Yueyang Tower - A Thousand-Year-Old Poem and Painting by Dongting Lake

Yueyang Tower - A Thousand-Year-Old Poem and Painting by Dongting Lake! Located by Dongting Lake in Yueyang, Hunan, it is one of the "Three Great Towers of Jiangnan" along with Yellow Crane Tower and Pavilion of Prince Teng. 🌊 It was originally built as a military tower by Lu Su of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. The existing buildings are from the Qing dynasty. It became famous thanks to "Memorial to Yueyang Tower" by Fan Zhongyan. 📜 The magnificent view of "distant mountains and the Yangtze River" and the unique helmet-shaped roof make for a cultural blockbuster from every angle. 📸 🕘 [Opening Hours] ⏰ 🔸 Peak season (May 1 - Oct 31): 07:30 - 18:30 🔸 Off season (Nov 1 - Apr 30): 07:30 - 18:00 ✨ Special night tour: Every Friday/Saturday 19:00 - 21:00 💡 Tip: Climb the tower 2 hours before sunset to capture both day and night views. 🌇 💴 [Ticket Price] 💰 ✅ Day ticket: CNY 70 (half price for students) ✅ Night ticket: CNY 98 (includes light show and tea ceremony) 🚫 Important: Time slot reservation required from August 2024! ⛺ [In-Depth Travel Guide] 🗺️ 1️⃣ [Main Tower Exploration] 🏯 ✔️ Must-see: 12-meter-high "Memorial to Yueyang Tower" nanmu wood carving on the third floor ✔️ Easter egg: Find the Big Dipper decoration on the "Nanji Xiaoxiang" plaque on the pillar 💡 Photo spot: The carved window frame on the west side of the second floor is perfect for lake view photos 2️⃣ [Poetry Stele Maze] 🪓 🔸 A corridor of 300+ poetry steles from different dynasties 🔸 Hidden game: Collect four rubbings of "Memorial to Yueyang Tower" to exchange for cultural and creative gifts 3️⃣ [Three Drunken Pavilion] 🍶 ✔️ Lü Dongbin's drunken stone statue ✔️ Interactive experience: Throw a copper coin at the stone gourd for good luck 4️⃣ [Dongting Whale Watching Platform] 🐳 🔸 Use the scenic telescope to see finless porpoises 🔸 Best time: 7-8 am when the lake is foggy 5️⃣ [Song Style Market] 🎎 🔸 Three ancient costume parades every day at 10:00/15:00/19:30 🔸 Experience: Make a Yueyang Tower model cake 6️⃣ [Hidden Game] 🔍 🗝️ Find the "Rong Ma Guan Shan Bei" stone carving from Du Fu's poem in Huaifu Pavilion 🗝️ The floor tiles in Xianmei Pavilion hide a plum blossom pattern 🚌 [Transportation Guide] 🚢 🚄 High-speed rail: Changsha South → Yueyang East (30 minutes) → Take Bus 1 ✈️ Flight: Direct flights from 15 cities to Sanhe Airport → Airport Express Line 2 🛳️ Cruise: Changsha Orange Isle → Dongting Lake Night Cruise (4-hour romantic route) 🚗 Self-driving: Navigate to "Yueyang Tower Scenic Area Parking Lot" (limited parking!)