3-Day Trip to Chenzhou | Classic Combo of Dongjiang Lake and Xiao Dongjiang・All-Age Friendly Guide

Chenzhou, a small city in southern Hunan embraced by the Nanling Mountains, hides the fairyland of misty Dongjiang, the magical Danxia caves, and vast grasslands. Watch the morning mist by the lake with the elderly, accompany children flying kites on the grassland—here, every day feels like stepping into nature’s palette. 🗓️ Itinerary Overview D1: Arrive in Chenzhou → Dongjiang Lake (Xiao Dongjiang) → Doushuai Lingyan Cave D2: Gaoyiling → Suxianling D3: Yangtianhu Grassland → Return 🌫️ Day 1: Dreaming in the Misty River · Cave Exploration 📍 Dongjiang Lake (5A, ticket 85 RMB includes Xiao Dongjiang + Doushuai Island) Highlights: "A lake between heaven and earth," the early morning mist over Xiao Dongjiang is ethereal, fishermen casting nets like an ink painting (best from May to October). Elderly can take the scenic area shuttle bus (ticket included) to the viewing platform, sit on bamboo stools waiting for the mist to rise; children can watch the "Fishermen Casting Nets" show (20 RMB for photo opportunity), buy Dongjiang fish snacks (10 RMB/bag), and when taking a boat to Doushuai Island, see the water so clear you can count the fish. 🕙 Recommended time: 6:30-10:00 (best time for Xiao Dongjiang morning mist) 📸 Photo spots: Viewing Platform No. 2 (for fishermen casting nets + morning mist), Doushuai Island dock (for lake and mountain scenery) 📍 Doushuai Lingyan Cave (included in Dongjiang Lake ticket) Highlights: A thousand-year-old cave in the lake, stalactites under lights look like a crystal palace, with breathtaking sights like "Dragon Palace Treasure Hall" and "Jade Pillar Holding Up the Sky." Elderly can take a smooth boat ride into the cave, listen to the guide’s story about cave formation; children can use flashlights to find "stalagmite babies," take silhouette photos in front of the "crystal curtain," and buy cave-shaped glow sticks (15 RMB each). 💡 Tips: Cave temperature is a constant 18°C, bring light jackets for elderly and children; floors are slippery, hold the handrails. 🍖 Recommended dining: "Lakeside Restaurant" by Dongjiang Lake, must-try steamed Dongjiang fish (68 RMB), Linwu duck (58 RMB), about 50 RMB per person, fish is as fresh as just caught. 🏨 Recommended stay: "That Year Homestay" near Dongjiang Lake (lake view rooms, family rooms available), 300-400 RMB/night, convenient for next day’s morning mist viewing. 🌄 Day 2: Danxia Hiking · Seeking Serenity at Suxianling 📍 Gaoyiling (free) Highlights: Hundred-million-year-old Danxia landform, red rocks and green waters intertwined, wild and magnificent views like "Giant Lizard Entering the River" and "Dragon Spine Canyon." Elderly can walk the gentle viewing platform trail to admire the winding mountains and waters; children can run and jump at the "Crocodile Mouth" viewing platform, collect red pebbles, and have "firewood chicken" for lunch at the foot of the mountain (40 RMB per person), chicken stewed in a traditional stove is very fragrant. 🕙 Open all day (recommended 8:00-11:00 to avoid midday sun) 📸 Photo spots: Dragon Spine Canyon (panoramic red rock and green water), Giant Lizard Rock (looks like a large lizard lying down) 💡 Tips: Some sections have no shade, bring a sun hat; wear non-slip shoes as moss on rock walls can be slippery. 📍 Suxianling (4A, ticket 55 RMB) Highlights: "The 18th Blessed Land on Earth," legend says this is where Suxian became immortal, with attractions like the Three Wonders Stele and Suxian Temple, gentle mountain paths easy to walk. Elderly can listen to Suxian stories at "Bailu Cave," rest at pavilions; children can watch Chenzhou city views from the "Viewing Platform," learn Tai Chi (free lessons for elderly), and buy Suxianling cultural lucky bags (20 RMB each). 🍖 Recommended dining: "Qifengdu Fish Noodle Restaurant" in the city, must-try fish noodles (12 RMB/bowl), fried soy milk (5 RMB/serving), about 20 RMB per person, warm and appetizing. 🐑 Day 3: Frolicking on the Grassland · Windy Return 📍 Yangtianhu Grassland (4A, ticket 80 RMB) Highlights: "The Hulunbuir of the South," a high mountain grassland at 1350 meters altitude, with windmills, cattle and sheep, and wooden cabins; summer average temperature 20°C. Elderly can watch Yangtianhu (a high mountain lake) from the "Lake Viewing Platform," sit in a herder’s tent drinking milk tea (10 RMB/cup); children can ride dwarf horses (50 RMB/round), play grass sliding (30 RMB/time), chase sheep, and buy grassland yogurt (8 RMB/cup) to lick. 🕙 Open 8:00-18:00 📸 Photo spots: Windmill cluster (people with spinning windmills), cattle and sheep by the lake (pastoral grassland scene) 💡 Tips: Grassland is windy, bring windproof jackets for elderly; strong UV rays, apply sunscreen well. 🍖 Recommended dining: Grassland "Herder’s Restaurant," must-try whole roasted lamb (priced by weight, about 60 RMB/jin), horse milk wine (30 RMB/cup), about 70 RMB per person, experience authentic grassland flavor. ✨ Chenzhou Survival Guide 1️⃣ Transportation: Taxi starting fare 6 RMB, bus 2 RMB/ride; to Dongjiang Lake take bus 201 (5 RMB, 1 hour); Gaoyiling recommended by taxi (30 RMB from city center); Yangtianhu grassland private car 200 RMB/day (1.5-hour drive, winding mountain road). 2️⃣ Clothing: Wear windproof jackets in spring and autumn (grassland/lake windy), short sleeves + sun protection clothing in summer (strong UV), down jackets in winter (grassland may have snow), bring non-slip shoes (Gaoyiling, grassland dirt roads). 3️⃣ Prohibitions: No fishing at Dongjiang Lake; no climbing undeveloped rock walls at Gaoyiling; no chasing or scaring cattle and sheep on the grassland. 4️⃣ Accommodation: D1 stay at Dongjiang Lake, D2 stay in city (e.g., Chenzhou International Hotel), D3 stay at grassland homestay (e.g., "Cloud Grassland Inn," wooden cabins with heating). 🛍️ Must-Buy Souvenirs ① Dongjiang dried fish (25 RMB/bag, strong smoky flavor, great for cooking) ② Linwu duck (vacuum packed 60 RMB each, spicy and flavorful) ③ Guidong dried yellow mushrooms (50 RMB/bag, great for soup, suitable for elderly and children) ④ Grassland milk tablets (20 RMB/box, individually packaged, kids love them) The soul of Chenzhou is the dreamlike mist woven by Xiao Dongjiang’s morning fog, the vastness carved by Gaoyiling’s red rocks, and the expanse spread by Yangtianhu’s grassland. Whether waiting for the mist to rise by the lake with your parents, letting children run wild on the grassland, or watching a sunset on the Danxia with friends, every view here makes you want to freeze it into a painting. If you come to Chenzhou, would you want to see the mist at Xiao Dongjiang first or ride horses at Yangtianhu?