This attraction introduction is compiled from historical materials in the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com · Scenic Spots section). Ticket prices, opening hours, transportation, and contact information mentioned in the text may be outdated. Please refer to the latest official announcements from the scenic area before traveling; some content consists of historical background/cultural introductions and is for reference only.
Dongtai Mountain National Forest Park is a provincial-level scenic area. It is located in the eastern corner of the suburbs of Xiangxiang City in central Hunan, at the center of tourist destinations such as Shaoshan, Huaminglou, and Wushi, with an elevation of 287 meters. It has long been a resort for mountain climbing, tourism, and leisure vacations.
In the Dongtai Mountain Scenic Area, "Dongtai Rising Phoenix" ranks first among the Eight Scenes of Xiangxiang. Its forests are dense, streams murmur, winding paths lead to secluded spots, and pavilions stand in abundance. In spring, a hundred flowers bloom and fill the air with fragrance; in summer, cool breezes blow gently; in autumn and winter, red leaves cover the mountain, dazzling and captivating, making one feel relaxed and joyful. The newly built pavilions are simple, elegant, and antique, with witty couplets. Natural scenery, cultural landscapes, and historic sites enhance one another, giving people aesthetic enjoyment and adding bright scenery to forest tourism, making visitors linger and forget to return.
The scenic area has a warm, humid climate with ample rainfall and four distinct seasons, belonging to a subtropical humid monsoon climate. The park has lush vegetation, towering ancient trees, birdsong, and fragrant flowers. There are 187 species of woody plants in 63 families and more than 1,000 species of herbaceous plants. The main tree species include Chinese fir, masson pine, slash pine, and camphor. Other plants include moso bamboo and white magnolia. The park is also home to various animals such as weasels, snakes, woodpeckers, great tits, and bamboo partridges.
Since 1992, Dongtai Mountain National Forest Park has invested 1.5 million yuan. In addition to restoring and rebuilding old scenic spots, it has built several new scenic spots rich in traditional educational significance. It has formed a layout with Phoenix Mountain as the main body and Mao Zedong's activities in his youth as the main thread, integrating tourism and sightseeing, scientific investigation and education, cultural entertainment, and sports.
The park is located in a low mountain and hilly area. The terrain and landforms within the park are varied, with numerous peaks and cliffs, jagged rocks, and gurgling streams and springs. The main scenic spots include cultural landscapes such as the Wen Pagoda, Octagonal Pavilion, Baiyun Temple, Yinfeng Bridge, Songtao Pavilion, Wangfeng Pavilion, Phoenix Temple, and Xuri Pavilion. Phoenix Temple was built by Shi Jiong. In addition, a Tang dynasty Taoist priest once built Xianlin Temple at the foot of the mountain, which contained two statues of immortal maidens. Other natural landscapes mainly include Shuanglong Cave and Yingzui Rock.
When the great man Mao Zedong studied at Dongshan School at the foot of the mountain, he often climbed Dongtai Mountain with classmates, pointing out the rivers and mountains and stirring up words. Modern celebrities such as Chen Geng, Tan Zheng, and Huang Gonglue often discussed literature and practiced martial arts in the mountains in their youth, leaving behind many footprints for people to remember. There are also Longfeng Villa, Entertainment Village, and Children's Playground, providing cozy places for vacation and leisure.
The scenic area also has convenient transportation conditions, with roads directly leading to Xiangxiang County town. Railways and highways in Xiangxiang County intersect in all directions, leading respectively to Xiangtan, Zhuzhou, Loudi, Shaoshan, Changsha, Hengyang, and other places. This year, Xiangxiang City plans to invest in building the Dongshan New District with a land area of 4.57 square kilometers. Dongtai Mountain Forest Park will also build various tourism reception and service facilities to attract more tourists from home and abroad.
If visitors still want more of the beautiful natural scenery, they can also tour the nearby Xikou Reservoir to fully satisfy themselves. Xikou Reservoir also has convenient transportation and is located at the junction of Xiangxiang, Loudi, and Shuangfeng counties and cities. Its maximum water surface is 67,000 mu, and the reservoir's year-round capacity is 370 million cubic meters. The reservoir area has a suitable climate, abundant resources, and charming scenery. In the reservoir area, there is Bailu Lake above, Bailu Mountain below, Chaotianmen Buddha on the left, Qinglong Pond on the right, and Tianma Mountain in the center. There are 75 natural landscapes. In addition, Wanluo Wonderland and Qinglong Pond also have 18 main caves and 48 branch caves. The scenes blend emotion and scenery, with vivid shapes, giving people the feeling of entering a fairyland and making them marvel at the wonderful craftsmanship of nature.
