Yueyang 4-Day Essential Travel Guide
by Foster_~Noah
Oct 17, 2025
🗺️3-Day Yueyang Tour | Classic Combination of Yueyang Tower and Dongting Lake・Suitable for All Groups
1. Introduction
Explore Yueyang in 3 days! Take your parents to climb Yueyang Tower and admire the grandeur of Dongting Lake, stroll with friends along Bianhe Street and enjoy crayfish, watch migratory birds with your kids on Junshan Island. The itinerary is relaxed with no rush, savoring noodles and fish dishes, perfect for the whole family to enjoy comfortably~
2. 🗓️ Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Arrive in Yueyang → Yueyang Tower → Bianhe Street → Dongting Lake
Day 2: Junshan Island → Dongting Lake Wetlands
Day 3: Zhangguying Village → Return trip
3. Daily Detailed Plan
🏯Day 1: Historic Tower & Riverside Flavors
📍Yueyang Tower (5A)
Highlights: One of the "Three Great Towers of Jiangnan," must-see engraved stele of "Record of Yueyang Tower," climb the tower for a panoramic view of Dongting Lake. Gentle stairs make it easy for elders, and kids can hear the story of "worrying before all others."
🕙7:30-18:00 (Recommended to visit at 9 AM to avoid tour groups) 💰70 RMB (Free for seniors over 60 and children under 1.4 meters)
📸 Photo spot: Front plaza of Yueyang Tower (capture the entire tower with flying eaves, standing on the front steps for a great shot)
📍Bianhe Street
Highlights: Ancient-style commercial street adjacent to Yueyang Tower, clusters of stalls selling Yueyang shrimp cakes and snail snacks, perfect for strolling and eating
🍖 Lunch: "Old Street Fish Mouth" on Bianhe Street (about 50 RMB per person, must-try chopped chili fish head + steamed egg, mild options for kids)
📍Dongting Lake
Highlights: Vast and magnificent "Eight Hundred Li Dongting," boat tours available (50 RMB/person) to enjoy lake views, elders can stroll lakeside, kids love chasing water birds by the shore
🕙Open all day (Boat tours 9:00-16:00) 💰Free (boat ticket extra)
💡 Tips: Free guided tours at Yueyang Tower (10:00/15:00); it can be windy by the lake, bring a light jacket
🏝️Day 2: Tea Tasting on Junshan Island & Bird Watching in Wetlands
📍Junshan Island (5A, island in Dongting Lake)
Highlights: Known as "Dongting Penglai," features scenic spots like Xiangfei Bamboo and Liu Yi Well, famous for silver needle tea. Elders can take the electric cart in the scenic area (20 RMB/person), kids enjoy spotting exotic flowers and plants on the island
🕙8:00-17:30 💰80 RMB (includes round-trip boat ticket, half price for seniors/children)
📸 Photo spot: Xiangfei Bamboo Forest (lush green bamboo perfect for ancient-style photos, wear plain-colored clothes for best effect)
📍Dongting Lake Wetlands
Highlights: Vast reed marshes, migratory birds from winter to spring (swans, wild ducks are adorable), wooden boardwalks are flat and family-friendly
🕙Open all day 💰Free
🍜 Dinner: "Mao Family Restaurant" in the city (about 45 RMB per person, Mao-style braised pork + stir-fried seasonal vegetables, moderate flavor)
💡 Tips: Boat ride to Junshan Island takes about 20 minutes, bring motion sickness medicine if needed; wetlands have many mosquitoes, bring insect repellent
🏘️Day 3: Explore Ancient Village & Folk Experience
📍Zhangguying Village (4A)
Highlights: "The Number One Village in the World," large-scale Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, unique "courtyard" layout. Elders can listen to villagers' stories, kids can watch traditional woodcraft making
🕙8:00-17:30 💰50 RMB (half price for seniors/children)
📸 Photo spot: Stone slab road in front of the main gate (capture the whole village, standing in the middle of the road feels like stepping back in time)
🍖 Lunch: Village "Ancient Village Farmhouse" (about 35 RMB per person, must-try stewed cured meat with radish + glutinous rice cakes, very authentic local flavor)
💡 Tips: The village is large, it’s recommended to hire a local guide (50 RMB per visit); stone roads can be slippery, wear non-slip shoes
4. ✨Yueyang Survival Guide
1️⃣ Transportation: Starting taxi fare in the city is 6 RMB, taxi from Yueyang Tower to Junshan Island is 20 RMB; Zhangguying Village is 1 hour from the city, car rental 150 RMB/day is most convenient; many scenic spots have accessible ramps, stroller-friendly
2️⃣ Clothing: Spring wear thin sweatshirt + jacket (cool mornings and evenings), summer short sleeves + sun protection clothing (strong UV at Dongting Lake), autumn knitwear + windbreaker, comfortable shoes recommended
3️⃣ Taboos: No loud noise inside Yueyang Tower; do not break Xiangfei Bamboo on Junshan Island; do not touch or carve ancient buildings in Zhangguying Village
4️⃣ Accommodation: Stay near Yueyang Tower for the first 2 days (e.g., Yueyang Grand Hotel, 300-400 RMB/night, close to attractions + family rooms available), convenient for eating and sightseeing
5. 🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs
① Junshan Silver Needle Tea (80 RMB/can, premium yellow tea, great gift for elders)
② Vacuum-packed Yueyang Crayfish (60 RMB/box, mildly spicy, shelf life 5 days)
③ Zhangguying Village Woodcraft Ornaments (40 RMB each, handmade, meaningful souvenirs)
④ Pingjiang Dried Tofu (15 RMB/bag, salty and chewy, suitable for elders and kids)
6. Closing Interaction
The soul of Yueyang lies in the literary spirit of Yueyang Tower, the waves of Dongting Lake, and the lively atmosphere of the ancient village. If you come, would you most want to take your parents to climb the tower and gaze at Dongting, or explore Zhangguying Village with your kids?
Post by Benjamin59 Carter - Ben | Oct 25, 2025






















