Xiangxiang City, Xiangtan, Hunan – Travel Guide

Xiangxiang City, Xiangtan, Hunan — a millennium-old county and red-hot land, integrating red culture, historical sites, and Huxiang scenery. It features attractions such as Dongshan Academy, Yunmen Temple, and Shuifu Temple Scenic Area, offering a one-day experience of the diverse heritage of "red imprint + ancient charm + landscape painting."

1960.0
Area (km²)
900,000+
Permanent Population
15+
Key Cultural Relics Protection Units
3+
A-Level Tourist Attractions
Panoramic view of Dongshan Academy, Xiangxiang City
Panoramic View of Dongshan Academy – Red Landmark of Xiangxiang City
A thousand-year academy built in the Qing Dynasty, where Comrade Mao Zedong once studied. It is an important educational base and red cultural site in modern Hunan. The architecture combines central Hunan residential and academy styles, with ancient cypress trees, interweaving scholarly atmosphere and red memory. It is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Xiangxiang City One-Day Red Culture & Ancient Charm Tour

Academy Study, Former Residence History, Ancient Temple Meditation, Lake View Leisure

Duration
1 Day
Main Destinations
Dongshan Academy, Chen Geng Former Residence, Yunmen Temple, Shuifu Temple Scenic Area, Xiangxiang City Museum
Suitable For
Red culture enthusiasts, history buffs, families, Zen experience seekers, nature lovers
Per Person Budget
¥120-¥450
Full Day
Xiangxiang City Red Culture & Ancient Charm In-Depth Tour
Dongshan Academy · Chen Geng Former Residence · Yunmen Temple · Shuifu Temple
Trip Highlights

In the morning, visit Dongshan Academy to follow the footsteps of great men, and tour Chen Geng Former Residence to honor revolutionary martyrs. In the afternoon, stroll through Yunmen Temple to feel thousand-year Zen charm, and cruise Shuifu Temple to enjoy lake and mountain views. In the evening, enter Xiangxiang City Museum to gain a comprehensive understanding of Xiangxiang's historical changes and cultural heritage.

Attractions
Dongshan Academy
Built during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, it is a famous ancient academy in central Hunan. Mao Zedong studied here in 1910. Located at the foot of Dongtai Mountain, the academy has a rigorous layout with towering ancient trees. Existing buildings include lecture halls, dormitories, and a library. The museum displays a large collection of historical documents and artifacts, showcasing modern educational history and red cultural history.
Chen Geng Former Residence
Located in Quanhu Village, Longdong Town, Xiangxiang City, it is the birthplace of Chen Geng, a proletarian revolutionary and military strategist. The former residence is a typical central Hunan folk house with brick-and-wood structure, blue bricks and black tiles. The courtyard houses the Chen Geng Life Story Exhibition Hall, which uses pictures, artifacts, and scene recreations to showcase Chen Geng's revolutionary career and legendary life.
Yunmen Temple
First built in the eighth year of Yuanhe reign of Tang Dynasty (813 AD), rebuilt through Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, it is one of the oldest surviving Buddhist temples in Hunan. The temple preserves precious cultural relics such as the Song Dynasty Thousand-Armed Guanyin stone statue and Ming Dynasty white marble Eighteen Arhats. Buildings like the Mahavira Hall and Guanyin Pavilion are magnificent, with incense burning for thousands of years. It is a Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.
Shuifu Temple Scenic Area
A National 4A-level scenic area built around the Shuifu Temple Reservoir, with a water area of 50 square kilometers. The lake is dotted with islands, surrounded by green mountains. Centered on "water," the scenic area offers boat tours, fishing, water sports, and other activities, combining water conservancy engineering culture with natural ecology, known as the "Pearl of Central Hunan."
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Take Bus 1 or 5 from Xiangxiang city center to Dongshan Academy and Yunmen Temple
  • Chen Geng Former Residence requires taking a rural passenger shuttle from the city or self-driving (about 15 km from city center)
  • Shuifu Temple Scenic Area can be reached by shuttle bus from Xiangxiang to Qiziqiao Town, or self-driving (about 30 km from city center)
  • Self-driving is recommended as distances between attractions are somewhat far, offering more flexibility
Ticket Information
  • Dongshan Academy: Free (ID card required)
  • Chen Geng Former Residence: Free
  • Yunmen Temple: ¥10
  • Shuifu Temple Scenic Area: Free (boat tours and other activities charged separately)
  • Xiangxiang City Museum: Free
Food Recommendations
  • Xiangxiang Baked Cake
  • Maotian Pounded Tea
  • Xiangxiang Cured Meat
  • Lotus Leaf Steamed Pork with Rice Flour
  • Xiangxiang Fire-Baked Fish

Must-Try Foods in Xiangxiang City

Xiangxiang Baked Cake

A traditional Xiangxiang pastry originating from the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty, made from high-quality glutinous rice and white sugar through processes including grinding, fermentation, and baking. The finished product is as thin as paper and white as snow, with a crispy and sweet taste that melts in the mouth. It remains mold-free even after long storage, making it a long-established specialty of Xiangxiang.

Maotian Pounded Tea

A specialty beverage from Maotian Town, Xiangxiang, made from tea leaves, sesame, peanuts, ginger, and other ingredients, ground into a paste using a mortar and pestle, then brewed with boiling water. Rich and mellow in taste, it quenches thirst, refreshes the mind, and aids digestion. It is a traditional drink for entertaining guests, often served with fried rice and peanuts.

Xiangxiang Cured Meat

A traditional Xiangxiang farmhouse delicacy made from local free-range pork, cured and smoked. The finished product is bright red in color, firm in texture, rich in salty aroma, and can be steamed or stir-fried. It is an essential dish on Xiangxiang winter dining tables, showcasing the unique skill of Hunan people in curing meats.

Lotus Leaf Steamed Pork with Rice Flour

A famous Xiangxiang specialty dish made with sliced pork belly mixed with rice flour, soy sauce, cooking wine, etc., wrapped in fresh lotus leaves and steamed. The lotus leaf fragrance permeates the meat, which is rich but not greasy, with soft and flavorful rice flour, combining freshness and rustic charm.

Xiangxiang City Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • Spring (March-May): Lush vegetation on Dongtai Mountain, ideal for visiting Dongshan Academy surroundings
  • Summer (June-August): Escape the heat and enjoy water activities at Shuifu Temple Reservoir
  • Autumn (September-November): Pleasant weather, suitable for exploring ancient temples and red attractions
  • Holidays: Red attractions often hold themed events; consider off-peak visits
Must-Do Experiences
  • Listen to guides tell Mao Zedong's student stories at Dongshan Academy, visit original exhibits
  • Admire the Song Dynasty Thousand-Armed Guanyin stone statue at Yunmen Temple, experience temple tranquility
  • Take a boat tour at Shuifu Temple to enjoy lake and mountain views and island scenery
  • Watch Chen Geng's life documentary at his former residence, honor revolutionary martyrs
  • Taste freshly made Xiangxiang Baked Cake, experience traditional pastry craftsmanship
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: ¥10-50 (main expenses: Yunmen Temple and Shuifu Temple boat tours)
  • Meals: ¥60-180 (including snacks and main meals)
  • Transport: ¥50-150 (self-driving fuel or taxi costs)
  • Shopping: ¥30-100 (can purchase baked cakes, cured meat, etc.)
  • Total: ¥120-450
Frequently Asked Questions
  • Does Dongshan Academy require reservation? → No reservation needed, enter with ID card registration
  • What is the price of Shuifu Temple boat tours? → About ¥30-50/person one way, varies by route
  • Can I take photos inside Yunmen Temple? → Photography prohibited inside the main hall, allowed in courtyard areas
  • Where to buy the most authentic Xiangxiang Cured Meat? → Old vegetable markets and century-old shops in the city center

Explore Districts & Counties of Xiangtan City