Jinshi City Tourism, Changde, Hunan

Jinshi City, Changde, Hunan — the pearl of the Lishui River and an industrial hub, integrating landscape scenery, Zen culture, and characteristic cuisine. It boasts attractions such as Jiashan Mountain, Maoli Lake, and Yaoshan Temple. Experience the natural and cultural beauty of "Meng Jiangnu's Hometown + Wetland Pearl + Zen Tea Ancestral Court" in one day.

558
square kilometers of area
250,000+
permanent population
1200
Jiashan Mountain altitude (meters)
100+
Jinshi Beef Noodle shops
Maoli Lake Scenery, Jinshi City, Changde
Maoli Lake National Wetland Park - Ecological Pearl of Jinshi City
Maoli Lake is the largest stream lake in Hunan Province and a national wetland park. The lake is dotted with numerous islands, featuring clear water and excellent ecological environment, making it an ideal destination for bird watching, photography, and eco-tourism.

One-Day Landscape and Zen Trip in Jinshi City

Seeking antiquity in famous mountains, bird watching in wetlands, enlightenment in Zen temples, tasting delicacies in old streets

Trip Duration
1 Day
Main Destinations
Jiashan Mountain, Maoli Lake, Yaoshan Temple, Gudatong Forest Park, Jinshi Old Street
Suitable For
Culture lovers, nature explorers, food enthusiasts, Zen practitioners
Per Capita Budget
¥90-¥280
All Day
Cultural and Ecological Experience Tour in Jinshi City
Jiashan Mountain · Maoli Lake · Yaoshan Temple · Gudatong Forest Park
Trip Highlights

In the morning, climb Jiashan Mountain to explore the culture of Meng Jiangnu's Hometown and visit Maoli Lake to enjoy wetland ecological scenery; in the afternoon, visit Yaoshan Temple to comprehend Zen culture and stroll through Gudatong Forest Park to enjoy forest bathing; in the evening, wander around Jinshi Old Street and taste authentic Jinshi Beef Noodles.

Attraction Arrangement
Jiashan Mountain
The hometown of Meng Jiangnu, with a main peak altitude of 1200 meters, featuring majestic mountains and beautiful scenery. The mountain has historical sites such as Meng Jiangnu Temple, Wangfu Platform, and Zhenlie Temple, as well as rich folk legends. Climbing to the top offers a bird's-eye view of the Lishui River scenery and the entire Jinshi City, making it an ideal place for cultural exploration and mountain climbing.
Maoli Lake National Wetland Park
The largest stream lake in Hunan Province and a national wetland park, covering a water area of 38 square kilometers. There are 32 large and small islands in the lake, with clear and high-quality water. The park is rich in biodiversity, with more than 120 species of birds and 60 species of fish, making it an important base for bird watching, photography, and eco-tourism.
Yaoshan Temple
An ancestral court of Zen Buddhism, founded in the Tang Dynasty, and one of the important Buddhist temples of Zen Buddhism. The temple houses the pagoda of the Tang Dynasty eminent monk Weiyan, and the surrounding environment is quiet with ancient trees towering. Yaoshan Temple is famous for "equal emphasis on farming and Zen", and is a good place to experience Zen culture and taste Zen tea.
Gudatong Forest Park
A provincial-level forest park covering an area of 800 hectares with a forest coverage rate of over 95%. The park has numerous ancient and famous trees, including millennium ginkgo trees and ancient camphor trees. Main attractions include the site of Gudatong Temple, viewing platforms, and forest trails, making it a natural oxygen bar and a leisure resort.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Buses from Jinshi urban area to Jiashan Scenic Area
  • Self-driving or chartered car is recommended from Jiashan to Maoli Lake
  • Township buses from Maoli Lake to Yaoshan Temple
  • Gudatong Forest Park is within walking distance in urban area
Ticket Information
  • Jiashan Mountain: ¥40 per person
  • Maoli Lake: Free (boat tickets charged separately)
  • Yaoshan Temple: Free
  • Gudatong Forest Park: Free
  • Jinshi Old Street: Free
Food Recommendations
  • Jinshi Beef Noodles
  • Fresh Fish from Maoli Lake
  • Wild Vegetables from Jiashan Mountain
  • Yaoshan Zen Tea

Must-Try Foods in Jinshi City

Jinshi Beef Noodles

The most representative food of Jinshi City, featuring tender and smooth rice noodles, fragrant and flavorful beef, and rich and delicious soup. Made with local yellow beef and simmered with more than 20 kinds of spices, it has a unique flavor. It is the first choice for Jinshi people's breakfast and a must-try local food for tourists.

Fresh Fish from Maoli Lake

Made with wild fish from Maoli Lake, featuring tender meat without earthy smell. It can be steamed, braised in brown sauce, or made into soup, which best reflects the original flavor of the fish. Cooked with local characteristic seasonings, it is extremely delicious and is a signature dish of farmhouses around Maoli Lake.

Wild Vegetables from Jiashan Mountain

Various wild vegetables special to Jiashan Mountain, including bracken, bamboo shoots, and mountain fungi. These wild vegetables are natural and pollution-free, rich in nutrition, and can be eaten cold, stir-fried, or made into soup, reflecting the original flavor of mountain ingredients. They are characteristic dishes of local farmhouses.

Yaoshan Zen Tea

Specialty tea from Yaoshan Temple, famous for Zen tea culture. Produced around Yaoshan Mountain and influenced by Zen culture, the tea soup is clear, with elegant aroma and mellow taste, and has the effect of calming the mind and relieving anxiety. It is an excellent choice for tea tasting and gifting.

Travel Tips for Jinshi City
Best Travel Time
  • Spring (March-May): Jiashan Mountain is in full bloom with flowers, and migratory birds return north at Maoli Lake
  • Summer (June-August): Lotus flowers are in full bloom at Maoli Lake, and you can taste lake fresh food
  • Autumn (September-November): Clear sky and mild weather, suitable for mountain climbing and wetland sightseeing
  • Winter (December-February): You can taste hot beef noodles and experience the New Year flavor
Must-Experience Activities
  • Explore Meng Jiangnu cultural relics at Jiashan Mountain
  • Boat trip for bird watching and wetland adventure at Maoli Lake
  • Zen practice and tea tasting experience at Yaoshan Temple
  • Forest bathing at Gudatong Forest Park
  • Taste authentic beef noodles at Jinshi Old Street
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: ¥40-50 (main cost is Jiashan Mountain ticket)
  • Catering: ¥50-80 (including special dishes and snacks)
  • Transportation: ¥30-60 (self-driving or chartered car recommended)
  • Shopping: ¥20-90 (specialties and souvenirs)
  • Total: ¥90-280
Frequently Asked Questions
  • How difficult is it to climb Jiashan Mountain? → There are routes of different difficulty levels, ordinary tourists can choose gentler routes
  • Best time for bird watching at Maoli Lake? → Morning and evening in winter, when migratory birds are active frequently
  • Are there Zen practice activities at Yaoshan Temple? → Regular Zen classes are available, reservation in advance is required
  • Transportation from Jinshi City to Changde urban area? → There are buses and expressways, with a driving time of about 40 minutes