Xinshao Baishuidong

Xinshao Baishuidong

Xinshao Baishuidong is a national scenic area and a national AA-level tourist attraction.

Introduction

The Baishuidong Scenic Area is located in Xinshao County, central Hunan Province, with its core scenic zone in Baishui Village, Yantang Town.

As early as the Ming Dynasty, Baishuidong was a renowned tourist destination in central Hunan, attracting many scholars and poets who left behind numerous poems in its praise. Yang Taihao of the Qing Dynasty wrote "A Travelogue of Baishuidong," and Li Houpei authored "A Collection of Baishuidong’s Scenic Wonders."

The Baishuidong Scenic Area was officially designated as a provincial scenic area by the provincial government in 1999, and in April 2002, it was rated as an AA-level tourist attraction by the National Tourism Administration.

The Baishuidong Scenic Area is world-renowned for its lush mountains and clear waters, fantastical caves and unique rocks, and rich cultural heritage. The scenic zone currently features over 480 attractions, including 30 first-class sites and 8 key provincial and municipal cultural relics protection sites. Natural attractions include the “High Gorge Flat Lake,” “Flowing Springs and Flying Waterfalls,” “Underground Karst Cave Cluster,” “One-Line Sky,” “Cave Heaven Gate,” and “White Dragon Cave.” The White Dragon Cave is famed worldwide for its extraordinary caverns and peculiar rocks. In December 2002, CCTV featured a special report on the cave, hailing it as a world wonder. Cultural attractions include temples, ancestral halls, memorial archways, ancient tombs, and residences of notable figures. Among these, well-preserved sites such as the ancient battlefield relics from the Taiping Rebellion, war remnants from the Anti-Japanese War, and the former homes of notable individuals like Li Chen’dian, Liu Ce’cheng, Liao Yao’xiang, Li Wen, and Li Gong’wang add a profound historical and cultural richness to the Baishuidong Scenic Area.

The Baishuidong Scenic Area is nestled within the urban cluster of central Hunan (Shaoyang, Lengshuijiang, Lianyuan, and Loudi). It is traversed by National Highway 207, Provincial Highway 1821, and the Zi River. The Tang (Tang Renqiao)–Bai (Baishuidong) tourist highway commenced construction in December 2003 and is expected to be completed by October 1, 2004. Its geographic and transportation location is exceptionally advantageous. This scenic area is a comprehensive tourism destination integrating sightseeing, vacationing, and entertainment, serving as a “backyard garden” for global travelers during weekends and holidays.

Address: Within Xinshao County, Shaoyang City

Type: National Park / Canyon

Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour

Opening Hours:

8:00-17:30

Ticket Information:

Gate Price: 25.0 RMB

Yantang Town: Yantang Town is located to the north of the county seat, approximately 7 kilometers from the county center. It enjoys convenient transportation, with National Highway 207 passing through the area. The town administers 47 villages, 2 residential committees, 3 forestry and fruit farms, and 534 village (residential) groups, with a total population of 51,600, including 49,858 agricultural residents. Covering a total area of 121.3 square kilometers, it has 32,102 mu of arable land, including 22,505 mu of paddy fields.

The town is predominantly hilly, with deep soil layers and fertile ground, producing crops such as flue-cured tobacco, lilies, watermelons, ginger, polygonatum, and sweet corn. Among them, the tobacco from Douling was once a tribute to the imperial court during the Ming Dynasty... More detailed information about Yantang Town ++

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of National Scenic Areas