Hengnan County Tourism, Hengyang City, Hunan Province

Hengnan County, Hengyang City, Hunan Province – an ecological treasure on the banks of the Xiangjiang River, integrating wetland wonders, forest secrets, and ancient architectural customs. It features distinctive scenic spots such as Jiangkou Bird Island, Qishan Forest Park, and Baogailou Ancient Dwellings. A 2-day tour allows you to fully experience the diverse customs of "a paradise for hundreds of birds + a thousand-year-old ancient temple + Ming and Qing architecture".

2619
square kilometers of regional area
790,000+
permanent population
5
national and provincial-level cultural relic protection units
2000+
historical and cultural heritage sites
Jiangkou Bird Island Landscape in Hengnan County, Hengyang
Jiangkou Bird Island Wetland Landscape - Iconic Landscape of Hengnan County
Jiangkou Bird Island is one of China's three major inland bird islands, covering an area of 150 hectares. It is home to more than 300 species and over 100,000 birds. Every year from March to October, thousands of birds fly together, presenting a spectacular scene. It is known as the "Paradise of Birds" and the "Natural Migratory Bird Museum".

2-Day Eco & Ancient Culture Tour in Hengnan County

Watch birds and enjoy wetlands, explore forests and visit ancient temples, trace ancient dwellings, and boat on the lake

Trip Duration
2 Days
Main Destinations
Jiangkou Bird Island, Qishan Forest Park, Baogailou, Longxi Lake, Yunji Kiln
Suitable for
Eco-enthusiasts, photography lovers, history and culture buffs, family with kids
Per Capita Budget
¥200-¥500
1
Wetland Bird Watching & Forest Exploration Tour
Jiangkou Bird Island · Qishan Forest Park
Itinerary Highlights

In the morning, walk into Jiangkou Bird Island to watch the spectacular scene of thousands of birds flying together up close; in the afternoon, stroll through Qishan Forest Park to enjoy fresh air in the primeval secondary forest and visit the thousand-year-old ancient temple.

Attraction Arrangement
Jiangkou Bird Island
A national nature reserve, composed of three small islands: Chenjiazhou, Zhangjiazhou and Longjiazhou. It is a natural paradise for birds to inhabit and breed. There are national key protected birds such as white storks, black storks and mandarin ducks here. Every spring and summer, birds breed in groups, forming a spectacular "Bird Kingdom", which is a resort for bird watching and ecological research.
Qishan Forest Park
A provincial forest park, named after "dense forests and many vipers in ancient times", with a forest coverage rate of over 90%. The park houses Qishan Ancient Temple (Wanshou Renrui Temple), founded in the Tang Dynasty, which is one of the famous temples in Hunan; there are also natural landscapes such as Qipanshi (Chessboard Stone) and Niubifeng (Ox Nose Peak). The mountain streams gurgle and the air is fresh, making it a good place for leisure, summer vacation and religious culture experience.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Take a bus from Hengyang urban area to Yunji County Town of Hengnan, then transfer to a township bus to Jiangkou Town
  • Jiangkou Bird Island is about 3 kilometers from Jiangkou Town, accessible on foot or by taxi
  • Qishan Forest Park is about 40 kilometers from Yunji County Town, self-driving or chartered car is recommended
  • Walking is the main way to get around in the scenic area, and some sections of Qishan are steep
Ticket Information
  • Jiangkou Bird Island: ¥40 (including boat fare)
  • Qishan Forest Park: ¥30
  • Wanshou Renrui Temple: Free (incense is voluntary)
Food Recommendations
  • Maoshi Sesame Seed Cake
  • Quanxi Suoluo (River Snails)
  • Xiangshi Tofu
  • Jiangkou River Delicacies
2
Ancient Culture Exploration & Lake View Tour
Baogailou · Longxi Lake · Yunji Kiln
Itinerary Highlights

In the morning, visit Baogailou Ancient Dwellings Group to experience the architectural customs of the Ming and Qing dynasties; in the afternoon, boat on Huaqiao Longxi Lake to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery, then visit Yunji Kiln Site to touch the Song Dynasty ceramic culture.

Attraction Arrangement
Baogailou Ancient Dwellings
An ancient dwellings group built in the Ming and Qing dynasties, covering a total area of about 12,000 square meters. It consists of dozens of courtyards with blue bricks and black tiles, with rigorous architectural layout and exquisite carved beams and painted buildings. It retains the typical style of traditional dwellings in southern Hunan, known as the "Museum of Ming and Qing Architecture in Southern Hunan", and is an important physical object for studying folk culture.
Huaqiao Longxi Lake
A natural landscape formed by relying on Longxiqiao Reservoir, covering a lake area of about 2,000 mu (about 133 hectares). There are more than 10 large and small islands in the lake, with continuous green mountains and dense vegetation on both banks. You can take a boat tour, go fishing, camp, and there are landscapes such as Longxi Waterfall and ancient villages by the lake, making it a natural oxygen bar for leisure and vacation.
Yunji Kiln Site
A folk porcelain kiln site from the Song Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, covering a total area of about 15,000 square meters. Various porcelains such as celadon, white porcelain and sauce-glazed porcelain have been unearthed, with bowls, plates and jars as the main shapes and exquisite patterns. It reflects the development process of ceramic craftsmanship in southern Hunan and is a provincial-level cultural relic protection unit.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Baogailou is about 50 kilometers from Yunji County Town, self-driving is recommended (1.5 hours by car)
  • Longxi Lake is about 20 kilometers from Baogailou, can be visited on the way
  • Yunji Kiln is located in Yunji Town, accessible by county bus
  • There are many mountain roads between various scenic spots, drive carefully
Visiting Tips
  • Part of Baogailou Ancient Dwellings is a residential area, please do not make noise during the visit
  • Follow the staff's arrangement when taking a boat on Longxi Lake and wear a life jacket
  • Yunji Kiln Site is a cultural relic protection area, touching exhibits is prohibited
  • It rains a lot in spring, it is recommended to bring rain gear; pay attention to sun protection in summer

Must-Try Foods in Hengnan County

Maoshi Sesame Seed Cake

A traditional snack in Maoshi Town, Hengnan County, made from flour with sesame seeds, chopped green onions and other seasonings, baked over charcoal fire. The sesame seed cake is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, salty and delicious, and tastes best when eaten hot. It has a hundred-year production history and is a must-have food for local festivals.

Quanxi Suoluo (River Snails)

A special delicacy in Quanxi Town, Hengnan County, made of fresh stone snails from the Xiangjiang River basin, with tails cut off and stir-fried with chili, perilla, ginger, garlic and other seasonings, with rich soup. When eating, suck out the snail meat with your mouth, which is fresh and spicy. It is a classic snack for relieving summer heat on summer nights, reflecting the spicy characteristics of southern Hunan diet.

Xiangshi Tofu

A specialty of Xiangshi Township, Hengnan County, made from local soybeans and mountain spring water through traditional craftsmanship. The tofu is tender in texture and pure in soybean aroma. It can be made into tofu curd, fried tofu, tofu balls, etc. Especially famous for "Xiangshi Fermented Tofu", it has a unique flavor and is a regular on farmhouse dining tables.

Guanshi Red Tofu

A traditional fermented food in Guanshi Town, Hengnan County, made from tofu with chili, salt and other seasonings, naturally fermented. The finished product is bright red in color, moderately salty and spicy, with a rich aroma. It can be eaten directly or used to season dishes, and is a must-have pickled product for local winters.

Hengnan County Travel Tips
Best Travel Time
  • Spring (March-May): Jiangkou Bird Island has the most birds, and Qishan is covered with new green
  • Summer (June-August): Summer resort at Longxi Lake, suitable for water activities
  • Autumn (September-November): Sunny weather, suitable for visiting ancient dwellings and hiking
  • Winter (December-February): Fewer tourists, can experience rural New Year flavor and cured meat
Must-Experience Activities
  • Take a boat tour at Jiangkou Bird Island to watch thousands of birds flying together
  • Listen to the bell of the ancient temple in Qishan Forest Park
  • Take photos of the Ming and Qing architectural customs at Baogailou Ancient Dwellings
  • Boat on Longxi Lake to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery
  • Taste Maoshi Sesame Seed Cake with local clear tea
Budget Reference
  • Tickets and transportation: ¥100-180 (including scenic spot tickets and transportation fees)
  • Catering: ¥70-120 per day
  • Accommodation: ¥80-180 per night (homestays in county town or around scenic spots)
  • Shopping: ¥50-150 (specialties such as sesame seed cakes and bean products)
  • Total: ¥200-500
Frequently Asked Questions
  • Can I get close to the birds at Jiangkou Bird Island? → Keep a safe distance, feeding is prohibited
  • Is Qishan Forest Park suitable for the elderly to visit? → Main scenic spots are flat and easy to visit
  • Do I need a tour guide for Baogailou Ancient Dwellings? → There are free explanation boards, and local guides can also be booked
  • Is transportation convenient between scenic spots in Hengnan County? → Self-driving is recommended, some scenic spots have township buses

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