Loudi

Loudi lies in central Hunan. Its travel highlights include rice terraces irrigated by mountain springs, underground caves, and traditional buildings that reflect Hunan’s history. Visitor numbers are relatively low and travel costs are affordable, making it a good choice for a weekend or short holiday.

• Ziquejie Rice Terraces: Recognized as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure, these terraces cover 80,000 mu (about 5,333 hectares) and are fed by gravity from mountain springs, without reservoir irrigation. The rice fields turn golden in September and October. When morning mist settles over the terraces, their layered ridges resemble an ink painting.

• Meishan Dragon Palace: Known for its cave scenery and hailed as one of Asia’s most beautiful caves, it stays at 18°C year-round. Visitors can take a boat along an underground river to see illuminated stalactites.

• Meijiang National Geopark: The only national geopark in central Hunan, it includes the Lanyue Ancient Trail, Xianrenfu Cave, and Saihai Lake. Visitors can enjoy Danxia red-rock scenery and waterways, or walk along a glass walkway.

• Zeng Guofan’s Former Residence (Fuhoutang): China’s largest rural marquis’s residence preserves much of the layout of a grand central Hunan estate. The library buildings and Half-Moon Pond are good places to admire and photograph traditional architecture. Admission is currently free.

• Xiangdong Street, Xinhua: This old wharf street has a history spanning a thousand years. Old houses with gray-brick walls and black-tiled roofs line more than 2,000 meters of flagstone paving. As red lanterns light up at dusk, the lanes grow livelier, making this a good spot for photos with a film-like feel.

3-Day, 2-Night City and Countryside Itinerary

• Day 1: Underground Caves and an Old Wharf Street
  • Morning: After arriving in Loudi, visit Meishan Dragon Palace first if time allows, taking a boat ride to see the underground river and cave formations. Allow about 3 hours and note that entry closes at 16:30.
  • Afternoon: Head to Xiangdong Street in Xinhua County. Walk along the flagstone paving and take vintage-style photos near the old state-run barbershop or Shendetang Hall.
  • Evening: Try Xinhua beef rice noodles and cup cakes on Xiangdong Street, then stay in Xinhua’s county town or travel to a guesthouse near the Ziquejie Rice Terraces.
• Day 2: Sunrise over the Terraces and a Night in the Mountains
  • Early Morning: Go to the Baguachong or Yueyashan viewing platform at the Ziquejie Rice Terraces for sunrise and morning mist. Aim to be there before 7 a.m.
  • Daytime: Walk along the terrace boardwalks and admire the layers of rice fields from above. For lunch, try chicken steamed with finger millet cakes and wood-fire-smoked cured pork at a local farmhouse restaurant.
  • Evening: Stay at a guesthouse among the terraces, enjoy views of the fields from your window, and go stargazing in the mountains after dark.
• Day 3: A Historic Residence or Natural Scenery (Choose One)
  • History and Culture Route: Visit Fuhoutang, Zeng Guofan’s former residence in Shuangfeng County. Explore the library buildings and Siyun Hall to learn about this rural marquis’s residence from the late Qing dynasty and the family’s values and traditions.
  • Nature Route: Visit Meijiang National Geopark in Lianyuan. Take the cable car to the Lanyue Ancient Trail, cross the glass walkway, then explore Xianrenfu Cave and Saihai Lake.
  • Afternoon: After sightseeing, head to Loudi South or Xinhua South railway station for your high-speed train home.

Local Flavors of Loudi

• Xinhua Sanhe Soup: A signature dish of the Meishan area, made with beef, beef tripe, and beef blood. Mountain pepper oil and chopped chilies provide its main flavors. The soup is sour, spicy, and warming.

• Qingshuping Rice Noodles: A signature noodle dish from Shuangfeng County, known for its fragrant, spicy red broth. It usually uses dried round rice noodles with a firm, springy bite, which become coated in red chili oil when mixed.

• Snowflake Meatballs: A common dish at local banquets, made by coating a mixture of lean and fatty pork with thoroughly soaked glutinous rice, then steaming it. The finished meatballs resemble snowballs, with soft, sticky rice surrounding a tender, juicy filling.

• Shuiche Fish Aspic: A local Xinhua dish made by simmering rice-field fish from mountain streams with spring water from an old well, then leaving it to cool and set. The aspic is clear, smooth, and refreshing, and is often served with chopped chilies.

• Pig’s Blood Cakes: Also called pig’s blood balls, these are made by mixing tofu, pig’s blood, and diced pork, then smoking the mixture. The finished cakes are nearly black and have a rich, smoky cured-meat flavor. They can be pan-fried or stir-fried and go well with rice.

Transport and Accommodation

• High-Speed Rail: From Changsha South railway station, the journey takes about 40 minutes to Loudi South and about 1 hour to Xinhua South. Choose Xinhua South if the Ziquejie Rice Terraces are your main destination. Loudi South is closer to central Loudi and Meijiang.
• Driving or Hiring a Car with a Driver: Xinhua, Shuangfeng, and Lianyuan lie in different directions, and the sights are spread out. Driving or hiring a car with a driver makes it easier to connect them. Some mountain roads have frequent bends, so keep your speed down.
• Getting Around the City and Nearby Areas: Buses and taxis are available in central Loudi. For nearby towns and attractions such as Zeng Guofan’s former residence, shared rides or local town buses are options.
• Where to Stay: In the city, consider the areas around Louxing Square or the high-speed railway station for relatively affordable accommodation. To catch sunrise at the Ziquejie Rice Terraces, stay at a guesthouse within the terraces, such as Zique Yaozhai. For Meijiang, choose a guesthouse near the scenic area or accommodation beside the Saihai Lake service area.

Travel Tips

• What to Wear in the Caves: Caves such as Meishan Dragon Palace stay at around 18°C year-round and are damp. Bring a light jacket and wear comfortable shoes with good grip.
• Planning for Sunrise at the Terraces: Aim to reach a viewing platform at the Ziquejie Rice Terraces before 6 a.m. Mountain temperatures vary considerably between day and night, so bring a jacket. Check the last sightseeing shuttle time in advance to plan your photography and descent.
• Opening Hours and Tickets: Some attractions, including Zeng Guofan’s former residence, have Monday closures, so check opening hours before setting out. Booking tickets online in advance can reduce queuing on arrival.
• Food Preferences: Loudi dishes tend to be spicy, and Xinhua cooking often includes mountain pepper oil, also known as litsea cubeba oil. If you are not used to its strong aroma, let the restaurant know when ordering.