Gaoyiling Tourist Area is located in Gaoyiling Village, Feitian Mountain Town, Suxian District, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction with a total planned area of 11 square kilometers. As an original ecological Danxia landform scenic area, its forest coverage rate reaches 95%. With the theme of "Youth Red Rock", the scenic area has created the overall image of "Danxia Feitian Mountain, Dynamic Gaoyiling". It integrates mountains, rivers, caves, stockades, cliffs and plains, and also includes elements such as Danxia cable-stayed bridge, glass plank road, rural homestays and tent camping.
History and Culture
The origin of Gaoyiling comes from a local legend. Tieguai Li, one of the Eight Immortals, believed that emperors and ministers should be equal to ordinary people. He casually threw his tall-legged chair, which shattered and turned into today's Gaoyiling, hence the name of the place. Once a disposal site for waste slag from a thermal power plant, Gaoyiling suffered from vegetation damage, soil erosion and ecological destruction due to coal ash accumulation and waste water damming in the early 21st century. Later, the Suxian District Government implemented a series of measures, such as building a circular economy industrial park, carrying out landform restoration and soil covering projects. These ecological restoration efforts significantly improved Gaoyiling's environment and transformed it into a tourist attraction. The once poor and backward Gaoyiling Village has also become a "Internet-famous" village for tourism in Chenzhou.
Major Attractions
Dragon's Backbone
The soul of Gaoyiling, it is a natural rock ridge about 300 meters long, with cliffs of nearly 100 meters vertical drop on both sides, resembling the backbone of a giant dragon. After rain, the red cliffs glow with rust-red luster, forming a strong visual impact with the emerald green puddles below.
Giant Lizard Lake
The lake water presents a dreamy blue-green color due to mineral deposition, shaped like a crawling giant lizard. The Danxia landform and green trees along the lake shore are reflected in the water. On sunny days, the blue sky, white clouds, red rocks and clear water form a striking color contrast, known as a model of "clear water and red cliffs".
Stonehenge
Composed of geometric boulders cut from original red rocks, scattered in an orderly manner, it is a collision between modern art and nature, especially suitable for shooting minimalist style photos.
Hanging Plank Road
Located at an altitude of 240 meters with a total length of 400 meters, the plank road floats in the clouds and clings to the steep cliff of the mountain, with an abyss below. Walking on it, you can reach the One-Line-Sky and Dragon's Backbone, and instantly feel the sense of "looking far and wide at the Chu sky".
Meili Tan (Beautiful Flatland)
Climbing to the top, you can have a 360-degree bird's-eye view of the Danxia peaks and scattered ponds. At sunrise and sunset, the glow dyes the rock walls red, making it a favorite "God's perspective" for photographers.
Tour Routes
Regular Route (2-3 hours): Enter from the South Gate, overlook the Stonehenge from a distance via the Lianyi Bridge, climb the Yuntian Staircase, visit the Z-shaped Plank Road, walk through the Hanging Plank Road, pass the snack bar to reach the core scenic area, and visit attractions such as the Cliff Swing and Giant Lizard Lake. You can choose to complete the big loop or return via the small loop, and finally return to the South Gate.
In-depth Experience Route (Whole Day): Add projects such as Via Ferrata, high-altitude zip line and cliff swing, and finally take a helicopter low-altitude tour (reservation required in advance).
Travel Tips
- Wear comfortable and non-slip shoes, as the scenic area has mostly rock roads and some steep sections.
- Take sun protection and mosquito repellent measures. There are few vegetation in the scenic area, with long hours of direct sunlight and many mosquitoes.
- Choose a suitable tour route according to your physical condition. The scenic area offers routes of different difficulty levels.
- When traveling in summer, try to avoid the high-temperature period at noon. You can choose early morning or evening to avoid heatstroke and enjoy beautiful light and shadow effects.
Notes
- Flammable and explosive items are prohibited in the scenic area. Do not litter peel, paper scraps or cigarette butts, and do not scribble, trample on flowers and plants, or approach the water area.
- There are many steps when climbing mountains. Please pay attention to your feet. Climbing, swimming, and crossing buildings, trees, guardrails and cliffs are prohibited.
- It is recommended that tourists over 60 years old, pregnant women, and those with hypoglycemia, cardiovascular diseases or respiratory diseases enter the scenic area with caution.
- Strictly abide by the scenic area order, take good care of accompanying children and the elderly, and keep your belongings safe.
- The last ticket check time of the scenic area is 17:20. Please leave the park as soon as possible after sunset to ensure your safety.
Transportation
- Bus: Take Bus No. 501 or 817 and get off at Gaoyiling Bus Station.
- Train: After arriving at Chenzhou Railway Station, take Bus No. 59, 36, 27 or 21 at the Railway Station Bus Station to Gaosibeier Station, then transfer to Bus No. 501 to Gaoyiling Bus Station.
- High-speed Railway: After arriving at Chenzhou West Railway Station, take Bus No. 201 at Wanhua Bus Station to Xihe Wetland Park South Station, then transfer to Bus No. 501 to Gaoyiling Bus Station.
- Self-driving: Navigate to "Gaoyiling Tourist Area". Starting from Chenzhou urban area, you can reach the scenic area via Wuling Avenue, Qingnian Avenue, Chenzi Road, Xuzi Avenue and Chenyong Avenue. The total distance is 31 kilometers, and the estimated travel time is 44 minutes.
Opening Hours
April 30 - October 7: 07:00 - 19:00 (last entry at 17:20)
October 8 - April 29 next year: 08:00 - 18:00
Subject to the actual opening hours of the scenic area.
Ticket Information
Ticket Price: 98 yuan per person
Search for the official WeChat public account "高椅岭旅游区" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.