Huarong County Tourism, Yueyang City, Hunan Province

Huarong County, Yueyang City, Hunan Province — a millennium-old county by Dongting Lake, integrating red memory, Chu culture, and landscape scenery. It features distinctive attractions such as Taohua Mountain, Huarong River, and Zhanghuatai Ruins. Experience the diverse charm of 'Red Culture + Historical Heritage + Ecological Beauty' in 2 days.

1606
square kilometers of regional area
720,000+
permanent population
5
national and provincial-level cultural relic protection units
18+
major tourist attractions
Taohua Mountain Landscape in Huarong County, Yueyang
Taohua Mountain Forest Park - Iconic Landscape of Huarong County
Taohua Mountain Forest Park is a provincial-level forest park with a main peak elevation of 399.5 meters and a forest coverage rate of 78%. It is named for the peach blossoms blooming all over the mountain in spring, known as the 'Little Lushan Mountain in Northern Hunan', and is the core area of ecological tourism in Huarong.

2-Day Red Culture & Landscape Tour in Huarong County

Admire peach blossoms on the mountain, watch boat shadows on the river, remember martyrs in the memorial hall, explore Chu culture at the platform

Tour Duration
2 Days
Main Destinations
Taohua Mountain Forest Park, Huarong River Scenic Belt, Zhanghuatai Ruins, He Changgong Memorial Hall, Mingshan Forest Park, Yushan Zen Temple
Suitable For
Red culture enthusiasts, history explorers, ecological sightseers, photography lovers, family with kids
Per Capita Budget
¥240-¥460
1
Ecological Landscape & Zen Culture Tour
Taohua Mountain Forest Park · Yushan Zen Temple · Huarong River Scenic Belt
Tour Highlights

Explore Taohua Mountain in the morning and indulge in the ecological oxygen bar; visit Yushan Zen Temple in the afternoon to experience the Zen atmosphere; stroll along Huarong River in the evening to enjoy the night view of the water town.

Attraction Arrangement
Taohua Mountain Forest Park
A provincial-level forest park composed of 36 peaks, with the main peak Leidayan at an altitude of 399.5 meters and a forest coverage rate of 78%. In spring, peach blossoms bloom all over the mountain; in summer, the shade of trees covers the sun. It features thousand-year-old ginkgo trees, ten thousand mu of bamboo sea, Sanfeng Temple and other landscapes. A mountain-ringing highway and hiking trails are built, making it a famous summer resort in northern Hunan.
Yushan Zen Temple
First built in the Tang Dynasty, originally named "Yu King Temple", it is said to be built in memory of Yu the Great's flood control. The existing buildings were reconstructed in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The temple is built against the mountain with a magnificent momentum, including Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Pavilion, Yu King Hall and other buildings. Ancient cypresses tower to the sky in the temple, and the incense is prosperous, making it an important Buddhist activity site in northern Hunan.
Huarong River Scenic Belt
Huarong River, historically known as "Tuojiang River", is a tributary of Dongting Lake, running through the county seat with a total length of 51 kilometers. The scenic belt is built along the river bank, with waterfront platforms, cultural corridors, musical fountains, cruise ship terminals and other facilities. Both banks are lined with green trees and bright night scenes. You can take a cruise to enjoy the water town style of "boats sailing in the water, people sitting in the painting".
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Take the tourist special line from Huarong County to Taohua Mountain (about 40 minutes)
  • Taxi from Taohua Mountain to Yushan Zen Temple (about 30 minutes)
  • Bus from Yushan Zen Temple to Huarong River Scenic Belt (about 25 minutes)
  • Cruise ship available in Huarong River Scenic Area (¥40 per person)
Ticket Information
  • Taohua Mountain Forest Park: ¥45 per person (including sightseeing bus)
  • Yushan Zen Temple: Free (incense donation voluntary)
  • Huarong River Scenic Belt: Free (cruise ship charged separately)
Food Recommendations
  • Huarong Tuanzi (Glutinous Rice Dumpling)
  • Taohua Mountain Bacon
  • Mixed River Fresh Pot
  • Spicy Wild Duck
2
Red Memory & Historical Culture Tour
He Changgong Memorial Hall · Zhanghuatai Ruins · Mingshan Forest Park
Tour Highlights

Visit He Changgong Memorial Hall in the morning to cherish the memory of revolutionary martyrs; explore Zhanghuatai Ruins in the afternoon to trace the roots of Chu culture; climb Mingshan Mountain in the evening to overlook the Dongting Lake Plain.

Attraction Arrangement
He Changgong Memorial Hall
Built to commemorate He Changgong (a native of Huarong), a proletarian revolutionary and educator, the exhibition hall covers an area of 2000 square meters. Through cultural relics, pictures, sculptures, multimedia and other means, it shows the revolutionary course and contributions of Comrade He Changgong. It is a patriotic education base and a classic red tourism scenic spot in Hunan Province.
Zhanghuatai Ruins
A national key cultural relic protection unit, it is the site of the temporary palace built by King Ling of Chu during the Warring States Period. The existing platform base covers an area of about 12,000 square meters, and a large number of Chu-style tile ends, cylindrical tiles, pottery pieces and other cultural relics have been unearthed. A exhibition hall is built next to the site, systematically introducing the historical background and archaeological discoveries of Zhanghuatai, which is an important physical basis for studying Chu culture.
Mingshan Forest Park
Located in the northeast of Huarong County, the main peak is 278 meters above sea level, named for its "bright mountains and beautiful waters". The park has a large area of masson pine and camphor forests, with streams, exotic rocks and ancient temple relics in the forest. A 3-kilometer fitness trail and viewing platform are built. Climbing to the top, you can overlook the scenery of Dongting Lake Plain, making it a good place for urban residents to relax and exercise.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Take No.1 bus from Huarong County to He Changgong Memorial Hall directly (about 15 minutes)
  • Self-driving is recommended from Memorial Hall to Zhanghuatai Ruins (about 50 minutes)
  • Taxi from Zhanghuatai to Mingshan Forest Park (about 40 minutes)
  • Walking is recommended in Mingshan Scenic Area
Visiting Tips
  • Free explanation can be reserved for He Changgong Memorial Hall (1 day in advance required)
  • Observe cultural relic protection regulations when visiting Zhanghuatai Ruins, climbing is prohibited
  • The light is soft in the evening at Mingshan Forest Park, suitable for photography
  • Keep solemn and do not speak loudly when visiting red scenic spots

Must-Try Food in Huarong County

Huarong Tuanzi (Glutinous Rice Dumpling)

A traditional snack in Huarong County, divided into sweet and salty flavors. The skin is made of glutinous rice flour, the sweet filling is red bean paste and sesame, and the salty filling is bacon, shredded radish, preserved mustard and so on. It is steamed with lotus leaves or corn leaves wrapped outside. It has a soft and glutinous taste with a faint fragrance, and is a common food for festivals and breakfast in the local area. Many old shops in the old street of the county seat inherit the ancient method of making.

Taohua Mountain Bacon

Selected local pork raised freely in Taohua Mountain, made through salting, smoking, air-drying and other processes, with tight meat quality and rich aroma. It can be steamed or stir-fried, often stir-fried with green peppers and garlic, fat but not greasy. It is a top-grade dish for local farmers to entertain guests, and most farmers in Taohua Mountain Town make it by themselves.

Huarong River Fresh

Huarong River and surrounding lakes are rich in fresh fish, river shrimp, soft-shelled turtle, etc., with various cooking methods, including steamed perch, braised soft-shelled turtle, scrambled eggs with river shrimp, etc. The meat is tender and the taste is sweet and clear. Especially the "Mixed River Fresh Pot" is the most famous, stewing a variety of river fresh in the same pot, the soup is delicious, which can be tasted in fish restaurants along Huarong River.

Spicy Wild Duck

A traditional flavor food in Huarong, selected wild ducks from Dongting Lake, marinated and mixed with chili, Chinese prickly ash and other seasonings, spicy and fragrant with chewy meat. It is a local characteristic appetizer and tourist specialty, and the vacuum packaging is easy to carry, which can be bought in specialty stores in the county seat.

Travel Tips for Huarong County
Best Travel Time
  • Spring (March-April): Peach blossoms bloom on Taohua Mountain, suitable for flower viewing and photography
  • Summer (June-August): Summer resort in Mingshan and Taohua Mountain, river fresh is the fattest
  • Autumn (September-November): Cool weather, suitable for visiting red scenic spots
  • Winter (December-February): Taste cured meat and other preserved foods, experience the rural New Year flavor
Must-Experience Activities
  • Admire ten thousand mu of peach blossoms in spring and view bamboo sea scenery in autumn on Taohua Mountain
  • Take a night cruise on Huarong River to enjoy the light night view on both banks
  • Listen to red stories and cherish the memory of revolutionary martyrs in He Changgong Memorial Hall
  • Explore the historical context of Chu culture at Zhanghuatai Ruins
  • Taste authentic Huarong Tuanzi and experience the local flavor
Budget Reference
  • Tickets and Transportation: ¥160-240 (including scenic spot tickets and cruise ships)
  • Catering: ¥90-150 per day (including special snacks and river fresh)
  • Accommodation: ¥120-200 per night (county hotels or scenic spot homestays)
  • Shopping: ¥50-100 (specialties such as bacon, spicy wild duck)
  • Total: ¥240-460
Frequently Asked Questions
  • How long is the peach blossom blooming period on Taohua Mountain? → Mid-to-late March to early April, about 20 days
  • Do I need to make an appointment for He Changgong Memorial Hall? → Individual visitors do not need an appointment, groups need to make an appointment 1 day in advance
  • Is there a explanation service at Zhanghuatai Ruins? → Yes, ¥50 per time (within 10 people)
  • Transportation from Huarong County to Yueyang urban area? → Take a minibus for about 1.5 hours, fare ¥25