Dongjiang Lake Scenic Area is located in Zixing City, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and the only scenic area in Hunan Province that holds six national-level titles simultaneously: National Scenic Area, National Ecological Tourism Demonstration Area, National Forest Park, National Wetland Park, and National Water Conservancy Scenic Area.
The total area of the scenic area is 312.75 square kilometers, including a lake surface area of 160 square kilometers. As the largest man-made lake in central and southern China, Dongjiang Lake has a designed total storage capacity of 9.15 billion cubic meters, an average water depth of 51 meters, and a maximum depth of 157 meters.
Integrating natural landscapes such as mountains, karst caves, rivers, lakes, islands, famous temples, hot springs, rafting spots, and historical sites with cultural landscapes, the scenic area features major attractions including natural sites like Xiao Dongjiang (Small Dongjiang River), Dongjiang Dam, and Longjing Gorge, as well as cultural sites such as the Humanistic Xiaoxiang Museum, Shoufo Temple, and Dongjiang Resettlement Museum.
History and Culture
Zixing City, where Dongjiang Lake is situated, was established in the first year of Yonghe in the Eastern Han Dynasty (136 AD), boasting a history of over 1,800 years. It is home to 28 key cultural relics protection units and 3 items on the provincial intangible cultural heritage list.
Zixing is the birthplace of Zhou Quanzhen, the Wuliang Shoufo (Amitabha Buddha), who was conferred titles by five emperors in history and lived to the age of 138. There is a saying: "In the west stands Sakyamuni, and in the east stands Wuliang Shoufo." This area was also traversed by Emperor Yan, and cultural brands such as Yandi Hot Spring and Gounao Gongcha (Gounao Tribute Tea) are unique to Zixing's Shennong culture. The banks of Dongjiang Lake witnessed the revolutionary struggles of proletarian revolutionaries of the older generation such as Mao Zedong and Zhu De, and the anniversary commemoration of the Nanchang Uprising was held in Butian Village by Dongjiang Lake.
Beneath Dongjiang Lake lies a vast treasure trove of cultural relics. The excavation of the "Ninety-Nine Mounds" Warring States Tomb Group has witnessed the advancement and prosperity of Chu-Yue culture. The 50,000 resettlers of Dongjiang Lake have demonstrated to the world the spirit of self-reliance and unremitting struggle.
Major Attractions
Xiao Dongjiang (Small Dongjiang River)
Located at the main north entrance of Dongjiang Lake Scenic Area, Xiao Dongjiang is formed by the upper and lower reaches of the Dongjiang Hydropower Station, stretching 12 kilometers in length. The banks of Xiao Dongjiang are covered with lush peaks and ridges. From April to October every year, the "temperature difference effect" of the water causes a large amount of mist to form on the lake surface, creating a mist-shrouded scenery like a fairyland. It is a world-famous destination for photography, and the water quality of Xiao Dongjiang meets the national Class I drinking water standard.
Dongjiang Reservoir Dam
Dongjiang Reservoir Dam stands 157 meters high, with a base thickness of 35 meters, a top width of 7 meters, and a central arc length of 438 meters at the top. It has an installed capacity of 500,000 kilowatts. As the first double-curved thin-shell arch dam independently designed and constructed in China, it ranks second among similar dams in the world and first in Asia. When both dam gates are opened for flood discharge, the lake water rushes down, forming a huge mist that shrouds the entire canyon.
Longjing Gorge
Located in Wutong Village, southeast of the Dongjiang Dam Wharf, Longjing Gorge is a comprehensive tourist area integrating sightseeing, leisure and health preservation, and water entertainment. It is home to the largest waterfall group in southern China——Longjing Eighteen Waterfalls, as well as the largest natural oxygen bar in China——the negative oxygen ion-rich area of Longjing Gorge. The total tour route is 2.5 kilometers, with steep mountain slopes along the way, featuring 26 waterfalls of varying sizes and 18 pools.
Doushuai Lingyan (Doushuai Cave)
Doushuai Lingyan is a large karst cave formed 270 years ago, hidden in the Doushuai Ancient Temple at the foot of the southern cliff of Doushuai Island—the largest inland island in the south of the Yangtze River in China, covering an area of over 6 square kilometers. The ancient temple was first built in the 51st year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1796 AD). The cave is renowned for its height, grandeur, magnificence, wonder, depth, and breadth, stretching over 5 kilometers in depth. The stone curtains, stone pillars (36 meters high), and stone flowers in the cave are among the largest and tallest in the world, earning it the reputation of "Underground Maze of Nature" and "The Best Cave Under Heaven" by experts from the International Speleological Union.
Travel Routes
If you have ample time, a two-day itinerary is recommended. Day 1: Enter through the main entrance of the scenic area, visit Xiao Dongjiang to admire the dreamlike mist scenery; then tour Dongjiang Dam to experience its grandeur; afterward, head to Longjing Gorge to stroll through the canyon, enjoy the waterfall group, and breathe in the fresh air of the natural oxygen bar. Day 2: Take a boat to Doushuai Lingyan to explore the magical cave scenery; then go to Huangcao Town to experience the excitement of Dongjiang Rafting; if time permits, visit Bailang Scenic Area for a cycling tour around the lake to enjoy the beautiful lakes and mountains.
If you are short on time, you can choose the essence one-day tour route: Xiao Dongjiang - Dongjiang Dam - Longjing Gorge - Doushuai Lingyan (you can decide whether to take a boat to Doushuai Lingyan based on your interests and time).
Travel Tips
- To watch the mist scenery at Xiao Dongjiang, it is best to visit in the early morning or evening when the mist is most spectacular.
- When traveling in summer, take sun protection and mosquito repellent measures; if you plan to experience Dongjiang Rafting, remember to bring a change of clothes and a waterproof bag.
- The scenic area is blessed with beautiful mountains and rivers, so it is suitable for a leisurely tour. It is recommended to arrange your time reasonably and not rush.
Notes
- Protect the environment of the scenic area, do not litter, and keep the area clean.
- Abide by the scenic area's regulations, do not climb dangerous areas or damage public facilities.
- When taking a cruise ship, follow the staff's arrangements, pay attention to safety, and wear a life jacket.
- When observing wild animals, do not feed or disturb them, and keep an appropriate distance.
Transportation
- Public Transportation: From Chenzhou Urban Area, take a bus to Zixing City; upon arrival in Zixing, there are special tourist buses to Dongjiang Lake Scenic Area.
- Self-Driving: Depart from Chenzhou Urban Area, take Chenyong Avenue, Ziwu Highway, etc., to directly reach Dongjiang Lake Scenic Area. There are parking lots around the scenic area.
- High-Speed Railway: Chenzhou West Railway Station is the nearest high-speed railway station to the scenic area. After exiting the station, you can take a bus or taxi to the scenic area.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is generally open 24 hours a day, but specific attractions may be adjusted according to actual conditions. For example, projects like Dongjiang Rafting will have opening hours determined by the season and weather.
Tickets
Lake View Route: 80 RMB per person; Lake Tour Route: 178 RMB per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "东江湖旅游景区" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.
