Situated on the banks of the Yangzi and the shores of Dongting Hu, China’s second largest freshwater lake, Yueyang is an important stopping point for river ferries and trains on the Beijing to Guangzhou line. Its main sight, Yueyang Tower, was once part of a Tang-era temple. The current structure, dating from the Qing era, is an impressive sight, with its glazed yellow-tiled roofs overlooking the lake. Nearby are two pavilions, Xianmei Ting and Sanzui Ting; the latter was where Lu Dongbin, one of the Daoist Eight Immortals, came to drink wine. To the south is Cishi Ta, a pagoda built in 1242 to propitiate flood-causing demons.

A 30-minute boat ride from Yueyang is the small island of Junshan Dao, a former Daoist retreat that is now famous for its silver needle tea.