Want to visit Baofeng Lake without the tourist crowds? As a tour guide living in China for years, I reveal practical tips on transportation, tickets, and hidden spots for an unforgettable experience.
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Wondering if three days is enough for Zhangjiajie? This classic Zhangjiajie itinerary, crafted by a local guide, covers the must-see pillars, the best viewpoints, and insider tips to avoid crowds and maximize your time in this otherworldly landscape.
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Planning a trip to Zhangjiajie? Discover the must-visit places beyond the postcards, including secret viewpoints, practical transport hacks, and how to avoid the biggest tourist traps, all from a guide who's walked every trail.
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What are the top 5 attractions in Zhangjiajie you can't miss? Discover the must-see natural wonders, from Avatar mountains to thrilling glass bridges, with insider tips from a local guide on how to visit, save time, and avoid crowds.
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Listen closely during the boat ride to interact with the local Tujia singers stationed on wooden boats along the shore—clapping and singing...
Subterranean Wonder
UNESCO World Heritage
Thrill Seeker's Paradise
Extreme Scenery
Popular / Nature / Photography
First Bridge over the Yangtze
Air Corridor
Nightscape Landmark
Recent Reviews
Pure magic! I've traveled to dozens of lakes around China, and Baofeng Lake stands out for its serene beauty. The water is a brilliant emerald green, and the reflections of the peaks are postcard-perfect. I rented a small rowboat instead of the big tourist ferry – much more intimate. The air smells of pine and damp earth. Spent 3 hours just sitting by the shore sketching. If you want to escape the crowds, go on a weekday afternoon. Absolutely worth every penny.
We loved every minute at Baofeng Lake! The combination of boat ride and forest walk was perfect. Our kids (ages 7 and 10) were entertained by the fish in the clear water and the little bridge over the creek. The staff at the ticket counter were friendly and spoke enough English to help us. Try the grilled fish from the small vendor near the exit – it's delicious! This spot definitely deserves a place on any Zhangjiajie itinerary.
Absolutely breathtaking! Baofeng Lake is a hidden gem in Zhangjiajie. We arrived at 7:30am and had the place almost to ourselves. The mist rising off the water, surrounded by lush green cliffs, felt like stepping into a Chinese painting. The boat ride was peaceful and the guide shared interesting local legends. Don't skip the short hike up to the waterfall – the spray felt amazing on a hot day. Highly recommend for nature lovers! 10/10 would come back.
A solid day trip, but not mind-blowing. The karst mountains surrounding the lake are stunning, and the boat ride gives you some nice photo ops. However, the whole area feels a bit too commercialized with souvenir stalls everywhere. We also noticed some litter around the shore which was disappointing. The cable car up to the viewing platform was fun though. Overall a decent experience for the price, but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit again.
Honestly, Baofeng Lake was a bit of a letdown. The lake itself is pretty, but the place was absolutely packed with tour groups. We had to wait almost an hour for a boat ride, and the water wasn't as clear as the photos suggested. The hiking trail around the lake is short and feels crowded. For the price of admission, I expected a more peaceful experience. Maybe if you go on a weekday early morning it's better, but our Saturday trip was a mess.
Honestly, I was a bit let down. The entrance fee is steep for what you get — basically a short boat ride around a lake with some pretty rocks. The water wasn't as clear as I expected, maybe because it rained the day before. And the 'singing girls' on the boat felt touristy and forced. Not bad, but I've seen nicer lakes for free. Would skip if you're on a budget.
Beautiful scenery without a doubt — the lake is gorgeous and the surrounding cliffs are dramatic. But it was way too crowded when I visited (mid-afternoon). Had to wait 45 minutes just to get on a boat, and the walkways were packed. The boat ride itself felt rushed. If you go, come right at opening time or late afternoon. Still worth it for the views, but the crowd killed some of the magic.
Took my whole family here and it was a hit. Kids loved the boat ride and the Tujia folk performance on the floating stage — they even clapped along. The emerald green water surrounded by karst mountains is postcard-perfect. We spent about 3 hours and everyone left happy. A must-see in the Zhangjiajie area!
Baofeng Lake is a hidden gem. I hiked the trail around the lake instead of taking the boat, and it was worth every step. The water is incredibly clear — you can see the bottom even in the deeper parts. The sound of the waterfall echoing through the canyon gave me chills. So much quieter and more serene than the crowded peaks. Highly recommend going off the beaten path here.
Woke up early to catch the morning mist over Baofeng Lake — absolutely magical. The water was perfectly still, reflecting the green peaks like a mirror. Took a little bamboo raft and our guide pointed out the 'drunken rock' formations. Felt like stepping into a Chinese painting. If you only do one thing in Zhangjiajie, make it this peaceful boat ride.
Honestly, I was hoping for more. The lake itself is picturesque, no doubt, but the whole experience feels overly commercialized. You're herded onto a boat with 40 other people, the loudspeaker commentary is cheesy and in Chinese only (no English option), and the 'waterfall' at the end is just a small stream. The hiking trail they advertise is practically non-existent – maybe 100 meters. For the price, I'd rather spend time at the nearby Grand Canyon or Tianmen Mountain. If you must go, go on a quiet weekday and lower your expectations.
Baofeng Lake is a lovely place to relax for a couple of hours. The scenery is postcard-perfect, and the boat ride is smooth and enjoyable. I gave it 4 stars because the restrooms near the entrance were filthy and there were long queues for the ticket booth even on a weekday. Also, some of the souvenir sellers at the dock are quite pushy. But once you're on the water, all that fades away. The hanging moss on the cliffs and the little island pagoda are really charming. Worth a visit if you have time in Zhangjiajie.
Absolutely loved the boat trip at Baofeng Lake! The water is so clear and that vivid jade green – I couldn't stop taking photos. There's a local Tujia ethnic singer performing on the boat, which adds a really authentic cultural touch. Our captain even let us stand at the bow for a better view of the waterfall at the end. Only minor downside: the walking path around the lake is very short and mostly closed for maintenance, so you're really just on the boat. But for a half-day excursion it's fantastic. Highly recommended!
Pretty lake with dramatic scenery, but I was a bit underwhelmed by the overall experience. The boat ride is the main attraction, and it's nice for about 20 minutes, then it gets repetitive. The staff rushed us through the dock area and didn't offer much info about the sights. Also, the price for the ticket plus boat is steep compared to other spots in the area. If you've already seen a lot of karst landscapes in Yangshuo, this might feel like a shorter, pricier version. Still, the water color is stunning on a sunny day.
Baofeng Lake is hands down one of the most beautiful spots I've ever visited. The emerald green water surrounded by sheer karst peaks is unreal. We took the boat tour early in the morning when the mist was still hanging over the lake – felt like floating through a Chinese ink painting. The guide on the boat told funny legends about the mountains, and we even spotted some wild monkeys near the shore. Definitely worth the entrance fee and the short climb up from the parking lot. A must-do if you're in Zhangjiajie!
Great photo opportunities—the reflection of the peaks on the water is unbeatable. But the boat trip felt a bit short, only about 30 minutes. The staff were friendly enough, though the audio guide kept cutting out. If you're a photographer, come early for the best light. Not bad, but I've seen better for the money.
This is one of the most serene spots I've ever visited. The combination of clear water, towering cliffs, and lush greenery is breathtaking. I loved that you can walk along part of the shore too, not just take the boat. The Tujia folk songs echoing across the lake were a beautiful cultural touch. Definitely worth the entrance fee.
Beautiful place, no doubt, but way too crowded when I went in the afternoon. Waiting in line for the boat took nearly an hour. The views from the water are spectacular, but the constant honking of other tour boats killed the peaceful vibe. Maybe go early or on a weekday.
Absolutely magical! We took the early morning boat tour and had the whole lake almost to ourselves. The mist hanging over the cliffs made it feel like a Chinese painting come to life. Our guide was funny and shared cool legends about the rock formations. 10/10 would recommend to anyone visiting Zhangjiajie.
The lake itself is stunning—emerald green water surrounded by karst peaks. But the boat ride felt rushed, and the guide barely explained anything. The singing performance on the water was a nice touch, though. For the price, I expected a bit more time to soak in the scenery.
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