Yueyang is located in the northeastern part of Hunan Province, at the confluence of Dongting Lake and the Yangtze River, earning it the reputation of being the 'Gateway to Northern Hunan'. It has a subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, abundant rainfall, hot summers, and damp winters.
Yueyang has a long history, known in ancient times as Baling or Yuezhou, and is one of the oldest cities in the Jiangnan region. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, it belonged to the Chu state, and in the Three Kingdoms period, the Eastern Wu stationed troops here. Fan Zhongyan's 'Record of Yueyang Tower' in the Northern Song Dynasty made Yueyang Tower famous worldwide, attracting scholars and poets.
Yueyang boasts profound cultural heritage and is one of the birthplaces of dragon boat culture, hosting an international dragon boat race every Dragon Boat Festival. Its cuisine features fresh ingredients from Dongting Lake, such as Yueyang barbecue, Junshan Silver Needle tea, Dongting Lake hairy crabs, and Baling whole fish feast, known for their spicy and fresh flavors.
Modern Yueyang is the second-largest economy in Hunan Province, with the important port of Chenglingji, making it a key node city in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. In recent years, it has vigorously developed tourism, logistics, and green industries, with the city's appearance changing rapidly.
The best time to visit 岳阳 is Best in spring and autumn (March-May, September-November).
Spring (March-May): The shores of Dongting Lake are lush with grass and warblers, Junshan Island is in the season for picking Silver Needle tea, with mild and humid weather, suitable for outings and flower viewing.
Summer (June-August): Although hot, you can enjoy the lotus flowers on Dongting Lake and participate in dragon boat races, but beware of heatstroke.
Autumn (September-November): Clear and crisp weather, stable water levels of Dongting Lake, best time to climb Yueyang Tower for lake views, and hairy crabs are plump.
Yueyang's city construction began in the Spring and Autumn period, with Ximi City built in 505 BC, marking the beginning of the city.
In 1046, Fan Zhongyan wrote 'Record of Yueyang Tower' at the invitation of his friend Teng Zijing, with the famous line 'Be the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures'.
Recommended places to visit
National 5A scenic spot, one of the three famous towers south of the Yangtze River, famous for Fan Zhongyan's 'Record of Yueyang Tower'. Climbing the tower offers a panoramic view of Dongting Lake.
The second largest freshwater lake in China, known as '800-li Dongting', an excellent place for bird watching, lotus appreciation, and tasting lake delicacies.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
As a famous historical and cultural tower in China, Yueyang Tower was included in the tentative list of World Cultural Heritage in 2024.
Explore rich intangible cultural heritage and traditional crafts
The Dragon Boat Festival customs along the Miluo River are an important part of the festival, including dragon boat racing, worship of Qu Yuan, eating zongzi, etc. Inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
Yueyang Flower Drum Opera is a local opera of Hunan, inscribed on the second batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2008.
Must-know transportation for exploring the city
Located in Yueyang Economic Development Zone, about 20 km from the city center, with flights to major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu.
Depends on route
A station on the Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway, with direct trains to Changsha, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Beijing, etc. About 30 minutes from Changsha to Yueyang.
Changsha-Yueyang about 60 yuan
City bus routes cover major attractions and urban areas, fare 2 yuan, mobile payment accepted.
2 yuan
Taste the most authentic and popular local specialties
Yueyang barbecue features spicy Hunan flavor, with a wide variety of skewers, especially famous for grilled beef fat and chicken feet.
One of China's top ten famous teas, produced on Junshan Island, with straight needle-like buds covered in white down, and bright orange-yellow liquor.
Yueyang Tower was announced by the State Council as the second batch of national key cultural relics protection units, and was also rated as one of the top 40 tourist attractions in China.
An island in Dongting Lake, national 5A scenic spot, famous for Junshan Silver Needle tea and Xiangfei bamboo, legend says the tears of Emperor Shun's two concubines turned into bamboo spots.
National 4A scenic spot, a famous historical and cultural village in China, with well-preserved Ming and Qing ancient buildings, known as 'the first village under heaven'.
A temple commemorating Qu Yuan, located in Miluo City, national 4A scenic spot, an important symbol of dragon boat culture and Qu Yuan's spirit.
Built in the Northern Song Dynasty, one of the best-preserved Confucian temples in Hunan Province, with a simple and elegant architectural style.
As famous as Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs, with tender meat and rich roe, best in autumn.
Traditional famous feast of Yueyang, using fresh fish from Dongting Lake as main ingredient, with multiple cooking methods including braised, steamed, fish balls, etc., dozens of dishes.
Yueyang specialty breakfast, rice noodles are smooth and tender, with delicious broth, topped with ingredients like stir-fried pork with chili, beef, etc.
Traditional pickled vegetable of Yueyang, radish cut into orchid shape, pickled to be crispy and refreshing, with sweet, sour and slightly spicy flavor.