Baofeng Lake Scenic Area is located in Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province. As a component of Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area, a World Natural Heritage, World Geopark, and one of the first national 5A-level tourist areas, it is known as the "Classic of World Lakes". The scenic area integrates landscapes and folk customs, featuring rich landscape characteristics such as thousand-meter high gorges, ten-mile Yaochi (Jade Lake), strange peaks and waterfalls, cliff plank roads, ancient temples in deep mountains, charming folk customs, and passionate dances. Baofeng Lake in the southeast of the scenic area is located on a mountain top with a relative height of over 80 meters. The lake is 2.5 kilometers long, with an average water depth of 72 meters. The core scenic area is 2.5 kilometers long, and the widest part of the water surface is more than 150 meters. The total area of Baofeng Lake Scenic Area is 4,100 mu, consisting of Baofeng Lake and Yingwozhai (Eagle's Nest Stockade).
History and Culture
Baofeng Lake is an artificial lake formed by local villagers building a dam for power generation in the 1970s, named after Baofeng Mountain behind it. Baofeng Temple was first built in the Song Dynasty, with a history of more than 1,000 years, and was renovated in the Qing Dynasty. According to local historical records, the founder was Monk Tiechan, who created and presided over Baofeng Temple for more than 40 years, saving countless living beings. With more than 80 resident monks, it became one of the important monasteries in the Wuling Mountains of western Hunan. Zhao Heng, Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty (a calligrapher emperor in Chinese history), once praised Baofeng Temple with his imperial handwriting. When Emperor Qianlong toured the south of the Yangtze River in 1755, he personally inscribed the four characters "Baofeng Xian Shan" (Treasure Phoenix Immortal Mountain) and allocated official silver for large-scale renovation, making it grand with iron-tiled brick walls and carved beams and painted rafters. Since then, it has been extremely popular, known as "Superior to Wudang Mountain", with more than 1,000 pilgrims coming to burn incense every day.
Main Attractions
Baofeng Lake
Known as the "Classic of World Lakes", Baofeng Lake is a rare high-gorge flat lake surrounded by green mountains and clear blue water, with charming scenery. There are two overlapping green islands in the lake, and strange peaks stand near the shore, with the lake winding around the peaks. Boating on the lake, you can see half of the green water and half of the reflections, full of poetry and painting, and also view wonderful scenes on the central island such as "Jade Bottle Blooming", "Ten Women Dressing", "Golden Turtle Playing in Water", and "Frog Celebrating Spring".
Baofeng Waterfall
This is the outdoor filming location of the Water Curtain Cave in Journey to the West, a perfect combination of nature and artificial construction. There was originally a waterfall cascading down, and after artificial beautification, it has become thunderous, crashing, and imposing.
Baofeng Temple
Located near Yingwozhai on a cliff southwest of Baofeng Lake, it has a long history. In the center of the main hall, Sakyamuni Buddha is enshrined, with Buddhist disciples standing on both sides, and the four characters "Qianfo Yingshen" (Thousand Buddhas Incarnate) engraved above. On both sides of Sakyamuni Buddha, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and Manjusri Bodhisattva are enshrined respectively. The scenic area restored and built this main hall on the former site of Baofeng Temple in 1999.
Baofeng Goddess
There is a tall and graceful stone peak on the lake. Looking up from 2 meters above the lake surface, its flat part resembles the left side of a beautiful woman's face, as if she is dressing up in front of the huge mirror of the lake, and the upper part is her high bun. Therefore, it is called the "Baofeng Goddess", also known as the "Fairy Looking in the Mirror".
Yingwozhai (Eagle's Nest Stockade)
It is the first stockade among the forty-eight stockades in the Wuling Mountain area, meaning a place where only strong eagles can build nests, metaphorizing its steepness and danger. Now it is the most beautiful outdoor hiking route in Zhangjiajie, deeply loved by outdoor hiking enthusiasts.
Yixiantian (Narrow Sky)
The canyon is more than 200 meters long and over 100 meters high, with an average width of less than two meters. There is a small stream in the canyon, and stone steps spiral up along the stream, extremely quiet and infinitely profound.
Delicacies
Sangxiaguo (Three Ingredients Hot Pot)
A characteristic dish of Zhangjiajie, usually made by stewing or boiling three main ingredients, such as pig intestine, pig stomach, beef tripe, sheep tripe, pig's trotter, or pig head meat (select three of them), adding seasonings like chili and Chinese prickly ash, with a rich taste and mellow flavor.
Tujia Smoked Bacon
A traditional pickled food of the Tujia people, made through multiple processes such as pickling and smoking. The meat is firm, fragrant, and has a unique smoky flavor. It can be eaten directly after steaming or boiling, or stir-fried with other vegetables.
Rock Ear Stewed with Native Chicken
Rock ear is a fungus growing on cliffs, rich in nutrients. Stewed with native chicken, the soup is fresh and delicious, the chicken is tender, and the rock ear is smooth and tender, with nourishing effects.
Xiangxi Sour Fish
Fresh fish is pickled with salt, then put into a jar with glutinous rice flour, chili, and other seasonings, and fermented in a sealed container. The fish is sour and delicious, appetizing and suitable for meals.
Admission Tickets
The ticket price is 110 yuan per person, including the fees for the scenic area's environmental protection vehicles and cruise ships. Other expenses need to be paid separately.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "张家界国家森林公园" in WeChat to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
Peak season: 7:00—18:00; Off-season: 7:30—17:00.
Tour Routes
Baofeng Lake Scenic Area Entrance → Environmental Protection Vehicle Uphill → Cruise Ticket Checkpoint → Baofeng Lake → Environmental Protection Vehicle Downhill → Giant Salamander Area → Waterfall Outlet → Haohan Slope (Hero Slope) → Xingfu Bridge (Happiness Bridge).
Transportation
- From Zhangjiajie Urban Area, there are direct tourist buses to Baofeng Lake.
- You can first take a midibus to Wulingyuan, which costs 13 yuan and takes about 1 hour. After arriving in Wulingyuan, take a taxi to Baofeng Lake for about 10 yuan, or take Bus No. 2 for 2 yuan.
- For self-driving, navigate to Baofeng Lake Parking Lot, with a parking fee of 10 yuan per time.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Baofeng Lake: The "Classic of World Lakes", a high-gorge flat lake with beautiful lake and mountain scenery. Boating allows you to feel the poetry and painting.
- Baofeng Waterfall: The outdoor filming location of the Water Curtain Cave in Journey to the West, with a magnificent waterfall.
- Baofeng Goddess: A vivid stone peak, the "Flower of Baofeng Lake".
Tour Tips
- Check the opening hours and ticket information in advance and plan your itinerary reasonably.
- It is recommended to reserve at least half a day to fully experience the beautiful scenery.
- Choose comfortable shoes for walking in the scenic area.
- You can choose to follow the scenic area guides to better understand the culture of the attractions.
Notes
- Abide by the scenic area regulations, protect the environment, and do not litter.
- Pay attention to safety when playing, especially when activities on the lake.
- Some areas in the scenic area may require additional fees, so understand the relevant information in advance.
- If you plan to stay for a long time or carry out night activities, make preparations in advance and bring necessary equipment and food.