Baofeng Lake Scenic Area is located in Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province. It is part of the Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area, a World Natural Heritage site, a World Geopark, and one of the first batch of national 5A-level tourist attractions. It is known as a "World-Class Lake Classic." The scenic area integrates mountains and water with folk customs, offering rich and diverse landscapes, including thousand-meter-high gorges, ten-mile jade pools, spectacular peaks and flying waterfalls, cliffside plank roads, ancient temples deep in the mountains, enchanting folk customs, and passionate song and dance performances. In the southeastern part of the scenic area lies Baofeng Lake, situated on a mountaintop at a relative height of more than 80 meters. The lake is 2.5 kilometers long, with an average water depth of 72 meters. The core scenic area is 2.5 kilometers long, and the widest part of the water surface is more than 150 meters. The Baofeng Lake Scenic Area covers a total area of 4,100 mu and consists of two main parts: Baofeng Lake and Yingwo Stockaded Village.
Historical Culture
Baofeng Lake is an artificial lake formed in the 1970s when local villagers built a dam to generate electricity. It is named after Baofeng Mountain, which lies behind the lake. Baofeng Zen Temple was first built in the Song Dynasty and has a history of more than 1,000 years. It was renovated during the Qing Dynasty. According to local historical records, the founder was Zen Master Tiechan. During the more than 40 years in which he founded and presided over Baofeng Zen Temple, he saved countless people, and the temple housed more than 80 resident monks, making Baofeng Zen Temple one of the important famous temples in the Wuling Mountain Range of western Hunan. Emperor Song Zhenzong Zhao Heng, a Chinese emperor and calligrapher, once bestowed imperial praise upon Baofeng Zen Temple. When Emperor Qianlong toured Jiangnan in 1755, he personally wrote the four characters "Baofeng Immortal Mountain" and allocated official silver for a large-scale renovation, giving it iron tiles, brick walls, carved beams, and painted rafters. It was very magnificent, and from then on incense flourished. It was known as "Victorious Wudang," and more than 1,000 devout men and women came daily to burn incense and worship.
Main Attractions
Baofeng Lake
Baofeng Lake is praised as a "World-Class Lake Classic." It is a rare high gorge and flat lake, surrounded by green mountains, with a stretch of jade-green water and enchanting scenery. There are two verdant small islands in the lake, and strange peaks stand near the shore. The peaks turn and the water winds. Boating and roaming, one can see a lake of green water with half its reflection, full of poetic and picturesque charm. One can also see scenes on the lake islands such as "Jade Bottle Blooming Flowers," "Ten Women Dressing Up," "Golden Turtle Playing in Water," and "Frogs Frolicking in Spring."
Baofeng Flying Waterfall
This is the location where the Water Curtain Cave in "Journey to the West" was filmed. It is a perfect combination of nature and artificial enhancement. Originally, there was already a curtain of waterfall pouring down. After artificial beautification, it became roaring, leaping, and magnificent.
Baofeng Temple
Located near Yingwo Stockaded Village on a cliff southwest of Baofeng Lake, it has a long history. In the center of the main hall sits Tathagata Buddha, with Buddhist disciples standing on both sides. Above is inscribed the four large characters "Thousand Buddhas Respond to Bodies." On either side of Tathagata Buddha are enshrined Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and Manjushri Bodhisattva. In 1999, the scenic area restored and rebuilt this main hall on the original site of Baofeng Zen Temple.
Baofeng Goddess
On the lake there is a slender and graceful stone peak. Viewed from 2 meters above the lake surface, its flat part resembles the left side of a beautiful woman's face, as if she were facing the huge mirror of the lake to dress and make up. The upper part is her high bun, so it is called "Baofeng Goddess," also known as "Fairy Looking in the Mirror."
Yingwo Stockaded Village
It is the first of the forty-eight stockaded villages in the Wuling Mountain area, meaning a place so steep and dangerous that only strong eagles can build nests on it. It is now the most beautiful outdoor hiking route in Zhangjiajie and is deeply loved by outdoor hiking enthusiasts.
One-Line Sky
The canyon is more than 200 meters long and more than 100 meters high, with an average width of less than two meters. There is a small stream in it, and stone steps wind upward along the stream. It is extremely quiet and serene, with endless mystery and depth.
Tour Route：
Baofeng Lake Scenic Area Entrance — Eco-friendly Bus Up the Mountain — Cruise Ticket Checkpoint — Baofeng Lake — Eco-friendly Bus Down the Mountain — Giant Salamander — Waterfall Mouth — Haohan Slope — Xingfu Bridge.
Tour Suggestions：
Check the scenic area's opening hours and ticket information in advance, and plan your itinerary reasonably.
It is recommended to reserve at least half a day to fully experience the beautiful scenery.
Choose comfortable shoes for walking in the scenic area.
You may choose to tour with a scenic area guide to better understand the culture of the attractions.
Notes：
Observe the scenic area regulations, protect the environment, and do not litter.
Pay attention to safety during the tour, especially during activities on the lake.
Some areas in the scenic area may require additional payment; learn the relevant information in advance.
If you plan to stay for a long time or engage in nighttime activities, make preparations in advance and bring necessary equipment and food.
Transportation：
From Zhangjiajie city center, there are direct tourist buses to Baofeng Lake.
You can first take a minibus to Wulingyuan; the fare is 13 yuan and it takes about 1 hour. After arriving in Wulingyuan, take a taxi to Baofeng Lake, which costs about 10 yuan, or take Bus No. 2, which costs 2 yuan.
For self-driving, navigate to Baofeng Lake Parking Lot; the parking fee is 10 yuan per time.
Opening Hours：
Peak tourist season: 7:00—18:00; off-season: 7:30—17:00.
Tickets：
The ticket price is 110 yuan per person, including the scenic area eco-friendly bus and cruise fees. Other expenses must be paid separately.