Bailang Scenic Area is located in Bailang Town, Zixing City, Chenzhou City, Hunan Province. It is adjacent to Tian'e Mountain National Forest Park and Xingning Ancient Town, and is a typical lake-island scenic area. Bailang Town lies in the core area of the Dongjiang Lake Scenic and Historic Interest Area, a national 5A-level tourist attraction, and the Dongjiang Lake National Wetland Park. The lake area under its jurisdiction is 120,000 mu, accounting for half of Dongjiang Lake's area. Bailang has a sound ecological environment, with green mountains and clear waters, and a forest coverage rate of 86%. With vast waters, numerous islands, and a combination of mountains, waters, forests, and orchards, it is rich in natural resources and is known as the "Little Erhai." It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction.
History and Culture
Zixing has been a county since the first year of Yonghe in the Eastern Han Dynasty (136 AD), when it was called Hanning, with the county seat established in front of Fenghuang Mountain (belonging to the former Jiushi Township).
Bailang is the place where Zhu De and Chen Yi led their troops to commemorate the first anniversary of the "Nanchang Uprising," and it is also the place where the CPC Xiangnan Special Committee was founded (the Yangjiaping Revolutionary Memorial Site in Zhongtang).
The Han opera, originating from Guanzhong in Shaanxi, survives only in Bailang in Hunan Province and has been listed as one of Chenzhou's first batch of intangible cultural heritages.
This is the hometown of the nationally famous writer Bai Wei. In her youth, Bai Wei was influenced by democratic ideas and developed anti-feudal awareness. She achieved fruitful results in literary creation and made important contributions to the development of modern Chinese literature.
Main Attractions
Dongjiang Lake
The lake water is clear, and the lake surface is broad, complementing the surrounding mountains. The lake and mountain scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. More than 20 islands are scattered across the lake, offering rich exploration and sightseeing experiences.
Lakeside Ring Road
It starts at Changyingtou Wharf and ends at Bailang Village, with a total length of about 15 kilometers. There are multiple parking and viewing platforms along the way. Visitors can cycle or drive along the route to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery of Dongjiang Lake and feel the pleasant breeze on their faces.
Bailang Wharf
It is the main departure point for boat tours on Dongjiang Lake, providing various water transportation options such as cruise boats and speedboats. Visitors can travel to attractions such as Doushuai Lingyan Karst Cave and Phoenix Island and experience the pleasure of water sightseeing.
Phoenix Island
It is named for its shape resembling a phoenix spreading its wings. There are many wild macaques on the island, making it a good place to get close to nature and observe wild animals. The island has dense vegetation and fresh air, and visitors can also overlook the magnificent scenery of Dongjiang Lake.
Doushuai Lingyan Karst Cave
It was formed 27 million years ago. Inside the cave, stalactites, stalagmites, stone pillars, and other formations are diverse and wonderfully crafted. The cave covers an area of 65,000 square meters and extends more than 10 li in depth. It is known as "the finest cave under heaven."
Tour Routes：
One-day tour route: In the morning, arrive at Bailang Wharf and take a cruise to Doushuai Lingyan Karst Cave to tour the cave wonders (about 2 hours); at noon, taste local dishes such as Dongjiang Lake fish near the wharf; in the afternoon, cycle or drive along the Lakeside Ring Road to enjoy the lake and mountain scenery, stopping at viewing platforms along the way for photos, and finally go to Phoenix Island to see wild macaques (about 3 hours), then return in the evening.
Travel Suggestions：
It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes or casual shoes to facilitate cycling, hiking, and other activities.
In summer, with abundant sunshine, take sun protection measures and bring a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.; in winter, temperatures are lower, so pay attention to keeping warm.
When taking boat tours, follow staff instructions, wear life jackets properly, and pay attention to safety.
Learn in advance about the opening hours of each attraction and boat departure times, and arrange your itinerary reasonably.
When tasting local food, choose formal restaurants to ensure food hygiene.
Precautions：
Protect the scenic area's environment, do not litter casually, and do not damage vegetation or public facilities.
When observing macaques on Phoenix Island, do not feed them to avoid being scratched by them.
When driving, obey traffic rules and pay attention to speed limit signs along the way. Some sections have many curves and require careful driving.
In thunderstorm weather, avoid staying by the lake or under trees, and take shelter in safe areas in time.
Keep personal belongings safe, especially in crowded places and when taking boat tours.
Transportation：
Public transportation: From downtown Chenzhou, take Bus No. 201 to Luowei Station in Zixing City, transfer to Zixing Bus No. 3 and get off at Bailang Town Government Station, then walk to the scenic area.
Self-driving: From downtown Chenzhou, drive east along Chenzhou Avenue, turn onto Ziwi Highway, and then take Bailang Highway to reach the scenic area. The total distance is about 50 kilometers, and the drive takes about 1.5 hours. From Changsha, drive along the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway and the Xiarong Expressway, exit at Zixing Exit, and reach the scenic area via Zixing Avenue and Bailang Highway. The total distance is about 350 kilometers, and the drive takes about 4.5 hours.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open all day. The opening hours of individual attractions vary slightly: Phoenix Island and Doushuai Lingyan Karst Cave are open from 8:00 to 17:30; Bailang Wharf boat departure times are from 8:30 to 16:00, subject to the scenic area's announcement on the day.
Tickets：
Bailang Scenic Area is free to enter, while some attractions require separate tickets: Phoenix Island ticket is 80 yuan per person, Doushuai Lingyan Karst Cave ticket is 70 yuan per person, and boat ticket prices vary from 50 to 150 yuan depending on the route.