Things to do in Hanshou

Changde Liuye Lake is the core tourist resort of Changde City, Hunan Province. It integrates natural scenery, human history, sports events and music culture, and is known as the "No. 1 Lake in Chinese Cities". Along the lake, there are fisherman and woodcutter cultural relics and a group of sculptures themed on the Battle of Changde; Dahe Street, Xiaohe Street and Mayang Street are national-level tourist and leisure districts, integrating ancient buildings and intangible cultural heritage. When Liu Yuxi was exiled to Changde (ancient Langzhou), he wrote "Humble House Inscription", and Sima Tower was built on the lakeside to commemorate him. Myths and legends such as "Liu Hai Cutting Wood" and "Chang'e Flying to the Moon" are circulated.

Luckily, the weather was good during my visit, and I had clear views of the beautiful canyon. The natural scenery was definitely the highlight.During my visit, only Route C was available for transportation in one direction. Fortunately, the organization was reasonable, and the queues were not too long. However, the attraction was extremely crowded despite it being a weekday, possibly due to the good weather.There are several different paths, which can make getting around confusing. The biggest drawback was the large number of tour groups. Some tourists showed little consideration or respect for others, making it difficult to enjoy the scenery peacefully. The atmosphere often felt chaotic, with people competing for space and access to attractions.Overall, the natural scenery is beautiful, but the excessive crowds, inconsiderate tour groups, and confusing routes affected the experience. Better crowd management would make this attraction much more enjoyable.

Qingshui Lake Tourist Resort is built on the mountain and on the lake. After several years of development, it has initially formed a new type of scenic spot integrating education, gardening, sightseeing, entertainment, health and leisure.

Such a beautiful place, you must have some help to enjoy your trip or ask locals some advices !

There were no assigned seats, so you could sit anywhere. We spent most of our time on the third deck enjoying the view and taking photos. Although it was very hot outside, there was a breeze on both sides of the deck, so it wasn't too bad. There were karaoke machines and vendors selling snacks and drinks on both the second and third decks. The air conditioning on the second deck was very strong. We arrived at the pier half an hour early, and there was already a queue.

The tour takes approximately 3.5 hours. From the visitor transfer center, take a sightseeing bus to Tanziling. After descending Tanziling, proceed to the 185 Park, where you can take an electric cart or walk. From the 185 Park, take a sightseeing bus to the Interception Memorial Park. Finally, take a sightseeing bus to the Miniature Landscape Park (the park's exit), concluding the tour.

A must-see in Wuhan is the Yellow Crane Tower! Purchase tickets online in advance for entry. The park is quite large, allowing for leisurely strolls. The enormous mural of white clouds and yellow cranes on the first floor of the main building is breathtaking. Each floor displays poems, calligraphy, and paintings from various dynasties, which you can read as you walk. Climbing to the top floor offers panoramic views of the Yangtze River and the Yangtze River Bridge, with a refreshing river breeze and expansive scenery. The park is beautifully landscaped with pavilions scattered throughout. If you don't want to climb the stairs, you can take the elevator to the top and then walk down each floor – very convenient for elderly people and children. After your visit, you can conveniently visit the red wall at Simenkou. Overall, it's a wonderful experience, fulfilling my dream of seeing the Yellow Crane Tower from textbooks.

During the self-driving trip, I chose to stop at the Changde Daxiaohe Street. After nightfall, when the lights were on, I took a walk on the river street, ate along the way, and felt the evening breeze of Liuye Lake. It was so pleasant! The Changde rice noodles and bowl dishes on the river street are also very distinctive. The city of Changde gives people a feeling of cleanliness and freshness, and the pace of life is not too fast, which is exactly the fulfillment of the saying "Changde, so smart".

During the National Day holiday, the crowds were immense. Our tour guide, Xiao Xiang, led us along the way, providing lively and engaging explanations that saved us from taking unnecessary detours and greatly improved efficiency. He also clearly outlined the key locations.

The poetic pavilions along the Xiang River offer expansive views of the river from their heights. The exhibits inside tell the story of Du Fu's time in Hunan, and the night view is particularly stunning. It's worth stopping by to experience this cultural heritage of Hunan when visiting Changsha.