Yueyang Tower Light-Chasing Guide

🌊 2-Day Essence Itinerary: Tower Views & Ancient Charm 📅 Day 1: Tower & Lake · Millennium Legacy 🌞 Morning: Yueyang Tower & Bianhe Street - **Yueyang Tower** (7:00-18:30｜¥70/adult) - Must-do: Climb the tower to admire Dongting Lake’s "holding distant mountains, swallowing the Yangtze" grandeur. Recite *The Yueyang Tower Essay* in full for free entry. - Cultural spot: Explore exhibits of historical tower models, tracing its "Five-Dynasty Evolution." - **Bianhe Street** (next to Yueyang Tower) - Food picks: Yueyang tofu skin (¥8), Dongting silver fish noodles (¥15), orchid radish (spicy & crunchy). 🌇 Afternoon: **Junshan Island** (15km from city｜¥78 incl. shuttle) - Highlights: Visit Xiangfei Temple’s tear-stained bamboo, Liuyi Well legends, and pick tea at Junshan Silver Needle plantations (May harvest season). - Sunset: Head to Baling Square for fishing boats returning under golden dusk. 🌙 Evening: Nightlife & Bites - **Yueyang Tower Night Tour** (¥35): Light show & live performance *Moonlit Dongting*. - Late eats: Paotai Mountain BBQ, Junshan shrimp cakes (¥5 each). 🌿 Day 2: Nature & Serenity 🌄 Morning: Temple & Pandas - **Sheng’an Temple** (7:30-17:30｜¥20) - Climb Wanfo Pagoda for South Lake panoramas. - **China Giant Panda Park** (8:30-17:30｜¥68) - Watch pandas munch bamboo; includes eco-wetlands & science exhibits. ☀️ Afternoon: Lakeside Leisure - **South Lake Cycling** (free｜¥20/hr rental): Scenic lakeside trails or visit Dongting Lake Village (9:00-17:30) for farming culture. - Alternatives: - **Yueyang Museum** (free｜closed Mon): Bronze artifacts & Baling opera costumes. - **Piaowei**: Top sunset viewpoint. 🍽️ Must-Eats - Dishes: Baling whole fish feast, ginger-spiced Yueyang pigeon (intangible heritage), Tieshan fish-head stew with lamb. - Snack streets: Bianhe Street (Pingjiang dried tofu), Tianluncheng night market (spicy crayfish). 🏨 Stays - Near Bianhe Street/Yueyang Tower: **HZ Hotel** (smart tech, close to sights). - South Lake: Lakeside rooms for tranquility. ⚠️ Tips 1. Free entry: Reciting *The Yueyang Tower Essay* requires perfection—prepare! 2. Transport: Use meters in taxis; buses (¥2) go direct. 3. Closures: Museums closed Mon; book pandas for mornings. **Why this trip?** Day 1 packs history (tower + island); Day 2 blends nature (pandas + lakes). Budget ~¥500 (incl. meals/tickets)—perfect for a weekend!