Hunan · 63 m

Changsha

Hunan's riverside capital, with a thousand-year-old academy, Han dynasty treasures and some of China's spiciest street food.

Altitude

63 m

Best time

Apr–May, Oct–Nov

Suggested stay

2–3 days

Changsha

Changsha has stood on the Xiang River for more than 2,400 years. Come for the history, stay for the food: Han dynasty treasures, a thousand-year-old academy and some of the hottest snacks in China.

Best way to see it

West bank: climb Yuelu Mountain, visit Yuelu Academy, then cross to Orange Isle in the river.
Downtown: Hunan Museum by day, then Taiping Street and Pozi Street for snacks in the evening.
Wangcheng District: Tongguan Kiln Ancient Town is best from late afternoon into the evening.

Getting around

The metro reaches the main sights. Juzizhou station (Line 2) is on Orange Isle, and Line 6 serves Hunan Museum.
Alipay and WeChat Pay both work with a linked foreign bank card.

Hunan Museum is free, but you must book a time slot online with your passport, up to 7 days ahead. It is closed on Mondays, except public holidays.

Sights

A long, narrow island in the Xiang River, about 5 km from end to end. At its tip stands the 32 m statue of the young Mao Zedong, who swam in the river here with friends in his early years in Changsha.

Flat paths, but the island is long. A sightseeing train runs along it.

Good to know

Yuelu Mountain and Orange Isle are free to enter but, like Hunan Museum, use real-name online booking. Book with your passport details and carry the same passport.
Hunan food is famously hot and spicy. If you prefer it gentler, ask for "wei la" (微辣, mildly spicy) when you order, and go easy on fried, spicy snacks on an empty stomach.
Summers are hot and humid, with July afternoons averaging about 34°C. Do the mountain and the island early or late in the day, and save the museum for the midday heat.