Best Summer Chill-out spots in Hunan

Wulingyuan Scenic Area

A spectacular area stretches over more than 26,000 ha in Zhangjiajie. The site is dominated by more than 3,000 narrow sandstone pillars, and peaks at 200 m high or above. Between the peaks lie ravines, and gorges with streams, pools and waterfalls, caves, and bridges. In addition to the striking beauty of the landscape, the area is home to a number of endangered plant and animal species. The forest coverage reaches 85%.

How to get there:

Driving route: Changsha—Changsha-Zhangjiajie Expressway—X014 County Road—Zhangjiajie-Cily Highway—Yanglong Road—Huanglong Road—Chaoyang Road—Xiangzi Road—Xiangzhang Road—Scenic and Historic Interest Area

Entrance fee: 248 yuan/person

Mangshan National Forest Park

Located in Yizhang County, Chenzhou, Mangshan National Forest Park has an intact subtropical primeval forest and evergreen broad-leave forest. It has complicated landforms composing of sharp pointy peaks, rocks, ravines, and gorges. There are more than 150 peaks at an altitude of 1,000 meters or above. The highest peak is 1,902 meters above sea level.

How to get there: Driving route: Changsha—Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway—Shanghai-Kunming Expressway—Yueyang-Linwu Expressway—Yilian Expressway—X067 County Road—Huangmang Road—X089 County Road—X088 County Road—Mangshan National Forest Park

Entrance fee: 104 yuan/person

Oujiang Town, Guidong County

Oujiang Town is under the jurisdiction of Guidong County, Chenzhou. Located at 824 meters above sea level, it is the highest county in Hunan. It is known as a “Natural air conditioner” for its coolness in summer.

How to get there: Driving route: Changsha—Changliu Expressway—Changsha Belt Expressway—Changsha-Zhuzhou Expressway—Shanghai-Kunming Expressway—Pingjiang-Rucheng Expressway—Quanzhou-Nanning Expressway—Yanling-Rucheng Expressway--Pingjiang-Rucheng Expressway—G106 National Road (Beijiang-Guangdong Line)—Chengui Road—Rugui Road—S322 Provincial Road—Caotang Road—Oujiang Town

Yangming Mountain National Forest Park

Located in the northeast of Shuangpai County, Yangming Mountain National Forest Park is a natural tourist resort with high mountains, clear water, dense trees, and fascinated scenery. Atop the mountain, you may overlook undulant mountains and lush trees at the hillside. The temperatures average 12 degrees Celsius all year round. 70% of peaks there are at an altitude of over 1,000 meters.

How to get there: Driving route: Changsha—Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway—Quanzhou-Nanning Expressway—Erenhot-Guangzhou Expressway—S216 Provincial Road—Yangming Tunnel—Yangming Mountain National Forest Park

Entrance fee: 65 yuan/person

Chuanyan Mountain Forest Park

Located at Tongxihe Township, Xupu County, Chuanyan Mountain Forest Park is a summer resort integrating rural sightseeing, folk custom experience, and forest recreation.

It is endowed with long ravine, deep valley, towering mountains, and unique landform. Three large peaks stand in the park, with the highest at 1,078 meters above sea level. More than 20 cliffs and deep valleys are scattered in the park. The deepest place in the valleys is over 1,000 m deep. The average temperature in summer is less than 24℃.

How to get there: Driving route: Changsha—Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway—Shanghai-Kunming Expressway—Loudi-Huaihua Expressway—S224 Provincial Road—Chuanyan Mountain

Daxiong Mountain National Forest Park

Located in the north of Xinhua County, Daxiong Mountain National Forest Park is covered with lush forest for its 93% area. It has 40 peaks at the altitude of over 1,000 meters. Its Jiulong Peak rises to a height of 1,622 meters, making it the highest peak in central Hunan. It is home to various fauna and flora species. The annual average temperature is 14 degrees Celsius.

How to get there: Driving route: Changsha—Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway—Shanghai-Kunming Expressway—Loudi-Huaihua Expressway—Baishazhou West Road—Baishaizhou Road—Meiyuan South Road—Meiyuan North Road—S217 Provincial Road—X053 County Road—X052 County Road—X051 County Road—Daxiong Mountain National Forest Park

Xiaoxi National Natural Reserve

Xiaoxi National Natural Reserve, boasting stunning natural scenery, is an ideal tourist destination for relaxation and adventure.

Located at the southeast of Yongshun County, the site is adjacent to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Mengdong River Scenic Area. With a forest coverage rate of 92.5%, it enjoys good eco-environment and fresh air. The temperatures average 12-14 degrees Celsius all year round.

How to get there: Driving route: Changsha—Changsha-Zhangjiajie Expressway—Zhangjiajie-Huayuan Expressway—Longshan-Jishou Expressway—Yongshun Connectivity—G209 National Road—Xiaoxi National Natural Reserve

Dawei Mountain National Forest Park

Dawei Mountain National Forest Park is a large state forest park located in northeastern Liuyang, about 148 kilometers away from Changsha. Dubbed the “Green Pearl of Eastern Hunan”, the park is endowed with breathtaking natural scenery and quiet beauty.

In summertime, the temperatures average 22 degrees Celsius, making it an ideal place for sightseeing and escape the summer heat.

How to get there: Driving route: Changsha—Changliu Expressway—Dongxin Avenue—Liudong Road—Daxu South Road—Daxu North Road—Liudong Road—Dawei South Road—Dawei Mountain National Forest Park

Entrance fee: 50 yuan/person

  

Hengshan Mountain

Hengshan Mountain is located in central Hunan's Hengyang city, and dubbed one of the “Five sacred mountains in China”. It consists of 72 peaks. Zhurong Peak, the tallest, stands at 1,300 meters in elevation. The mountain has lush forest with different flora species. It also boast stunning scenery.

How to get there: Driving route: Changsha—Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway—Shanghai-Kunming Expressway—Yueyang-Linwu Expressway—X034 County Road—X032 County Road—X037 County Road—Hengshan Mountain

Entrance fee: 100 yuan/person

Shennong Valley National Forest Park

Located in the northeast of Yanling County, the Shennong Valley National Forest Park is a natural reserve, with 98.75 percent forest coverage. The average temperatures is 12.3 degrees Celsius all year round, and 20.7 degrees Celsius in July. The dense forest and pristine streams attract tourists to spend a cool summer there.

How to get there: Driving route: Changsha—Changliu Expressway—Changsha Belt Expressway—Changsha-Zhuzhou Expressway—Shanghai-Kunming Expressway—Pingjiang-Rucheng Expressway—Quanzhou-Nanning Expressway—Yanling-Mu Village (Jinggang Mountain, Jiangxi) Expressway—S321 Provincial Road —Miandu Road—X067 County Road—Shennong Valley National Forest Park

Entrance fee: 75 yuan/person

Chengbu Nanshan Scenic Area

Nanshan Scenic Area is located in the southern Chengbu Miao Autonomous County, Shaoyang City. It is called the “Hulunbuir Grasslands of South China”, with 15,333 hectares of natural grassland resembling a huge emerald. The annual average temperature is 10.9 degrees Celsius, and the temperature averages 19 degrees Celsius in July.

How to get there: Driving route: Changsha—Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway—Shanghai-Kunming Expressway—Loudi-Huaihua Expressway—S312 Provincial Road—S219 Provincial Road—Nanshan Scenic Area Entrance fee: 55 yuan/person

Mufu Mountain

Mufu Mountain is located in Pingjiang County, Yueyang. Its highest peak has an altitude of 1,606 meters. It is known as a “Gene bank” of flora and fauna. The forest coverage rate reaches 94%. Mufu Mountain Forest Park is famous for its spectacular scenery, towering mountain, pristine water, dense forest, rare rocks, and precipitous cliff. The annual average temperature is 9.4-13.19 degrees Celsius.

How to get there: Driving route: Changsha—Changliu Expressway—Pingjiang-Rucheng Expressway—G106 National Road (Beijing-Guangzhou Line)—Y117 Road—Mufu Mountain

Huping Mountain

Located in northwest Shimen County, Huping Mountain borders Hubei provinces, at an altitude of 2,000 meters. The highest peak has an altitude of 2,099 meters. Known as the “Roof of Hunan”, it has various flora and fauna under provincial or state protection. When summer comes, numerous tourists come to avoid summer heat.

How to get there: Driving route: Changsha—Changsha-Zhangjiajie Expressway—X021 County Road—Baimiaoya Tunnel—S304 Provincial Road—Baofeng Road—Liyang Middle Road—Xieyang Road—S304 Provincial Road—S303 Provincial Road—Y477 Road—Huping Mountain

Entrance fee: 80 yuan/person