About Baofeng Lake
“Serene and painterly — like floating through a traditional Chinese scroll painting, with the hushed sound of water and distant folk songs echoing off cliff walls.”
Baofeng Lake offers a peaceful, scenic contrast to the strenuous mountain hiking that dominates Zhangjiajie. The 20-25 minute boat ride on the emerald-green lake surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs is genuinely beautiful — the reflections of the peaks in the still water create a Chinese landscape painting come to life. The Tujia folk singing performance from boatwomen adds cultural flavor. However, expectations should be calibrated: this is a relatively brief experience for the ¥110 price tag, the lake is actually man-made (dammed in 1974), boat tours only speak Chinese, and if you've already seen the dramatic pillar landscapes of the National Forest Park and Tianmen Mountain, Baofeng Lake may feel underwhelming by comparison. Several foreign reviewers describe it as 'overpriced for what it is.' The Baofeng Waterfall and optional Yingwo Village hiking trail add value if you have time. Best as a half-day complement to mountain hiking, particularly for families or those wanting a low-effort scenic experience. Skip it if you're tight on time and have already seen the main Zhangjiajie attractions.
Top Questions from Travelers
Why This Place Matters
Baofeng Lake holds a special place in Chinese pop culture as a filming location for the 1986 Journey to the West TV series — specifically the Water Curtain Cave scenes at the waterfall. This series is the most-watched Chinese TV show in history and has been rebroadcast thousands of times. The Tujia folk singing tradition performed on the boats represents the indigenous culture of the Wulingyuan area — the Tujia people have lived in these mountains for over 2,000 years.
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Highlights
3 iconic experiences that define a visit
Lake Boat Tour
A 20-25 minute cruise on the emerald-green alpine lake surrounded by sheer sandstone cliffs rising 200+ meters. The still water creates mirror-like reflections of the peaks. Rock formations along the route have names like 'Golden Toad Gazing at the Moon' and 'Fairy Viewing the Mirror.'
The lake water is exceptionally clear (visibility over 8 meters) with a constant temperature of 12°C year-round, fed by underground springs. Despite being man-made, it looks entirely natural.
Culturally InterestingTujia Folk Singing Performance
During the boat ride, Tujia boatwomen in traditional dress perform mountain folk songs that echo off the cliff walls. The acoustics of the lake valley...
Culturally InterestingBaofeng Waterfall (宝峰飞瀑)
A waterfall near the boat dock area that was used as the filming location for the Water Curtain Cave in the classic Chinese TV series Journey to the W...
What Most Visitors Miss
Yingwo Village Hiking Trail (鹰窝寨)
A 4-kilometer trail with moss-covered paths, intimate cliff views, and far fewer tourists than the boat tour. Most visitors skip it, but hikers who take this trail report it as the highlight of the Baofeng Lake visit. Adds 4-5 hours to the visit.
The Giant Salamander (娃娃鱼) display area
A small exhibit near the exit featuring the Chinese giant salamander — the world's largest amphibian, which lives in these mountain waters. Some specimens are over 100 years old.
Plan Your Visit
How Long to Visit
1.5-2 hours (shuttle + boat tour + waterfall + shuttle back
boat tour + waterfall + iron cable bridge + photo stops
Half day (add Yingwo Village hiking trail for a 4-5 hour immersive trek
Smart Route
Arrive early morning
take shuttle to boat dock
enjoy the boat tour with mist on the lake
disembark and visit the waterfall
walk the iron cable bridge
optionally tackle the Yingwo Village trail if you have time
take shuttle back to entrance. Total: 2-3 hours without hiking trail.
Best Time to Visit
Early morning (first boats) for mist on the lake surface and fewer crowds
Midday when large tour groups fill the boats
By Season
Spring
and autumn offer the best visibility and comfortable temperatures. Summer mornings have beautiful mist effects but afternoons can be rainy.
Summer
mornings have beautiful mist effects but afternoons can be rainy. Winter is cold but the lake is peaceful with almost no tourists.
Autumn
offer the best visibility and comfortable temperatures. Summer mornings have beautiful mist effects but afternoons can be rainy.
Winter
Visit first thing in the morning before heading to the National Forest Park — the early mist on the lake is magical and the experience is relaxing before the physical exertion of mountain hiking.
What to Skip
The overpriced fish food sold on the dock (¥10-20 for a small bag). The souvenir shops at the entrance are standard tourist fare.
Pro Tips
Visit Baofeng Lake BEFORE the National Forest Park — the mountain scenery inside the park is so overwhelming that the lake feels anticlimactic by comparison if visited after. Going first gives the lake its own moment to shine. If you want help planning the best sequence for all the Zhangjiajie attractions, message our team — we can build you a day-by-day itinerary based on weather and crowd patterns.
Photo Spots
From the boat during the narrowest section ('One-Line Sky')
Shoot vertically to capture the towering cliffs on both sides with just a sliver of sky above. Early morning mist adds atmosphere.
Mid-lake facing the cliff reflections
Hold the camera at water level for symmetrical reflection shots. Calm morning conditions give the best mirror effect.
Pair With
Huanglong Cave (黄龙洞)
15-20 minutes by taxi
Another non-hiking Zhangjiajie attraction featuring spectacular underground cave formations. Often combined with Baofeng Lake in a half-day itinerary.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (张家界国家森林公园)
20-30 minutes by bus/taxi to the Wulingyuan entrance
The main attraction of the region. Visit Baofeng Lake in the morning for a gentle start, then tackle the forest park in the afternoon.
Tickets & Access
Entrance ticket (includes shuttle + boat)
All-inclusive — no additional charges for the boat
Shuttle bus (within ticket)
Runs from the entrance to the boat dock
Opening Hours
Peak season (April-November): 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Off-season (December-March): 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM.
How to Buy
On-site ticket office or Trip.com/Klook online booking.
Passport: Yes — foreigners can purchase tickets with passport. Note: some foreign visitors report that senior discounts are not reliably offered to foreign passport holders.
Queue Situation
Shuttle bus queues can be 15-30 minutes during peak times. Boat loading is orderly. Off-peak visits have minimal waits.
Tips & Warnings
The experience is brief relative to the price
The core boat ride is only 20-25 minutes. To get value from the ¥110 ticket, take your time at the waterfall, iron cable bridge, and consider the Yingwo Village trail. Don't rush.
All commentary is in Chinese only
Foreign visitors miss the legends and stories about each rock formation. If understanding the cultural context matters to you, bring a Chinese-speaking companion or research the stories in advance. Our concierge team can send you a quick English summary of the key legends and rock formation names before your visit — just message us.
The lake is man-made, not natural
Baofeng Lake was created in 1974 by damming a section of the Golden Whip Stream. It looks completely natural and beautiful, but if 'authentic natural lake' is important to you, know this in advance.
What to Bring
Wear
Comfortable shoes. Light layers. Rain jacket in summer. The boat ride can be cool even in summer due to the water and cliff shadows.
Bring
Camera with good resolution for reflections. Light rain jacket. Water. Snacks if planning the Yingwo trail.
Don't Bring
Heavy hiking gear (unnecessary for the basic boat tour). Drones (prohibited).
Physical Reality
easy
The shuttle bus and boat do most of the work. The walk from boat dock to waterfall and back is flat and short. The Yingwo Village trail is moderately strenuous with stairs. The basic visit is wheelchair accessible via shuttle bus.
Foreigners Watch Out
- Senior discounts may not be reliably offered to foreign passport holders — some visitors report being charged full price despite being over 60.
- The boat tour commentary is entirely in Chinese with no English alternative — the experience is visual.
- This is a separate attraction from the main Wulingyuan National Forest Park — it requires its own ticket and is NOT included in the 4-day park pass.
- Located 20 km from the main forest park entrance — plan transport (taxi ¥30-50 or local bus). If you need a ride between Baofeng Lake and the forest park or your hotel, message us and we can pre-book a taxi so you're not stuck haggling at the exit.
If Things Go Wrong
Heavy rain makes the boat tour unappealing
→ Light rain actually enhances the misty atmosphere and the waterfall is more impressive. Heavy rain may cause temporary boat suspension. Check with the ticket office.
Feeling the visit isn't worth the money after the brief boat ride
→ Don't leave immediately — walk the iron cable bridge, visit the waterfall, and consider the Yingwo Village trail to extend the experience and get more value from your ticket.
Useful Chinese
Tap to reveal the English meaning