Yueyang, formerly known as Yuezhou or Yochow, is a prefecture-level city on the eastern shores of Dongting Lake and Yangtze in the northeastern corner of Hunan Province in the People's Republic of China.
Yueyang has an administrative area of 14,896 km2 (5,751 sq mi) and the city proper, 304 km2 (117 sq mi). The population was 5,051,922 at the 2020 Chinese census whom 1,134,058 lived in the built-up (or metro) area made up of Yueyanglou District and Yunxi District, Junshan District not being conurbated. Yueyang is the only international trade port city in Hunan and a famous port city in China, at the same time, Yueyang's comprehensive economic strength ranks of Hunan second only to Changsha, the provincial capital.
The city's most famous attractions are the Yueyang Tower and Dongting Lake. The most famous food is Dongting lake silver fish (洞庭银鱼).In 2021, the city's permanent resident population was 5,051,922, a decrease of 424,162 from the end of last year.
Walk along a man made rock path around the tower area on the lake side and watch the city wall. Although a modern reconstruction, it gives you an idea of how it was back in the old days.
Shaokao (烧烤 shāokǎo) or barbecue is Yueyang's claim of fame. Go to barbecue restaurants and have some grilled eggplants, stir-fried clams and some chicken wings and bring it down with some cold beers. Local families love to go out for Shaokao.
Ask around at the first street you see when you leave the regular train station. See who doesn't mind hosting a foreigner. Prices range from 35 for a basic single to 100 for a nice double. Ask around, as there are many places to sleep at!
Taxis are ¥6.
Buses are ¥2.
Bus 55 connects high-speed railway station Yueyang east station with the regular train station Yueyang station.
This prefecture level city borders Hubei province to the north and Dongting lake to the west.
