I just got back from Shaoyang, and it's truly beautiful here.

🌄Friends, you really must visit Shaoyang! It has stunning natural scenery, rich historical heritage, and mouth-watering cuisine. Today I'm sharing the most complete travel guide for Shaoyang in May, immersing you in its charm 🎈 🌸 Best time to visit: In May, Shaoyang has temperatures around 20℃, neither hot nor cold, with perfect sunshine. The mountain vegetation is lush and wildflowers bloom freely, making it ideal for outdoor activities. Whether hiking or flower viewing, it's truly delightful 🌷 ✈️ How to get there: • By air: Shaoyang Wugang Airport is about 30 km from downtown. After landing, you can take the airport shuttle or a taxi to the city center. • By train: Shaoyang has several train stations. Shaoyang Station is in the city center with convenient transportation; Shaoyang North Station is a high-speed rail station with frequent trains, including direct high-speed trains from Changsha, Guangzhou, and other cities. • By car: Multiple highways pass through Shaoyang, making it easily accessible by long-distance buses from surrounding cities. 🗺️ Must-visit attractions • Langshan National Scenic Area: A World Natural Heritage site, famous for its Danxia landforms, known as "the soul of Danxia, national treasure." The whale-shaped rock at Bajiao Zhai, the "world's first alley" at Tianyi Alley, and the uniquely shaped Chili Peak all showcase nature's magnificent craftsmanship. • Nanshan Pasture: A natural grassland in southern China, known as the "Southern Hulunbuir." Here you can see herds of cattle and sheep, go horseback riding, and experience the vastness of the grassland. At night, lying in a yurt counting stars is incredibly atmospheric. • Baishui Cave Scenic Area: Beautiful mountains with a unique "one-line sky" wonder, deep valleys, and babbling streams that make you feel like you're in a fairyland. Various waterfalls along the way, such as the White Dragon Cave Waterfall, are magnificent during the rainy summer season. • Yunshan National Forest Park: High forest coverage and fresh air make it a natural oxygen bar. From the mountaintop, you can overlook magnificent sea of clouds and see ancient temples, experiencing a peaceful atmosphere. • Huayao Ancient Village: Preserves the unique folk culture of the Huayao people, with colorful costumes, passionate singing and dancing, and exquisite embroidery. You can deeply understand the life of Huayao people and experience different ethnic customs. • Suining Quyou Valley: Lush greenery and crystal-clear streams make it feel like a paradise. The Liue Waterfall plunges from a height, creating a magnificent scene, and if you're lucky, you might see rainbows formed by the waterfall. • Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area: Ride the sightseeing cable car over cliffs and deep valleys, which look like a fairyland when surrounded by clouds and mist. The thrilling glass walkway is worth challenging for an adrenaline rush. • Baoqing Prefecture Ancient City Wall: One of the best-preserved city walls in Hunan Province. Walking on the wall feels like traveling back in time to experience Shaoyang's historical changes. 📅 2-day itinerary: • Day 1: ◦ Morning: After arriving in Shaoyang, head to Langshan National Scenic Area to visit Bajiao Zhai and admire the spectacular Danxia peaks. ◦ Noon: Taste local specialties like Langshan firewood-smoked bacon near the scenic area. ◦ Afternoon: Visit Tianyi Alley Scenic Area and experience the thrilling "world's first alley." ◦ Evening: Return to the city, stroll along Baoqing Prefecture Ancient City Wall to enjoy the night view, then have a bowl of Shaoyang rice noodles. • Day 2: ◦ Morning: Visit Nanshan Pasture to experience horseback riding, feeding sheep and cattle, and enjoying the grassland scenery. ◦ Noon: Taste whole roasted lamb, hand-pulled lamb meat, and other delicacies at the pasture. ◦ Afternoon: Head to Suining Quyou Valley, walk through the valley to appreciate the natural scenery, and visit the Liue Waterfall. ◦ Evening: End your pleasant journey and prepare to return home. 🍱 What to eat: • Shaoyang Rice Noodles: With a long history, these chewy noodles are served with beef, wood ear mushrooms, tofu, and other toppings, plus a broth made from beef bones and chili oil. The aroma is irresistible, and you'll fall in love at first bite. • Blood Sausage Meatballs: Also known as blood cake with tofu, made from tofu, pork, and pig's blood, then dried and smoked. The smoky flavor is rich, and they can be stir-fried or steamed, with a crispy outside and tender inside. • Wugang Braised Dishes: Wugang is known as the "capital of braised dishes." Whether meat or bean products, everything is braised to perfection. Braised bronze goose is tender, and braised tofu has just the right amount of saltiness with a rich flavor. • Chengbu Oil Tea: A local specialty made by roasting glutinous rice, soybeans, and peanuts, then adding tea broth made with tea leaves and ginger. It has a complex flavor profile—fragrant, salty, bitter, spicy, and sweet—and helps dispel dampness and cold. • Toothpick Beef: Made from premium beef tenderloin marinated and skewered on toothpicks, then deep-fried and stir-fried. It has a bright red color and a spicy, chewy texture. 🏠 Where to stay: • Luxury: Shaoyang Xianglin Wyndham Grand Hotel offers luxurious room facilities, with some rooms featuring bathtubs for a great experience. • High-end: Jun Yulan Ting Hotel with its fashionable modern design; Weiyuan International Hotel (Shaoyang High-speed Railway Station) has a convenient location and rich breakfast. • Comfortable: Jinxiu Tianyuan Hotel (Shaoyang High-speed Railway Station) is close to the high-speed railway station for convenient travel; Lavande Hotel (Wugang) offers convenient parking and delicious breakfast. ⚠️ Tips: • May in Shaoyang can be rainy, so remember to bring rain gear. • When visiting mountainous areas, wear comfortable sneakers or hiking boots for easy walking. • When tasting local food, if you can't handle spicy food, remember to ask for less chili. • Prices in scenic areas may be higher, so it's advisable to bring some snacks and water. Shaoyang is truly a hidden gem for tourism. Whether it's natural scenery or cultural cuisine, it will bring you a unique travel experience. Pack your bags and start an unforgettable journey to Shaoyang 💕