Chenzhou Dongjiang Lake: A heavenly lake on earth, with countless wonders within!

Here’s a travel guide to **Dongjiang Lake in Chenzhou, Hunan**, covering the best time to visit, must-see attractions, transportation, accommodation, food recommendations, and itinerary suggestions to help you plan your trip with ease: --- **1. Introduction to Dongjiang Lake** Dongjiang Lake is a national 5A-level scenic area, famous for its "Misty Xiaodongjiang" and hailed as "a heavenly lake on earth." 💕 The lake covers 160 square kilometers with water quality meeting national Grade I standards, 💕 making it drinkable 💗. The area features core attractions like **Misty Xiaodongjiang, Dongjiang Dam, Longjing Gorge, Doushuai Lingyan Karst Cave, and Dongjiang Rafting**, ideal for photography, hiking, rafting, and family trips. --- **2. Best Time to Visit** ✅ **April–October**: Best time to see the mist over Xiaodongjiang, with morning mist (6:30–8:30) and evening mist (17:30–19:30) creating a fairy-tale scene. ✅ **June–August**: Perfect for rafting; Dongjiang Rafting is known as "China’s No. 1 Ecological Rafting." ✅ **Winter (December–February)**: Off-season with fewer crowds, occasional rime scenery, and a unique travel experience. --- **3. Must-Visit Attractions** **1. Misty Xiaodongjiang** -💖 **Highlights**: Morning mist with fisherman net-casting performances (6:30–10:30, every 15 minutes); best viewed from Platform 1. - 🎀**Ticket**: Lakeside route, ¥75 (includes Misty Xiaodongjiang + Longjing Gorge). **2. Dongjiang Dam** -💞 **Highlights**: Asia’s tallest double-curvature thin-shell arch dam; offers panoramic lake and mountain views. **3. Doushuai Lingyan Karst Cave** -🎀 **Highlights**: A millennia-old karst cave on a lake island, featuring stunning stalactites and a "Seven Demons Tease Tang Monk" performance. -💖 **Ticket**: Lake cruise route, ¥170 (includes boat ride + cave). **4. Longjing Gorge** - **Highlights**: 18 waterfalls and 26 pools, a natural oxygen bar; hiking takes about 1 hour. **5. Dongjiang Rafting** - ❤️**Highlights**: 26 km of rapids with 108 thrilling sections, combining excitement and scenery. **6. Bailang Lakeside Road** - 💗**Highlights**: Drive or cycle along this "Little Erhai"-like route, perfect for photos. --- **4. Transportation Guide** **1. Public Transport** - 💗**Chenzhou West Station (High-Speed Rail)** → Take Bus 201 → **Zixing Luowei Station** → Transfer to Bus 3 to Dongjiang Lake. - 🎀**Chenzhou Railway Station** → Take Bus 18/26 → **Chenzhou South Station** → Transfer to a shuttle bus to Dongjiang Dam. **2. Self-Drive** - *💖*Exit at Chenzhou on the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway** → Head to Zixing → **Dongjiang Lake Gate** (~30 mins). --- **5. Tickets & Opening Hours** - **Tickets**: 🎀- Lakeside route (Misty Xiaodongjiang + Longjing Gorge): ¥75. - 🤗Lake cruise route (boat ride + cave): ¥170. -❤️ **Opening Hours**: - 🤗Summer/Autumn (April–October): 6:00–18:00, morning mist 6:30–8:30. - 💕Winter/Spring (November–March): 7:00–17:30. --- **6. Accommodation Recommendations** 1. **💗In Scenic Area**: Fenglinwan Farmstay (close to Misty Xiaodongjiang, convenient for early mist viewing). 2. *💗*Luxury Hotel**: Dongjiang Lake Boman Hotel (lake-view rooms, ¥400+/night). 3. *💗*Budget B&Bs**: Homestays near Dongjiang Town, ¥100–200 per person. --- **7. Food Recommendations** 1. 🎀**Dongjiang Fish**: Salmon sashimi, "one fish four ways" (cold fish skin, salted fish, fish head soup). 2. *💕*Yao-style Smoked Bacon**: Paired with ground tea. 3. 💕**Lake Hotpot**: Try restaurants near Dongjiang Suspension Bridge. --- **8. Itinerary Suggestions** **1-Day Trip (Highlights)** -💜 **Morning**: Misty Xiaodongjiang (6:30) → Longjing Gorge - **Afternoon**: Dongjiang Dam → Doushuai Island Cave **2-Day Trip (In-Depth)** - **Day 1**: Misty Xiaodongjiang → Longjing Gorge → Stay at Dongjiang 💕 Boman Hotel -💗💕 **Day 2**: Self-drive around Bailang Lake → Gaoyiling Danxia Landform. **3-Day Trip (Full Experience)** -💗 **Day 1**: Misty Xiaodongjiang → Dongjiang Rafting - 🤗**Day 2**: Doushuai Island Cave → Bailang Cycling - 😜**Day 3**: Gaoyiling Adventure → Return --- **9. Practical Tips** ✅ **Photography**: Use a wide-angle lens for mist shots; arrive before 6:00 to secure a spot. ✅ **Rafting**: Wear quick-dry clothes and bring a waterproof phone case. ✅ **Avoid Pitfalls**: Dining in the scenic area is pricey; bring snacks. ✅ **Discounts**: Half-price for students, free for children under 1.3m. Dongjiang Lake combines "ethereal mist, emerald waters, mystical caves, and thrilling rafting," offering something for families, photographers, and adventurers alike. ❤️ Find your perfect way to explore!