Chenzhou Mangshan 6-day, 5-night | CNY 16,000 upscale forest getaway, a date with the sea of clouds✨
Hidden deep in the Nanling Mountains, Mangshan offers pristine forests, cliffside boardwalks, and sunrise over the sea of clouds, all in one trip. This 6-day, 5-night slow-travel guide for two, with a budget of CNY 16,000, features a relaxed pace, immersive experiences in a 21°C natural oxygen bar, and authentic Yao mountain cuisine.
📅 Day 1 Arrive in Yizhang, check into a homestay at the foot of Mangshan
Arrive at Chenzhou West Station by high-speed train and take a chartered car to Mangshan. In the evening, stroll through the Yao village and enjoy the tranquility of the mountains. For dinner, enjoy farmhouse dishes like Mangshan black pork with bitter bamboo shoots—fresh and flavorful. Stay at a Mangshan homestay.
📅 Day 2 Wuzhifeng core area | Cliff elevator + cloud boardwalk
Wake up early to enter the Wuzhifeng Scenic Area, take the cable car up the mountain, visit the Motianling cliff elevator, walk the suspended cliffside boardwalk, and get a close-up view of the Golden Whip Pillar. In the afternoon, stroll through the mountains and admire the rolling peaks. Catch a stunning sunset in the evening. For dinner, you must order the bracken root rice cake with brown sugar—soft, chewy, and fragrant with herbal notes. Stay at a homestay at the foot of the mountain.
📅 Day 3 Tiantaishan sunrise over the sea of clouds
Depart early in the morning to summit Tiantaishan and wait for the sunrise to break through the rolling sea of clouds. After watching the sunrise, hike through the mountains to see unique rock formations and rhododendron forests. In the afternoon, visit Houwangzhai, stroll along the stream boardwalk, and listen to the babbling mountain springs. For dinner, try the Yao-style stuffed tofu—fresh and savory. Stay in Mangshan.
📅 Day 4 In-depth hiking, visit Jiangjunzhai
Spend the whole day exploring Jiangjunzhai, visit the General Waterfall, and walk through the pristine dense forest. Enjoy the lush greenery and a high concentration of negative oxygen ions. Hike in the wild and experience the untouched mountain forest. For dinner, enjoy a firewood-cooked chicken hot pot—the soup is fresh and rich. Stay at a Mangshan homestay.
📅 Day 5 Yao culture, explore and eat in Yizhang County
Rest in the morning, experience Yao folk customs, and taste the signature Yao oil tea. In the afternoon, head to Yizhang County to explore the old streets. Try the Yizhang pork trotter rice noodles—soft and chewy. Purchase cured meats and dried bamboo shoots as souvenirs. Stay at a boutique hotel in the county.
📅 Day 6 Return trip
Have a simple breakfast in the morning, take a chartered car back to Chenzhou West Station, and conclude your pleasant journey.
🍲 Must-try Mangshan delicacies
✅ Mangshan black pork, Yao-style smoked bacon stir-fried with bitter bamboo shoots
✅ Bracken root rice cake, bamboo tube bacon rice, fresh fish
✅ Yao-style stuffed tofu, firewood-cooked chicken, Yao oil tea
💰 Total budget for two: CNY 16,000
Accommodation (5 nights in mountain-view homestays + hotel): 7,000 | Chartered car for the whole trip: 4,000
Cable car, admission tickets, and sightseeing bus: 2,400 | Dining + souvenirs: 2,600
💡 Travel tips
1. There is a large temperature difference between morning and evening in the mountains, so bring a light jacket. The sea of clouds depends on the weather; the probability is higher in the early morning after rain.
2. Wear non-slip sneakers for hiking on the boardwalks. The UV rays are strong on the mountain, so take sun protection measures.
3. There are many mosquitoes in the forest, so bring mosquito repellent. Restaurant prices on the mountain are relatively high; it is recommended to have main meals after going down the mountain.