External Transportation
By Air: Changsha Huanghua International Airport is an important transportation hub, which has flights to and from many domestic and international cities. There are various ways such as the maglev train, airport shuttle buses, and the subway to reach the urban area from the airport.
By Train: There are Changsha Railway Station and Changsha South Railway Station in Changsha. Changsha South Railway Station is a high-speed railway station, mainly operating high-speed railways and bullet trains; Changsha Railway Station mainly operates ordinary trains. Both of them have convenient public transportation like buses and the subway to reach various scenic spots in the urban area.
Internal Transportation
Subway: The subway in Changsha is quite convenient and can reach most of the major scenic spots. For example, Subway Line 2 can take you to Orange Island, Wuyi Square, etc.
Bus: The bus routes cover a wide range, but it may be congested during peak hours.
Taxi/Online Car-hailing Service: It is convenient for traveling and is a common way for short-distance travel within the urban area.
Accommodation
Near Wuyi Square: This is the commercial center of Changsha with extremely convenient transportation. There are many shopping malls and restaurants around, and it is close to the main scenic spots. For example, IFS Guojin Center is nearby, making it very convenient for traveling, shopping, and dining. There are hotels of various grades for you to choose from.
Near Yuelu Mountain: Tourists who like natural scenery and cultural atmosphere can choose to stay here. They can feel the charm of Yuelu Mountain up close, and there are also many characteristic homestays around.
Near Orange Island: You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Xiangjiang River and Orange Island. The environment is beautiful, and there are also a variety of accommodation options.
Attractions
Historical and Cultural Attractions
Yuelu Mountain: The renowned Aiwan Pavilion, one of the Four Great Pavilions in China, is located here. There are also historical and cultural heritages such as Yuelu Academy and Gulu Temple. Tourists can choose to climb the mountain on foot, or take a cable car or a sightseeing vehicle up and down the mountain.
Hunan Provincial Museum: The museum has a rich collection of cultural relics. The cultural relics from the Mawangdui Han Tombs are its treasures, such as the Plain Gauze Danyi and the T-shaped Silk Painting, which can help tourists have an in-depth understanding of the history and culture of Hunan.
Tianxin Pavilion: It is a symbol of the ancient city of Changsha with a long history. The pavilion building is simple and elegant, and you can overlook the scenery of Changsha urban area here.
Natural Scenery Attractions
Orange Island: The Youth Art Sculpture of Chairman Mao stands at the head of Orange Island. This is an excellent place to enjoy the scenery of the Xiangjiang River, and you can also take a small train to tour the whole island.
Shiyan Lake: It is known as the "Jiuzhaigou of Changsha". The lake water is clear, surrounded by mountains. There are natural landscapes such as forests and waterfalls, and there are also many amusement projects, which is suitable for leisure vacations.
Modern Urban Attractions
Changsha IFS Guojin Center: It is a fashion landmark in Changsha. The KAWS sculpture on the 7th floor is a popular check-in spot. There are many high-end brands and gourmet restaurants in the shopping mall.
Taiping Street: The ancient street preserves many historical buildings, such as Jia Yi's Former Residence, etc. At the same time, it is also a good place for food and shopping, with various special snacks and creative small shops.
Huangxing Road Pedestrian Street: It is a bustling commercial street, gathering a large number of shopping malls, restaurants, and entertainment venues, and it is a great place to experience the nightlife in Changsha.
Cuisine
Snack Dishes
Stinky Tofu: It is a signature snack in Changsha. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It smells stinky but tastes delicious. Heise Jingdian, Huogongdian, etc. are all well-known stores.
Tangyou Baba: It has a golden color, and it is sweet, soft, and glutinous. It is a traditional snack loved by many people.
Spicy Shrimp: It is famous for its spicy, numbing, fresh, and fragrant taste. It is one of the most popular delicacies in summer. Stores like Wenheyou and Tianbao Xiongdi have very characteristic spicy shrimp.
Noodles: There are a variety of rice noodles in Changsha, such as beef noodles, shredded pork noodles, etc. The rice noodles have a smooth texture and the soup is delicious. Stores like Liulongzi Rice Noodles are very popular among locals.
Restaurant Dishes
Feidachu Chili-fried Pork: It is famous for the dish of chili-fried pork and is one of the representative restaurants of Hunan cuisine. The meat is tender and the chili is full of flavor.
Chuiyan Stir-fried Yellow Beef: The yellow beef has a tender taste, and it is the signature dish of the restaurant, which is very popular.
Wenheyou Old Changsha Lobster Restaurant: With a retro decoration style, it is full of the atmosphere of old Changsha. In addition to spicy shrimp, there are also many other characteristic foods of Changsha.
Shopping and Entertainment
Shopping: In addition to the mentioned IFS Guojin Center, Taiping Street, Huangxing Road Pedestrian Street, etc., you can also go to major shopping malls in Wuyi Square, such as Wangfujing Department Store, Suning E-go Plaza, etc., to buy various goods.
Entertainment: The nightlife in Changsha is rich, with many bars, KTVs, and other entertainment venues. In addition, you can also go to watch traditional drama performances such as Hunan Opera and Flower Drum Opera to feel the local cultural characteristics.
