Chaling County Tourism, Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province

Chaling County, Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province — a famous historical and cultural city on the border of Hunan and Jiangxi provinces, known as the "Pearl of Eastern Hunan". It boasts attractions such as Yunyang Mountain National Forest Park, the Southern Song Dynasty City Wall (a Major National Historical and Cultural Site), the Site of Chaling County Workers', Peasants' and Soldiers' Government (the first county-level red political power in China), Mixiang Academy, and Dongyang Lake. Integrating the heritage of a millennium-old city, red revolutionary memories, and Danxia landscape scenery, experience the diverse charm of "Ancient Chaling" in 2 days.

2500
km² Area
580,000+
Permanent Population
18+
Characteristic Cultural & Tourism Attractions
2,000,000+
Annual Visitors to Yunyang Mountain
Southern Song Dynasty City Wall in Chaling County
Southern Song Dynasty City Wall - Chaling Landmark
Built in the 4th year of Shaoding in the Southern Song Dynasty (1231 AD), the ancient city wall has a remaining length of over 3,000 meters, retaining city gates such as Yingxiang Gate and Ziwei Gate. It is one of the best-preserved Song Dynasty city walls in Hunan Province, witnessing the millennium-long construction history of Chaling.

2-Day Red Culture, Humanities and Landscape Tour of Chaling County

Red Culture Tracing, Ancient City Exploration, Landscape Discovery

Trip Duration
2 Days
Main Destinations
Site of Workers', Peasants' and Soldiers' Government, Southern Song Dynasty City Wall, Mixiang Academy, Yunyang Mountain, Dongyang Lake
Suitable For
Red culture enthusiasts, history researchers, hikers, family travelers, photography enthusiasts
Per Capita Budget
¥550-¥1100
Day 1
Red Memory and Ancient City Culture Tour
Site of Workers', Peasants' and Soldiers' Government · Southern Song Dynasty City Wall · Mixiang Academy
Itinerary Highlights

Visit the site of China's first county-level red political power in the morning to recall the revolutionary years; stroll along the Southern Song Dynasty City Wall at noon to touch the millennium-old history; wander around Mixiang Academy in the afternoon to experience Confucian cultural heritage.

Attraction Arrangement
Site of Chaling County Workers', Peasants' and Soldiers' Government
A Major National Historical and Cultural Site. In November 1927, China's first county-level Workers', Peasants' and Soldiers' Government was established here. The site was the Qing Dynasty county government office, retaining buildings such as the Instrument Gate, Main Hall, and Second Hall. It houses the "Birthplace of the Red Political Power" exhibition hall, showcasing the construction history of the early revolutionary regime through cultural relics, photos, and scene restorations. It is an important patriotic education base.
Southern Song Dynasty City Wall
A Major National Historical and Cultural Site, built in the 4th year of Shaoding in the Southern Song Dynasty (1231 AD). The remaining wall is 3,113 meters long and 5-7 meters high, retaining relics such as Yingxiang Gate (South Gate), Ziwei Gate (West Gate), and corner towers. The wall is built with green stone strips and blue bricks, with a solid structure. Strolling along the wall, you can overlook the scenery of the Mi River and feel the historical weight of being the "Strategic Hub of Southern Chu". The sunset shining on the wall in the evening is particularly spectacular.
Mixiang Academy
One of the four major ancient academies in Hunan Province, founded in the 17th year of Hongzhi in the Ming Dynasty (1504 AD). It has been rebuilt many times in successive dynasties, and the existing buildings are in the Qing Dynasty style, covering an area of about 5,000 square meters, including lecture halls, dormitories, and Wenchang Pavilion. The academy was once the center of cultural and educational development in Chaling. Famous thinkers such as Li Dongyang of the Ming Dynasty and Peng Weixin, a prominent minister of the Qing Dynasty, once gave lectures here. The academy is shaded by ancient cypresses and lined with stone inscriptions, making it an important place to experience Huxiang cultural heritage.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • The Site of Workers', Peasants' and Soldiers' Government is located in the center of Chaling County, accessible on foot by taking Bus No.1 or No.3 to the County Government Station
  • The Southern Song Dynasty City Wall is about 800 meters from the site, a 10-minute walk away
  • Mixiang Academy is about 1.5 kilometers from the city wall, reachable on foot or by Bus No.2 directly
  • The starting fare for taxis in the county is 5 yuan, and attractions are concentrated, so it is recommended to visit on foot in series
Ticket Information
  • Site of Workers', Peasants' and Soldiers' Government: Free (registration required for entry)
  • Southern Song Dynasty City Wall: Free
  • Mixiang Academy: ¥20 per person
Food Recommendations
  • Chaling Bacon
  • Hulatai (Chaling Rice Pancake)
  • Zhitang Beef
  • Chaling Tofu
  • Mi River Mandarin Fish
Day 2
Ecological Landscape and Lake Leisure Tour
Yunyang Mountain · Dongyang Lake
Itinerary Highlights

Climb Yunyang Mountain in the morning to admire the Danxia landform and sea of clouds with pine waves; visit Dongyang Lake in the afternoon to enjoy the high gorge flat lake and island scenery, ending the Chaling tour.

Attraction Arrangement
Yunyang Mountain National Forest Park
A national 4A-level scenic area and a famous mountain in Eastern Hunan. The main peak, Ziwei Peak, has an altitude of 963 meters, featuring Danxia landform, primeval forest, and religious culture. The scenic area includes attractions such as Yunyang Immortal Taoist Temple (founded in the Tang Dynasty), Chisong Mountain, Guanyin Rock, and Laojun Rock. The hiking trails wind through bamboo forests and Danxia peak clusters. Azaleas bloom in spring, and the forest is dyed in autumn. From the top of the mountain, you can overlook the entire Chaling County and the Mi River like a ribbon, making it a natural ecological oxygen bar.
Dongyang Lake
A high gorge flat lake landscape built on the Taoshui Reservoir, with a lake surface area of 18 square kilometers and a storage capacity of 520 million cubic meters, named after its location at the foot of Dongyang Mountain. There are 34 islands in the lake, surrounded by green peaks, known as the "Little Dongting Lake of Eastern Hunan". You can take a cruise to visit the lake, explore the islands, experience fishing and camping, etc. Primitive villages are preserved around the lake, combining lake and mountain scenery with rural customs.
Practical Information
Transportation Guide
  • Yunyang Mountain is about 3 kilometers from the county seat, accessible by taking Bus No.4 directly to the scenic spot entrance, or by taxi for about 10 yuan
  • Dongyang Lake is about 40 kilometers from the county seat, it is recommended to drive (about 1 hour) or take a minibus bound for Gaolong Town from the county seat (about 1.5 hours)
  • There are sightseeing buses in Yunyang Mountain Scenic Area (¥20 per person for one way), and the whole hiking journey takes about 3-4 hours
  • Dongyang Lake cruise ships depart every hour on the hour, with the last bus at 16:00
Ticket Information
  • Yunyang Mountain National Forest Park: ¥60 per person
  • Dongyang Lake: ¥50 per person (including ticket + cruise ship)
  • Yunyang Mountain Cableway (one way): ¥40 per person (optional)
Travel Tips
  • It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes and carry drinking water when climbing Yunyang Mountain, and pay attention to sun protection and heatstroke prevention in summer
  • The best time to visit Dongyang Lake is in the morning, when the lake is shrouded in mist, like a fairyland
  • Pay attention to the weather during the flood season (April-June) in the Mi River basin, avoid climbing mountains or taking boats on rainy days
  • Please abide by the etiquette and keep quiet in religious places within the scenic area

Must-Try Foods in Chaling County

Chaling Bacon

A traditional delicacy of Chaling, made from local black pork, marinated and then smoked with pine firewood and rice husks. The meat is bright red, rich in salty aroma, fat but not greasy, can be steamed or stir-fried. It is a must-have for Chaling people during the Spring Festival and a popular souvenir for tourists, with the best quality produced in Zhitang Town.

Hulatai (Chaling Rice Pancake)

A special snack of Chaling, also known as "Hulatuo". Rice milk is spread into thin pancakes on a flat pan, which can be filled with shredded radish, chives, cowpeas and other fillings, and fried until golden and crispy. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, salty and delicious, a common breakfast and supper on the streets of Chaling, reflecting local rural flavors.

Zhitang Beef

A specialty dish of Zhitang Town in Chaling, made from local free-range yellow cattle, stir-fried with yellow chili peppers and ginger, or slow-cooked in a casserole. The meat is tender and spicy, especially the bone-in beef, which is rich in sauce aroma. It is a staple dish at Chaling banquets, reflecting the spicy charm of Eastern Hunan.

Mi River Mandarin Fish

A specialty of the Chaling section of the Mi River, mandarin fish has tender meat with no small thorns, mainly steamed or braised in brown sauce. Steamed mandarin fish retains the original flavor with delicious soup; braised mandarin fish in brown sauce is rich in sauce aroma and delicious with rice. It can be tasted in restaurants along the Mi River, representing Chaling's "living off the water" characteristic.

Chaling County Travel Tips
Best Travel Time
  • Spring (March-May): Azaleas bloom on Yunyang Mountain, new green along the Mi River, suitable for spring outing
  • Summer (June-August): Summer resort at Dongyang Lake, cool bamboo forests on Yunyang Mountain, suitable for summer travel
  • Autumn (September-November): Sunny weather, red leaves all over Yunyang Mountain, suitable for hiking and photography
  • Winter (December-February): Fewer tourists at the ancient city wall and academy, can quietly experience history, and bacon is on the market to taste
Must-Experience Activities
  • Listen to red stories at the Site of Workers', Peasants' and Soldiers' Government to understand the history of political power construction
  • Watch the sunset over the Mi River at Yingxiang Gate of the Southern Song Dynasty City Wall and take ancient-style photos
  • Attend traditional Chinese culture lectures at Mixiang Academy to experience academy culture
  • Watch the sea of clouds and sunrise at Ziwei Peak of Yunyang Mountain to admire the Danxia landform
  • Take a cruise to the islands of Dongyang Lake to experience the lake and mountain scenery
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: ¥130-200 (including major scenic spot tickets and cruise ships)
  • Catering: ¥150-250 (including special foods)
  • Accommodation: ¥180-400 (county hotels or homestays around scenic spots)
  • Transportation: ¥90-250 (including transportation within the county and between scenic spots)
  • Total: ¥550-1100
Frequently Asked Questions
  • Is there a guide service at the Site of Workers', Peasants' and Soldiers' Government? → Yes, free guided tours are available for groups by reservation, and audio guides can be rented for individuals (¥20 per unit)
  • Is Yunyang Mountain suitable for the elderly and children to climb? → The front mountain trail is gentle, leading to Yunyang Immortal Taoist Temple, and climbing to the top is quite physically demanding
  • Where to buy authentic Chaling bacon? → Available at "Chaling Specialty Stores" in the county seat and Zhitang Town Farmers' Market, vacuum-packed for easy carrying
  • Can I fish at Dongyang Lake? → Fishing is allowed in designated areas, subject to scenic spot regulations, and some areas require a fee (¥30 per day)