3 Days in Yiyang

Yiyang sits about 70 km from Changsha, and three stone-paved lanes from the old river port — Yulingpo, Denglong and the Wei-family lane — survive from the Ming and Qing. Walk them, then follow the Zi River promenade at dusk.

1. yiyang ming qing ancient lanes
2. yiyang zi river waterfront

An hour — about 40 km — west, the hills around the Peach Blossom River roll with bamboo — Taojiang county counts its groves at roughly a million mu, some 670 km2 — and a 1930s popular song about the river still plays in the little town below.

1. yiyang taohuajiang bamboo sea
2. yiyang city markets

Head northwest to Anhua, whose dark tea was fixed as government tribute tea in 1595. The old trail past Dongshi old street crosses the Yongxi covered bridge, and one traditional thousand-tael log of tea weighs about 36.25 kg. The rail line to Changsha, fully open since December 2022, covers the trip back in about half an hour.

1. yiyang anhua tea horse road
2. yiyang yongxi bridge