Sunny Yangtian Lake Grassland: A Miyazaki Animation World

Sunny Yangtian Lake Grassland is like stepping into a Hayao Miyazaki animation world! With blue skies, white clouds, and endless green fields, every frame is wallpaper-worthy. Here's an upgraded guide to make the most of your visit.

📸 Must-visit & Hidden Photo Spots

• 【Deer Park】Photos 1-3: 💰30 RMB/person, including gloves and feed. Super cost-effective. Most deer are gentle and friendly, occasionally following you around. The interaction while feeding is perfect for candid shots 🦌.

• 【Hillside Sheep】Photo 5: On the right-hand side of the entrance, a small hillside where sheep scatter like clouds on the grass, creating a fairytale-like backdrop 🍃.

• 【Hidden Spots】: 200 meters to the left of the main lake is a wildflower slope (blooming with yellow flowers in July). Lying on the grass and shooting the sky is incredibly soothing. The easternmost hill of the windmill cluster is perfect for long-focus shots of people standing under the windmills. The Hobbit House is best photographed before 8 AM for fewer crowds and stunning light and shadow effects. Pair with a light dress and straw hat for instant photo success.

• 【Pet Encounters】: Besides deer and sheep, you might also spot alpacas and black swans. Capturing them from a low angle is super heartwarming.

⏰ Best Visiting Times & Efficiency Tips

• Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00 (last entry at 17:00)

• Golden Hours: Highly recommend arriving before 10 AM! Fewer people and softer lighting double your photo success rate. After 4 PM, the light becomes warmer, perfect for backlit shots of windmills and grasslands with a Japanese aesthetic.

• Duration: 3-4 hours is enough for a leisurely visit. Avoid the peak heat from 11 AM to 3 PM.

🎫 Tickets & Money-Saving Tips

• Regular Price: 120 RMB/person (may vary during holidays). Book online a day in advance for only 108 RMB.

• Discounts: Students/children get half-price! Make sure to bring a physical student ID to enjoy the discount.

• Convenient Entry: Purchase tickets on the official platform in advance for QR code entry, skipping the lines.

🚗 Transportation Guide (Driving + Public Transport)

Driving

• Route Options: Choose the Rainbow Road or the newly built Chen-Yang Road for wider, scenic routes. Avoid narrow national roads with sharp turns, which are challenging for new drivers.

• Navigation: Set to "Yangtian Lake Grassland Scenic Area - Main Entrance." The scenic area offers free parking, with 1,800 additional spaces during holidays, so no worries about parking.

• Tips: The mountain roads have sharp turns. New drivers might consider hiring a car. The scenic area offers a shuttle service for 20 RMB/person, covering the entire route for convenience.

Public Transport

• High-Speed Rail: From Chenzhou West Station, take bus 832 from Tianlong Bus Station. Fare: 15 RMB, 1.5-hour journey. First bus at 6:50 AM, last at 3:30 PM.

• Airport: Fly to Chenzhou Beihu Airport, then take the airport shuttle to the city and transfer to bus 832.

• Return Tip: The last bus 832 departs at 5:30 PM. For night events, consider driving or hiring a car.

• Shuttle Service: Temporary holiday parking lots offer free shuttles, departing when full, stopping at the North Gate, Feitian Terrace, and other points.

👗 Outfit & Props Guide

• Outfit: Light colors! White or light blue dresses with straw hats or woven bags look stunning against red walls or grassland backdrops. For a cool vibe, opt for denim sets and combat boots, which are windproof and photogenic.

• Essentials: Comfortable flat shoes (easy for walking and climbing), scarves (for wind protection and dynamic photos).

🧳 Essentials & Pitfalls to Avoid

• Sun Protection: SPF50+ sunscreen (strong UV rays can cause peeling), sun-protective clothing, hats, and cooling sleeves.

• Temperature Prep: Portable fans and wet wipes for midday heat, light jackets or thin down coats for early mornings and evenings (around 15°C, with strong evening winds).

• Handy Items: Mosquito repellent, band-aids (for stones and bugs in the grass), foldable water bottles (water is expensive in the park), cash (signal can be spotty on the mountain), and raincoats (more practical than umbrellas due to unpredictable weather).

• Pitfalls: Avoid riding the park's horses (80 RMB for a 100-meter loop). Be cautious of overpriced sausages and milk tea at the park entrance.

🍽️ Food & Accommodation Recommendations

Food Highlights

• Must-try: Stir-fried beef, homemade bacon, and refreshing cold dishes at local farmhouses.

• Budget Tip: Bring bread and ham for a picnic under the trees at noon, then enjoy hearty dishes at a farmhouse in the evening. Off-season discounts are often available after 4 PM.

Accommodation Picks

• Yunshili Guesthouse: The hostess is super friendly, offering room upgrades for families and serving authentic local dishes. It's very close to the scenic area.

🌟 Other Practical Tips

• Nearby Attractions: Pair your visit with Gaoyi Ridge (red rocks and green waters) and Misty Xiaodongjiang (fishermen casting nets from 5-7 AM) for a deeper Chenzhou experience.

• Seasonal Activities: From July to September, enjoy lush green grass, music festivals, and camping events. In winter, admire the rime, the closest "snowfield" to Guangdong.

• Weather Reminder: At an altitude of 1,300+ meters, the weather is unpredictable. Check "Yangtian Lake Grassland" real-time weather in advance. Clear skies at the foot of the mountain don't guarantee the same at the top. Reschedule on rainy days.

Staying at Yunshili Guesthouse makes visiting the grassland super convenient. City kids really need a place like this to unwind 💪🏻. Have a great trip!