Name: Yueyang

Chinese Name: 岳阳

Province: Hunan

Status: Prefecture-level city

Population: 5,477,911

Area: 14,896 km²

Yueyang is a prefecture-level city in northern Hunan province, located at the confluence of Dongting Lake and the Yangtze River. Visiting Yueyang as a day trip from Changsha is entirely feasible.

History

The Yueyang region has been inhabited for over 3,000 years.

During the Three Kingdoms period in 210 AD, Yueyang was a prefecture called Hangchang.

Under the Song Dynasty (960–1279), the prefecture was surrounded by ramparts extending over 6 kilometers in circumference and became the seat of the Yueyang military prefecture, from which its current name derives.

During the Taiping Rebellion, the rebels' capture of the city in 1852 marked a significant step in their advance toward the Yangtze River valley at Nanjing. When the Republic of Chine was established in 1911, the prefecture became a city taking the name Yueyang.

Today

Yueyang is an important city renowned for the picturesque Dongting Lake and the magnificent Yueyang Tower. The landscape and historical relics lend the city a charm well worth a day's exploration.

Dongting Lake, Chine's second largest freshwater lake, stretches as far as the eye can see, forming a silken belt encircling the ancient city of Yueyang. This lake ranks among the city's principal tourist attractions. At its center lies Junshan Island, where the famous Silver Needle tea continues to be cultivated. The lake is also celebrated for hosting dragon boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival each spring. The paths surrounding it are lined with charming pavilions and offer pleasant walks.

On one shore of Dongting Lake stands the Yueyang Tower, one of the city's most celebrated structures. Located within the park bearing its name, the tower dominates the city and attracts numerous Chinese and foreign tourists.

On the eastern shore of the lake, the Miluo River holds special significance for the city, as it is where the celebrated patriotic Chinese poet Qu Yuan is said to have drowned himself in despair at his inability to save his country.

Other historical edifices dot the city, such as the Yueyang Pavilion on the eastern gate of the city ramparts and the Qu Zi Temple situated on Mount Yusi.

Climate

Yueyang enjoys a temperate, warm climate. Rainfall is frequent even during the driest months. The city records an average annual temperature of 17.1°C, with July—the hottest month—averaging 29.3°C and January—the coldest—averaging 4°C.

The months of September through November offer the most pleasant weather and are consequently the best time to visit Yueyang.

Train

Yueyang sits on the Beijing–Guangzhou railway line. Trains pass through Changsha and Wuhan, among other cities.

Bus

From Changsha, Nanchang, and Hankou, buses run shuttles to Yueyang's long-distance bus station.

Other connections exist between Zhangjiajie and Yichang.

Yueyang's principal tourist attractions are located in the same area. You can easily move from one site to another on foot.

To explore more of the city, taxis offer the best transport option.

What to Do in Yueyang?

• Stop at the Yueyang Tower, the city's historic symbol.
• Continue your stroll around Dongting Lake.
• Head to Junshan Island on Dongting Lake and discover the tea plantations.
• Pay tribute to the memory of poet Qu Yuan at the Miluo River.