Why go
Dongjiang Lake was created in 1986 when the Dong River was dammed for hydropower, flooding a deep valley into a 160-square-kilometre reservoir. Because the dam releases cold water from the lake's depths, the Xiao Dongjiang stretch downstream runs noticeably cooler than the air — and on humid summer mornings the temperature gap condenses into a river of fog that creeps along the water at dawn.
The classic scene is staged, softly: a fisherman in a conical hat poles a flat boat into the mist, casts his net, and the shutter clicks. It happens daily in season, and even knowing the setup, it is genuinely lovely.
- The famous dawn mist on Xiao Dongjiang — the iconic 'fishing boat in fog' scene, ~6:00–9:00
- A boat ride across the main lake, ringed by forested hills and tiny islands
- Huangcao village and the waterfall trails on the far shore
- Freshwater fish feasts at the lakeside restaurants — Dongjiang's carp is the local pride
Beyond the mist
After the fog lifts, take a ferry across the main lake — an hour of green water between forested ridges. The far shore holds Huangcao and the Longjing Gorge waterfall walk. Half a day covers the ferry and a waterfall; a second day suits photographers who want the mist in different light.
Practical tips
The mist only forms when the air is warm and humid — June to September is the reliable window, and mornings after rain are best. Photography tip: the classic shots are taken from the east bank looking west as the sun rises behind the mountains.
Getting there
- High-speed rail to Chenzhou West, then a shuttle or taxi to the Dongjiang dam (~40 min)
- Lake
- 160 km² reservoir, dammed 1986
- Icon
- Dawn mist and net-throwing fishermen
- Season
- Mist forms May–Oct
