Things to do in Yongzhou

The park opens at 6 AM, and it only took about 20 minutes to get in, mainly because of the ticket check. Before you go, check the weather forecast; otherwise, there's not much to do. Without ice formations and frost, the scenery is just so-so. If you're bringing ice pops, be sure to bring crampons, as the paths are very slippery and it's easy to fall. The wind on the mountain is also very strong.

Learning about our historical predecessors is a great loss, especially the talented Liu Zongyuan, who died at the young age of 47. We should cherish the present. This place should be open to tourists; I truly believe it shouldn't charge an entrance fee.

Stepping into Lingling Ancient City is like traveling back a thousand years. The streets and alleys are simple and elegant, the shops are arranged in a neat and orderly manner, and the lights are dazzling at night. It has both the gentleness of the Jiangnan water towns and the profound cultural heritage of Hunan. Strolling around is comfortable and pleasant, and it is well worth a visit.

I passed through Yongzhou in early February and stayed for two days, visiting several attractions. The Liu Zongyuan Cultural Tourism Area is actually Lingling Ancient City, which is quite small. To get there, you can cross the Xiaoshui River via the Xiake Ferry from the Dongshan Scenic Area across the river. The Xiaoshui River is emerald green, and the ferry is shimmering. While the ancient city is small, it has a strong commercial atmosphere with many new buildings. Expansion is ongoing everywhere, including road paving, which detracts from its charm. Although many of the original sites from Liu Zongyuan's "Eight Records of Yongzhou" are no longer there, walking along the historical sites is still worthwhile.

Mount Jiuyi is the final resting place of Emperor Shun of the Yu clan. It is solemn and dignified, backed by Shunyuan Peak and facing Ehuang Peak. The mountain is majestic and the scenery is beautiful. When you climb up, you can see the magnificent world!

This is a very beautiful ancient village, especially the bridge at sunset. There's a nice guesthouse nearby. The most memorable local dish was braised duck with taro – it was incredibly delicious. The locally grown sweet corn was also exceptionally sweet; before leaving, I picked over 20 ears from the guesthouse's own cornfield to bring back.

The environment of Yangmingshan Scenic Area is good, but the service is not up to par. The supporting facilities, especially the public toilets, are dirty and smelly, as if they have not been cleaned for a long time. As a paid 4A scenic area, the public toilets are also the facade. The scenic area should not only make money, but also provide inadequate service and management.

The environment is elegant and the surroundings are tranquil. The classical culture of the academy is fully displayed. Actually, I would have preferred to hire a guided tour, but unfortunately, we couldn't gather 10 people. A group of 10 would cost 100 yuan for the guided tour, averaging 10 yuan per person.

Goulan Yao Village is an ancient village full of Yao customs. It preserves a large number of Yao traditional buildings and folk culture. It is a good place to learn about Yao culture and history. Walking in the village, you can enjoy the Yao singing and dancing performances and handicrafts, and feel the enthusiasm and hospitality of the Yao people.

With its red walls and green tiles, and upturned eaves, the ancient building's architecture is bathed in sunlight on sunny afternoons, creating dappled shadows on the stele corridor and dragon pillars. You can easily take high-quality photos in the ancient style, making it the top choice for a less-known ancient-style photo spot in Yongzhou.