Yueyang Tower District Travel, Yueyang City, Hunan Province
Yueyang Tower District, Yueyang City, Hunan Province — the core area of the millennium-old ancient city on the bank of Dongting Lake, integrating the millennium famous tower, vast lake scenery and historical blocks. It has characteristic scenic spots such as Yueyang Tower, Dongting Lake Scenic Belt and Bianhe Street. You can fully appreciate the diverse charm of 'Famous Tower Culture + Dongting Lake Scenery + Ancient City Style' in 2 days.
2-Day Tour of Ancient City and Lake Scenery in Yueyang Tower District
Seeking traces of the famous tower, watching waves on Dongting Lake, tasting flavors in the ancient street, enjoying the scenery of South Lake
Climb Yueyang Tower in the morning to read 'Memorial to Yueyang Tower' and experience the culture of the millennium famous tower; stroll along the Dongting Lake Scenic Belt at noon to admire the lake and mountain scenery; wander around Bianhe Street in the afternoon to experience the ancient city style and characteristic food.
- Take bus No.1, 2, 3, 5, 12 in Yueyang urban area to Yueyang Tower Station
- Yueyang Tower is adjacent to Bianhe Street, accessible on foot
- Dongting Lake Scenic Belt is distributed along the lake, recommended to visit on foot
- Taxi from urban area to Yueyang Tower is about 10-15 yuan (within starting price)
- Yueyang Tower: 60 yuan per person (including all scenic spots in the area)
- Dongting Lake Scenic Belt: Free
- Bianhe Street: Free
- Yueyang Barbecue (special grilled beef tallow, grilled crucian carp)
- Suoluo (spicy flavor river snails)
- Dongting Whitebait Soup
- Junshan Silver Needle Tea with refreshments
Stroll through South Lake Square in the morning to enjoy urban lake view leisure; visit Sheng'an Temple in the afternoon to experience Zen culture, then go to Lvxian Shrine to pursue Taoist legends, and fully experience the diverse customs of Yueyang Tower District.
- Take bus No.11, 21, 31 in urban area to South Lake Square
- Take bus No.50 from South Lake Square to Sheng'an Temple (about 30 minutes)
- Lvxian Shrine is located in Yueyang Tower Scenic Area, accessible on foot
- It is recommended to rent a shared bike to visit around South Lake for more flexibility and convenience
- No loud talking in Sheng'an Temple, respect religious etiquette
- South Lake has a vast water area, pay attention to sun protection in summer and wind protection in winter
- Lvxian Shrine is included in the combined ticket of Yueyang Tower, no separate ticket needed
- South Lake Square is crowded on weekends, it is recommended to go in the morning for a better experience
Must-Try Foods in Yueyang Tower District
Yueyang Barbecue
Yueyang Tower District's characteristic food, featuring fresh ingredients cut and grilled on the spot. Signature dishes include grilled beef tallow, grilled crucian carp, grilled crispy bone, etc. The seasonings are made with secret sauces, with a charred and flavorful taste. It is a representative combination of local night life when paired with iced beer. There are many time-honored barbecue restaurants around Bianhe Street and South Lake.
Suoluo (Spicy River Snails)
Selected fresh river snails from Dongting Lake, cut off the tails, stir-fried with ginger, garlic, chili, perilla and other seasonings, then stewed. The meat is tender and the soup is rich. It needs to be sucked with the mouth when eating, hence the name "Suoluo". It is a classic snack for Yueyang people to relieve summer heat at night, with a fresh and spicy taste, full of local characteristics.
Dongting Whitebait Soup
A soup made with whitebait, a specialty of Dongting Lake, combined with eggs, shiitake mushrooms, coriander and other ingredients. The whitebait is snow-white all over and tender in texture, and the soup is fresh and rich, with rich nutrition. It is a common delicacy at banquets in Yueyang Tower District, reflecting the deliciousness of Dongting Lake aquatic products.
Baling Whole Fish Banquet
A series of dishes made with various fresh fish from Dongting Lake, usually including 10-12 fish dishes, such as steamed sea bass, braised carp, squirrel mandarin fish, etc. The cooking methods are diverse, focusing on highlighting the original flavor of the fish. It is a high-grade banquet for entertaining guests in Yueyang Tower District, showing the dietary culture of Yueyang as a "land of fish and rice".
- Spring (March-May): Flowers bloom along Dongting Lake, pleasant climate
- Summer (June-August): Lotus flowers bloom in South Lake, suitable for night viewing
- Autumn (September-November): Sunny weather, best time to watch the sunset over Dongting Lake
- Winter (December-February): Fewer tourists, can experience the quiet atmosphere of the ancient city
- Recite 'Memorial to Yueyang Tower' in Yueyang Tower to feel the cultural heritage
- Watch the sunrise or sunset by Dongting Lake
- Taste Yueyang barbecue with local beer in Bianhe Street
- Ride a bike around the lake in South Lake Square to enjoy the lake view
- Climb Guanyin Pavilion in Sheng'an Temple to overlook the whole city scenery
- Tickets and transportation: 100-200 yuan (including Yueyang Tower ticket and urban transportation)
- Catering: 120-200 yuan per day (including characteristic barbecue and lake fresh food)
- Accommodation: 150-300 yuan per night (urban hotels or lake view homestays)
- Shopping: 50-150 yuan (Junshan Silver Needle Tea, Dongting Lake specialties)
- Total: 300-600 yuan
- Best photo spot for Yueyang Tower? → East side of the second floor of the main building (panoramic view of Dongting Lake)
- Which is the most authentic Yueyang barbecue? → "Time-honored Barbecue" in Bianhe Street or "Lakefront Barbecue City" in South Lake
- Where to take a cruise on Dongting Lake? → Short sightseeing boats are available at Yueyang Tower Wharf (about 50 yuan per person)
- Are the attractions far from each other? → Core attractions are concentrated, reachable by taxi in 10-15 minutes