Dongting Lake is located in the northern part of Hunan Province, spanning Yueyang, Miluo, Xiangyin, Wangcheng, Yiyang, Yuanjiang, Hanshou, Changde, Jinshi, Anxiang, and Nanxian, and lies on the south bank of the Jingjiang River in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. It is the second-largest freshwater lake in China and was known in ancient times as Yunmeng, Jiujiang, and Chonghu. The name Dongting Lake began in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods and comes from Dongting Mountain in the lake, which is present-day Junshan. Dongting Lake receives water from the Songzi, Taiping, Ouchi, and Tiaoxian four outlets of the Yangtze River in the north, and in the south and west it is connected to the Xiang, Zi, Yuan, and Li four rivers and small tributaries such as the Miluo River. It flows into the Yangtze River at Chenglingji in Yueyang City.
In the late 1990s, according to calculations by the water conservancy department, Dongting Lake had an area of 2,579.2 square kilometers (some sources say 2,740 square kilometers), and it is generally called China's second-largest freshwater lake. If the more than 1,300 square kilometers of flood channel area of the Xiang, Zi, Yuan, and Li four rivers and the "four Yangtze outlets" are added (some sources say 18,780 square kilometers), the total area is 3,879.2 square kilometers (or 4,040 square kilometers). The lake basin has a perimeter of 803.2 kilometers and a total volume of 22 billion cubic meters, including 17.8 billion cubic meters of natural lake volume and 4.2 billion cubic meters of river channel volume. Dongting Lake is an important regulating lake in the Yangtze River basin. Its strong flood storage capacity has repeatedly turned countless floods of the Yangtze River into safety and has ensured the safe passage of flood season for the Jianghan Plain and the Wuhan tri-cities.
Historical Culture
Dongting Lake was an important strategic location in history and is also a birthplace of traditional Chinese culture. There are many scenic spots and historical sites in the lake area, and historical sites represented by Yueyang Tower are important tourism and cultural resources. It is also a birthplace of traditional Chinese agriculture and is a famous land of fish and rice, and is the most important commodity grain and oil base and aquatic product and aquaculture base in Hunan Province and even the whole country.
Representative figures of Huxiang culture such as Zhou Dunyi and Zeng Guofan played a positive role in promoting the advancement of Chinese culture with the times. In art, Xiang opera, Xiang embroidery, and Huagu opera are representative. In poetry culture, Fan Zhongyan's "Record of Yueyang Tower" is the most famous. "Dongting Fishing Songs" have been widely circulated since the Warring States period. The fishing songs have smooth and melodious tunes with strong local flavor, and in 2014 they became one of the national-level intangible cultural heritage items. Dongting Lake is one of the birthplaces of human rice farming, and the wetland development model of Dongting Lake has always been a typical example of traditional agriculture.
Main Attractions
Yueyang Tower Scenic Area
The Yueyang Tower Scenic Area is located in Yueyang City. Yueyang Tower, together with Yellow Crane Tower and Tengwang Pavilion, is known as one of the "three great towers of Jiangnan" and is the birthplace of Fan Zhongyan's "Record of Yueyang Tower." Here one can climb high and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view of Dongting Lake, "holding distant mountains and swallowing the Yangtze River." At dawn one can watch the sunrise over the lake, and in the evening one can enjoy the "Dongting sunset glow." The scenic area also has an exhibition of miniature models of Yueyang Tower through the ages, where visitors can learn about its architectural history.
Junshan Island
Junshan Island is located in Yueyang City. It is said to be the place where the Xiang consorts (Ehuang and Nüying) died for love. The island has many spotted bamboos (tear bamboos) and has the reputation of being an island of love mythology. Here wetlands, tea gardens, and reed marshes interlace, and egrets inhabit the area, making it an ecological secret realm.
East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve
The East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve is located in the eastern part of Dongting Lake, with a total protected area of 1,570 square kilometers. In 1992 it became one of the first six internationally important wetlands in China to join the Convention on Wetlands. This is an important migration corridor for migratory birds worldwide. Every year from October to March of the following year, 217 species and 10 million migratory birds winter here, and rare birds such as white cranes and white-naped cranes can be seen. This is also the habitat of China's largest wild milu deer population. About 132 finless porpoises and 50 milu deer live in the lake area.
South Dongting Lake Wetland
The South Dongting Lake Wetland is located in Yiyang City and presents the appearance of a water town. The lake branches crisscross, reed marshes form mazes, and fishing villages are scattered everywhere. Here one can experience traditional fishing and hunting culture, dragon boat culture, and other folk customs. The shoreline is winding and contrasts beautifully with Taiyang Mountain and Hua Mountain, and it is also a city green lung.
Travel Route：
One can depart from Yueyang city area and first go to the Yueyang Tower Scenic Area, touring for 2-3 hours to feel the charm of the famous tower under heaven and enjoy the panoramic view of Dongting Lake. After that, go to Junshan Island and spend about half a day exploring the island's love legends and ecological landscapes. If time is sufficient, one can go to the East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve to observe migratory birds and wetland ecology, and it is recommended to arrange one day. If one also wants to experience water town folk customs, one can go to the South Dongting Lake Wetland in Yiyang City and spend one day. The entire itinerary is recommended to be arranged for 3-5 days.
Travel Suggestions：
Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November) have pleasant climates and are suitable for birdwatching, lotus viewing, and boating, so more outdoor activities can be arranged.
Winter (November-February of the following year) is the migratory bird season, and ecological photography enthusiasts can bring professional photography equipment to shoot.
Before traveling, one can learn in advance about the opening hours and ticket policies of each scenic spot and make a good itinerary plan.
When tasting local food, one can choose restaurants with relatively good reputations, which can both ensure taste and food safety.
Precautions：
When visiting nature reserves, abide by the reserve regulations, do not feed animals at will, and do not damage vegetation.
When boating on Dongting Lake, be sure to wear a life jacket and follow the crew's instructions.
Smoking is prohibited in some scenic areas, so pay attention to complying with relevant regulations.
Summer temperatures around Dongting Lake are relatively high, so pay attention to sun protection and heatstroke prevention measures.
When driving to scenic areas, pay attention to traffic conditions, especially during holidays when congestion may occur.
Transportation：
Airplane: One can first arrive at Changsha Huanghua International Airport, then transfer to a long-distance bus or high-speed rail to surrounding cities of Dongting Lake such as Yueyang, Yiyang, and Changde. From Changsha Huanghua International Airport to Yueyang city area, the long-distance bus takes about 2 hours, and the high-speed rail takes about 1 hour.
Train/High-speed rail: Cities such as Yueyang, Yiyang, and Changde all have train stations and high-speed rail stations. One can choose suitable trains according to the departure place. For example, from Beijing to Yueyang by high-speed rail takes about 6-7 hours.
Self-driving: If choosing to drive, one can reach surrounding cities of Dongting Lake via the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway, Hangrui Expressway, and others. For example, driving from Wuhan to Yueyang takes about 1.5-2 hours in total.
City transportation: After arriving in surrounding cities, one can take buses, taxis, or rent a car to go to scenic areas. For example, in Yueyang city area, one can take a bus to the Yueyang Tower Scenic Area; to go to the East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve, one may need to rent a car or join a local tour group's special line bus.
Opening Hours：
Most natural areas are open all day throughout the year. The best time for activities such as birdwatching in the East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve is from October each year to March of the following year.
Tickets：
No tickets are required, but surrounding attractions such as the Yueyang Tower Scenic Area and Junshan Island require tickets.