Can you believe it? Just two hours from Guangdong, there's such a breathtaking place!

Guys, after being endlessly recommended, I finally made it to GaoYi Ridge in Chenzhou! This trip left me speechless with its unique Danxia landform beauty! Here's a super detailed guide for those who want to visit~

Quick Facts

📍Address: GaoYi Ridge Village, Feitian Mountain Town, Suxian District, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province
⏰Opening Hours: 7:00 - 19:00 (last entry at 17:20)
🎫Ticket: Around ¥80 for adults (discounts available when booked online in advance), with special rates for children, seniors, and students (remember to bring ID)
🅿️Parking: Three parking lots available—South Gate near the zip line endpoint, North Gate near the Stonehenge area, and the main visitor center lot. Parking fee is ¥20 per entry.

Transportation Options

✈️By Air: Fly to Chenzhou Beihu Airport, which is quite far from downtown. Pre-book a pickup or take the airport shuttle bus + local bus.
🚄By High-Speed Rail: Arrive at Chenzhou West Station, then take a taxi/shared ride (40min, ¥80-100) or Bus 18 to Gaosibei Station + transfer to GaoYi Ridge bus (time-consuming).
🚗By Car: Navigate to "GaoYi Ridge Scenic Area (Visitor Center)"—scenic drive with rest stops along the way.

Recommended Routes

✅West Gate In & Out (Express Route): Ideal for tight schedules or limited stamina. Enter at West Gate, head straight to Dragon's Back for photos, then return. ~1hr total. Note: West Gate closes ~6:30pm.
✅West Gate to North/South Exit (Balanced Route): Perfect for busy travelers! From West Gate, visit Stonehenge first, climb Cloud Ladder (moderate challenge), turn right at mid-mountain for glass walkway → Hat Mountain summit → One-Line Sky Grotto → Lizard Lake. Optional paid activities like via ferrata/swings/zip line nearby. Allow 1.5-2.5hrs.
✅South Gate Loop (In-Depth Route): For fitness enthusiasts! Longest but most scenic. Start at main South Gate: Ripple Bridge → Stonehenge → Cloud Ladder → glass walkway → Hat Mountain summit → One-Line Sky Grotto → Lizard Lake viewpoint → descend. 3-4hrs total.

Photography Hotspots

🐉Dragon's Back: Iconic winding red ridge—shoot from low angles with wide lens for epic shots!
🦎Lizard Lake Viewpoint: Bird's-eye view of emerald lake surrounding lizard-shaped rock formations (drone shots highly recommended!).
⛰️Stonehenge: Photogenic giant rocks in surreal formations.
🌄Hat Mountain: Capture staircases with the mountain's layered backdrop.

Pro Tips

👟 Wear anti-slip hiking shoes—steep trails with slippery sections.
🌞 Full sun protection essential (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, UV clothing)—minimal shade on routes.
🦟 Bring insect repellent—mountain mosquitoes are relentless.
🌦️ Pack a compact umbrella for sudden rain or intense sun.
🍔 Snacks/water recommended—on-site stores are pricey.