The Xiaodongjiang mist
At dawn.
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The largest man-made lake in central and southern China, spreading over some 160 square kilometres between green mountains; the Chinese call it «South Dongting», and it formed behind an arch dam built in stages between 1958 and 1992 to generate power. Its most famous sight is the «misty Xiaodongjiang»: cold water released from deep behind the dam into the narrow river below throws up a thick mist in the early morning that covers the water between the mountains, and fishermen's wooden boats glide through it, turning the scene into an old Chinese painting that photographers come for. The area also has the Hougushan falls that drop like rain, Longjing Gorge, boat trips on the lake, the Doushuai cave with its limestone formations, and white-water rafting in summer. Tickets are sold as routes: the first at CNY 80 covers the mist, the falls, the dam view and the gorge; the second at 152 adds the lake cruise and the cave; the third at 248 adds rafting from mid-April to mid-October; entry is free for under-14s and over-65s, per visitor guides.
At dawn.
In the mist.
Between mountains.
Zixing, about 38 km from central Chenzhou, Hunan
Early in the morning, roughly 6 to 9 am, thickest on warm days from spring to autumn, which is why many visitors stay a night near the lake.
Choices are few in the area, so bring food and look in Chenzhou city for restaurants run by Muslims under the halal sign.