Shiyan Lake Ecological Tourism Area is located in Tiaoma Town, Yuhua District, Changsha City, Hunan Province. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and a national ecological tourism demonstration area. Based on forest ecological resources, the scenic area integrates natural landscapes, ecological leisure, and outdoor development experiences. It has a forest coverage rate of 98%, with the negative oxygen ion content exceeding 80,000 per cubic centimeter. Covering a total area of about 10 square kilometers (including a water area of 450 mu), it is known as the "Natural Oxygen Bar" and "Urban Green Lung" of the Changzhutan Urban Agglomeration (Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan).
History and Culture
Shiyan Lake gets its name from the abundant "Shiyan" (stone swallow) fossils. According to geological research, this area was once a habitat for ancient marine organisms, and fossils of ancient creatures such as stone swallows and conchs dating back 300 million years can still be found at the lake bottom.
Tiaoma Town, where Shiyan Lake is situated, has a long history. Legend has it that it was named after Guan Yu (a famous general in the Three Kingdoms period) who leaped over a stream on his horse during the Battle of Changsha. The scenic area preserves historical relics related to Guan Yu, such as Tiaoma Stream (the stream where Guan Yu leaped) and Horse Watering Trough, as well as ancient cultural sites from the Neolithic Age to the Shang and Zhou dynasties, which show traces of early human activities in the Changsha area.
Since modern times, Shiyan Lake has been an important ecological barrier in Changsha. Developed into an ecological tourism area in 2002, it has become a model of integrating ecological protection and tourism development in the process of Changzhutan integration.
Major Attractions
Shiyan Lake
As the core landscape of the scenic area, Shiyan Lake covers a water area of 450 mu, with an average water depth of 15 meters and a maximum depth of 30 meters. The lake water is crystal clear, meeting the national first-class drinking water standard. There are islands in the lake, including Shiyan Island, Crocodile Island, and Monkey Island. Tourists can take a cruise around the lake to enjoy the scenery of lakes and mountains, or participate in water activities such as jet skiing and dragon boat racing.
Sky Glass Corridor Bridge
Spanning both banks of Shiyan Lake, the Sky Glass Corridor Bridge is 300 meters long, 3 meters wide, and 150 meters above sea level. It is the first cross-lake glass corridor bridge in Hunan Province. The bridge deck is made of three-layer laminated tempered glass, which can carry 500 people at the same time. Standing on the bridge, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of Shiyan Lake and experience the excitement of "standing in mid-air."
Rattan Bridge
The Rattan Bridge adopts traditional suspension bridge construction techniques, using thick rattans and solid wooden piles to ensure stability and safety. Walking on the suspension bridge, tourists can feel the excitement of slight shaking while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Shiyan Lake Scenic Area.
Forest Walk
Located on the west side of Shiyan Lake, the Forest Walk area has a 6-kilometer-long forest trail, with ancient and famous trees as well as rare plants along the way. Among them, the "Millennium Ancient Camphor Tree" is 1,200 years old, 28 meters tall, and 6.5 meters in chest circumference, making it one of the oldest camphor trees in Changsha. Negative oxygen ion monitors are installed beside the trail to display air quality data in real time.
Jungle Adventure
Located on the east bank of Shiyan Lake, the Jungle Adventure project has 8 routes of varying difficulty, with a total length of 1,200 meters. It includes 48 checkpoints such as High-Altitude Broken Bridge, Myanmar Bridge, and Spider Web Crossing. The highest point of the project is 20 meters above the ground, suitable for tourists of different age groups. It is one of the largest outdoor development bases in Hunan Province.
Recommended Tour Route
It is recommended to spend one full day visiting Shiyan Lake Ecological Tourism Area. The following is a classic tour route:
North Gate of the Scenic Area (Tourist Center) → Welcome Square → Monkey Palace → Guanyun Bridge → Rattan Bridge → Cliff Swing → Forest Park → Tianjie Food Street → Beach Parent-Child Park → Tourist Shuttle Bus → Amusement Park → Happy Square → Jungle Adventure → Forest Walk → Lakeside Plank Road → North Gate of the Scenic Area.
Travel Tips
- Visit from March to May to admire flowers such as azaleas and cherry blossoms; visit from September to November to enjoy autumn foliage including red maples and ginkgoes. It is recommended to bring a camera to capture the natural scenery.
- For the Sky Glass Corridor Bridge, it is advisable to wear non-slip shoes. Tourists with hypertension or heart disease are advised to experience it with caution.
- Reservation in advance is required for the Jungle Adventure project. Children must be accompanied by adults to participate. It is recommended to wear sportswear and carry drinking water.
- Restaurants in the scenic area are concentrated near the Tourist Center. Recommended dishes include Shiyan Lake Ecological Fish and Tiaoma Braised Pork, with an average cost of 50-70 yuan per person.
- Take sun protection measures in summer. There are many mosquitoes on the forest trail, so it is recommended to bring mosquito repellent. Some outdoor projects may be closed due to weather in winter; please check the scenic area announcement before your trip.
Notes
- Smoking is prohibited in the scenic area, and violators will be fined 50 yuan. Littering is not allowed; garbage must be disposed of in designated trash cans.
- Running and jumping are prohibited on the Sky Glass Corridor Bridge. Sharp objects are not allowed to be carried to avoid damaging the glass deck.
- Wear a life jacket when taking a boat, follow the instructions of the staff, and do not chase or play in the water on the boat.
- Safety equipment must be worn for the Jungle Adventure project. Operate strictly in accordance with the coach's guidance and do not change the route without permission.
- There are many mountain roads around the scenic area; drive carefully if traveling by car. Parking spaces are limited, so it is recommended to arrive before 9:00 AM on weekends and holidays.
Transportation
- Bus: Take Bus No. 229 or 209 from downtown Changsha to Tiaoma Town Station, then transfer to Xingtong Bus No. 5 to reach Shiyan Lake Scenic Area directly. The whole journey takes about 1.5 hours, with a fare of 5 yuan.
- Tourist Shuttle: Direct tourist shuttles to Shiyan Lake operate from Changsha Railway Station and Changsha West Bus Station from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM daily. The fare is 20 yuan, and the travel time is 1 hour.
- Self-Driving: - From downtown Changsha: Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway → Changsha Ring Expressway → Huahui Avenue → Shiyan Lake Scenic Area (about 30 kilometers, 40 minutes' drive, toll fee about 15 yuan); - From downtown Zhuzhou: Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway → Changsha Ring Expressway → Shiyan Lake Scenic Area (about 50 kilometers, 1 hour's drive). There are 3 parking lots in the scenic area, with a charge of 10 yuan per car per day.
- Internal Transportation: Tourist shuttles operate in a loop within the scenic area, stopping at major attractions. The fare is 20 yuan per person, valid for all-day rides.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open year-round. Its opening hours are 08:00-17:30, extended to 18:00 in summer (May-October). Attractions such as the Sky Glass Corridor Bridge and Jungle Adventure are open from 08:30 to 17:00, and the last cruise departs at 17:00. The best visiting seasons are March-May (flower season) and September-November (autumn scenery). The "Shiyan Lake Azalea Festival" is held in mid-April, and the "Ecological Tourism Festival" is held in October.
Tickets
Combination Ticket: 160 yuan per person.
Search for the official WeChat public account "长沙石燕湖景区" to get the latest updates.
Online Booking
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