Chenzhou Nanny-Level Guide to Explore Stunning Attractions
「🗺️Chenzhou 3-Day Tour | Classic Combo of Dongjiang Lake and Xiao Dongjiang・All-Age Friendly Guide」
Chenzhou, a city embraced by lakes, mountains, and Danxia wonders, invites you to watch the morning mist drift over Dongjiang Lake with your parents, explore the red secret realm at Gaoyiling with friends, and take the kids on a forest adventure in Mangshan. With a relaxed 3-day pace, enjoy everything from Qifengdu fish noodles to Linwu duck, letting the whole family immerse in this picturesque landscape~
🗓️Itinerary Overview
D1: Dongjiang Lake (Xiao Dongjiang) → Doushuai Lingyan Cave
D2: Gaoyiling → Suxianling
D3: Mangshan Wuzhifeng → Return
Daily Detailed Plan
🌫️Day 1: Misty Dongjiang · Cave Exploration
📍Dongjiang Lake (5A)
Highlights: "A lake between heaven and earth," the morning mist over Xiao Dongjiang is like a fairyland. The classic scene of fishermen casting nets (5:30-7:30) is a must-see. Take elders on the scenic area shuttle (50 RMB/person) to enjoy the lake view, kids chase the mist along the waterside boardwalk, friends capture stunning "fishing boats in the mist" photos. Beautiful all year round, autumn’s colorful foliage is even more breathtaking.
🕙Opening Hours: 6:00-18:00 (Morning mist recommended 5:30-7:30)
💰Cost: A Line (Xiao Dongjiang + Doushuai Island) 171 RMB, half price for seniors 60+, free under 1.2m
📸Photo Spots: Xiao Dongjiang No.2 Viewing Platform (thickest mist), Doushuai Island Pier (lake and mountain scenery)
💡Tips: Best during mist season (April-October), wear a light jacket to keep warm; paid photo with fishermen casting nets (20 RMB/time).
📍Doushuai Lingyan Cave
Highlights: A natural cave in Dongjiang Lake, stalactites under lights look like a crystal palace, featuring "Dragon Palace Hall," "Thousand Buddha Pagoda," etc. Take a boat inside the cave (20 RMB/person) through the underground river, kids can learn about "stalagmite growth," elders can rest and listen to legends. Magical and cool.
🕙Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00
💰Cost: Included in A Line ticket
📸Photo Spots: Cave Hall (giant stalactite clusters)
💡Tips: Constant 18℃ inside, bring a light jacket; free guided tours depart on the hour.
🍖Recommended Food: Lakeside "Fisherman’s Home" must-try fish three ways (fish head soup + fish slices + fish balls), Qiaozui fish (freshly caught and cooked), about 70 RMB per person; try Qifengdu fish noodles (10 RMB/bowl, fresh and spicy).
🏨Recommended Accommodation: "That Year at Dongjiang Lake Homestay" (near Xiao Dongjiang, scenic rooms 300-500 RMB/night); budget option in Zixing city (200-300 RMB/night, convenient transport).
⛰️Day 2: Red Secret Realm · Blessed Land Exploration
📍Gaoyiling
Highlights: Billion-year-old red rock and clear water wonder, Danxia landform intertwined with turquoise lake, like "Earth’s fingerprint." Take elders on gentle viewing trails, kids play in shallow water, friends challenge the "Dragon Spine Canyon" hike. Sunset paints the red rocks golden, spectacular.
🕙Opening Hours: All day (recommended after 3 PM to avoid strong sun)
💰Cost: Free (parking 10 RMB)
📸Photo Spots: Giant Lizard River Viewing Platform (panorama), Dragon Spine Canyon (red rock and clear water together)
💡Tips: Wear non-slip shoes, some sections steep; bring water, no shops in the park.
📍Suxianling (4A)
Highlights: "The 18th Blessed Land in the World," legend says Suxian cultivated immortality here, with Three Wonders Stele and Suxian Temple. Take elders on the cable car (one way 40 RMB) up the mountain, kids listen to the "Suxian Saves Mother" story, overlook Chenzhou city from the summit, watch sunset glow on the hills.
🕙Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00
💰Cost: 55 RMB, half price for seniors 60+
📸Photo Spots: In front of Suxian Temple (ancient temple and green hills)
💡Tips: At mid-mountain "Peach Blossom Residence," try Lei tea (15 RMB/bowl), fragrant and refreshing.
🍖Recommended Food: Chenzhou city "Qifengdu Fish Noodles Old Shop," fish noodles with fried tofu puffs, very fragrant, about 15 RMB per person; dinner try "Linwu Duck Hotpot" (firm meat), about 60 RMB per person.
🏨Recommended Accommodation: "Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Chenzhou" (city center, 400-600 RMB/night, family rooms available).
🌲Day 3: Mangshan Adventure · Cloud Walk
📍Mangshan Wuzhifeng (5A)
Highlights: "The South’s Number One Peak," with hanging plank road and glass viewing platform, overlooking primeval forest and sea of clouds. Take elders on the cable car (round trip 140 RMB), walk gentle plank paths, kids watch macaques at "Monkey King Village," friends climb "Golden Whip Divine Pillar" viewing platform, feel the grandeur of "one step crossing two provinces" (Hunan-Guangdong border).
🕙Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00
💰Cost: Ticket 80 RMB + cable car 140 RMB, discounts for elders and children
📸Photo Spots: Hanging plank road (when clouds surge), Wuzhifeng viewing platform
💡Tips: Temperature 5℃ lower on the mountain, bring a jacket; cable car stations have rest areas for elders.
🍖Recommended Food: Mangshan foot "Farmhouse Restaurant," recommended Mangshan cured meat (rich smoky flavor), wild vegetable omelet, about 50 RMB per person; bring a bag of "Linwu Duck" (vacuum packed 40 RMB/bag) as a souvenir.
✨Chenzhou Survival Guide
1️⃣Transportation:
- City to Dongjiang Lake: 1-hour drive or bus (20 RMB/person);
- Gaoyiling 20 minutes from city, taxi about 30 RMB;
- Mangshan 2 hours from city, recommend self-driving (car rental 200 RMB/day) or join a tour.
2️⃣Clothing:
- Spring (Mar-May): light long sleeves + jacket, cool morning mist at Dongjiang Lake;
- Summer (Jun-Aug): short sleeves + long pants (mosquito protection), sun protection at Gaoyiling;
- Autumn/Winter: long sleeves + thick jacket, frost possible at Mangshan.
3️⃣Taboos:
- No private fishing or swimming at Dongjiang Lake to protect water;
- No littering at Gaoyiling, red rocks are fragile;
- No loud noise inside Suxianling Taoist temples, respect Taoist customs.
4️⃣Accommodation:
- For Dongjiang Lake, choose Zixing city or nearby scenic area;
- In city, choose near Wuling Square for convenience;
- For elders and kids, prioritize accommodations with elevators and hot water; Mangshan homestays mostly have mountain views.
🛍️Must-Buy Souvenirs
① Dongjiang Lake Silverfish Dry (50 RMB/jin, great for soup, loved by elders and kids)
② Linwu Duck (40 RMB/bag, marinated/spiced flavor, great snack with drinks)
③ Guidong Yellow Mushroom Dry (80 RMB/jin, rare wild mushroom, fragrant for cooking)
④ Chenzhou Dragon Beard Grass Mat (100 RMB/piece, handmade, cool and breathable)
Closing Interaction
The mist in Chenzhou dances, the mountains are red, and the lake hides a fairyland~ Whether watching mist with parents at Dongjiang, exploring wonders with friends at Gaoyiling, or watching monkeys with kids in Mangshan, you’ll find your own surprise. If you come to Chenzhou, would you first wait for the morning mist at Xiao Dongjiang or step on the red rocks at Gaoyiling?