Best Travel Time and Visa Facilities
- Best Seasons: Autumn (from September to November) and spring (from March to May) are the best times to visit Changsha, as the weather is pleasant during these periods, allowing you to avoid the high temperatures in summer and the cold in winter.
- Visa Policy: Changsha implements a 72/144 – hour visa – free transit policy, which is convenient for international tourists to stay.
Recommended Core Attractions
①Hunan Museum:
Changsha is one of the first batch of “National Historic and Cultural Cities” in China, renowned as the “City of Chu – Han” and the “Hometown of Qu Yuan and Jia Yi”. Culture and heritage are the main themes of this city. Despite the passage of three thousand years, its name and location have remained unchanged. Hunan Museum is the largest comprehensive museum in Hunan Province, housing a large number of historical relics and artworks. It is here that you can see the solitary figure of Lady Xin Zhui in the ancient palace.
②Yuelu Mountain:
Yuelu Mountain not only boasts beautiful natural scenery but also carries rich historical and cultural connotations. It is a famous cultural mountain that integrates the essence of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism in Chinese culture. If you go to Yuelu Mountain, you must visit Yuelu Academy. With a history of thousands of years, it has a profound cultural heritage. There are many ancient buildings and precious cultural relics in the academy, which is an important place to understand ancient Chinese education and culture. In addition, Yuelu Mountain, full of cultural atmosphere, also has various buildings and sites such as Aiwan Pavilion, Zhu – Zhang Ancient Path, Yuwang Stele, Lushan Temple, Qingfeng Spring, and Baihe Spring. You can trace the paths of famous scholars and masters and recall the exciting years in Hunan’s history.
③Orange Isle:
Located in the middle of the Xiangjiang River at the foot of Yuelu Mountain, Orange Isle is a beautiful long – island – shaped sandbank, known as the “No. 1 Isle in China”. The sandbank is covered with green trees and filled with the fragrance of flowers.
Besides its natural scenery, Orange Isle also carries a profound historical and cultural heritage. Chairman Mao, at the age of 32, was in his prime here and wrote the poem Qinyuanchun · Changsha. What a magnificent poem and story! When you come to Changsha, don’t forget to come here to feel the breeze from the Xiangjiang River.
④Wuyi Square:
Wuyi Square is jokingly called the “Times Square of Changsha” on Chinese social media. It is neon – lit, like a city of the future, attracting visitors from all over the world. There are so many people that traffic congestion occurs even at 4 am.
No matter how late it is, the food here is always available. There are noodle shops every ten steps, milk tea shops every fifty steps, and crayfish restaurants every hundred steps. Every street is full of the hustle and bustle of daily life. Huangxing Road Pedestrian Street: When you come here, some tourists may wonder if they have arrived in a “cyber – world”. The brightest food archway starting from the statue of Huang Xing is both magical and realistic, which is really eye – catching for foodies.
⑤Chaotong Street Cultural and Historical Block:
“If you don’t enter Chaotong Gate, you haven’t entered Changsha City.” In Changsha, there is such a street that when you walk into it, you feel like you are walking into a museum of historical memories. It is one of the three major historical and cultural blocks in Changsha, retaining the street pattern formed since the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is the cultural heritage and inheritance of old Changsha. When you are in Chaotong Street, you will find that history and reality, classic and fashion, are perfectly blended here. The time – honored commercial street on Beizheng Street is the epitome of this blend. The 400 – year – old bluestone road has two completely different styles from the inside to the outside. The historical sites and emerging businesses make this place exude a charming charm that makes people want to visit it again and again.
⑥Meixi Lake International Cultural and Art Center:
On November 1, 2017, Changsha stood out from many cities around the world and officially joined the “Creative Cities Network” of UNESCO, becoming the first city in China to be awarded the title of “City of Media Arts” in the world. In Changsha, you can “smell” the fragrance of art everywhere. The Meixi Lake International Cultural and Art Center is the last masterpiece of the world – famous architect Zaha. Its shape is like beautiful hibiscus flowers blooming by the Meixi Lake. The building is full of a sense of the future. When you walk here, your eyes will always be attracted by the criss – cross flowing lines. Through the “hand of God”, the entire design uses arc – shaped elements to create a wonderful collision of melody and art.
⑦Xie Zilong Imaging Art Museum:
The Xie Zilong Imaging Art Museum is one of the largest imaging art museums in Asia, the largest non – profit imaging art museum in China, and the first museum – grade imaging art museum in China. When you walk into the Xie Zilong Imaging Art Museum in Changsha, you seem to be in a flowing painting. When you walk gently, every step seems to be in the rhythm of light. In the exhibition hall, the artworks are quietly telling stories. When you stop in front of each work, you can feel the emotions poured by the artist and the story behind the work. This is not only a place for taking photos but also a space for dialogue with art.
⑧Li Zijian Art Museum:
In 2017, the Li Zijian Art Museum was certified by the British World Record Certification Organization as the “Largest Personal Art Museum of an Artist in the World”. It regularly holds Li Zijian’s oil painting exhibitions. Each painting is vivid and shocking. Every figure and scene in Li Zijian’s paintings tells the Chinese story of “Humanity and Love”. He uses his paintings to show the world a real and touching China.
Food Experience
- Must – try Foods:
- Stinky Tofu: It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, served with a special sauce.
- Spicy Crayfish: You need to inform the waiter in advance to adjust the spiciness level.
- Tangyou Baba: It is a traditional dessert that can be paired with coffee or tea.
- Recommended Food Streets:
- Pozi Street: It is the busiest pedestrian street in Changsha, gathering internet – famous snacks.
- Taiping Old Street: It combines ancient – style architecture with food, suitable for night tours.
Transportation and Accommodation
- Transportation:
- Airport: Changsha Huanghua International Airport has direct international flights.
- Urban Transportation: The subway covers the main attractions. It is recommended to use a combination of the subway and shared bicycles.
- Accommodation:
- Recommended Areas: The areas near Wuyi Square, Pozi Street, or Orange Isle are recommended, as they are convenient for transportation.
- Hotel Options:
- High – end: Changsha Pujing Hotel (incorporating Japanese – style courtyard and modern design).
- Economy – class: Hotels near Wuyi Square (such as Howard Johnson Plaza Changsha).
Special Activities and Off – the – beaten – path Experiences
- Changsha Window of the World: It is a large – scale theme park that integrates the architecture and cultural performances of various countries, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Pyramid in miniature. The ticket price is 90 yuan per person, including a light show and interactive performances.
- Tongguan Kiln Ancient Town: It was the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road in the Tang Dynasty, where you can experience traditional Chinese art and handicrafts.
- Nightlife:
- Yangfan Night Market: You can taste snacks such as stinky tofu and tangyou baba here and feel the atmosphere of the night market.
- Bar Streets: Jiefangxi Pedestrian Street and Wenheyou’s Old Changsha Store are suitable for relaxation.