Yueyang, also called Yuezhou, is a famous city with a long history of 2,500 years. It is located in the middle reaches of the great Yangtze River, adjoining the well-known Dongting Lake. The city has been awarded laudatory titles, including: Opening City along the Yangtze; National Historical and Cultural City; Excellent Tourist City in China; National Sanitary City; and National Garden City.
Located in northeast Hunan Province, Yueyang is considered the northern gateway of the province. It is also the only city at the river side of the Yangtze in the province. Within the city are also many lakes and rivers. The city boasts a moist climate, distinctive seasons, fresh air and a pretty environment. The advantageous environment blesses the city with abundant tourist attractions. The most famous are Yueyang Pavilion, Dongting Lake and Junshan Island, which are must-see for travelers to Yueyang.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Yueyang is from May to October. During this time Dongting Lake is at the high-flow season and lotus flowers are blooming. Besides, various festivals are held during this period, such as Dragon Boat Festival (Lunar May 5th, featuring dragon boat competition) and Double Ninth Festival (Lunar Calendar Sept 9, featuring climbing the Dayunshan Mountain).
Dining
Also known as 'The Homeland of Fish and Rice', Yueyang features rich aquatic products, such as Yangtze River crab, Dongting freshwater shrimp, Xiangyun carp, whitebait, Chinese sturgeon and turtle. Baling Whole Fish Banquet, the dishes of which are all made of fish, is a famous specialty here. In addition, there are many local snacks that are worth trying.
Shopping
Yueyang, the second strongest city on economy in Hunan (inferior only to the capital city Changsha), is also a prosperous commercial city. The modern shopping zones are around Baling Zhonglu, Chengdong Beilu, Chengdong Nanlu and Miaoqian Jie. Local souvenirs here include silverfish, Junshan silver tea, fans made of paper or plume.
Transportation
By Air: At present there is no airport in Yueyang City. Travelers can take the airplane in Changsha or Wuhan.
By Train: Yueyang Railway Station is located in Xianfeng Road of the city, which can be reached by bus routes No. 5, 15, 17, 36 and others. The station has daily trains to Changsha, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Zhanjiang, Guilin, Nanning, Beijing, Xian, Zhengzhou, Lanzhou, and other cities in China.
By Bus: There are four coach stations in the city: Yueyang Long-distance Bus Station (at the intersection of Baling Zhonglu and Chengdong Beilu), the Jianshe North Road Long-distance Bus Station, Baling Long-distance Bus Station (on Chengdong Nanlu) and New Long-distance Bus Station (Baling Donglu). Buses run to Changsha, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Nanning and other places.
By Water: Yueyang Chenglingji Port at the exit of Dongting Lake, the largest port in Hunan, which has boats to Chongqing, Yichang, Wuhan, Jiujiang, Shanghai, Nanjing and other places (reached by No.22 Bus). There is another wharf behind Yueyang Pavilion, from which you can cruise to Junshan Island, Nanjing, Jiujiang, Hankou and others (reached by No.29 Bus).
What to See: Dongting Lake, Yueyang Pavilion & Junshan Hill
