I extended my stay for 3 days and 2 nights at the villa, and it went viral on social media

Relaxing at Dongjiang Lake in the golden autumn! 3 days and 2 nights to experience the lake’s light and Danxia scenery like a dream✨Includes a guide to avoid pitfalls

Who would have thought! Staying at the "Dream Inn" at Dongjiang Lake, opening the window to a misty ink painting over the river, spending 3 days exploring the lake at Bailang, the red hills of Gaoyiling, and the wonders of Feitianshan, all for very little cost! This golden autumn trip was a total win!

🌅 Trip overview: 3 days and 2 nights lazy itinerary (no detours!)

- Day 1: Depart from Changsha/Guangzhou → Dongjiang Lake Wuxiang Villa Inn → Evening at Bailang Little Erhai Lake
High-speed train takes 1.5 hours directly to Chenzhou West, the inn owner sends a "pickup guide" in advance, just a 20-minute drive away. Drop off luggage and head straight to Bailang, where the sunset dyes the lake orange like a sea of tangerines. Rent a small electric scooter to ride along the lake, the breeze carries the scent of osmanthus flowers in your hair~
- Day 2: Morning mist at Dongjiang Lake → Feitianshan → Gaoyiling
Wake up at 6 am to rush to Dongjiang Lake’s No. 2 viewing platform, where the morning mist floats like gauze over the river, and you can’t stop snapping photos of fishermen casting their nets! In the afternoon, visit Feitianshan to see the "Danxia Red Cliffs," then head to Gaoyiling at dusk, where the red mountains reflect the sunset, making every photo a masterpiece.
- Day 3: Mahuangqiu Grand Canyon → Return trip
In the morning, walk the "Cliffside Road" at Mahuangqiu, with few people and wild scenery, the canyon breeze is super refreshing! At noon, return to the inn’s front gate to enjoy authentic Hunan cuisine at a private restaurant, heading home full of happiness~

🏡 Accommodation highlight: Wuxiang Dongjiang Villa Inn really understands travelers!

Originally just a casual booking, but it felt like "coming home"!

- Location: The villa is perfectly located in the core C position of Dongjiang Lake, a real jackpot. In the evening, you can enjoy a romantic night tour of the icy Dongjiang Bay right outside the villa. The inn is about an 8-minute walk from the Dongjiang Lake Scenic Area Visitor Center, so no need to rush for early buses; it has its own small courtyard, where you can sit on a rattan chair drinking tea by the fire pit, looking up at the stars.
- Touching details: The viewing terrace has 2 rattan rocking chairs, perfect for lying down and watching the mist drift over Little Dongjiang in the morning!
- The room design is very stylish, with an amazing atmosphere! Equipped with high-end smart features, perfect for photo check-ins! The owner also provides a "secret route map" to avoid the crowded entrance at Gaoyiling, saving an hour of queuing!

📸 Must-visit spots: Pitfall avoidance + photo tips

1. Dongjiang Lake:
- Pitfall: Don’t buy full-price tickets! If you only want to see the morning mist and fishermen casting nets, just buy the "scenic shuttle bus + No. 2 viewing platform" ticket. The mist dissipates after 7:30 am, so don’t sleep in!
- Photo tip: Wear white or light-colored clothes, stand on the side of the viewing platform to capture fishermen, mist, and boats in one frame for maximum atmosphere.
2. Bailang Little Erhai Lake:
- Rent a small electric scooter for 20 yuan/hour, ride along the lake to "Phoenix Island Entrance," where there is a white railing. The lake view looks just like Erhai Lake, with the softest light after 4 pm.
3. Gaoyiling:
- Use the "West Gate Entrance"! It’s 2 km shorter than the main gate. Go at 5 pm when the red mountains don’t reflect light. Use a wide-angle lens for canyon panoramas, and standing on the plank road edge makes photos even better.
4. Mahuangqiu Grand Canyon:
- Navigate to "Mahuangqiu Visitor Center," then walk 10 minutes to the cliffside road. Wear sneakers! There’s a creek in the canyon, stepping in the water for photos is super refreshing, and there are so few people you can enjoy the whole scenery alone.

🍜 Eat your way through Chenzhou: Local hidden food gems

- Breakfast options include pork rice noodles and fish noodles, especially delicious!
- At night, visit "Dongjiang Bay Food Street," recommended dishes are "Dongjiang grilled fish" and "salmon," with about 30 yuan per person to eat until full. Avoid the overpriced stalls at the scenic area entrance!
- Golden autumn special: Roadside stalls sell "Dongjiang Lake honey tangerines" at 10 yuan for 3 jin (about 3.3 lbs), so sweet they drip juice. The owner says they can be stored in the fridge for a week.

💡 Lazy traveler tips

- Transportation: Taxi from Chenzhou West to Dongjiang Lake costs 30 yuan. Self-driving guests can park for free right at the villa’s parking spot. Also, there is a large charging station at the main gate. Overall, staying at this villa inn offers the best location with very convenient food, accommodation, and transportation.
- Clothing: Golden autumn daytime temperatures are around 25°C, wear long sleeves and a light jacket, as there is a big temperature difference between day and night; wear comfortable shoes as you will walk a lot every day.
- Pitfall: Don’t trust roadside "low-price tour guides," the route provided by the inn owner is more detailed than a guide’s and free!

This trip captured both the lake and mountain scenery and the local life vibe, especially the inn owner’s wife, who was super nice. Who could resist such warm details!
I’ve already recommended the inn to my best friends and plan to come back next spring!