Yueyang 3-Day Travel Guide: The Waters of Dongting, The Tower of Yueyang
Schwarz
Yueyang 3-Day Travel Guide: The Waters of Dongting, The Tower of Yueyang
Yueyang, immortalized by Fan Zhongyan's words "Worry before the world worries, rejoice after the world rejoices." Yueyang Tower overlooks Dongting Lake, Junshan Island floats in tea-scented serenity, and Zhangguyuan Village is the "People's Forbidden City." Three days to experience the magnificence of "800-li Dongting" and the depth of Hu-Xiang culture.
🚶 Day 1: Yueyang Tower — A Tower Through the Ages
Morning: Yueyang Tower (¥70)
One of the "Three Great Towers of Jiangnan" alongside Yellow Crane Tower and Tengwang Pavilion. Built during the Eastern Han, the current Qing Dynasty structure features three layers of flying eaves in pure wood — not a single iron nail. Views of 800-li Dongting Lake unfold from the top.
Afternoon: Bianhe Street + Baling Square
Bianhe Street is Yueyang's most charming old street along the lake. Baling Square features a giant "Houyi Shooting the Ba Snake" sculpture.
Evening: Dongting Lake Sunset
Yueyang's sunsets are stunning — watch the sun sink into Dongting Lake from the lakeside boardwalk.
Food: Dongting Fish Head (¥40-60), Yueyang Rice Noodles (¥8-12), Crayfish (¥30-500/jin)
🚶 Day 2: Junshan Island — Pearl of Dongting
Full Day: Junshan Island (¥78, boat ¥60)
A tiny island in Dongting Lake — "The Tower of Yueyang is the greatest tower; Junshan is the greatest island." Home to Junshan Yinzhen tea (one of China's top 10 teas), Xiangfei Shrine (memorial to Emperor Shun's two wives), spotted bamboo groves, and Liuyi Well.
20 minutes by boat from Yueyang Tower pier. Allow 3-4 hours.
🚶 Day 3: Zhangguyuan Village or Quzi Shrine
Option A: Zhangguyuan Village (¥50, Yueyang County)
Called the "People's Forbidden City" — a 600-year-old village with 1,738 rooms connected by maze-like alleys. Walk the entire village without getting wet in the rain. China's best-preserved Jiangnan folk architecture.
Option B: Quzi Shrine (¥40, Miluo City)
Memorial to the patriotic poet Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in the Miluo River. Dragon boat racing and zongzi traditions originated here.
🍜 Food Summary
| Dish | Price |
|---|---|
| Dongting Fish Head | ¥40-60 |
| Yueyang Noodles | ¥8-12 |
| Crayfish | ¥30-50/jin |
| Junshan Yinzhen Tea | ¥50-200/liang |
| Silver Fish | ¥15-25 |
| Stinky Tofu | ¥5-10 |