益阳市

Why this place

Yiyang is a riverside city in northern Hunan, known for its bamboo — the region has some of the largest bamboo forests in China — and for being the home of the Song painter and calligrapher who worked in the 'meticulous' style.

What to see

• Taohuajiang bamboo sea — huge bamboo forests to walk and ride through
• The Zishui River and the city's riverside promenade
• The ancient kiln sites of the region and the old county towns

What to eat

• Hunan river fish and the local smoked dishes
• Yiyang is known for its 'Maji' cakes and its bamboo-shoot cooking

Best time

April–June and September–November