First trip to Yangtian Lake? Here's what you need to know to avoid common pitfalls.
A detailed travel guide to Chenzhou Yangtian Lake Prairie
Yangtian Lake Prairie is located in Chenzhou, Hunan Province. It is the southernmost alpine grassland in China and the closest alpine grassland to Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, with an average altitude of 1,314 meters. Here, you can not only enjoy the vast prairie scenery but also experience a variety of interesting activities. It's definitely worth a visit. To make your trip to Yangtian Lake smoother and more enjoyable, please check out this guide.
❤️I. Preparation
1. Documents: Be sure to bring your ID card. Students should bring their student IDs, and seniors should bring their senior citizen cards to enjoy discounted tickets.
2. Clothing: The prairie is at a high altitude, and the temperature difference between day and night is significant. Even in summer, it is recommended to bring a warm jacket. Choose brightly colored clothing, such as red or yellow dresses or white shirts, which will look great in photos against the prairie scenery. Also, bring comfortable sneakers for walking and activities.
3. Skincare and sun protection: The prairie has strong UV rays, so bring high-SPF sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, sun-protective clothing, and an umbrella to avoid sunburn. Bring moisturizing skincare products and lip balm to prevent dry skin.
4. Other items: A power bank to ensure your electronic devices are charged; tissues and wet wipes for convenient use; motion sickness medicine (essential for those prone to motion sickness when driving or riding, as the mountain roads to the scenic area are winding); and personal medications, such as cold and stomach medicines.
❤️II. Transportation
1. Self-driving: From downtown Chenzhou, navigate to Yangtian Lake Prairie Scenic Area, about a 1.5 hr drive. The scenic area has a parking lot, and parking is free. Self-driving offers convenience and freedom, allowing you to stop and admire the scenery along the way, but pay attention to driving safety on mountain roads.
2. Public transportation: Take a bus from Chenzhou Bus Station to Yangtian Lake, about a 2 hr ride. Bus operating hours and frequency may vary depending on the season and actual conditions. It is recommended to inquire and confirm in advance.
3. Chartered car or carpooling: If you are traveling with a larger group, chartering a car or carpooling is a good option. You can find related services at local travel agencies in Chenzhou or through online travel platforms. Carpooling is relatively affordable and allows you to meet other travelers.
❤️III. Ticket Information
1. Ticket price: Full price is CNY 120 per person. Booking one day in advance on online platforms offers a discounted price of CNY 108 per person. Student IDs and senior citizen cards are eligible for half-price tickets at CNY 60 per person. Children under 1.2m are free.
2. Package tickets: A full-price ticket plus a choice of two out of four activities is CNY 168. A half-price ticket plus a choice of two out of four activities is CNY 108. Package tickets include two activities from archery, grass sliding, feeding alpacas, and feeding sika deer. Choosing a package ticket is more cost-effective.
❤️IV. Itinerary Planning
❤️One-day Tour
Morning: After arriving at Yangtian Lake Prairie Scenic Area, first visit the Hobbit Castle, where you'll feel like you've stepped into a fairy tale world, and take some photos. Then, head to the heart of the prairie to admire the vast grassland scenery. You can choose to ride a horse and experience the joy of galloping.
Lunch: Enjoy local cuisine at the food street in the scenic area, such as bamboo rice, grilled sausages, and stinky tofu.
Afternoon: Go to the deer park and alpaca park to interact with and feed the animals. Then, try grass sliding and experience the thrill of speed. As evening approaches, find a spot with a good view to watch the prairie sunset.
❤️Two-day Tour
Day 1: In the morning, visit Yangtian Lake Prairie, admire the grassland scenery, and participate in activities such as horseback riding and archery. Have lunch at the restaurant in the scenic area. In the afternoon, go to Yangtian Lake for a stroll, fishing, or boating, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. In the evening, stay in a Mongolian yurt on the prairie or a guesthouse by the lake for a unique accommodation experience, and participate in a bonfire party (subject to the actual arrangements of the scenic area).
Day 2: Visit Stonehenge, Hobbit Village, and the Giant Buddha. In the afternoon, return to Chenzhou and end your pleasant journey.
❤️V. Main Attractions
1. Yangtian Lake: A natural lake formed from an extinct volcanic crater during the Quaternary glacial period, covering an area of over 20 mu and at an altitude of 1,350m. The lake is crystal clear and surrounded by thousands of acres of natural grassland, like "a teardrop on the earth's surface." It's perfect for a stroll along the lake, enjoying the beautiful scenery.
2. Giant Buddha: A natural alpine rock cliff resembling a giant Buddha, at an altitude of 1,277m. The head to jaw is over 300m high, the head is over 200m wide, and the mountain is over 3,000m long. From a distance, the shape is lifelike and amazing. You can admire and take photos from the viewing platform.
3. Hobbit Castle: A European-style building on the left hillside of the scenic area, restored and beautified from a geological hazard site. It resembles the hobbit houses in fairy tales, full of dreamy colors, and is a great place for taking photos, especially for fresh and cute styles.
4. Filming location of Hunan TV's "Chinese Restaurant": In the summer of 2022, celebrities such as Huang Xiaoming and Yin Tao filmed "Chinese Restaurant 6" here. After the show aired, the Rainbow Restaurant was preserved and became a popular spot for tourists. You can take photos here and experience the same atmosphere as the celebrities.
5. Grass slide: With multiple slides, visitors can sit on a slide board and descend along the mountain, experiencing the thrill of speed while enjoying the beautiful grassland scenery along the way.
6. Deer park and alpaca park: A popular spot for family outings, with various cute animals such as sika deer, alpacas, Call ducks, and black swans. You can buy food to feed them, interact with them, and enjoy quality family time.
❤️VI. Travel Tips
1. Weather and time: Check the weather forecast before your trip and choose a sunny day for better scenery and photos. The scenic area is open from 9:00 to 18:00. The recommended visiting time is 3–4 hrs. Arriving early in the morning or late in the afternoon can avoid peak crowds.
2. Food and drinks: There are restaurants and snack stalls in the scenic area, but the prices are relatively high. You can also bring your own food and drinks. However, please keep the scenic area clean and do not litter.
3. Activities: There are many activities to choose from. You can choose to participate based on your interests and time, paying attention to safety. Some activities have weight, age, and other restrictions. Please understand these restrictions before participating.
4. Environmental protection: Protect the environment of the scenic area, do not trample on the grassland vegetation, do not damage public facilities, and jointly maintain this beautiful grassland.