In ancient times Yueyang was called 'Baling or Yuezhou' and is a historic and cultural city with a long history of more than 2,500 years. Located at the northeast of Hunan Province, neighboring Jiangxi Province in the east and Hubei Province in the north, Yueyang was a hinterland of military importance during the past dynasties.

Nowadays, renowned for so many historic interests, Yueyang is ranked as one of the 'China's Top Tourism Destination Cities'. China's second largest freshwater lake Dongting Lake is a good tourist destination in Yueyang as well as the island on the lake. Yueyang is prolific in natural resources due to its rich soil: Yueyang is the agricultural products base for producing high-quality grain, cotton, meat, fish etc. The agricultural by-products like organic tea, organically grown vegetables and high-quality fruit. Moreover, the freshwater resource is plentiful and advantageous for the development of the plant industry, freshwater fisheries industry and the shipping industry.

Main Attractions:

Yueyang Pavilion
The Yueyang Pavilion is an ancient architectural treasure located on the shores of Dongting Lake in Yueyang City. The Yueyang Pavilion is one of four famous Chinese pavilions. The Yueyang Pavilion is a three storey, rectangular building which reaches 15 meters (about 49 feet) high and is constructed entirely from wood. No nails or beams have been used in its construction.

It is generally believed that the pavilion was built more than 1,700 years ago. The pavilion was used by the military with the name of 'Baling Tower'. It was not until the Tang Dynasty that it was renamed as the Yueyang Pavilion. The Yueyang Pavilion was damaged in the chaos of wars and was rebuilt in the Song Dynasty (960-1127). Since then, it has become a tourist attraction and a place of inspiration for both poets and writers.

Junshan Island
Junshan Island is the most famous island in Dongting Lake. It takes about 30 minute boat ride from Yueyang City.

Once a Taoist retreat, the island covers an area of 1 sq km. The island is most famous however, for its silver needle tea. Supposed to provide longevity, this tea was once paid as tribute to the emperor. Even today, the tea is very expensive and its production is the prime means of livelihood for the islands 200-odd inhabitants.