Junshan Island
君山岛
A small island in Dongting Lake, which Liu Yuxi likened to a green snail on a silver plate. It has the Xiangfei Shrine, the Tomb of the Two Consorts, the Liu Yi Well and a Junshan Silver Needle tea garden, and myths are woven through its ancient trees and speckled bamboo.
Junshan Island lies in Dongting Lake, about 15 km west of Yueyang Tower across the water. It covers less than one square kilometre and has 72 small peaks. It is part of the national 5A scenic area Yueyang Tower and Junshan Island. Many of its sights are tied to legend. The Xiangfei Shrine honours Ehuang and Nüying, the consorts of Emperor Shun. In front of their tomb stands a stone tablet reading Tomb of the Consorts of Emperor Yu, and legend says their tears fell on the bamboo and created the mottled Xiangfei bamboo. The Liu Yi Well is the setting of the Tang romance Liu Yi Delivers a Letter, the story of a dragon princess. Other sights include Feilai Bell, Dragon Saliva Well, the Dongting Temple, the Langyin Pavilion (linked to legends of Lü Dongbin) and the Lovers' Garden with its padlocks of togetherness. The island's tea gardens produce Junshan Yinzhen, one of China's Top Ten teas, and visitors can watch the tea being processed. A suggested route runs from the pier through the Lovers' Garden, Xiangfei Shrine, Tomb of the Consorts, Liu Yi Well and tea gardens to the Dongting Temple. The walk takes about 3 hours, or you can take the island electric cart (20 yuan round trip). Admission is 78 yuan, with half price for students. Getting there: boats from the Yueyang Tower pier cost 60 yuan round trip and take 20 minutes. The first departure is at 8:00 and the last at 17:30, roughly one boat per hour. Alternatively, take bus 15 (5 yuan, about 40 minutes) from opposite Yueyang Tower across the Dongting Lake Bridge to the scenic area, then take the free shuttle to the pier. Opening hours are around 8:00 to 17:30. Note: the boat passes under the Dongting Lake Bridge first, and winds on the lake can be strong, so dress for the wind. Do not feed the monkeys on the island. The last return boat departs early, so for afternoon visits, arrive no later than 14:00.
Opening hours
08:00–17:30 (Yueyang Tower pier: first boat 08:00, last boat 17:30)