Yanfeng District Travel, Hengyang City, Hunan Province

Yanfeng District - the central urban area of Hengyang City, integrates historical culture, natural scenery and urban leisure. It has distinctive scenic spots such as Huiyan Peak, Shigu Academy and Xiangjiang River Scenic Belt. You can enjoy the cultural and natural beauty of "the first peak of Nanyue + thousand-year-old academy + Xiangjiang scenery" in one day.

93
km² Area
250,000+
Permanent Population
3
Provincial-level Cultural Relic Protection Units
1500+
Historical and Cultural Heritage Sites
Huiyan Peak Scenic Area, Yanfeng District, Hengyang
Panoramic View of Huiyan Peak Scenic Area - Cultural Landmark of Yanfeng District
Huiyan Peak, the first of the 72 peaks of Nanyue, has an altitude of 96.8 meters. Although not high, it is famous for historical allusions and cultural heritage. Yanfeng Temple on the top of the peak is a thousand-year-old ancient temple, and you can overlook the whole view of Hengyang from the top.

One-Day Cultural and Natural Tour of Yanfeng District

Climb famous mountains, visit ancient academies, stroll along the riverbank, and enjoy urban leisure

Tour Duration
1 Day
Main Destinations
Huiyan Peak, Shigu Academy, Xiangjiang River Scenic Belt, Yueping Park, Yanfeng Temple
Suitable for
Culture lovers, natural scenery lovers, photography enthusiasts, leisure travelers
Per Capita Budget
¥100-¥400
Whole Day
Cultural and Natural Experience Tour in Yanfeng District
Huiyan Peak · Shigu Academy · Xiangjiang River Scenic Belt · Yueping Park
Tour Highlights

In the morning, climb Huiyan Peak to experience the charm of the first peak of Nanyue and visit Yanfeng Temple to learn about Buddhist culture; in the afternoon, visit Shigu Academy to taste Huxiang culture and stroll along the Xiangjiang River Scenic Belt to enjoy the urban beauty; in the evening, visit Yueping Park to experience the leisure life of citizens and taste Hengyang's characteristic food.

Attraction Arrangement
Huiyan Peak
The first of the 72 peaks of Hengshan Mountain in Nanyue, with an altitude of 96.8 meters. It is said that wild geese flying south stop here and return. Although the peak is not high, it has profound cultural heritage. Many literati and poets of past dynasties have left numerous poems here. Wang Bo's "Wild geese form a line, startling the cold, their cries cut off at the shore of Hengyang" refers to this place, which is the cultural symbol and urban card of Hengyang.
Yanfeng Temple
A thousand-year-old ancient temple built in the Northern and Southern Dynasties, located on the top of Huiyan Peak. Historically, it was one of the important Buddhist temples in Nanyue. The temple preserves inscriptions and Buddhist cultural relics of past dynasties, with a strong incense, and is an important religious activity site and cultural heritage in Hengyang.
Shigu Academy
One of the four major academies in the Song Dynasty of China, founded in the 5th year of Yuanhe in the Tang Dynasty, with a history of more than 1,200 years. The academy is located on Shigu Mountain, at the confluence of Zhenshui River and Xiangjiang River. Neo-Confucian masters such as Zhu Xi and Zhang Shi once gave lectures here, making it an important birthplace and cultural landmark of Huxiang culture.
Xiangjiang River Scenic Belt
An urban landscape belt built along both banks of the Xiangjiang River, about 5 kilometers long, integrating sightseeing, leisure, fitness and cultural display. There are water-friendly platforms, cultural squares, sculpture sketches and other facilities along the way, which is an ideal place to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Xiangjiang River and experience the urban style of Hengyang.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Multiple bus routes in the urban area can reach Huiyan Peak Scenic Area
  • The distance between Shigu Academy and Huiyan Peak is about 2 kilometers
  • Xiangjiang River Scenic Belt is suitable for walking or cycling
  • Taxis or ride-hailing cars can be taken between attractions
Ticket Information
  • Huiyan Peak: Free
  • Yanfeng Temple: Free
  • Shigu Academy: ¥30
  • Xiangjiang River Scenic Belt: Free
  • Yueping Park: Free
Food Recommendations
  • Hengyang Fish Noodles
  • Subo Mooncake
  • Lotus Leaf Rice
  • Zhangfei Wine
  • Huzhi Wine

Must-Try Food in Yanfeng District

Hengyang Fish Noodles

The most representative specialty snack in Hengyang. It uses fresh live fish to boil the soup base, paired with high-quality rice noodles. The soup is delicious and the rice noodles are smooth. The fish noodle soup is milky white, the fish meat is tender, and adding Hengyang's unique chopped chili makes it sour and spicy, appetizing, which is the first choice for Hengyang people's breakfast.

Subo Mooncake

A traditional famous snack in Hengyang with a history of more than 200 years. The cake crust is crispy with distinct layers, and the filling is sweet but not greasy, with various flavors such as rock sugar, osmanthus, and sesame. It is made through multiple refined processes with unique production techniques, and is a must-have food for Hengyang's Mid-Autumn Festival.

Lotus Leaf Rice

A specialty food in Hengyang, steamed with fresh lotus leaves wrapped with glutinous rice, cured meat, shiitake mushrooms and other ingredients. The fragrance of lotus leaves permeates the rice, making the rice soft and glutinous with rich ingredients and distinct taste layers. It has both the fragrance of lotus leaves and the salty aroma of cured meat, with a unique flavor.

Huzhi Wine

A traditional specialty of Hengyang, historically known as Ling wine with a long history. Brewed with high-quality glutinous rice, it has an orange-yellow clear color, rich aroma, sweet and mellow taste, low alcohol content and rich nutrition, which is an excellent gift for entertaining guests in Hengyang folk.

Travel Tips for Yanfeng District
Best Travel Time
  • Spring (March-May): Pleasant climate with blooming flowers
  • Autumn (September-November): Clear sky and high visibility
  • Summer (June-August): Visit in the morning or evening to avoid heat
  • Winter (December-February): Fewer tourists, can taste culture quietly
Must-Experience Activities
  • Climb to the top of Huiyan Peak to overlook the whole view of Hengyang
  • Experience the thousand-year-old Buddhist culture at Yanfeng Temple
  • Taste the essence of Huxiang culture at Shigu Academy
  • Enjoy the sunset scenery at Xiangjiang River Scenic Belt
  • Taste authentic Hengyang Fish Noodles
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: ¥0-¥30 (main attractions are free)
  • Catering: ¥50-¥150 (including specialty snacks and meals)
  • Transportation: ¥20-¥50
  • Shopping: ¥50-¥200 (specialties and souvenirs)
  • Total: ¥100-¥400
Frequently Asked Questions
  • Do I need to climb mountains for Huiyan Peak? → The mountain is not high, the hiking trail is gentle, and it takes about 30 minutes to reach the top
  • Do I need to make an appointment for Shigu Academy? → No, you can buy tickets directly to enter
  • Where are the best photo spots? → The top of Huiyan Peak and the viewing platform of Xiangjiang River Scenic Belt
  • Is there a tour guide service in the scenic area? → Paid tour guide service and audio guide are provided