Junshan Island (君山岛, formerly known as Dongting Mountain), located 15 kilometers southwest of Yueyang City in Hunan Province, sits within the vast waters of Dongting Lake, facing the historic Yueyang Tower. According to legend, “Dongting Mountain floats on the water, with a golden hall beneath it, where jade maidens dwell. Music from metal, stone, silk, and bamboo instruments echoes through the mountain throughout the year.” The island gained its name after Emperor Shun’s two wives, Ehuang and Nüying, were buried there. Qu Yuan, in his famous work “Nine Songs,” referred to them as Xiangjun and Xiang Furen, leading later generations to rename the mountain as Junshan.
The island’s most renowned site is the Tomb of the Two Consorts. More than 4,000 years ago, Emperor Shun died during a southern inspection, and his two devoted wives, Ehuang and Nüying, rushed to join him. Their boat was halted by strong winds at Junshan, and upon hearing of Shun’s death, they were overwhelmed with grief. Legend has it that their tears turned the island’s bamboo groves into the distinctive spotted “crying bamboo.” The two consorts soon passed away from sorrow and were buried on the eastern slope of the mountain. The current tomb, restored by the Yueyang government in 1979 following the design of an earlier Qing Dynasty renovation, is made of stone. The tomb features carvings of qilins, lions, and elephants, along with a stele inscribed with “Tomb of Emperor Shun’s Two Consorts.”
Junshan Island is covered with lush green trees and expansive lakeside wetlands, creating a serene and verdant landscape. The island is also home to numerous historical and cultural relics, mostly concentrated on the eastern side, where the main entrance is located. While the western side of the island has fewer attractions and receives fewer visitors, the eastern part remains a popular destination for tourists, offering a glimpse into the island’s rich history and natural beauty.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 78 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.30 – 17.30; Last admission: 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0730-8159066 |
Location and Transportation
Junshan Island is located at No. 60, Dongting North Road, Yueyang Tower District, Yueyang City, Hunan Province, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following way:
By Bus: You can take the Bus Tourist Line 15 from Yueyang Railway Station or Yueyang Tower to the Junshan Island Scenic Area. The bus will drop you near the entrance, and you can walk to the site.
By Boat: You can take a ferry from Yueyang Tower. The round-trip fare is approximately 80 RMB.
