As China's second-largest fresh water lake, Dongting Lake spreads over three cities in Hunan Province: to the east in Yueyang City, to the south in Yiyang City, and the west in Changde City which features East Dongting Lake.

East Dongting Lake Natural Reserve is listed as one of China's 30 most important wetlands in the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Each year, 316 species of migratory birds under State protection, including white storks, white cranes, grey cranes and egrets stay the winter at the East Dongting Lake Natural Reserve.

Near the reserve is the well-known Yueyang Tower in Yueyang City, Hunan Province.