Baofeng Lake Scenic Spot mainly consists of two major sections: Baofeng Lake and Eagle Nest Stockade. Four highlights here — Baofeng Lake, Marvelous Peaks and Flying Waterfall, Eagle Nest Stockade and Sky Crack — are hailed as the Four Wonders of Wulingyuan, representing the premium landscapes within Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area.

Baofeng Lake is a rare tranquil alpine lake nested between lofty gorges. Surrounded by green mountains and filled with a stretch of clear blue water, it stands as a masterpiece of natural mountain-and-lake scenery. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 72 meters and stretches 2.5 kilometers long. Boasting exquisite lake vistas and secluded grotto charm, it serves as the prime water landscape of Wulingyuan. The outdoor scenes of the Water Curtain Cave on Flower and Fruit Mountain in the classic TV series Journey to the West were shot at the Marvelous Peaks and Flying Waterfall inside Baofeng Lake Scenic Area.

Two lush green islets dot the lake surface, with jagged fantastic peaks standing close to the shore where mountain ridges wind along the water. Cruising by boat, visitors gaze upon green lake water mirrored with mountain silhouettes, immersed in an atmosphere full of poetic grace. A classical poem vividly depicts its charm: A stone ladder climbs ten thousand zhang to celestial terraces; A placid lake unfolds amid lofty gorges like a polished jade mirror. As if the Queen Mother of the West brought golden wine cups here, Fairy maidens descended to wash silk beside the clear waters.

Encircled by clusters of peaks, the 2.5-kilometer-long lake glistens like a precious mirror ringed by green hills. Rowing slowly across the water brings immense comfort and relaxation. Seated on a boat, you behold tier upon tier of emerald peaks all around; looking down, slow-drifting reflections ripple across the water. Green peaks are mirrored in blue waves, and peach blossom hues tint the water’s surface. The scenery is utterly serene and breathtakingly beautiful.

The lake scenes featured in the South Korean drama Nine Heavens Cave were filmed right here on Baofeng Lake. While boating across the lake, visitors can admire iconic scenic formations on the central islets, including the Fairy Admiring Her Reflection, the Peaceful Lake Amid High Gorges, and the Golden Toad Embracing the Moon.

Eagle Nest Stockade is a landmark attraction of Baofeng Park. After entering the park, hike westward up hundreds of stone steps. Above the trail, a thin fissure cuts through the stone peaks just like a crack in the sky. The entrance is framed by ancient city walls with crenellations, and at the trail’s end lies the ancient Baofeng Temple, which always receives abundant incense offerings. A narrow stone path carved into the cliff leads straight to the summit. According to local legend, bandit chieftains once occupied the small stockade atop the peak, dwelling there like eagles in their nest in olden times.

Sky Crack ranks as another unrivaled wonder of Baofeng Park. The narrow gorge extends more than 200 meters long and over 100 meters high, with an average width of less than two meters. A small stream runs through the gorge, alongside winding stone steps climbing upward. The place exudes unparalleled seclusion and endless winding mystery. This sightseeing route also links a series of scenic spots, among which the renowned Eagle Nest Stockade perches on a sheer precipice southwest of Baofeng Lake. It was once a notorious bandit stronghold and the filming location for the TV drama Bandit Suppression on Wulong Mountain.

Within Wulingyuan Scenic Area, thick quartz sandstone layers lie in gentle inclinations, preventing rock slides along weak bedding planes, and overlie soft Silurian shale formations. Driven by gravity, the rigid quartz sandstone develops vertical joint fractures. Under intense fluvial erosion, the rock strata continuously disintegrate and collapse. After being carried away by running water, residual rock masses form diverse peak forests characterized by grandeur, wonder, steepness, grace, seclusion and vastness — these peaks constitute the core landscape of Wulingyuan.

A prominent manifestation of fluvial erosion landforms here is as follows: crustal uplift intensifies the downward cutting force of streams. With insufficient time for rivers to widen their channels, narrow valleys and gorges take shape. The riverbed becomes sharply linear with precipitous cliffs on both sides, and Baofeng Lake is a typical example of this landform.

Boating on the spotless, graceful lake transports visitors far from mortal troubles, easily drawing them into a state of self-forgetfulness. The steep, elegant scenery lining both banks stirs fond appreciation for life and awe for the miraculous craftsmanship of nature. Then heartfelt duets sung by local Tujia young men and women drift across the water, pulling wandering thoughts back to the lake and letting visitors taste the purest, most genuine love in the mortal world. This explains why countless young people, as well as many middle-aged and elderly travelers, insist on visiting Baofeng Lake when they come to Zhangjiajie.

As a component of a World Natural Heritage Site, Global Geopark and one of China’s first batch of AAAAA-level tourist zones, Baofeng Lake holds two lush green islets embraced by towering jagged peaks, its blue ripples brimming with poetic charm. When cruising the lake and gazing around, you see rows of emerald peaks whose reflections drift slowly across the water — such tranquil, gorgeous scenery can scarcely be found anywhere else. Mid-cruise, you may chance upon authentic wild folk duets performed by handsome, simple Tujia lads and maidens, freeing you from worldly hustle and bustle and returning you to peaceful nature.

Take Bus No. 2 in Wulingyuan District to reach the scenic area.

A complete sightseeing tour takes a minimum of 2 hours. Baofeng Lake features a circular sightseeing route. Upon entering the scenic area, visitors generally follow the path on the right hand side to begin the tour.