Gaoyiling Tourist Area is located in Gaoyiling Village, Feitian Town, Suixian District, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The total planned area of the scenic area is 11 square kilometers, belonging to an original ecological danxia scenic area with a forest coverage rate of 95%. The scenic area takes "Youth Red Rock" as the theme to create the overall image of "Danxia Feitian Mountain, Dynamic Gaoyiling". The scenic area has complete mountains, waters, caves, stockades, cliffs, and platforms, as well as elements such as danxia suspension bridges, glass plank roads, rural homestays, and tent camping.
History and Culture
The origin of Gaoyiling is derived from a local legend. Tieguai Li, one of the Eight Immortals, believed that the emperor and ministers should be equal to the common people, so he casually threw out his tall chair. After it broke, it turned into the current Gaoyiling, and the place name came from this. Here was once a disposal site for waste slag from a thermal power plant. In the early 21st century, coal ash deposition, wastewater weir, etc., led to vegetation damage, soil erosion, and ecological damage. Later, the Suixian District Government carried out a series of measures, such as building a circular economy industrial park, implementing landform restoration, and covering soil, and other ecological restoration projects, which significantly improved the ecology of Gaoyiling and developed it into a tourist attraction. The once poor and backward Gaoyiling Village has also become a "web celebrity" village in Chenzhou tourism.
Main Attractions
Dragon's Backbone
The soul of Gaoyiling, a natural rock backbone about 300 meters long, with vertical cliffs nearly 100 meters high on both sides, shaped like a dragon's backbone. After rain, the red cliffs glow with a rust-red luster, forming a strong visual impact with the green puddles at the foot.
Komodo Lake
The lake water presents a dreamy blue-green color due to mineral deposition, resembling a crawling komodo dragon. The danxia and green trees on the lake shore are reflected in the water. On sunny days, the blue sky, white clouds, red rocks, and blue water form a strong color contrast, known as a model of "clear water and red cliffs".
Rock Formation
Geometric huge rocks cut from primary red rocks are arranged in a staggered manner, a collision between modern art and nature, especially suitable for shooting minimalist style blockbusters.
Suspended Plank Road
The plank road is 240 meters above sea level and 400 meters long, floating in the clouds and sticking to the cliff of the mountain, with a bottomless abyss below. Walking on it, you can go to the Narrow Sky and Dragon's Backbone, making people suddenly feel the feeling of "extremely looking at the Chu Sky is comfortable".
Meili Tan
After climbing to the top, you can overlook the danxia peaks and starry water ponds at 360°. During sunrise and sunset, the rock walls are dyed red by the rays of the sun, which is the "God's perspective" loved by photographers.
Delicacies
Qifengdu Fish Noodles
Spicy fish soup with smooth rice noodles, 10-15 yuan per capita, a local characteristic breakfast.
Braised Rooster
Using high-quality roosters as the main ingredient, cooked with dried ginger, garlic, and tea oil, it is spicy and rich, with crispy skin and tender meat, the best choice for drinking. It is recommended to go to "Zheng Youcai Store" in the urban area.
Dongjiang Salmon
Cold-water rainbow trout can be sashimi or fried. "Danxia Farmhouse Cuisine" at the entrance of the scenic area has a good reputation.
Shaken Chili
A special dish in Anren, Chenzhou, with a unique shape and spicy taste, which can not only increase appetite but also has the effect of clearing heat and losing weight.
Jar Meat
Select fresh pork, match with the local specialty five-claw chili, and marinate it through a special process. It is bright red in color, fatty but not greasy, fresh and spicy in entry, and endless aftertaste.
Tickets
The ticket price is 98 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "高椅岭旅游区" to get the latest news or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
From April 30th to October 7th, it is open from 07:00 to 19:00, and admission stops at 17:20; from October 8th to April 29th of the following year, it is open from 08:00 to 18:00. Subject to the actual opening hours of the scenic area.
Tour Route
Regular route (2-3 hours): Enter from the south gate, view the Rock Formation from a distance through the Lianyi Bridge, climb the Yuntian Ladder, check in at the Z-shaped plank road, walk through the Suspended Plank Road, reach the core scenic area through the commissary, check in at attractions such as the cliff swing and Komodo Lake, and choose to continue walking the big circle or return to walk the small circle, and finally return to the south gate. In-depth experience line (all day): Add projects such as ferrata climbing, high-altitude zip line, cliff swing, etc., and finally take a helicopter for low-altitude sightseeing (need to make an appointment in advance).
Transportation
- Bus: You can take bus No. 501 and No. 817 to Gaoyiling Bus Station.
- Train: After arriving at Chenzhou Railway Station, take bus No. 59, No. 36, No. 27, No. 21 at the railway station bus stop to Gaosi Bell Station, and then transfer to bus No. 501 to Gaoyiling Bus Station.
- High-speed Railway: After arriving at Chenzhou West Station, take bus No. 201 at Wanhua Bus Station to Xihe Wetland Park South Station, and then transfer to bus No. 501 to Gaoyiling Bus Station.
- Self-driving: Search for "Gaoyiling Tourist Area" for navigation. Starting from Chenzhou Urban Area, pass through Wuling Avenue, Qingnian Avenue, Chenzi Road, Xuzi Avenue, and Chenyong Avenue to reach the scenic area, with a total distance of 31 kilometers and an estimated travel time of 44 minutes.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Dragon's Backbone: The landmark attraction of Gaoyiling, thrilling and spectacular, with steep cliffs on both sides and a narrow rock backbone in the middle.
- Komodo Lake: The unique color of the lake water complements the surrounding danxia landform. Overlooking from a high place, it is shaped like a komodo dragon, and the photography effect is excellent.
- Suspended Plank Road: Built on the cliff, walking in it can experience thrills and admire beautiful natural scenery.
Tour Tips
- Choose comfortable and non-slip shoes, as the scenic area has more rock roads and some sections are steep.
- Take sun protection and mosquito prevention measures. There are few vegetation in the scenic area, long direct sunlight time, and many mosquitoes.
- Choose the tour route according to your own physical condition. The scenic area has routes with different difficulties for you to choose.
- When playing in summer, try to avoid the high temperature period at noon. You can choose the morning or evening to avoid heatstroke and enjoy the beautiful light and shadow effects.
Notes
- Carrying inflammable and explosive items is prohibited in the scenic area. Please do not litter peels, paper scraps, cigarette butts, or scribble, trample on flowers and plants, or approach the water area.
- There are many stairs for climbing. Please pay attention to foot safety. Climbing, swimming, crossing buildings, trees, protective barriers, and cliffs are prohibited.
- It is recommended that elderly people over 60 years old, pregnant women, and tourists suffering from hypoglycemia, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory system diseases enter the park with caution.
- Strictly abide by the order of the scenic area, take care of the children and the elderly in the same company, and pay attention to the custody of your belongings.
- The ticket checking stop time of the scenic area is 17:20. Please leave the park as soon as possible after sunset to ensure your safety.