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!