Things To Do
in Dayong
Dayong (大庸) refers to the historic/modern urban area around Zhangjiajie in northwestern Hunan Province, known for its dramatic karst and quartz-sandstone pillars nearby. It serves as a gateway for visitors exploring Wulingyuan UNESCO Global Geopark, Tianmen Mountain, and scenic rivers and lakes in the region. The town blends small-city Chinese life with a growing tourism economy — with local markets, Xiang (Hunan) cuisine and basic visitor services.
Expect friendly service, mountain fog and mist that often creates otherworldly landscapes at dawn and dusk.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Begin your adventure with a visit to the stunning Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Take the iconic glass bridge for breathtaking views and kick-start your day with the crisp mountain air. Capture the scenic beauty and enjoy a light breakfast at a local café nearby.
Continue your exploration with a hike through the breathtaking cliffs and unique rock formations that inspired the floating mountains in Avatar. Enjoy a packed lunch amidst nature as you admire the picturesque landscape. Afterward, take a cable car ride to Tianmen Mountain for awe-inspiring views.
Finish your day with a visit to a local hot pot restaurant where you can indulge in a delicious and interactive dining experience. Engage with locals and other travelers, sharing stories and recommendations over a simmering pot of fresh ingredients. End the evening by wandering through the vibrant night market, sampling street food and shopping for souvenirs.
Start your day with a picturesque boat ride on the Wu gorge, absorbing the early morning mist as you glide through serene waters. Breakfast can be enjoyed on board or at a riverside café, featuring local specialties. The tranquility of your surroundings sets a peaceful tone for the adventure ahead.
After the boat ride, visit the historic Fenghuang Ancient Town, wandering through the cobblestone streets filled with traditional wooden houses. Savor a traditional lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the river, and try the famous spicy rabbit head. Spend the afternoon exploring the vibrant culture, including local handicrafts and artisanal shops.
As night falls, marvel at the illuminated ancient architecture as you stroll along the riverbank. Enjoy dinner at a riverside restaurant that offers stunning views of the town. Conclude your evening with a glimpse of traditional folk performances to immerse yourself in the local culture.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $3-6 |
| 🚕Taxi start / short ride | $1.50-3 |
| 🚌Local bus fare | $0.30-0.80 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel (per night) | $35-80 |
| ☕Coffee or tea in café | $2-5 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Spectacular, unique karst and pillar landscapes for photography and hiking
- Relatively affordable compared with major Chinese tourist hubs
- Rich local Xiang cuisine and strong cultural flavor including Tujia and Miao heritage
- Good access to well-developed scenic-spot infrastructure (cable cars, walkways)
- Tourist crowds at key viewpoints in peak season
- Weather can be unpredictable (fog, heavy rain) affecting views and trails
- Language barrier outside tourist centers — few English speakers in smaller shops
- Some infrastructure and accommodation in outlying areas is basic
- "你好 (Nǐ hǎo)" - Hello
- "谢谢 (Xièxie)" - Thank you
- "多少钱？(Duōshǎo qián?)" - How much?
- "厕所在哪？(Cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?)" - Where is the toilet?
- "我不能吃辣 (Wǒ bùnéng chī là)" - I can't eat spicy food
- "可以刷卡吗？(Kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?)" - Can I pay by card?
- "我迷路了 (Wǒ mílù le)" - I'm lost
Places to Visit in Dayong
Visit one of these nice places.
Iconic pillar formations rising from mist — best at sunrise or sunset for dramatic light and fog-filled valleys.
Spectacular cliffside road (the 'Heaven-Linking Avenue') and glass walkway with panoramic views; both provide thrilling photo compositions.
A lush, tranquil gorge with reflections, steep cliffs and clear stream — excellent for long-exposure and nature shots.
Calm water surrounded by karst hills and bamboo groves — great for golden-hour reflections and boat-based compositions.
Colorful local life, street vendors and traditional architecture offer intimate street-photography opportunities, especially in early morning markets.
Food in Dayong
Dayong Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A classic Hunan dish of steamed fish head topped with fiery chopped chilies and pickles; widely found in local restaurants and a must-try.
Must-Try!
Hunan-style preserved pork, often stir-fried with seasonal vegetables or steamed with rice — common in countryside homes and specialty eateries.
Staple breakfast or quick meal served in rich broth with pickles, minced pork and chili oil — easy to find at roadside stalls.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Typical local night market with skewers (chuan), stinky tofu, rice noodles, sugar-haw (bingtanghulu) and regional snacks — great for evening sampling.
A bustling market selling fresh produce, cured meats and local herbs; a good place to try local pickles, dried snacks and to observe daily life.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Show deference to older people; polite greetings and modest behavior are appreciated.
Be respectful at temples — speak softly, avoid touching altars and ask before taking photos of rituals or worshippers.
Dishes are shared; wait to be invited to start, and try a bit of most dishes. Avoid sticking chopsticks upright in rice (resembles funeral rituals).
Bargaining is acceptable at markets and some vendors but be polite and keep it light-hearted; fixed-price shops do not haggle.
Safety
Tipping in Dayong
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is not customary in most local establishments — small tips are sometimes accepted in tourist services, but not expected. Tipping for guides and drivers after private tours is appreciated for good service.
Mobile payments (WeChat Pay, Alipay) dominate in shops and taxis; carry cash (RMB) for rural stalls. International cards are accepted at hotels and larger restaurants but may not work everywhere — prepare cash or a local payment method.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
March–May brings mild temperatures and blossoming vegetation; expect frequent rain and mist that enhance scenic views but can make trails slippery.
June–August is hot and humid with heavy afternoon rains and occasional typhoon influence; mornings are best for outdoor activities but bring insect repellent and rain gear.
September–November is the most pleasant time — cooler, clearer skies and vivid foliage; expect higher visitor numbers on weekends and holidays.
December–February is cool and damp; higher elevations can be foggy or icy, some attractions may have reduced services but the scenery is often misty and atmospheric.
Dayong at Night
Hiking in Dayong
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Easy to moderate riverside walk through a scenic gorge with waterfalls and cliff faces — family-friendly and photogenic.
Steep climb rewarding hikers with panoramic views over the pillar forests; good for sunrise/sunset photography.
Network of trails around the Avatar-like pillars including platforms for great viewpoints; variable difficulty and popular at dawn.
Several walking routes and stairways along the mountain offering cliffside views and access to the famous glass skywalk; prepare for crowds and heights.
Relaxed lakeside walking path with short boat-trip options and gentle terrain — ideal for a half-day outing.
Airports
How to reach Dayong by plane.
Closest airport serving domestic flights to major Chinese cities; about 30–60 minutes by car from the city area depending on location and traffic — ideal for visitors to Wulingyuan and Tianmen Mountain.
Major international hub with more flight options; roughly 3.5–4.5 hours by car or 4–5 hours by train/bus depending on connections — good option for international travelers combining other Hunan destinations.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Majority population in urban and rural areas, engaged in commerce, services and agriculture.
Significant ethnic minority communities in the surrounding mountains and villages, preserving distinctive crafts, architecture and festivals that enrich the cultural landscape.
Growing community of service workers, guides and small-business owners catering to domestic and international visitors.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Common recreational sports played in schools, parks and community courts — easy to find pick-up games and public facilities.
Popular with locals and tourists due to the mountainous terrain and scenic trails; community hiking groups sometimes organize outings.
Local clubs and schools teach Tai Chi and other styles; demonstrations occasionally appear at cultural events.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Dayong.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options exist but can be limited; ask for '不放肉' (bù fàng ròu — no meat) and '不要辣' (bú yào là — not spicy). Many dishes use animal-based broths; specify vegetarian clearly and carry snacks.
Soy sauce and wheat-based sauces are common; communicate allergies using written notes in Chinese. Pack essential medication and consider staying at hotels with international restaurants if strict requirements exist.