Usually, enjoying lotus flowers is a must-do in the summertime. Currently, the lotus flowers are blooming across Hunan Province. Here are some recommended places to see the flower in the province.

Changsha

Taozi Lake
Taozi Lake is at the foot of Yuelu Mountain and at the junction of Hunan Normal University and Hunan University at the Yuelu Mountain University Town. While enjoying lotus flowers, people can either take a walk along the Xiangjiang River or climb the Yuelu Mountain. They can also visit the snack street to taste delicious food at the university town.

Address: gate of the Hunan Normal University (next to the High School Attached to Hunan Normal University)

Hunan Martyrs Park
More than 20 mu (1.3 ha.) of lotus flowers have been planted in the southeast of Nianjia Lake, Hunan Martyrs Park. Most of them are medicinal lotus flowers. Every year, the flowering season begins in June, and lasts until the end of July and the beginning of August. Blooming lotus flowers dotted with green leaves form a beautiful scene on the lake, attracting many visitors to take pictures and draw sketches.

Address: Nianjia Lake, Hunan Martyrs Park, Dongfeng Road, Changsha

Zhuzhou

Xianyu Range
Lotus flowers in Xianyu Range have large and beautiful petals. About 800 mu (about 53 ha.) of lotus flowers well present the scene depicted in Zhu Ziqing’s “Moonlight in the Lotus Pond”.

Huayi Manor
A hundred mu (about 6.7 ha.) of lotus flowers are in full blossom in Huayi Manor every June and July. People can also pick fruits and vegetables and experience the joy of farm life at the manor.

Xiangtan
 
Paragon Garden
The garden is known as a treasure house of lotus flowers in China. As summer approaches, lotus flowers here are about to bloom. Lotus flowers in various colors and varieties are in full blossom against green lotus leaves.  

Huashi Town
There are 10,000 mu (about 667 ha.) of lotus flowers of 15 varieties in Huashi Town, Xiangtan County.

Hengyang

Xiangxi Thatched Cottage
Nearly 500 mu of lotus flowers are blossoming in front of the Former Residence of Wang Chuanshan every June and July. People can feel the charm of the thatched cottage while enjoying flowers.

Nanhu Park
More than 30 mu (2 ha.) of lotus flowers bloom, attracting many tourists.

Shaoyang

Cultural Expo Park of Cai’e’s Residence
In early summer, lotus flowers are in full bloom in Cai’e Scenic Area, which is in sharp contrast to ancient buildings.

Yueyang
 
Tuanhu Lake Lotus Flower Park
The park has Asia’s largest wild lotus flower area covering 5,000 mu (about 333 ha.). The viewing time is from midsummer to early winter.
 
Changde 

Liuye Lake
Yuqiao Village, with 1,000 mu (about 67 ha.) of lotus flowers, is located on the north side of the Liuye Lake Scenic Area. There are 31 varieties of lotus flowers with eight colors.

Zhangjiajie

Lotus Flower Garden
It is a lotus ecological unique garden with the theme of lotus culture and Tujia culture, integrating scientific research, popular science education, sightseeing, and product development. There are about 600 rare lotus species and more than 70 water lily species. If you are lucky, you can also see rare twin lotuses in the world.
 
Yiyang

Former Residence of Zhou Libo
The Former Residence of Zhou Libo has now become a good place for Yiyang citizens to appreciate lotus flowers. Hundreds of mu of lotus flowers are in full bloom in the lotus pond, bamboo frames shade the roadside, and the mountains behind are clustered with trees.
 
Chenzhou
 
Jiulong River, Rucheng
Jiulong River is not only an excellent spot for viewing lotus flowers but also a natural summer resort. In addition to escaping the summer heat and viewing flowers, visitors can enjoy glass plank roads hanging on waterfalls, slide in forests, and experience river tracing.

Yongzhou

Lotus Flower Garden, Jiangyong County
To explore rural tourism, Jiangyong County has encouraged villagers to plant lotus flowers and created a "hundred-mu lotus landscape belt", which increases locals’ income and promotes the development of all-for-one tourism.

Huaihua

Changpo Village, Qiancheng Town
Changpo Tuanzhai Scenic Spot is located in Changpo Village, Qiancheng Town, Hongjiang City. It is a small mountain village near the Yuanjiang River. In the scenic area there are lotus ponds; ancient residential buildings; the former residence of Wang Jixian, a calligrapher of Qing Dynasty; a canyon; Luojiapan Yunding ancient village; and a sea of bamboos.

Loudi

Former Residence of Zeng Guofan
In front of Fuhoutang, the former residence of Zeng Guofan, 200 mu (about 13 ha.) of lotus flowers are blooming. The breeze there is gentle, and the fragrance is refreshing.

Xiangxi

Pushi Ancient Town
With a history of one thousand years, Pushi Ancient Town has been upgraded to the 5A category, the highest rating for Chinese scenic spots. In summer, you can enjoy lotus flowers, visit dwellings, and enjoy Chenhe Gaoqiang opera, which brings the visitors a unique experience.

Rebala Scenic Area, Longshan County
Lotus flowers in Rabala Scenic Spot bloom, attracting many tourists to take pictures. The blossoming lotus flowers "nod their heads and smile sweetly" on the blue waves, making people reluctant to leave.

Chinese source: official WeChat account of the Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism; Voice of Hunan