Welcome to Hunan's Gao Yi Ridge!

📅 **Trip Overview**
| **Date** | **Core Area** | **Key Experiences** | **Accommodation** | **Transport** |
|------------|--------------------|-----------------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------|
| **D1** | Arrive in Chenzhou | Yuhou Street food + night tour | City hotel (¥120/person) | High-speed rail + Didi |
| **D2-D3** | Gao Yi Ridge core area | Dragon's Back hiking, Giant Lizard Lake aerial shots, cliffside plank walk | Danxia Secret Hotel (¥300/person) | Private car/self-drive |
| **D4** | Dongjiang Lake | Misty Xiaodongjiang, Bailang lakeside cycling | Bailang lakeview B&B (¥200/person) | Private car + cycling |
| **D5** | Yangtianhu Grassland | Deer feeding, horseback riding, windmill sunset | Grassland yurt (¥150/person) | Private car |
| **D6** | Return trip | Local specialty shopping | —— | High-speed rail return |

🌄 **Daily Itinerary**
**Day 1: First Taste of Chenzhou·Night Charm**
- **Afternoon arrival**: High-speed rail to Chenzhou West Station, taxi to city hotel (~¥25).
- **Yuhou Street night market**: Try slaughterhouse noodles (¥12), fish noodles (¥15), buy handmade chili sauce.
- **Night tour of Suxian Ridge**: Free observation deck for city night views, post-dinner walk.

**Day 2: Gao Yi Ridge Core·Danxia Pilgrimage**
- **Early morning (6:30-10:30)**:
- **South Gate entry**: Navigate to "Gao Yi Ridge Village Committee", hike Dragon's Back (free), photograph knife-edge ridges, aerial shots of Giant Lizard Lake (jade-green lizard-shaped lake).
- **Cliffside plank walk**: Walk along cliffs, overlook red rock and emerald water panorama.
- **Noon**: "Mom's Flavor Farmhouse" for firewood chicken (¥40/person).
- **Afternoon (16:00-18:00)**:
- **Meilitan viewpoint**: 360° sunset platform, golden views of Lianyi Bridge.
- **Stay**: Danxia Secret Hotel with stargazing balcony (includes dual-entry tickets saving ¥90).

**Day 3: Secret Adventure·Geological Wonders**
- **Morning (8:00-12:00)**:
- **Stone Forest "One-Line Sky"**: Squeeze through narrow crevices, explore teardrop-shaped canyons.
- **Ancient Liubao hiking**: Free trail to discover strange rock formations, hear Tieguai Li legends.
- **Noon**: Farmhouse red-heart watermelon (¥5/jin), refreshing summer treat.
- **Afternoon**:
- **Optional**: Zipline (¥50) or return to hotel pool.

**Day 4: Dongjiang Fairyland·Bailang Cycling**
- **Dawn (6:00-8:00)**:
- **Misty Xiaodongjiang**: Photo fishing net casting at Platform 2 (every 15 mins), morning mist like silk.
- **Morning (9:30-12:00)**:
- **Bailang lakeside**: Rent e-bike (¥30/hour), ride S-curve road, shoot "Little Erhai" photos.
- **Stay**: Bailang "Lake Hidden B&B", try steamed mandarin fish (market price).

**Day 5: Grassland Serenade·Cloud Wandering**
- **Full day (9:00-18:00)**:
- **Yangtianhu Grassland**: Feed sika deer (¥30), horseback ride (¥80), photograph windmill hills in white dresses.
- **Summer tip**: Midday break in Hobbit house with iced plum juice (¥5).
- **Stay**: Grassland yurt, join free bonfire party.

**Day 6: Return Trip Souvenirs**
- **Morning**: Buy Linwu duck (¥35/bag) and chili sauce (¥15/bottle) at city's "Luo's Oil Cake".
- **Afternoon**: High-speed rail return.

🏨 **Accommodation & Ticket Tips**
| **Item** | **Recommendation** | **Money-Saving Tip** |
|-------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------|
| **Gao Yi Ridge stay** | Danxia Secret Hotel (includes tickets) | Saves ¥90/person vs separate bookings |
| **Dongjiang mist viewing** | Stay at in-park B&B | Avoids re-entry fees, walk to viewpoints |
| **Yangtianhu tickets** | Book online 1 day early | ¥20 cheaper than onsite (student discounts) |

⚠️ **Key Tips**
1. **Transport warnings**:
- High-speed rail → Gao Yi Ridge: choose private car (¥150/car), avoid unlicensed taxis; Yangtianhu has winding roads - experienced drivers only.
2. **Off-peak cooling**:
- Enter Gao Yi Ridge/Yangtianhu before 7am, midday breaks at hotels/cafés (Danxia Secret Hotel pool is free).
3. **Gear checklist**:
- Essentials: Anti-slip hiking shoes (Dragon's Back is steep), UV sleeves (no shade), mosquito repellent (lake areas).
- Optional: Foldable seat pad, waterproof phone case (waterfall spray).
4. **Photography secrets**:
- Giant Lizard Lake drone shots (120m max height); Xiaodongjiang net casting with telephoto; Bailang backlight water reflections.

> **Trip advantages**:
> ✅ **Depth + time-saving**: D2-D3 focus on Gao Yi Ridge core features (Dragon's Back/Giant Lizard Lake/One-Line Sky), avoid crowds;
> ✅ **Diverse experiences**: Danxia (Gao Yi Ridge) + lake (Dongjiang) + grassland (Yangtianhu) triple landscape;
> ✅ **Budget control**: Combo tickets + accommodation packages save ¥300, mostly farmhouse meals.
> **Total budget**: ¥280 tickets + ¥950 lodging + ¥600 food + ¥400 transport ≈ ¥2230/person

📊 **Core Activity Costs**
| **Activity** | **Cost** | **Time** |
|------------------|------------|-------------------|
| Gao Yi Ridge | Free | All day (early recommended) |
| Yangtianhu ticket | ¥120 | 8:00-17:00 |
| Bailang e-bike | ¥30/hour | 8:00-18:00 |
| Dongjiang net casting | ¥85 | 6:00-8:00 |

**Note**: Some Gao Yi Ridge paths lack railings - no risky climbing; protect Danxia landforms - no carving/trampling!