Things to do in Dong'an
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Top 10 attractions in Dong'an
Shunhuangshan National Forest Park
Shunhuangshan National Forest Park is located within Dongan county. The park is divided into three sites, namely Yangjiangyuan (the riversource of Yangjiang), Matoushan Mountain, and Yubiyuan, in addition to tourist attractions including the hunting field of Rongyuling (Honor Peak), Chengqiangshi (Rampart Stones) and the Cliff of Shunhuang (the Sagacious Ruler of Shun). Waterfalls of various sizes are strewn across the park, which is also home to many karst caves. In particular, the Cliff of Shunhuang, a site for which development is now completed, was formed by stalactite grottoes, where one may find naturally chiseled sculptures including stalagmites, stalactites, and lotus towers. The brook of E'huangxi at Shunhuangshan Mountain, nicknamed “Butterfly Kingdom”, also makes for a great sightseeing spot for tourists.Dong'an · 27.7 km from downtown
hong feng gu
Dong'an · 10.8 km from downtown
Liuzi Temple
The Liuzi Temple is the core attraction of the Liuzi Scenic Area. It was built by the Yongzhou people to commemorate the Tang Dynasty's progressive thinker, politician and distinguished writer and ancient official in Yongzhou, Liu Zongyuan. Liuzi Temple is seated on Liuzi Street in the west of Xiaoshui, Yongzhou. The Liuzi Temple is a brick-and-wood structure and there are three stone carvings of the Liuzi Temple on the temple door. Upon entering the temple, you can find the structure in three-door and three-room style and the stage with double eaves and eight columns is immediately apparent. After going to the second half of the nave, and then into the main hall, there is a statue of Liu Zongyuan in the temple which is notable for historical human sacrifice.Yongzhou · 35.3 km from Dong'an
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.China · Changsha
Elephant Hill Scenic Area
The Elephant Hill Scenic Area is located in the heart of Guilin, at the confluence of the Li River and the Peach Blossom River. It derives its name from its resemblance to a giant elephant stretching its trunk to drink from the sweet waters of the Li River. In his work "Records of Elephant Hill," Shu Shu, a Qing Dynasty official from the Ministry of Works, wrote: "The marvels of Guangxi lie in its mountains; the marvels of Guangxi's mountains lie in their rocks, and the elephant-shaped hill facing the provincial capital is the most marvelous of all." With its lifelike form, the attraction captivates visitors and stands as a quintessential representation of Guilin's landscape. In 1995, it was designated as the city emblem of Guilin. The main attractions in the scenic area include: Elephant Hill and Water Moon, Puxian Pagoda, Elephant Hill Scenic Area and Guilin Sanhua Liquor, Elephant Hill Scenic Area - Love Island, and Elephant Hill Scenic Area - Yunfeng Temple Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Exhibition Hall. Elephant trunk hill and water moon cave "Elephant trunk hill and water moon" is a spectacular wonder here, as described in the poem by Ji Bei Hermit of the Song Dynasty.Harmony of water, moon and caveThe poem reads: "The moon is beneath the water, the moon floats upon the water. The water flows but the moon stays, the moon departs yet the water still flows." On a moonlit night, visiting the Water Moon Cave at the Elephant Trunk Hill attraction presents a magical scene where the moon in the sky, the cave, and the water reflect each other beautifully. Inside the cave, you can find the "Poem and Preface of the Morning Sun Pavilion" by Zhang Xiaoxiang from the Song Dynasty and works by Fan Chengda.Inscription on the water and moon caveAnd over 50 precious cliff carvings including Lu You's poetry manuscripts. Xiangshan scenic area - Puxian pagoda Winding up along the rocky cliffs, you can see the Puxian pagoda standing tall amidst the greenery from afar. Built during the Ming dynasty, this 13.6m-high solid brick lama-style pagoda has a history of over 400 years. On the northern side of the pagoda, there is a line-engraved bluestone statue of a bodhisattva, with the mantra "Namo Puxian Bodhisattva" inscribed above it, hence the name Puxian pagoda in the Xiangshan attraction. Buddhist scriptures record that Puxian bodhisattva's mount is a six-tusked white elephant, making the pagoda's location atop Xiangshan mountain a perfect embodiment of this scripture. Elephant Hill Scenic Area and Guilin Sanhua liquor This is a natural wine cellar, with two-thirds of the mountain being hollow. It stays warm in winter and cool in summer, maintaining a constant temperature of 19°C and humidity above 90% year-round. Since the Song Dynasty, it has served as an official cellar for storing Sanhua wine. Sanhua wine is colorless and transparent, with a fragrant yet spicy taste. It drawsLi RiverWith the essence of the mountains and the soul of the Li River, it has become a representative of China's rice-aroma liquor. The cellar liquor was designated as a tribute to the imperial court as early as the Northern Song Dynasty and is one of the three treasures of Guilin. To date, nearly a thousand tons of liquor are stored in the caves. Love island Love island is located on the north side of the attraction, adjacent toLi RiverIt is another scenic viewpoint for distant viewing. The island boasts a beautiful environment and lush vegetation, making it a popular dating spot for locals in the 1970s, hence the name "love island". Today, it serves as an outdoor photography base for wedding celebrations against the backdrop of Guilin's landscape, where couples make their vows of love under the witness of the elephant trunk hill and the moon reflected in the water.China · Guilin
Hunan Museum
Hunan Museum has a rich collection of cultural relics, especially of those from the Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tombs. The Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tombs Exhibition is a permanent exhibit at Hunan Museum. It features thin-as-cicada-wing plain yarn garments, undamaged printed cotton gowns, all kinds of exquisite embroidery, brightly painted lacquer wares, delicate and detailed paintings, and so on.China · Changsha
Liu Zongyuan Cultural Tourist Area
Liu Zongyuan Cultural Tourism Area is located in Yongzhou City, Hunan Province. It has Liuzi Temple, Liuzi Street, Yuxi River, Xiaoshitan, Gutantan, Xixiaoqiu, Xiaoshicheng Mountain, Chaoyang Park and other attractions.Yongzhou · 35.5 km from Dong'an
Lingling Ancient City
Lingling Ancient City is located in Yongzhou City, Hunan Province, and boasts a history of over 2,100 years, historically recognized as the first ancient city of Xiaoxiang. The ancient city showcases the cultural charm of traditional cities in southern Hunan with its profound historical accumulation and unique regional style. Liuzi Street stretches along Yuxi Creek, with slate-paved roads winding through the ancient street, flanked by the ancient Xiaoshui River ferry to the east, and facing the Dongshan Scenic Area across the river. The block is protected and showcased based on its traditional street layout, with five streets and seven alleys interwoven, and traditional structures such as archways, stages, and pavilions dotted throughout, creating a rich atmosphere of an ancient city. Starting from the archway, there are also many attractions along the street that tell the historical stories and cultural anecdotes of Xiaoxiang, allowing visitors to experience the profound cultural heritage of Lingling while strolling through.Yongzhou · 35.2 km from Dong'an
Mount Yuelu
Mount Yuelu stands on the west bank of the Xiang River and is a landmark mountain in Changsha. At its foot lies the Yuelu Academy, founded during the Northern Song Dynasty, a millennium-old institution sharing the mountain's name. Ascending from here leads to Qingfeng Gorge, where the Aiwan Pavilion, named after Du Mu's poetic line "I stop my carriage to admire the maple woods at dusk," is surrounded by maple trees. Midway up the mountain, the ancient Lushan Temple, established in the Western Jin Dynasty over 1,700 years ago, features a lush six-dynasty-era podocarpus tree in front of its sutra repository. At the summit stands the Yunlu Palace, a Taoist temple built during the Ming Dynasty, offering panoramic views of the Xiang River and Changsha's urban area. The mountain's historical sites extend further, with the Yu King Stele, Python Cave, and Changsha Battle Memorial Stele scattered along its trails. Modern figures such as Huang Xing, Cai E, and Chen Tianhua are also buried here, making the mountain a condensed repository of profound modern history. Most cultural attractions are concentrated near the south gate, where you can visit major historic sites in sequence from Yuelu Academy to Aiwan Pavilion. For those preferring not to hike, a cableway station near the east gate allows easy ascent, eliminating most uphill climbing. With an elevation of about 300 m and well-developed trails, reaching the summit on foot is manageable. Ancient trees like Jin dynasty podocarps, Tang dynasty ginkgos, Song-Yuan era camphor trees, and Ming-Qing maple-chestnuts line the paths, making the entire mountain resemble a natural botanical museum. In late fall when maple leaves turn red across the slopes, it becomes an ideal time for hiking. Allocate half a day to leisurely photograph Aiwan Pavilion and the mountaintop viewpoints.China · Changsha
Du Fu Pavilion
This is a riverside structure, an ancient-style building constructed in honor of the great Tang dynasty poet Du Fu. Due to its proximity to the Xiang River, it is an ideal spot to watch the fireworks display at the Orange Isle attraction. Today, Du Fu Pavilion stands as a local landmark, offering a delightful experience to enjoy panoramic views of both banks of the Xiang River, sip tea, and feel the riverside breeze. Du Fu Pavilion features exhibits on the great poet's life and works. During fireworks displays, the number of visitors increases significantly, so arriving early is necessary to secure a good viewing spot.China · Changsha
Dong'an Today's weatherFoggy 17-23℃
Dong'an weather for the next 2 days10/30: 16-23℃, 10/31: 18-28℃
Free things to do in Dong'an
Orange Isle Scenic Area
China · ChangshaHunan Museum
China · ChangshaLiu Zongyuan Cultural Tourist Area
Yongzhou · 35.5 km from Dong'anLingling Ancient City
Yongzhou · 35.2 km from Dong'anMount Yuelu
China · Changsha
Fenghuang Ancient Town
China · Fenghuang County
Li Zijian Art Museum
China · Changsha
Chenxiang Temple
Dong'an · 10.8 km from downtown
Zhenyuan Ancient Town
China · Zhenyuan County
Yangshuo West Street
China · Yangshuo
What travelers say about Dong'an
番禺Michael17 September 2020
5.0
Tangjia Terraces are located in Shunhuangshan National Forest Park, Dong'an County, Yongzhou City, Hunan Province, 50 kilometers away from Dong'an County. It is known as the "terraces above the clouds". Now that the autumn harvest has arrived, Tangjia Terraces presents a beautiful harvest.
Shunhuangshan National Forest Park
朱朱33311 October 2026
4.0
Learning about our historical predecessors is a great loss, especially the talented Liu Zongyuan, who died at the young age of 47. We should cherish the present. This place should be open to tourists; I truly believe it shouldn't charge an entrance fee.
Liuzi Temple
YazonDinAlt23 October 2026
4.0
Orange Island is a bit of a mixed experience, and I'm honestly not entirely sure whether I'd consider it a must-visit in Changsha.It's a large, green, and pleasant park, with beautiful riverside views and plenty of space for walking. If you enjoy places with historical significance or simply want to experience a different side of the city, it's definitely worth considering.Most visitors seem to take the sightseeing train to the southern end of the island, where the famous Mao Zedong statue is located. That's also where you'll find plenty of people taking photos, so don't expect a particularly quiet experience.The main downside is that visiting the island takes quite a bit of time, especially if you want to explore it properly. And while it's certainly a nice place, I'm not sure the experience justifies spending several hours here if you have a limited amount of time in Changsha and other places you'd like to see.On the other hand, if you're simply looking for a relaxing walk through a green park, with opportunities to stop by the river and enjoy the scenery, it's a lovely option.Overall, I'd say it's worth visiting if you have some extra time or are particularly interested in Chinese history. Otherwise, I wouldn't necessarily put it at the very top of your Changsha itinerary.
Orange Isle Scenic Area
M45***4825 September 2026
5.0
When visiting Guilin, a must-see is Elephant Trunk Hill, the city's iconic landmark. It truly lives up to its reputation as the face of Guilin's landscape; only by seeing it in person can one truly appreciate the wonders of nature. The entire mountain sits on the banks of the Li River, resembling a giant elephant bowing to drink from the water. The Water Moon Cave cuts through the mountain, its reflection shimmering in the water, creating the famous Elephant Trunk Hill and Water Moon spectacle—a flowing ink painting.
The scenic area is clean and comfortable, with walking paths built along the Li River, shaded by lush trees, making for a delightful stroll. You can climb the mountain for panoramic views of Guilin, or find classic vantage points along the riverbank to capture stunning, atmospheric photos. Boat trips are also available, offering a different and breathtaking perspective of Elephant Trunk Hill from the river.
The scenic area is conveniently located in the city center, with excellent transportation and comprehensive facilities. Every step reveals a new vista, allowing you to truly experience the unparalleled beauty of Guilin's landscape. Don't miss it when traveling to Guilin; it's definitely worth a visit.
Elephant Hill Scenic Area
尘尘23 October 2026
5.0
The Hunan Provincial Museum boasts a magnificent collection of artifacts, connecting the Hunan civilization from Shang and Zhou bronzes to the Mawangdui Han Dynasty tombs. The museum houses a large number of national treasures, witnessing the splendor and legend of southern civilization. What makes the Hunan Provincial Museum unique compared to other museums is that it has replicated the tomb pit of Lady Xin Zhui from the Mawangdui Han Dynasty tombs at a 1:1 scale, extending across multiple exhibition halls. Visitors can see from above ground to underground, from everyday scenes to coffins and remains. Being there is truly awe-inspiring.
Hunan Museum
川粤半部论语10 April 2026
4.0
I passed through Yongzhou in early February and stayed for two days, visiting several attractions.
The Liu Zongyuan Cultural Tourism Area is actually Lingling Ancient City, which is quite small. To get there, you can cross the Xiaoshui River via the Xiake Ferry from the Dongshan Scenic Area across the river. The Xiaoshui River is emerald green, and the ferry is shimmering.
While the ancient city is small, it has a strong commercial atmosphere with many new buildings. Expansion is ongoing everywhere, including road paving, which detracts from its charm.
Although many of the original sites from Liu Zongyuan's "Eight Records of Yongzhou" are no longer there, walking along the historical sites is still worthwhile.
Liu Zongyuan Cultural Tourist Area
『雨过天晴29 March 2026
4.0
Stepping into Lingling Ancient City is like traveling back a thousand years. The streets and alleys are simple and elegant, the shops are arranged in a neat and orderly manner, and the lights are dazzling at night. It has both the gentleness of the Jiangnan water towns and the profound cultural heritage of Hunan. Strolling around is comfortable and pleasant, and it is well worth a visit.
Lingling Ancient City
118***585 October 2026
5.0
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.
Mount Yuelu
Anonymous user25 October 2026
5.0
I have visited Orange Isle multiple times and always had a positive experience. The scenic area boasts beautiful natural scenery, a magnificent view of the Xiang River and the head of Orange Isle, and a rich cultural heritage. Historical sites such as the Mao Zedong statue are well-preserved. The management is orderly, the tour routes are clear, and the supporting facilities are comprehensive. Overall assessment: As a core cultural landmark of Changsha, it possesses both natural and cultural value, and I highly recommend it as a priority visit for tourists to experience the charm of Hunan culture.
Du Fu Pavilion
Trip Moments in Dong'an
