Location: Hengyang
Top Things to do in Hengyang
What to do and see in Hengyang, China: The Best Places and Tips
Hengyang (simplified Chinese: 衡阳; traditional Chinese: 衡陽; pinyin: Héngyáng; Mandarin pronunciation: [xə̌ŋ.jǎŋ]) is the second largest city of Hunan Province, China. It straddles the Xiang River about 160 km (99 mi) south of the provincial capital of Changsha. Its built-up (or metro) area made of 4 out of 5 urban districts was home to 1,075,516 inhabitants at the 2010 census.
Restaurants in Hengyang
1. Mount Hengshan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 178 reviews
Reviewed By Stevelizhangjun - Dongguan, China
After opening a new factory in Hengyang my friends suggested we take an extra day to visit Mt Hengshan. One of 5 great Mountains and spiritual places in China.
Taking a coach from Hengyang the travel time was around 1 hr. The entrance fee of RMB180 which included a bus ride from the entrance to the cable car mid point. We queued for 20 mins which I thought for a Friday wasn't too bad. The cable car is designed to hold 40 guests so it can be a little congested but I cheap thrill as the cable car speeds up over the first two pillions. At the top of the cable car you are then faced with a 2900m walk to the summit.
Being late Feb I was surprised to see extensive snow on all the trails. The locals will offer walking sticks for around RMB20 and woven rattan style snow shoes for RMB5 which does help with keeping a good footing and your feet dry. The ascent can be a little tricky with the snowy and icy conditions. It's quoted as a 30 min hike but we found in these conditions it was more like an hour. For those less inclined a Sherpa service will carry you to the top for approx RMB200 depending upon your negotiation skills.
The summit is spectacular and worth the effort but it was certainly cool the day we went and you do need to rug up warm. On the descent you can negotiate a bobsled to run you down for around RMB60 and great fun for the kids. I will certainly plan to return in the summer months but suggest the following tips:
1. Go mid week and go early and leave early. We found after 4pm the queue for the return cable car was very crowded and you could wait over an hour.
2. Wear comfortable and good walking shoes. It always amuses me to see local ladies wearing high heel shoes walking up Mountains.
3. Take your own bottled water and tissue paper. None of the toilets provide toilet paper.
Certainly Well worth the effort. Enjoy!
2. Goulou Peak
3. Xiyan Cave
Overall Ratings
3 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By A TripAdvisor China Member
作为一个衡东人，我以前都不知道有这个岩洞，或许是我不够关注，暑假时我去过那，原本岩洞是冬暖夏凉，自然是避暑佳处，应该会有很多游客前往，但是……据了解，该岩洞与罗荣桓故居相距不远，何不将两处连成一线，使游客既能缅怀历史，又能欣赏岩洞风景，这莫不比现今好些？在当代社会，旅游业是最能带动经济发展的。谢谢。以上仅个人观点。
4. Hengshan Ancient City
Overall Ratings
4 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By 322Mia - London, United Kingdom
Lovely area with lots of Temples and Hengshan moutain. Didn't see any other western travellers but a place lots of Chinese tourists go to as a sacred area.
Note that the train goes to Hengshan which is a very rural place, you can get a bus to Nanyue from there for 8 Yuan just ask the locals where the bus is (take a phrase book!) it is to the left of the train station then walk up to main street. it takes about 15 minutes to Nanyue which is a much nicer town which with its mountain ranges, looks like a village in the Alps!
Temples here are expensive to get in by Chinese standards. Nanyue temple is 50 Yuan each, but very beautiful. We got in the Zhusheng Si temple for free though because it was closing up but I don't know if you have to pay otherwise, this is worth a visit though as it is an 8th century Temple.
The Hengshan mountain is also 100 Yuan each, please note that in bad weather the minibuses up the mountain do not run so you can only walk up then. Buses up the mountain, when available and luggage storage facilities are available in the tourist centre in Nanyue.
5. Zhurong Peak
Overall Ratings
4 based on 15 reviews
6. Mt. Hengshan Temple Fairs
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Stevelizhangjun - Dongguan, China
If your visit Mt Hengshan then a visit to the Nanyue Temple at the base of the mountain is also a must.
Built over 1400 years ago it is an extensive complex of Buddhist and Taoist temples visited over the years but all emperor's and dignitaries over the ages. An entrance fee of RMB40 is charged with access through the north or south gates.
A leisurely visit of 30 mins is sufficient.
7. Nanyue Water Curtain Cave
Overall Ratings
4 based on 12 reviews
8. Shigu Academy
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Translation "the Stone Drum Academy",it became an academy during the Song Dynasty. The original buildings were destroyed in 1944 due to Jap bombings.Now it has been rebuilt
Reviewed By Maria P
If you happen to be in Hengyang, Hunan province and have a few hours to spare this place is great place to visit. Inexpensive attraction - just 20 RMB, easily accessible by public transportation or taxi, nice views, great photo opportunities and a relaxing walk. Shigu academy is one of the four great academies of ancient China. The original academy was destroyed in 1944 because of the Japanese bombings, today it is rebuild on the base of ruins. Admission: RMB 20 yuan /adult
Hours: Summer (May to October) 8:00--18:00
Winter: (November to April) 8:00--17:30
9. Xihu Park of Hengyang
10. Hengyang Zoo
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Anthony E - Adelaide, Australia
I usually love going to a zoo and seeing the animals at play, but this zoo was tiny, I wasn't expecting a large zoo, but my bedroom was bigger than most of the cages. And to see a Tiger in an enclosure the same size as a monkey (smaller than my bedroom) was just awful. Especially for endangered animals, there should be some basic guidelines to be able to keep these animals, I know many people dislike zoos for this reason, but I think for the sake of the preservation of a species, they can play an important role, but there was no preservation, only exploitation here. Many of the enclosures were empty, dirty, no natural environment, just a concrete box with bars and wires so thick you had trouble seeing in anyway.
TAGS
