Yueyang County Tourism, Yueyang City, Hunan Province

Yueyang County, Yueyang City, Hunan Province – a culturally rich land on the banks of Dongting Lake, integrating thousand-year-old ancient villages, religious mountains, and wetland lakes. It boasts distinctive attractions such as Zhangguying Village, Dayun Mountain, and Tieshan Reservoir. Experience the diverse charm of "ancient architectural art + mountain scenery + lake reservoir ecology" in 2 days.

2893
km² Total Area
700,000+
Permanent Population
6
National & Provincial-Level Cultural Relic Protection Units
20+
Major Tourist Attractions
Zhangguying Village Scenery, Yueyang County, Yueyang
Zhangguying Village Ancient Building Complex - Iconic Landscape of Yueyang County
Zhangguying Village is a national 4A-level scenic area and one of the best-preserved ancient residential building complexes in the Jiangnan region of China. Founded during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, it is famous for its family tradition of "farming and reading to pass on the family", and is known as the "No.1 Village Under Heaven".

2-Day Ancient Village & Landscape Tour in Yueyang County

Explore ancient villages for traditional charm, admire sea of clouds on mountains, enjoy tranquility by lakes, and seek legends in valleys

Tour Duration
2 Days
Main Destinations
Zhangguying Village, Dayun Mountain National Forest Park, Tieshan Reservoir, Dongting Lake Wetland (Yueyang County Section), Liubei Cave Gorge, Xiangsi Mountain
Suitable For
Ancient architecture enthusiasts, cultural explorers, mountaineering lovers, photography enthusiasts, family travelers with kids
Per Capita Budget
¥280-¥520
1
Ancient Village Culture & Lake Reservoir Ecology Tour
Zhangguying Village · Liubei Cave Gorge · Tieshan Reservoir
Itinerary Highlights

Explore Zhangguying Village in the morning to decode the secrets of the thousand-year-old ancient village; walk through Liubei Cave Gorge in the afternoon to find relics of the Three Kingdoms legends; stroll around Tieshan Reservoir in the evening to admire the lake and mountain scenery.

Attraction Arrangement
Zhangguying Village
A national 4A-level tourist attraction and a key national cultural relic protection unit. Founded during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, it is a large-scale ancient building complex formed by the Zhang clan living together. The total construction area of the village reaches 51,000 square meters, with courtyard houses of "five wells and five entrances" pattern and a "maze" building complex with crisscross lanes. It retains the complete architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties and is known as the "Folk Forbidden City".
Liubei Cave Gorge
It is said to be named after Liu Bei stationing his troops here during the Three Kingdoms period. The gorge is about 3 kilometers long, with green mountains facing each other on both banks and gurgling streams. It has landscapes such as "Line Sky", "Imperial Seal Stone", and "General Bridge". There are walking trails and viewing platforms built in the gorge, with waterfalls, deep pools, and exotic rocks along the way. It is a great place for summer escape and adventure, with many Three Kingdoms stories circulating.
Tieshan Reservoir
The second largest reservoir in Hunan Province, also known as "Xiangsi Lake", with a water surface area of 62 square kilometers and a total storage capacity of 635 million cubic meters. The reservoir is surrounded by mountains on all sides with clear water, and 108 islands are scattered like stars. You can take a cruise to enjoy the lake view and admire the landscape of "a flat lake emerging from a high gorge". There are camping bases and viewing platforms by the reservoir, and the lake surface shimmers with golden light at sunset, presenting a breathtaking view.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Take a minibus from Yueyang urban area to Zhangguying Village (about 1.5 hours)
  • Taxi from Zhangguying Village to Liubei Cave Gorge (about 20 minutes)
  • Rural bus from Liubei Cave to Tieshan Reservoir (about 40 minutes)
  • Cruise ships available in Tieshan Reservoir Scenic Area (¥50 per person)
Ticket Information
  • Zhangguying Village: ¥50 per person (including tour guide explanation)
  • Liubei Cave Gorge: ¥35 per person
  • Tieshan Reservoir: Free (cruise ship ticket extra)
Food Recommendations
  • Zhangguying Fried Tofu Puffs
  • Reservoir Fish Head Hot Pot
  • Farmhouse Bacon Stir-Fried with Fern
  • Xiangsi Lake Whitebait
2
Mountain Scenery & Wetland Exploration Tour
Dayun Mountain National Forest Park · Dongting Lake Wetland (Yueyang County Section) · Xiangsi Mountain
Itinerary Highlights

Climb Dayun Mountain in the morning to watch the sea of clouds and Buddha's light; visit Dongting Lake Wetland in the afternoon to get close to natural ecology; tour Xiangsi Mountain in the evening to experience romantic legends.

Attraction Arrangement
Dayun Mountain National Forest Park
A national 3A-level scenic area and the highest peak in northern Hunan, with the main peak at an altitude of 911.1 meters, belonging to the Mufu Mountain range. The park has the Dayun Mountain Patriarch Hall built in the Tang Dynasty, which is an important Taoist sacred place in northern Hunan. There are natural wonders such as "sea of clouds", "Buddha's light", and "rime" in the mountains. A winding mountain road and hiking trails are built, and you can overlook Dongting Lake and the Jianghan Plain from the top of the mountain.
Dongting Lake Wetland (Yueyang County Section)
An important part of Dongting Lake, covering an area of about 120 square kilometers, including Matang Reed Field and Lujiao Port. The wetland is covered with reeds and is an important habitat for migratory birds, with rare birds such as white storks and swans. You can take a fishing boat through the reed marshes to experience the fishing life. The best time for bird watching is spring and reed viewing is autumn.
Xiangsi Mountain
Also known as "Xiangshi Mountain", it is named after the legend that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty missed his concubine here during his southern tour, with the main peak at an altitude of 957.2 meters. The scenic area has romantic landscapes such as "Xiangsi Peak", "Lover's Stone", and "Waiting for Husband Cliff". The forest coverage rate reaches 95%, and the average summer temperature is 25℃, making it a summer resort. You can watch the sunrise and sea of clouds from the top of the mountain.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Take a tourist special line from Yueyang County urban area to Dayun Mountain (about 1 hour)
  • Taxi from Dayun Mountain to Dongting Lake Wetland (about 50 minutes)
  • Self-driving is recommended from Wetland to Xiangsi Mountain (about 2 hours)
  • Sightseeing cars available in Dayun Mountain and Xiangsi Mountain Scenic Areas (¥30 per person)
Tour Tips
  • To watch the sunrise at Dayun Mountain, it is recommended to go at 5:30-6:00 in the morning, and check the weather in advance
  • Spring (March-April) is the migratory bird migration period of Dongting Lake Wetland, the best time for bird watching
  • The mountain road of Xiangsi Mountain is steep, wear non-slip shoes for hiking
  • Observe relevant etiquettes and keep quiet when visiting Taoist places

Must-Try Foods in Yueyang County

Zhangguying Fried Tofu Puffs

A traditional delicacy of Zhangguying Village in Yueyang County, made from local soybeans by hand. Fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with porous texture to absorb soup. It can be boiled or stir-fried, often stewed with bacon and fresh fish. Full of soup, it has a mellow taste and is a must-have dish at local banquets. It can be tasted at many farmhouses in Zhangguying Ancient Village.

Tieshan Fish Head

Using wild bighead carp from Tieshan Reservoir, the meat is fresh and tender without fishy smell. The main cooking method is clear soup hot pot, simmered slowly with tofu and ginger slices, and the soup is milky white and delicious. The collagen on the fish head is rich, making it a local nourishing delicacy. Fish restaurants around the reservoir can catch and cook it on the spot, fresh and tasty.

Dongting Lake Whitebait

A specialty along the Dongting Lake coast in Yueyang County, transparent as silver with tender meat. Local cooking methods include scrambled eggs with whitebait, whitebait soup, and steamed eggs with whitebait, which are delicious and nutritious, representing the fresh water delicacies of Dongting Lake. It can be tasted at fishing restaurants in Matang Town and Lujiao Town.

Yueyang Rice Noodles

A traditional breakfast in Yueyang County, made from local early indica rice, with flexible texture, served with bone soup, beef, beef offal, three delicacies and other toppings, spicy and delicious. Time-honored rice noodle shops in the county urban area start business at 5 am, which is the start of a day's vitality for locals. It is recommended to try the "beef with potherb mustard" topping.

Yueyang County Travel Tips
Best Travel Time
  • Spring (March-May): Enjoy flowers on Dayun Mountain and watch migratory birds at Dongting Lake
  • Summer (June-August): Escape the heat at Liubei Cave and Xiangsi Mountain, take a cruise at Tieshan Reservoir
  • Autumn (September-November): View the autumn harvest scenery in Zhangguying Village and golden reeds at Dongting Lake
  • Winter (December-February): Admire rime at Dayun Mountain, suitable for photography
Must-Experience Activities
  • Listen to the tour guide explain the architectural wisdom of the ancient village in Zhangguying Village
  • Pray at Dayun Mountain Patriarch Hall and watch the sea of clouds and Buddha's light
  • Take a boat to the island at Tieshan Reservoir and experience lake fresh food
  • Take a fishing boat through the reed marshes at Dongting Lake Wetland
  • Check in and make a wish in front of the Lover's Stone at Xiangsi Mountain
Budget Reference
  • Tickets & Transportation: ¥200-280 (including scenic spot tickets, cruise ships, sightseeing cars)
  • Catering: ¥120-180 per day (including lake fresh food, farmhouse dishes)
  • Accommodation: ¥140-260 per night (county hotels or scenic area homestays)
  • Shopping: ¥60-120 (dried fried tofu puffs, dried whitebait)
  • Total: ¥280-520
Frequently Asked Questions
  • How long to spend in Zhangguying Village? → 3-4 hours recommended (including ancient village explanation)
  • When to see Buddha's light at Dayun Mountain? → Higher probability in the morning after rain
  • Can I fish at Tieshan Reservoir? → Fishing allowed in designated areas, need to go through procedures in advance
  • Transportation from Yueyang County to Yueyang Tower Scenic Area? → Take bus for about 40 minutes, fare ¥5