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 Ticket prices, opening hours, transportation, and contact information mentioned in the text may be outdated.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.
Shiyan Lake Eco-Tourism Scenic Area in Hunan Province is located at the junction of Changsha, Zhuzhou, and Xiangtan. The scenic area covers 5 square kilometers, with a planned area of 15 square kilometers. It is 10-20 kilometers from the three cities of Chang-Zhu-Tan and receives 500,000 visitors annually. It is among the first batch of AAA-rated tourist attractions designated by the National Tourism Administration, Hunan's first wildlife park, one of Hunan's Top 100 Scenic Spots, one of Hunan's Top Ten Water Tourism Scenic Areas, a professional domestic outward bound training base, a mass dragon boat racing base, and one of the most popular top ten tourist attractions among Changsha residents. The scenic area is surrounded by mountains, with jade-like clear waters, graceful peaks, fresh fragrant grasses, ancient gnarled branches, and green shade covering the ground. The lake water is serene and pure in color, rich in variations. The scenic area is surrounded by lush primeval secondary forest, with forest coverage of over 98% excluding water surfaces. The negative oxygen ion content in the air reaches over 80,000 per cubic centimeter, earning it the titles of "Hunan's Jiuzhaigou, Earthly Jade Pool," "The Urbanite's Green-Blue Dream," and "The Green Central Park of the Three Cities of Chang-Zhu-Tan."
Shiyan Lake has a profound historical heritage and a long-standing culture. There are the Emperor Shun Stone left by Emperor Shun on his southern inspection tour, the Tiaoma Stream where Lord Guan jumped his horse, the Yuping Peak of the seventy-two peaks of Mount Heng, and scenic spots and historical sites such as Jinguai Island, Guanyin Temple, Zhaoshan Ancient Cave, Swan Pool, the tomb of Liu Shaoqi's ancestors, the tomb of Prince Ji Jian of the Ming Dynasty, and the Five Sons Passing the Imperial Examination Tree. There is also the geologically famous standard rock formation of the Devonian Tiaoma Stream series from 300 million years ago. Large quantities of fish fossils and stone swallow fossils have been found here, and Shiyan Lake got its name from this. The scenic area has now developed dozens of recreational projects with unique ecological features, including bonfire parties, candle-wish releasing, horse riding, ziplining, lake cruising, dragon boat racing, fishing, ecological diving, ecological scientific expeditions, a wildlife park, and team-building training. Star-rated hotels such as Shiyan Lake Villa and Rongjing Hotel have been built, with complete facilities, and can simultaneously accommodate conferences and dining for 2000 people. Visitors can also enjoy authentic farmhouse meals at the park's farmhouse restaurant—brewing a pot of local wine, picking a handful of wild vegetables, rice soup with crusted rice, ordinary stir-fries, and farmhouse cured meats all offer a distinctive flavor.
