Yueyang 4-Day Essential Travel Guide

Yueyang Four Days Three Nights Travel Guide (Budget 5000 RMB)
Trip Highlights:
✔ Climb Yueyang Tower and experience the grandeur of "Dongting Lake, the waters of the world; Yueyang, the tower of the world"
✔ Stroll around Junshan Island and explore the love legend of "Liu Yi Delivers a Letter"
✔ Night tour of Baling Square to experience the local nightlife of Yueyang
✔ Taste fresh Dongting Lake delicacies and slurp a bowl of authentic Yueyang rice noodles

📅 Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Yueyang + Yueyang Tower + Bianhe Street

Morning: Arrive in Yueyang, recommended by high-speed train (about 30 minutes from Changsha, about 1 hour from Wuhan), check into hotel (recommended: near Yueyang Tower or around Nanhu Lake, budget about 300-400 RMB/night).
Afternoon: Visit Yueyang Tower (ticket 70 RMB), climb the tower to overlook Dongting Lake, and feel the mood of Fan Zhongyan’s famous line "Worry before all under heaven worries; enjoy after all under heaven enjoys."
Evening: Stroll along Bianhe Street (free), a replica ancient commercial street where you can try snacks and buy specialties (such as Dongting silverfish, Junshan silver needle tea).
Dinner: Recommended Baling Whole Fish Feast (80-100 RMB per person), must-try chopped chili fish head and steamed egg with silverfish.

Day 2: Junshan Island + Dongting Lake Cruise

Morning: Take a boat to Junshan Island (boat ticket + entrance about 80 RMB), the island has beautiful scenery with attractions like Xiangfei Shrine and Liu Yi Well, perfect for photos.
Lunch: Enjoy fresh lake stir-fry near Junshan Island (60-80 RMB per person), recommended yellow catfish and river shrimp.
Afternoon: Take the boat back to the city, and experience a Dongting Lake cruise (about 50 RMB) to enjoy the lake and mountain views.
Evening: Night tour of Baling Square (free), see Yueyang’s nightscape and experience local nightlife.

Day 3: Zhangguying Village (or Shiniuzhai) + Nanhu Park

Morning: Head to Zhangguying Village (ticket 45 RMB, about 1.5 hours by car), a 600-year-old Ming and Qing dynasty ancient village known as the "Folk Palace," ideal for cultural photography enthusiasts.
(Optional: If you prefer natural scenery, visit Shiniuzhai (ticket 88 RMB) to experience the glass bridge and Danxia landform.)
Lunch: Taste farmhouse dishes in Zhangguying Village (50 RMB per person), recommended cured meat and native chicken.
Afternoon: Return to the city and visit Nanhu Park (free), rent a bike to cycle around the lake and enjoy a leisurely time.
Dinner: Recommended Yueyang barbecue (60 RMB per person), local favorites like crayfish and grilled beef tallow are a must.

Day 4: Yueyang Museum + Departure

Morning: Visit Yueyang Museum (free) to learn about Yueyang’s history and culture, focusing on the Dongting Lake civilization exhibition.
Noon: Slurp a bowl of Yueyang rice noodles (10-15 RMB), recommended "Sanmao Barbecue" or "Master Cai’s Rice Noodles."
Afternoon: Depending on your departure time, stroll around the pedestrian street or specialty stores to buy souvenirs, then head home.

💰 Budget Allocation (for 2 people)

Item
Cost (2 people)
Notes

Transportation
800-1200 RMB
High-speed train/self-drive + local taxi/bus

Accommodation
900-1200 RMB
3 nights mid-range hotel/guesthouse

Meals
800-1000 RMB
Includes specialty meals + snacks

Tickets
500-600 RMB
Yueyang Tower, Junshan Island, Zhangguying Village, etc.

Others
500 RMB
Shopping, snacks, souvenirs

Total
About 4500-5000 RMB
About 2500 RMB per person

📌 Travel Tips

Best Season: Spring and autumn are best (March-May, September-November); summer is hot but great for eating crayfish.
Transportation Advice: Yueyang attractions are spread out; taxi or car rental is recommended (especially for Zhangguying Village).
Food Recommendations: Besides the fish feast, be sure to try Yueyang barbecue, rice noodles, and sauce-marinated duck.
Accommodation Recommendation: Near Yueyang Tower is convenient for sightseeing; around Nanhu Lake is quieter.

✨ Have a great time in Yueyang! If you have extra time, you can also visit Changsha or Zhangjiajie on the way~ 🚄