[2025 Yueyang Attraction] Travel Guide for Dongting Lake Town (Updated Apr)

Strolling along the antique stone-paved roads, surrounded by idyllic architecture, visitors and locals alike enjoy a slower pace of life, experiencing the transformation from Chenjiazui Village to Dongting Lake Town. Listen to the stories of long-time residents and glimpse into the unique past of this charming locale. 1. Dongting Lake Town is located south of Nanhu Lake in the Dongting Lake Tourist Resort, encompassing the area from Zhilan Road to Ganshan Road. With a total planned area of 3,200 mu, the project centers around the original village, integrating the surrounding mountains, forests, and farmland to create a leisure and holiday destination showcasing Dongting culture. With a total investment of approximately CNY 780 million, Dongting Lake Town focuses on the "water and countryside" cultural core of Dongting Lake, aiming to become a benchmark for innovative rural cultural tourism. It offers a new type of rural resort complex centered around creative agricultural, cultural, and tourism experiences within artistically designed spaces, all promoting a better life. 2. "I've lived here since 1991, so by the time of the renovation and relocation, I will have lived here for almost 30 years," says Liu Lan, a member of the Huxingshan Community Residents' Committee, setting the stage for the story of this transformation. 3. In her memory, this was once an old village enveloped by the modern city. Before officially becoming Dongting Lake Town, it was known as Chenjiazui. Residents primarily relied on farming and tree planting for their livelihood. The hills were covered with fruit trees and scattered farmlands, which characterized the area. Village roads were narrow and difficult to navigate, chickens and ducks roamed freely, and dilapidated brick houses were a common sight. Apart from relatives, few outsiders visited, painting a picture of a typical urban village. 4. Today, rustic and elegant houses nestle among the trees, complementing the landscape of Nanhu Lake. The town is divided into three main sections: the original village area, a cultural and art experience area, and a science and technology innovation experience area. It integrates hotels and homestays, restaurants, nature education, technological innovation, and artistic experiences. Characteristic hotels and rows of renovated bungalows now house distinctive eateries, all breathing new life into the old structures. The old houses near the ancient park tree in the village center have been transformed into the Taibai Tea House, a popular spot for conversation and tea. Every corner of the town bears witness to the remarkable changes. 5. "When I have free time, I like to bring my children here for a stroll and enjoy a slower pace of life," says Zhang Meng. Now, with clean roads, well-structured houses, and a constant flow of people enjoying leisurely walks, the "slow life" has become a unique feature of Dongting Lake Town. The old village has shed its former dust and grime, quietly transforming with an infusion of new energy, reborn with a fresh perspective. 6. At night, Dongting Lake Town sparkles with lights, and the Planetarium's special light show is a feast for the eyes. "The technologically advanced lighting here is truly beautiful," says Ms. Liu, a visitor with her child. Although not a resident of Chenjiazui, she grew up in the lakeside area and has witnessed its transformation. From demolition to reconstruction, and from reconstruction to gradual improvement, the relatively short period of time feels like a whirlwind of change. Today, Dongting Lake Town has become a popular weekend destination for locals, attracting numerous visitors for leisure, entertainment, and photo opportunities. It is gradually becoming a landmark cultural tourism project in the Nanhu New District. 7. The birth of Dongting Lake Town marks a new era for cultural tourism development in the Nanhu New District. The old park tree stands guard, a silent witness to the history of generations in Chenjiazui. After centuries, it remains a landmark in the heart of Dongting Lake Town, its rings marking the passage of time and the remarkable transformation of this once-forgotten village.

Written by Xie Zhidong On Zilan Road in the Dongting Lake Tourist Resort in Yueyang, Hunan, there is a cultural and tourism town themed around agricultural culture, named Dongting Lake Town. In the warm spring season, we made a special trip to Dongting Lake Town to experience the flavor of agricultural culture. At the entrance of Dongting Lake Town, the words 'Return to a Good Life' come into view. Although it seems a bit hollow at first glance, who doesn't yearn for a good life? Advertising slogans never need fancy words; the most important thing is to touch people's hearts, and this slogan is obviously just right. Standing on the observation deck, the town's fields crisscross, and streams flow gently. In the nearby fields, there are large patches of golden rapeseed flowers, like a group of girls in yellow skirts dancing gracefully in the wind. When the breeze blows, you can also smell a faint fragrance of flowers, refreshing and pleasant. Among the rapeseed flowers, you can also see some scarecrows. In the agricultural era, people used straw to make human figures to scare away birds from eating crops. Scarecrows are also considered a crystallization of ancient wisdom. The straw stacks in the fields easily evoke childhood memories and have a homely feel. In the distant low-lying areas, there are several interconnected ponds. The willows by the pond have just sprouted, light and graceful, swaying in the wind. In the pond, there are some fishing nets propped up with bamboo poles, revealing a fishing village style. The Dongting Lake area is known as the land of fish and rice, and fishing nets and other fishing tools are undoubtedly cultural elements with regional characteristics. On the west side of the pond, there is a barbecue place specializing in grilled fish. The barbecue place is entirely made of wood, with a thatched roof. The barbecue place is aptly named 'Thatch and Fish.' Yueyang's local cuisine has always featured fish. The traditional specialty dish 'Baling Whole Fish Feast' is said to be made from more than 20 kinds of fish produced in Dongting Lake. Each feast has at least 12 dishes and up to 32 dishes, all made from fish, from small plates and main courses to desserts. Next to the barbecue place is a sculpture of a cow, tall and mighty, with exaggerated features. The cow is an important participant in the progress of human civilization and one of the iconic elements of agricultural culture. The earliest records of cattle farming in Chinese history can be found in the Spring and Autumn period. For thousands of years, cows have helped people cultivate this land, becoming indispensable partners in agricultural production. It was not until the end of the 20th century that cattle farming techniques were gradually replaced by agricultural mechanization. Although cattle farming techniques have now faded from the historical stage, the image of the cow, naturally kind and hardworking, remains deeply imprinted in people's minds. On the east side of the pond, rows of quaint and elegant houses are built along the mountain, scattered and hidden among lush forests. The layout and architectural style of the houses are basically the same as the villages we usually see in the countryside, only more exquisite. On a brick wall at the entrance of the village, the words 'Daohualing Village Center' are embedded, telling us that this is the core village of Dongting Lake Town. In front of the text sign, there is also a logo with a rice ear pattern, indicating that Daohualing Village adheres to tradition while keeping up with the times. Although most of the houses in Daohualing Village are used for commercial purposes, the decoration style of the shops still strives to maintain the rural flavor. Walking along the village paths, you can see exhibits reflecting agricultural cultural elements everywhere, such as waterwheels, sickles, rakes, stone mills, wooden plows, hoes, carrying poles, baskets, dustpans, windmills, bamboo sieves, back baskets, straw hats, and raincoats commonly used in the agricultural era. There are even signs for haircuts and ear cleaning. The fishing gear commonly used in the Dongting Lake area is displayed under the theme 'Fishing Songs Collection.' In short, the elements of agricultural culture are fully utilized here. While touring Dongting Lake Town, I was thinking: what exactly is a good life? Why do people miss traditional agricultural culture? After returning, I figured it out. People do not miss the agricultural era but the spirit of agricultural culture. The agricultural cultural elements and styles displayed in Dongting Lake Town embody the spirit of agricultural culture. The spirit of agricultural culture, which has been passed down for thousands of years, is the most cherished thing. The spirit of agricultural culture is the way of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. People transform nature, but they must do so in accordance with nature, without exceeding the limits allowed by natural conditions. Only by harmoniously coexisting with nature and building a resource-saving and environmentally friendly society can sustainable development be achieved. This is the essence of a good life. (Written by Xie Zhidong)

The new look of Dongting Lake Town is here! Sure enough, every new appearance did not disappoint~ There are many check-in points this time. The weather is nice this May Day so you can go for a stroll in the town! 📍: You can directly reach Dongting Lake Town by navigation. There are parking lots nearby, 3 yuan per hour. 📝Some tips for traveling, you can 🐴 remember! There are many interesting and beautiful attractions in Dongting Lake Town. The side near the parking lot looks like a fairy tale world, with colorful wooden doors and small windmills. There are also decorations under the big trees. It is very artistic to take pictures here. The pond is also a collision of neo-Chinese style and modernity, with two cute red ducks and a neo-Chinese classical raft. Both adults and children can take a few photos here. When you come to the market, you can encounter the intangible cultural heritage and the charm of dyed cloth. The small rocky slope on the other side looks very much like Monet's garden. The fairy check-in is so beautiful! There are also flowers of various colors blooming along the way, surrounded by green trees 🌲 and grass! It is beautiful, photogenic and healing~ ✨Friends who come here must be sure to take precautions against mosquitoes and sunscreen, and protect the environment!

Dongting Lake Town is a highlight project of Yueyang Dongting Lake Tourism Resort. It has six functional areas: industrial creativity area, cultural experience area, rural resort area, ecological sightseeing area, natural science area, and mountain sports area. The total planned area is 3,200 acres, with a total investment of 780 million yuan. Since its opening, Dongting Lake Town has become a "net celebrity check-in spot" in Yueyang City. During every holiday and even on ordinary weekends, there is an endless stream of citizens coming to visit. "Crowded" has become the most frequently appearing label of Dongting Lake Town, and it is also the friend of Yueyang people and the farm tools in the town. Walking through the town, you can see fields surrounded by small colorful flags. "That's the farmland claimed by the children who came here for study. They will take care of it regularly." The most popular place in the town is the market in the town square, which gathers more than 20 kinds of traditional delicacies such as glutinous rice cakes, Pingjiang dried rice, lobster, glutinous rice chicken, etc. It is a corridor of rural flavors on the tip of the tongue. Also popular with tourists are the three experience areas in the town: Yuanxiang Fishing Village, Daoxiang Fishing Village, and Youle Farmland. Using the countryside as a carrier, they bring the town's tourists back to the countryside, back to their childhood, and back to the rural countryside where they once played carefree. There are mountains and rivers on one side and a city on the other. Dongting Lake Town takes the rural culture of Dongting Lake as its core, and seeks the memory of the traditional Dongting water town from the traditional Baling folk customs: food, housing, transportation, fishing and other cultures. Come and visit this leisure and holiday town with your family and friends this holiday!