Laodaowan (Old Road Bay) Resort Area in Zhangjiajie
Laodaowan Resort Area (老道湾旅游度假区) is located in the Yongding District (永定区) of Zhangjiajie City (张家界市), at an elevation of 1518.6 meters. Due to its rich cultural heritage, it is hailed as the “Soul of Zhangjiajie” and is regarded as the southern part of Tianmen Mountain (天门山), which is known as the “First Sacred Mountain of Western Hunan” (湘西第一神山). It is only 8 kilometers away from the city center, making it easily accessible by train and plane.
Development Products
The resort area boasts stunning natural beauty, pleasant climate, and picturesque landscapes. It is famous for its unique waterfalls and serene pools, surrounded by rich tourism resources. Since 2009, Zhangjiajie Laodaowan Tourism Leisure Development Co., Ltd. has invested 150 million RMB in the development of the resort, with plans to build a world-class leisure and wellness destination, making it a new highlight in Hunan’s tourism industry and a new symbol of Zhangjiajie’s leisure and wellness tourism.
Main Attractions:
- Natural Scenery Tours: Xian Nv Gorge (仙女峡谷), Eighteen Pools (十八潭), Guigu Taoist Temple (鬼谷道场), Thirty-Six Loops (三十六绞), etc.
- Leisure and Wellness Tours: Wellness Inns (养生客栈), Rain Shelters (风雨廊), Lovers’ Valley (情人谷), Literati Village (文人村), Painter’s Village (画家村), Fishing Gardens (垂钓园), etc.
- Agricultural Wellness Tours: Treehouse Restaurants (树下餐廊), Outdoor Fruit Bars (露天果吧), Melon Maze (瓜棚迷宫), Seven-Star Pepper Garden (七星椒园), Green Rice Fields (青青稻田), Wild Lotus Ponds (乡野荷塘), Four Seasons Fish Ponds (四季鱼塘), Vegetable Bases (蔬菜基地), Harvest Square (丰收广场), Fruit Shed Cottages (果棚小屋), Bird’s Nest Cottages (鸟巢小屋), Animal Arena (动物竞技场), etc.
The resort features various attractions, including treehouses, self-service barbecue, eco-farming experiences, water parks, camping sites, and more. Guests can enjoy activities such as mountain spring baths, oxygen-rich forest air, Qi Gong by the creek, reading in treehouse libraries, and weekend BBQs. It is a perfect destination for nature lovers, health seekers, and those looking for relaxation.
Laodaowan is a rare global destination for tourism, leisure, wellness, and health. It offers a serene getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, surrounded by a forest oxygen bar, streams, and waterfalls. Visitors can detoxify, drink natural spring water, eat green health food, and live in eco-friendly surroundings. This environment is beneficial for the elderly, the young, and the middle-aged, promoting long life, health, and brain function through its ecological air and wellness programs.
You can enjoy wellness tea, quietly read The Book of Master Guigu (鬼谷子), and experience the profound teachings of “strategic thinking and diplomatic maneuvers” (纵横捭阖).
Major Scenic Routes
East Line:
The East Line primarily features the Eighteen Pools (十八潭), which include four pools in the lower section: He Tan (合潭), Shu Zhuang Tan (梳妆潭), Yu Tan (鱼潭), and Hei Tan (黑潭); nine pools in the middle section: Huanyi Tan (换衣潭), Meiren Tan (美人潭), Shi Wa Tan (石蛙潭), Zimei Tan (姊妹潭, 3 pools), Qingren Tan (情侣潭, 2 pools), and Er Long Qiang Zhu (二龙抢珠); and five pools in the upper section: Guigu Shenshu (鬼谷神功, 2 pools), You Tan (幽潭), Luo Yin Tan (落银潭, Rainbow Pool), and Lu Bian Tan (路边潭). The pools vary in depth from 1 meter to around 4 meters and have different shapes, such as crescent and pig-waist shapes. The water quality is crystal clear, surrounded by lush green forests, making these pools look like 18 jade stones embedded in the mountains.
West Line:
The West Line is the Xian Nv Gorge (仙女峡谷), also known as Snowflake Creek, with seven pools and seven waterfalls. It is an ecologically pristine natural landscape.
Central Line:
The Central Line is a historically prosperous ancient road, the Thirty-Six Loops (三十六绞), which embodies red culture.
Zip Line:
Laodaowan also features the longest mountain zip line (高山滑索) in China, which is 800 meters long, with a maximum height of over 100 meters and a maximum speed of 15 meters per second. Opened on January 17, 2014, it provides visitors with a thrilling experience of soaring through the air. The zip line connects the famous Tianmen Mountain South Peak and the Seven-Star Mountain (七星山), with a midpoint at the Mawang Tree (马桑树). This zip line is especially popular with young tourists seeking excitement.
