town, visit the wetland park, feed small animals, watch swans and peacocks, and it is a comprehensive tourist resort with an outdoor amusement park. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunset by the lake at night. It is perfect for a family vacation. The weather is good. Every time you take a photo, you will feel like you are seeing a blockbuster movie! Since the Wetland Park is some distance away from Yuyao Town, it takes about 10 minutes to drive. You can drive yourself or take a sightseeing bus. Address: Yueyang Xiangyin (1-1.5 hours direct departure from Changsha) Navigation: You can directly navigate to "Yangsha Lake International Tourism Resort" Parking: free parking with ticket purchase Tickets: You can purchase Wetland Park tickets or Wetland Park + Yuyao Town package tickets online. If you are bringing the elderly or children, it is recommended to visit for 2 days and one night. There is a package that includes the Yuyao Town Hotel. The hotel reception is a few meters away from the hotel. 100 meters, but there are also sightseeing buses!!! Tips: 1. Safety comes first when playing outdoors, and take good care of the children 2. Pay attention to repelling mosquitoes 3. The Wetland Park is relatively large, so it is recommended to bring more snacks and meals. 4. Take care of the environment, start with yourself, and play without leaving a trace!

#渌洋湖湿地公园 One of the most spontaneous trips this fall. Saturday evening, we met and discussed life. Suddenly we remembered our dreams, and the weather is cool this fall. We were looking for this place on the rails and found it. Travel time: 6 hours there and 6 hours back. The park itself is only 1 hour, but what a time. That's right: rowing a boat.渌洋湖湿地公园 #china #popularplace #autumn #krutolga #Luyanglake Luyang Lake Wetland Park#fallingseason