Wonderful Mountains and Waters, a Heaven-sent Blessed Land (Part 1)
Section 1: Four Rivers and Three Xiangs, Enlightening the Mind. China's Largest Freshwater Lake by Volume — Dongting Lake. China's second-largest freshwater lake, it lies in northern Hunan on the south bank of the Yangtze. To the north, four inlets — Songzi, Taiping, Ouchi and Tiaoxian (the last blocked in 1958) — channel in Yangtze water; to the south and west, the Xiang, Zi, Yuan and Li rivers flow in. The water drains into the Yangtze via Chenglingji.
This article has been compiled from historical materials in the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com · City Overview section). Some administrative divisions, population, socioeconomic data, and policy information may be outdated and are for reference only; for the latest situation, please refer to official releases by the local government and scenic areas.
Section One
Four Rivers and Three Xiangs — Enlightening the Mind and Delighting the Spirit
China's Largest Freshwater Lake by Water Volume — Dongting Lake
Dongting Lake is China's second-largest freshwater lake, located in northern Hunan Province on the south bank of the Yangtze River. To the north, four inlets — Songzi, Taiping, Ouchi, and Tiaoxian (the Tiaoxian inlet was blocked in 1958) — channel Yangtze waters into it; to the south and west, the Xiang, Zi, Yuan, and Li rivers flow in. The lake water discharges into the Yangtze River through Chenglingji. Normally, the four inlets and four rivers enter the lake with their flood peaks staggered, giving it the regulating function of "receiving the four rivers" and "swallowing and spitting out the Yangtze," thereby easing flood pressure on the middle reaches of the Yangtze. It is the freshwater lake with the largest water volume in the country, with an average annual inflow of 301.8 billion cubic meters — equivalent to three times that of Poyang Lake, five times that of the Yellow River, and ten times that of Taihu Lake, and nearly half again more than the combined inflow of all three.
Hunan's River with the Largest Flow and Widest Basin — the Xiang River
The Xiang River is one of the main tributaries of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and is the river with the largest flow, the highest economic value, and the widest basin area in Hunan Province. Hunan is abbreviated as "Xiang" because the Xiang River runs through the entire province. The Xiang River originates at the western foot of Haiyang Mountain in Lingchuan County, Guangxi; its source is called the Haiyang River. In the urban area of Yongzhou City, Hunan, it merges with the Xiao River, which originates in Lanshan County, and from there begins to be called the Xiang River. It flows east through Yongzhou, Hengyang, Zhuzhou, Xiangtan, and Changsha, and after reaching Xiangyin County it enters Dongting Lake and then the Yangtze River. Its total length is 817 kilometers, with a basin area of 92,300 square kilometers.
South China's Number One Rafting River — the Zi River
The Zi River has two sources: the left source, the Nanshui, originates in the northern Qingshan of Chengbu Miao Autonomous County; the right source, the Fuyi River, originates in Yuecheng Ridge of Ziyuan County. The two waters merge at Shuangjiangkou in Shaoyang County and flow through Shaoyang, Xinhua, Anhua, Taojiang, Yiyang, and other cities and counties, emptying into Dongting Lake at Ganxigang in Yiyang City. The rafting section of the Zi River runs from 5 kilometers downstream of Ziyuan County seat to Hujiatian in Meixi Township, a total of 22.5 kilometers, descending 45 rapids and passing 31 bends. It possesses both its own distinctive grandeur and steepness and the pure beauty of Guilin's Li River. Rafting the scenic Zi River is like stepping into a long landscape gallery: on both banks, fantastic peaks jut out, grotesque rocks pile up, mist and clouds drift, bamboo and trees grow lushly, mountain flowers bloom in profusion, waterbirds skim low, and orioles sing melodiously. The famous poet He Jingzhi praised it heartily: "Zi River rafting, number one in South China."
Hunan's Wildest, Most Winding, and Most Ancient River — the Yuan River
Also known as the Yuanjiang. It is the second-largest river in Hunan Province. It has two sources. The southern source, the Longtou River, rises from Jiguan Ridge of Yunwu Mountain in Duyun County, Guizhou, and is also called the Mawei River. The northern source, the Chongjiang, rises from the great mountains between Pingyue and Majiang County, Guizhou, and is also called the Zhuliang River. The Yuan River is the wildest — the wild Yuan River originates from the unfathomable capital of clouds and mist, Duyun on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The Yuan River is the most winding — with its unique posture it has cast an unsolvable riddle. The Yuan River is the most ancient — with its ancient culture it has been written into ancient historical records, casting over the Yuan River a veil of ancient and mysterious color. The Yuan River is the most mystical — it is renowned for its many wondrous landscapes.
The Shortest of Hunan's Four Great Rivers — the Li River
Hunan's four rivers are the Xiang, Zi, Yuan, and Li. Regarding the Li River, according to the Hunan Gazetteer: Geography Volume, "The Li River has three sources — east, south, and north — originating respectively in Sangzhi County, Hunan, and Hefeng County, Hubei. After merging, it flows east through eight counties and cities — Sangzhi, Yongshun, Dayong, Cili, Shimen, Linli, and Jinshi — and finally enters Dongting Lake at Xiaodukou. It is the shortest of Hunan's four great rivers." "Of the beauty of the southern region, none surpasses the Li," wrote the great Tang Dynasty literary master Liu Zongyuan in praise of the Li River's beauty. "By the Yuan there is the Li; by the Li there are orchids," the patriotic poet Qu Yuan likewise praised the Li River. The Li River got its lovely name because in its upper reaches "for sixty li the green waters run, the water turning indigo Li-blue."
China's Earliest Maritime Silk Road — the You River
The You River originates in Xuan'en County, Hubei. It flows through Youyang, Xiushan in southeastern Chongqing and Longshan, Baojing, Yongshun, and Guzhang in Xiangxi, finally emptying into the Yuan River at Yuanling, with a total length of 600 kilometers. China's earliest Silk Road was the maritime Silk Road that began in the Shang Dynasty 3,000 years ago. Goods from Sichuan traveled via the Yangtze River into the You River, through Youyang and Xiushan into the Yuan River at Yuanling (the seat of the ancient Qianzhong Commandery), where at Hongjiang in Xiangxi they were transferred to Miao boats and carried via Huangping, Guizhou (the site of the ancient Qielan Kingdom) to the source of the Qingshui River, then transferred to horse caravans into Yunnan, on to Myanmar or Vietnam, and finally by overland routes or the Indian Ocean to the Western Regions. Hence it is known as the maritime "Silk Road."
Hunan's Largest Water-Diversion Irrigation Project — Shaoshan Irrigation District
Shaoshan Galaxy is located within Xiangxiang City, with the Shaoshan Irrigation District as its main body. The district effectively controls a basin area of 5,050 square kilometers, with a normal impoundment level of 66.5 meters and a storage capacity of 21 million cubic meters. It is the largest water-diversion irrigation project in Hunan Province. The irrigation district waters about 1 million mu of farmland within roughly 2,500 square kilometers across seven counties (cities) and districts — Shuangfeng, Xiangxiang, Xiangtan, Ningxiang, Shaoshan, Wangcheng, and Yuhu — and also serves comprehensive functions including industrial water supply, power generation, shipping, flood control and drainage, and aquaculture. The tourism area focuses on drifting and is a comprehensive irrigation-type tourism area integrating leisure, vacationing, entertainment, and sightseeing.
Hunan's Largest Irrigation Reservoir Lake — Shuifumiao
The Hunan Shuifumiao Tourism Area lies in central Hunan, with the Hunan Shuifumiao Reservoir as its main body. The Shuifumiao Reservoir, also known as the Xikou Reservoir, is located east of Loudi City and spans three counties and districts — Louxing District, Xiangxiang, and Shuangfeng. It controls a catchment area of 3,160 square kilometers, accounting for 44% of the Lianshui River basin. It cuts off the Lianshui River, has a storage capacity of 560 million cubic meters, and a reservoir area equivalent to nine Hangzhou West Lakes. It is the source of the Shaoshan Irrigation District. The reservoir has more than 100 kilometers of shoreline and over 100 bays and 34 islands, the largest being 3 square kilometers. The reservoir is primarily for irrigation, with comprehensive benefits including power generation, flood control, shipping, and aquaculture. The water quality in the reservoir is excellent, with blue waves rippling and waterbirds at play. The reservoir surface is often foggy in winter and spring and cloudy in summer and autumn; with morning glow and evening sunset, it presents ever-changing scenes. Along the shores, peninsulas jut out, harbors crisscross, bank willows stand in rows, flowers and trees flourish, rice paddies are fragrant, tea gardens turn green, and orange and pomelo trees give off fragrance — full of pastoral poetry, forming a wonderfully exquisite picture of an ecological paradise.
A World Classic of Lakes — Zhangjiajie Baofeng Lake
Baofeng Lake Scenic Area is located in the core zone of Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area. It combines mountains and waters in one and blends folk customs in one, and is especially famous for the superb spectacle of a high gorge and calm lake, the Baofeng Flying Waterfall that "plunges three thousand feet," and a mysterious ancient temple deep in the mountains. The crystal-clear surface of Baofeng Lake mirrors the surrounding mountains; the water is green because of the mountains, and the mountains are even clearer because of the water. Among the developed scenic spots at Baofeng Lake, the most exquisite are the High Gorge and Calm Lake, Yingwo Ancient Stockade, the Cliff Flying Waterfall, and the One-Line-Sky Gorge. Among them, Baofeng Lake, the Fantastic Peak Flying Waterfall, Yingwo Stockade, and One-Line-Sky are called the "Four Supremes" of Wulingyuan and are premium scenic spots within Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area, known as a "World Classic of Lakes."
Hunan's Largest Man-Made Lake — Chenzhou Dongjiang Lake
Dongjiang Lake is located on the upper reaches of the Leishui River within Zixing City, bordering Rucheng County to the south. The lake area is 73 kilometers long, with an average water surface width of 1.5 kilometers and a maximum width of 6 kilometers, covering an area of 160 square kilometers. It is the largest peak-shaving power station in Hunan to date. The lake is up to 148 meters deep at its deepest point and stores 8.12 billion cubic meters of water — equivalent to half of Dongting Lake. It is the largest man-made lake in Hunan and is known as the "Dongting of Southern Hunan." Around the lake, mountains overlap, ten thousand trees display their green, and the mountain scenery is lovely. In the lake there are many water bays and branching channels, and islands are scattered like stars, adorning the lake and making it especially elegant. Though the lake is man-made, the scenery is natural, fully evoking the mood of "blue waters and fantastic mountains surpass any painting."
China's Largest Ecological Composite Scenic Area — Changde Liuye Lake
Liuye Lake is located northeast of the ancient city of Changde. It was built in 1993 and approved in April 2001 as one of the country's first batch of AAA-level tourist attractions. This naturally formed, largest ecological composite scenic area in the country integrates city, lake, mountains, and islets into one, with a total planned area of 175 square kilometers, of which the water area is 21.8 square kilometers. Liuye Lake is 2.5 kilometers from the urban area and is praised as "a treasure of Hunan, a wonder of Changde." Relying on Liuye Lake's natural water advantages, the resort area has also built a world-class international water sports venue and has successfully hosted international and domestic water sports events, including the Asian Canoeing Championships and the China-U.S. Water-Skiing Star Challenge.
Hunan's Largest Inland Lake — Yiyang Datong Lake
Datong Lake is located in northeastern Hunan Province, at the junction of Yiyang and Yueyang cities. It is a lake within Dongting Lake, with a water area of 83 square kilometers, stretching endlessly and mightily. It is the largest inland lake in Hunan Province, extremely rich in fish, bird, and aquatic plant resources, with unique scenery and excellent ecological environment indicators — an ideal place for tourism, leisure, and returning to nature. The lakeside pavilions and terraces, the ten-li green corridor, Datong Zen Temple, the lake-center island, the water city, lotus pond moonlight, fishing-village cuisine, summer and autumn lotus picking, Tai Gong fishing, and swimming and surfing are enough to make one linger and forget to return.