It's not that traveling abroad is unaffordable, but Changsha offers better value.
Here's a refined Changsha travel guide for you, without pictures, covering attractions, food, accommodation, and transportation. I hope it helps you have a great time in Changsha:
Recommended Attractions
1. History and Culture:
◦ Hunan Museum: Rich in collections, including precious artifacts from the Mawangdui Han Tombs and Yuelu Academy. It is recommended to book tickets in advance on the official platform. You can rent an audio guide or join the scheduled free guided tours for a better understanding of the stories behind the exhibits. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (last entry at 4:00 pm). Closed on Mondays (except national holidays).
◦ Yuelu Mountain and Yuelu Academy: Yuelu Mountain is a landmark attraction in Changsha. You can take the cable car up and walk down, enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery. Yuelu Academy is one of the four famous academies of ancient China, with a profound cultural heritage. The academy is open from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, and tickets cost around 40 yuan.
◦ Orange Isle: The Chairman Mao Zedong Youth Art Sculpture is a must-see. You can take the scenic train to tour the island. The scenic area is open all day, and the train ticket costs 20 yuan (round trip).
◦ Du Fu Jiang Ge: Built in memory of Du Fu, you can climb up and enjoy a panoramic view of the Xiang River. The scenery is beautiful at night when the lights are on. It's also an excellent spot to watch the fireworks show over Orange Isle. Open from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, and tickets cost around 30 yuan.
2. Urban Leisure:
◦ Huangxing Road Walking Street: The number one commercial street in Sanxiang, with numerous shops and snack stalls. It's a great place to experience the bustling commercial atmosphere of Changsha.
◦ IFS Tower: A fashionable landmark with the popular "KAWS: SEEING/WATCHING" sculpture on the rooftop, attracting many people to take photos. The mall has a wide range of brands, covering fashion, dining, and entertainment.
◦ Taiping Old Street and Pozi Street: Old streets full of Changsha characteristics, preserving many ancient buildings and gathering various snacks and specialty shops. Jia Yi's former residence is also located on Taiping Old Street.
3. Family Fun:
◦ Window of the World (Changsha): Features miniature landscapes of world-famous landmarks, as well as various amusement facilities and performances, suitable for family outings. Generally open from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm (subject to the scenic area's announcement), and tickets cost around 200 yuan.
◦ Huayi Brothers (Changsha) Movie Town: A movie-themed cultural tourism resort with a European-style town. You can watch performances, experience movie-related projects, and take great photos. Open from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm (subject to seasonal adjustments), and tickets cost around 150 yuan.
◦ Changsha Underwater World: You can see various marine creatures and enjoy performances at the Ocean Theatre. There's also a water park area for cooling off in the summer. Open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and tickets cost around 150 yuan.
Food Recommendations
1. Hunan Cuisine:
◦ Steamed Fish Head with Chopped Chili: Made with bighead carp fish head, chopped chili, soy sauce, ginger, onion, garlic, and other ingredients. Recommended restaurants: Yizhandeng, Yuloudong, and Chuiyan Xiaochao Huangniurou.
◦ Stir-fried Pork with Chili: Made with fresh pork and chili, spicy and delicious.
◦ Spicy Zi Ran Chicken: Golden in color, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a strong spicy flavor.
2. Local Snacks:
◦ Stinky Tofu: The stinky tofu at Huogongdian Snack Kingdom is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, served with a unique soup and seasonings.
◦ Sugar Oil Baba: The sugar oil baba at Nanmenkou Jinji Tang You Tuotuo Dian is reddish-brown, sweet, and soft.
◦ Fried Snacks: Wenmiaoping Zhazhazha and Huji Zhazhazha offer a wide variety of fried snacks with unique flavors.
◦ Rice Noodles with Lard: The rice noodles with lard at Xiao Pangzi Zhu You Ban Fen are fragrant and smooth.
3. Trendy Food:
◦ Cha Yan Yue Se: A local milk tea brand in Changsha with many unique flavors, such as Youlan Latte and Shengsheng Oolong. Many branches are available.
◦ Wen He You: A retro-style restaurant famous for its spicy crayfish and other specialties, recreating the old Changsha style.
◦ Tianbao Brothers: Specializing in spicy crayfish, the crayfish are of high quality and the flavor is spicy and satisfying.
Accommodation Suggestions
1. Wuyi Business District: Convenient transportation, surrounded by various restaurants, and close to major attractions, making it the first choice for most tourists. There are high-end hotels like Niccolo Changsha, as well as many cost-effective chain hotels and homestays.
2. Near Yuelu Mountain: Beautiful environment, suitable for those who prefer a quiet stay and want to visit Yuelu Mountain and Yuelu Academy nearby. There are some characteristic inns and homestays where you can experience the local culture.
3. Along the Xiang River: You can enjoy the river view and the beautiful night scenery and fireworks show in the evening. Some hotels have excellent locations and convenient transportation.
Transportation Guide
1. Airport: Changsha Huanghua International Airport is far from the city center. You can take the Maglev Express, airport bus, or taxi to the city. The Maglev Express goes directly to Changsha South Railway Station, which is convenient for transferring to the subway.
2. Railway Stations: Changsha has Changsha Railway Station and Changsha South Railway Station. Changsha Railway Station is located in the city center, while Changsha South Railway Station is a high-speed rail station. From the railway stations, you can take the subway, bus, or taxi to your destination.
3. City Transportation: Changsha Metro has opened multiple lines, covering most attractions and business districts, making it convenient to travel around. The bus network is also well-developed, and some attractions may require taking a bus. In addition, you can also choose to take a taxi or use shared bikes.
When traveling in Changsha, remember to plan your itinerary reasonably, check the opening hours and ticket information of each attraction in advance, and choose reputable restaurants when trying local cuisine to ensure a pleasant trip.
Based on my own experience, if you're not physically fit, you really should enter from the South Gate and exit from the East Gate. First, visit Yuelu Academy, Aiwan Pavilion, and Ancient Lushan Temple at the South Gate, then return to the South Gate sightseeing bus stop to take the sightseeing bus up the mountain. Once you reach the top, take the cable car or sightseeing bus down from the East Gate.
Yuelu Mountain feels like a must-see attraction in Changsha, and Aiwan Pavilion is a must-see view. Take a taxi to the South Gate of Yuelu Mountain, where you can see the statue of Chairman Mao; taking photos with the statue is a common activity in Changsha. This area is the campus of Hunan University, Hunan Normal University, and Central South University. You can take photos of Hunan University's Red Building. Climbing the steps leads to University Road, lined with many Hunan specialty foods. Currently, it's early November, the chrysanthemum season, and there's a small chrysanthemum exhibition inside. Further along, towards Aiwan Pavilion, you'll see many people taking photos; it's a popular spot for Instagrammers. Aiwan Pavilion is one of China's four famous pavilions, beautiful both from afar and up close. However, the maple leaves probably won't turn red until late November or early December. Just take a look and that's enough. Then, return and buy an electric cart to go up and down from the South Gate; it's mainly for viewing the scenery at the top of the mountain, lacking in entertainment value. Perhaps taking the cable car to the East Gate would offer a better panoramic view. Overall, Yuelu Mountain, as a 5A scenic area, offers free admission, which seems grand. However, smaller attractions still charge admission based on personal preference. I feel that university students in the vicinity are particularly fortunate.
I think if you're traveling to Changsha, you can visit Yuelu Mountain. However, I don't think it's necessary to visit Yuelu Academy. Yuelu Mountain is free, but Yuelu Academy charges an entrance fee, and for that price, I don't think there's much to see inside.
Yuelu Mountain is located in the urban area of Changsha. Tourists can reach it smoothly by subway or bus. The transportation is very convenient. The natural scenery of Yuelu Mountain is also very beautiful. There are many kinds of trees on the mountain. The air is very fresh. It is really a good place for hiking. In addition, Yuelu Academy and Aiwan Pavilion on the mountain have a long history and have very profound historical and cultural heritage. They are particularly beautiful when viewed from a distance. Therefore, Yuelu Mountain is worth your visit.
‼ ️It's hard not to be attracted by the scenery of Yuelu Mountain||| You have to come to Yuelu Mountain. They like to be touched by the rain. They have been baptized by nature and are the green lungs of the city. When the summer heat wave is washed away by a timely rain, Yuelu Mountain shows its most charming side. After the baptism of rain, this ancient famous mountain seems to have a new vitality and has become a pure land in the city. Walking on the forest trails of Yuelu Mountain, you can feel the fresh smell of soil in the air. The dew on the leaves is crystal clear, as if telling the magical charm of nature. The peaks in the distance are looming in the clouds and mist, like an ink painting. Here, you can stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city, put down your worries, and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of nature. Going up the mountain road, you will encounter plants and animals of various shapes, and they share this green world with you. Climbing to the top of the mountain and overlooking the beauty of the entire city, you will feel an unprecedented open-mindedness and relaxation. Therefore, why not take advantage of the good time after the rain to come to Yuelu Mountain to feel the gift of nature! Let us jointly protect this green water and green mountains and make it the eternal green lung of the city.
Because I like Yuelu Academy and Yuelu Mountain, I arrived on the last day before leaving Changsha. If I hadn't been in a hurry to catch the plane, I would really like to walk around and sit in Yuelu Academy. Every inscription and every couplet inside shows a strong cultural atmosphere. The renamed Aiwan Pavilion is much more beautiful than the original Hongye Pavilion. There is actually a Chinese Academy Museum inside, which is really a vivid history of the academy. I realized my wish to take a photo in front of the Red Building of Hunan University. The snack street at the door is also very nice. My parents and I ate happily and full.
Yuelu Mountain, the shining pearl of Changsha! Ancient trees towering into the sky, red maples like fire, Aiwan Pavilion standing quietly among them, witnessing the passage of time. Yuelu Academy, a thousand-year-old institution, is full of the sound of reading and the long cultural heritage. Climbing the mountain and looking far away, the Xiangjiang River is like a silk thread, and the beautiful scenery of Orange Island is in full view. Come to Yuelu Mountain, enjoy the natural scenery, taste the historical charm, feel the profoundness of Hunan culture, and start a cultural journey of physical and mental pleasure!
Yuelu Mountain is located in Changsha City. It is not high in altitude but has beautiful scenery. There is also the famous Yuelu Academy at the foot of the mountain. The scenic area can completely avoid hiking on foot. You can reach the top by cable car and battery car, or you can walk up the mountain. The mountain is gentle and belongs to the easier type. You can overlook Changsha City and Orange Island when you climb to the top of the mountain. You can also choose to slide down the mountain, which is a different kind of fun.