Things to do in Yuanling

Jiemuxi National Nature Reserve is located in Jiemuxi Township, Yuanling County, Hunan Province. It has pristine natural scenery, interesting views, beautiful scenery, fresh air and is a natural oxygen bar. It is known as the Jiuzhaigou of Hunan.

The atmosphere is fantastic, with swirling clouds and mist creating a fairyland-like ambiance, perfect for taking photos. Unfortunately, the fog was so thick that distant views were barely visible, diminishing the scenic enjoyment. There aren't many activities, and the overall experience is only average. The value for money isn't great, but it's suitable for those who simply enjoy viewing seas of clouds and fog.

Eryou Mountain is located in Wusu Village, Eryou Miao Township, 15 kilometers northwest of Yuanling County. It is named after the confluence of Youshui and Youxi. It is said that when Qin Shihuang "burned books and buried scholars", Fu Sheng, a doctoral official of the court, risked his life to smuggle more than a thousand scrolls from Xianyang, traveled a long way, and hid them in Eryou Cave, so that the cultural classics of the pre-Qin period could be passed down to later generations. Therefore, the idiom "rich in learning, well-versed in Eryou" also comes from here, and this place has become a famous cultural holy mountain. The overall development level is average now, and the transportation is not very convenient. It is recommended that friends who come here should choose to drive by themselves

Longxing Lecture Temple is located at the foot of Huxi Mountain in the northwest corner of Yuanling County. It is the oldest existing academy in the world. The architectural decoration art of Longxing Lecture Temple is extremely rich and colorful, especially the hollow stone lotus seat for lectures in the main hall, which is exquisite and exquisite. It is said to have been made in the Ming Dynasty and is rare in China.

Nice city but overall I think the ticket price is expensive, if it was cheaper people spend more in the shops and restaurants

It's definitely worth visiting; the scenery is breathtaking. However, good weather is essential. Rain or fog will prevent you from seeing the beauty you're looking for. I encountered heavy fog when I went to Tianmen Mountain, so I didn't experience it.

Orange Island is a bit of a mixed experience, and I'm honestly not entirely sure whether I'd consider it a must-visit in Changsha.It's a large, green, and pleasant park, with beautiful riverside views and plenty of space for walking. If you enjoy places with historical significance or simply want to experience a different side of the city, it's definitely worth considering.Most visitors seem to take the sightseeing train to the southern end of the island, where the famous Mao Zedong statue is located. That's also where you'll find plenty of people taking photos, so don't expect a particularly quiet experience.The main downside is that visiting the island takes quite a bit of time, especially if you want to explore it properly. And while it's certainly a nice place, I'm not sure the experience justifies spending several hours here if you have a limited amount of time in Changsha and other places you'd like to see.On the other hand, if you're simply looking for a relaxing walk through a green park, with opportunities to stop by the river and enjoy the scenery, it's a lovely option.Overall, I'd say it's worth visiting if you have some extra time or are particularly interested in Chinese history. Otherwise, I wouldn't necessarily put it at the very top of your Changsha itinerary.

The day that I visited was foggy and raining so visibility was not very good. I couldn't see much, but even the little that I could see was nice. I'm sorry that I missed the views, I'm sure it would have been amazing. It's a nice one day trip if you are close to it, I'm not sure it's worth visiting just for this though. I would suggest Zhangjiajie national park instead if you don't have the time or only want to do one of the two. It's not the same, but you will see similar karst landscapes. The two golden summits here can get very crowded and the passages are narrow so be prepared to wait in line for a while. It can get very slow.

As a national 5A-level scenic spot, the Three Gorges Dam is an unmissable destination when visiting the Yangtze River. Standing on Tanziling and looking down, the mighty Yangtze River surges beneath your feet, and the magnificent momentum of the world's largest water conservancy project is overwhelming. Touching the heavy dam body and watching the white waves and steaming mist during the flood discharge, you can marvel at the hard-core miracle of modern engineering and appreciate the serene poetic beauty of the high gorges turning into a placid lake. It is a wonderful journey that combines awe and a sense of remembrance.

Yuanjiang City, Hunan Province, located in the heart of the 800-li Dongting Lake, is China's ramie hometown, reed hometown, and ecological water city.