Yiyang Unfiltered: China’s Most Underrated Riverside Paradise
Yiyang: China’s Hidden Riverside Gem Where Culture Meets Nature
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Nestled in the heart of Hunan Province, where the Zi and Fu rivers embrace like silk ribbons, Yiyang (益阳) remains one of China’s most underrated destinations.
This 2,000-year-old city—whose name literally means “beneficial sun”—offers a rare blend of water-town charm, bamboo-clad mountains, and profound cultural heritage.
Unlike the bustling metropolises of Beijing or Shanghai, Yiyang invites travelers to slow down, sip dark tea in a riverside pavilion, and lose themselves in landscapes that inspired ancient poets.
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1. A Water Town Steeped in History
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Yiyang’s history dates back to the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BCE), when it served as a strategic port along the Yangtze River tributaries.
The city flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties as a hub for the tea-horse trade, with its black tea (known as Anhua dark tea) transported via horseback to Tibet and Central Asia.
Today, visitors can explore:
Guanzhai Ancient Street: A well-preserved Qing-era marketplace where cobblestone lanes lead to traditional wooden tea houses and iron-smith workshops.
Tao Shu’s Former Residence: The restored home of the famed Qing Dynasty statesman and calligrapher, surrounded by lotus ponds.
White Horse Temple: A 1,700-year-old Buddhist temple hidden in the hills, where monks still chant amid incense swirls.
Fun fact: Yiyang was a key supplier of bamboo slips (ancient “books”) during the Han Dynasty—some discovered here rewritten Confucian classics now displayed in Beijing’s National Museum.
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2. Nature’s Masterpiece: Lakes, Bamboo & the ‘Land of Beauties’
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Yiyang’s landscapes seem lifted from a Chinese ink painting:
Taojiang River & Dongting Lake: Cruise along the ”Jade Belt” river, where fishermen cast nets at dawn, or visit Nanxian County’s wetlands, a paradise for migratory birds like Siberian cranes.
Ten-Mile Bamboo Sea: Walk through towering bamboo groves in Taohuajiang Scenic Area—locals claim the mineral-rich water here nurtures the famed ”Land of Beauties” (Taohuajiang), where women are celebrated for their grace.
Hongyan Scenic Area: Hike to ”Fairy Maiden Cliff”, a waterfall cascading over blood-red sandstone, named after a tragic love legend.
Pro tip: Visit in April to see tea-picking festivals or October for golden rice terraces in Anhua’s highlands.
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3. The Soul of Yiyang: Tea, Poetry & Slow Living
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Yiyang breathes culture:
Anhua Dark Tea Ceremony: Participate in a ”Thousand-Tea-Piles” fermentation workshop—this probiotic-rich tea was once compressed into bricks to trade for Tibetan horses.
Meishan Culture: The indigenous Meishan people (descendants of ancient Chu tribes) preserve shamanistic rituals, like the ”Shadow Puppet Exorcism Dance”.
Poetry Trails: Follow in the footsteps of Fan Zhongyan, the Song Dynasty poet who wrote of Yiyang’s rivers: “The breeze carries lotus fragrance for ten miles.”
Don’t miss: The Yiyang International Bamboo Culture Festival, where artisans craft everything from bamboo flutes to eco-friendly textiles.
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4. Culinary Treasures: A Feast by the River
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Yiyang’s cuisine—a mix of Hunanese spice and Jiangnan sweetness—will ignite your taste buds:
Stuffed Lotus Root: Crispy lotus roots filled with glutinous rice, drizzled with osmanthus honey.
Fermented Fish with Chili: A Meishan specialty aged in bamboo barrels.
”Three Treasures” Breakfast: Tea-oil fried dough sticks, sweet rice wine, and hand-pulled noodles.
For foodies: The Night Market along Zhanqian Road offers fiery crayfish hotpots and ”tea-infused” desserts.
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5. Why Yiyang Stands Out
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In a nation racing toward modernity, Yiyang dares to linger in the past’s poetry. It’s where you can:Practice taichi with fishermen at sunrise.
Sleep in a bamboo forest homestay under starry skies.
Hear folk songs about the river’s moods from elderly boatmen.
As the Chinese saying goes: “Supper in Changsha, breakfast in Wuhan, but spend your soul in Yiyang.”
Other Walk East’s Cool Playlists:
Night Walking Tour In China’s Metropolitan Cities:
Shanghai City Classic Scenes:
4K⁶⁰ Driving In China:
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0:00 Intro
7:09 Downtown Riverside Area
32:03 Mingqing Old Alley Night Market
57:41 Yiyang Ancient City Wall
1:04:07 White Deer Temple
1:19:37 Tianyi Wooden World
2:08:14 Drone View of Yiyang
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#Yiyang
16 Comments
Hello bro
Asia's people very hard working
As usual, masterpiece work.. beautiful city. Going to Changsha from October 9-13. From USA
What camera and lenses you use? Thanks
espectacular puente … la vista nocturna es alucinante … debe ser un día de descanso laboral por la cantidad de personas disfrutando … bien hermano Max, disfruta tu también … I love China
wonderful anicent & modern yiyang city china❤🎉
I was wondering when you were going to post again. Finally, I can get my Walk East China fix 😉
How many cities with populations of 700,000 people, like this one, have a clean river where people can swim? I’m from France, and where I live, in a city of 400,000 people, swimming is prohibited because the water is dangerously dirty and polluted.
Sup Max, hope you're well Brother? Duo Xie 🙏🤍
Smaller Chinese cities deserve global attention as well.
Wow Ive never heard of this city. So stunning ❤❤❤
Wonderfull ❤
Great walking tour. I especially liked the White Deer Temple and the lushness of the boardwalk area. 💚
For foreigners interested in chinese citizenship one day. The most realistic path would be through Hong Kong. After naturalisation (7 years) in Hong Kong you can also apply for chinese citizenship.
Thank you for posting again max ❤
哥们 都拍到益阳去了 6线城市😅
my newborn son loves watching these with me