Things to do in Hengdong

No. 8 of Night Attractions in Hunan

Mount Hengshan

Mount Hengshan is located in Nanyue district, Hengyang. Its highest peak is Zhurong peak, at an elevation of approx. 1300 m. Among the "Five Great Mountains", Mount Heng is located furthest south. Its relatively favorable climate means the mountain is verdant all year round, with lush trees, earning it the reputation of being the "most beautiful of the Five Great Mountains". Mount Hengshan is mainly composed of the central attraction and a few other small attractions. When most visitors refer to "Hengshan," they mean the central attraction. The "Nanyue Grand Temple" in Nanyue Town at the foot of Mount Hengshan is an important attraction besides the central attraction, and it is a massive ancient palace-style architectural complex in southern China. Mount Heng is a sacred site of Chinese Buddhism, where the "Nanyue school" of the Southern Chan tradition was founded, and its dharma lineage gave rise to the Weiyang and Linji schools, which spread throughout China and overseas. In addition, this is also a sacred site of the War of Resistance in southern China. At the foot of Xianglu Peak, the "Nanyue Martyrs' Shrine" commemorates and buries Chinese soldiers who died on the frontal battlefields of the War of Resistance. When visiting the central attraction, you can choose to walk the entire way, or combine walking with the eco-friendly bus (including the cableway). For most ordinary visitors, the latter is recommended, as it will leave you with more energy to appreciate the beautiful scenery in the mountains and experience the cultural connotations of Nanyue. Route recommendations If you choose to travel on foot and by eco-friendly bus (including the cableway), then visiting Mount Heng in one day is not a particularly strenuous task. You can first visit the "Nanyue Grand Temple" in Nanyue Town, and then enter the central attraction. The basic route is:Martyr's Shrine-Hengyang Mount Hengshan Tourist Area-Banshan Pavilion-Magu Wonderland-Mojing Terrace-Hengyang Mount Hengshan-Hengyang Mount Hengshan Tourist Area-Nantianmen-Zhurong Peak. If you have more time, then spending two days touring Mount Hengshan will yield more rewards. The general route is similar to the "1-day tour" above; since you have ample time, after visiting the Fuyan Temple in Mount Hengshan in Hengyang, you can then go to the Sutra Library Hall in the Mount Hengshan tourist area in Hengyang and stay for a while—it is extremely tranquil there. In the early morning of the second day, you can also head to the "Sun-Watching Terrace" to watch the sunrise.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Mount Hengshan

Nanyue Grand Temple

The Grand Temple of Mount Heng is located at the foot of Mount Heng. It has an expansive, palace-style layout. The main hall is dedicated to Zhurong, the Chinese god of fire. Zhurong is believed to have held the governmental office of Minister of Fire under the Yellow Emperor, and was also in charge of southern affairs. He was given the title “Divine Emperor of Mount Heng.” The square in front of the temple is used for traditional performances and burning incense. According to legend, Zhurong was always considerate to the needs of his subjects. Due to his popularity, the temple is always full of incense offerings.

No. 13 of Hot Springs Attractions in Hunan

Xiangjiang South Hot Spring Resort

Xiang·Jiangnan is located in Wenquan New Village, Yangqiao Town, Hengdong County. It is backed by Phoenix Mountain and sits on Xianhe Ridge. It creates a new highlight of Hunan tourism around the theme of "hot spring health, ecological landscape, ecological agriculture, and Hengdong cuisine". It is an ideal place for vacation in Changsha, Zhuzhou, Tanzhou and Hengdong. Starting from Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan, you can reach the destination within two hours by car. In terms of overall planning, the project is based on water, and the guest rooms are built along the mountain to form a natural village. It is very suitable for walking here. Walking on the stone-paved flower path, with pine trees, maple trees and willow trees interspersed among them, it is like walking in a Chinese garden.

Hengshan Ferry Folk Culture Experience Site

Hengshan Ferry Folk Culture Experience Site is located on the banks of theXiangjiang Riverin Hengshan County. It is an immersive district that integrates ferry memories, local market life, and intangible cultural heritage, combining tourism, commerce, culture, and leisure, and is committed to becoming a new landmark for cultural tourism in Hengshan. In the Intangible Cultural Heritage Zone, intangible cultural heritage projects such as Hengshan shadow puppetry, Yuebei folk songs, and Huagu lanterns are showcased in a dynamic way. Visitors can personally experience interactive activities like shadow puppet painting, oil-paper umbrella making, and palm weaving. The Market Life Zone gathers over 100 types of Hengshan specialty snacks, such as Leisu tea, Xidu Bianba, and handmade fish balls, creating a one shop, one flavor Hunan-style culinary experience. The Ferry Memory Zone uses theXiangjiang Riveras a stage to present live water performances like "Echoes of the Ancient Ferry" and "Phantom Ferry Dreams," as well as large-scale fireworks shows. The district has launched a "1+N" all-day performance matrix, covering ancient street parades, intangible cultural heritage flash mobs, NPC interactions, and core nighttime shows, creating a dynamic cultural space where there are performances every day and something to see at any time.

Nanyueli

Nanyueli is located at the foot of Mount Heng in Hengyang, Hunan, and is a food and cultural block themed around "temple fair folk customs." It opened in the fall of 2024 and has now become a popular stop for many travelers after visiting Mount Heng. The block is centered on the "Nanyue Temple Fair" and is laid out with "one lake, one street, one island, one homestay, one tea house, one wild area, one theater, and one pier." Its imitation ancient architecture with flying eaves, along with rows of lanterns under the long corridors, captures the lively atmosphere of a temple fair within an approx. 800 m long old street. Hundreds of shops and stalls along the street feature specialty snacks, handicraft workshops, and intangible cultural heritage booths, where long queues for stinky tofu are the norm, and on the wooden stage at the crossroads, opera enthusiasts often perform to crowds of onlookers. Further in is the water alley, where small bridges and flowing water create a picturesque scene. At the end lies Jinyue Lake, which features a stage in the center. After nightfall, the lanterns light up one by one, and intangible cultural heritage performances like molten iron flower splashing and fire pot shows take turns on the lake. The molten iron is splashed into the night sky, turning into sparks that fill the air and pushing the nighttime atmosphere to a climax. Many travelers' itineraries involve hiking during the day and heading down to the block in the evening, just in time for the lights to come on. Those who enjoy photography can change into Hanfu and take pictures in the lantern corridor, on the water alley stone bridges, and at the lakeside pier. You can also take a cruise on the lake, which offers a different perspective for watching the performances.

Nanyue Jinyue Lake

Nanyue Jinyue Lake is located in the new district next to Nanyue District, Hengyang, and Mount Hengshan. Looking north towards Zhurong Peak, it is a waterfront leisure area centered on lake views, consisting of Jinyue Lake Park, artificial wetlands, and the Nanyueli cultural and tourism block. It was once a weed-covered wasteland, but now it features an expansive lake surface and continuous oases. Covered bridges, pavilions, and lakeside trails connect waterfront platforms and scenic features, making a stroll along the lake feel quite like a water town in Jiangnan. The lake's clear water has an ecological story behind it: water purified through layers of artificial wetlands is circulated back into the lake as landscape water, and the wetland itself has become a scenic spot in the lake area. A popular way to experience this place is "hiking the mountain by day, visiting the lake by evening." After touring the Nanyue Grand Temple and Nanyue Ancient Town area during the day, head to the lakeside in the evening to wait for the lights to come on at Nanyueli on the opposite bank—a food block themed around temple fair folk customs. Its horse-head walls, bluestone alleys, and strings of lanterns cast reflections onto the lake, making it a popular spot for Hanfu photography. After nightfall, there are often light shows on the lake, and intangible cultural heritage performances like molten iron flower splashing and fire pot shows take turns appearing against the backdrop of the mountain and water nightscape. Travelers looking for peace and quiet can take a walk along the lakeshore towards the wetland side, or sit by the lake and gaze at the silhouette of Zhurong Peak in the distance. The lake area is conveniently connected to hiking itineraries, making it suitable for travelers who don't want to hike Mount Hengshan at night but still want to see another side of Nanyue.

Hengshan Ancient City

Located in Yonghe Township, Hengshan County, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, Hengshan Ancient City is an ancient city with a long history and profound cultural heritage. Hengshan Ancient City was first built in the Southern Song Dynasty and has a history of hundreds of years. It was once the center of Hengzhou Prefecture and an important place for administration, economy, culture and education. The architectural style of the ancient city is full of the traditional mansion atmosphere of the south. Many buildings and cultural relics from the Ming and Qing Dynasties are preserved in the city. Walking through it, it seems to travel through time and space and feel the prosperous scene of ancient times. The Hengyang Ancient City Wall in the ancient city is one of its landmark buildings. It has witnessed the rise and fall of the ancient city and carries countless historical memories. There are also many ancient mansions with carved beams and painted buildings and exquisite craftsmanship, showing the superb level of ancient architectural art. The traditional commercial street is quaint and lined with shops, selling various handicrafts and delicacies with local characteristics, which makes people feel the rich folk customs. Hengshan Ancient City is also an important gathering place for religious culture, with many ancient temples in the city. Among them, Nanyue Temple, as one of the main temples in Nanyue Hengshan, one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China, was built in the Ming Dynasty. It is large in scale and well preserved, attracting many tourists to come and worship and visit.

City of Time 1944

Hengyang 1944 is not just a miniature "Little Shanghai," but a city of time and a performance park. Life is like a play, a journey to chase dreams. Here, you can travel through time, immerse yourself in a storyline, assume a new identity in a different world, and briefly experience another possibility of life. There are glamorous nights out, as well as simple rural pleasures. You'll find exquisite international cuisine alongside humble local dishes like congee and noodles. Browse vintage treasures at Nanshan Market or gather with friends for a cup of rustic tea at Tielu Gate. Watch shops, photo studios, barbershops, department stores, shoe-shine stands... In this city where time moves slowly, life doesn't need to be rushed. The mail arrives leisurely, and so does life itself.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Hunan Jiangxi Fujian Region

Orange Isle Scenic Area

Orange Isle Scenic Area is a narrow sandbar lying across the heart of the Xiang River in Changsha, stretching approx. five km. It faces Yuelu Mountain to the west and borders Changsha's old city to the east, surrounded by water on all sides. Named after the abundant orange trees planted on the isle, it was historically called Shuiluzhou. Formed by river alluvium, this sandbar has existed for over a millennium, where the "River and sky in evening snow" scenery was once among the Eight Views of Xiaoxiang. In 1925, the poem "Spring in a pleasure garden - Changsha" was composed here, with its iconic line "Alone I stand in the biting fall, watching the Xiang River flow north past Orange Isle's head," which made this riverine landmark widely renowned. The highlights of the visit are concentrated at the islet's head: A granite art sculpture over 30 m tall, modeled after the 1925 youth image, stands facing the river as Changsha's highly recognizable landmark. Nearby, the Questioning Heaven Platform extends toward the river center, where leaning on the railing reveals the mighty Xiang River flowing northward, with Yuelu Mountain and the city skylines on both banks facing each other across the water. The Songju Pavilion, white marble poetry stele, and the 200-year-old ancient phoenix tree at the islet head are all in this area. Heading north from the islet head, a hundred-acre orange orchard bears golden fruits in fall, while bamboo groves, peach orchards, plum gardens, and osmanthus groves take turns showcasing seasonal flora. The historic Zhuzhang Ferry (where Zhu Xi and Zhang Shi once crossed the Xiang River for lectures) and the Huxiang Culture Exhibition Hall are scattered along the way. At the islet's tail, the reconstructed Jiangshen Temple and Gongji Tower area was precisely where ancients admired the "River and sky in evening snow" scenery. The island is long and narrow, making round-trip walks quite tiring. A sightseeing train is available for transportation, with multiple stops along the way for hopping on and off. Travelers with limited time are advised to head straight to the island's tip to see the sculpture and river views, then stroll leisurely along the riverside path. At dusk, watching the sunset over the Xiang River and seeing the lights gradually illuminate both shores from the island's tip is especially worth setting aside time for.

Luoronghuan Former Residence