Trip Overview
When: September 2020 (shoulder season, pleasant weather)
Duration: 3 days
Travelers: 2 friends
Budget: ~1,200 RMB (~$167 USD) per person
Transportation: High-speed train from Guangzhou South to Changsha South, then metro
Essential Foreigner Info
Getting There: High-speed trains from Guangzhou South take about 2.5 hours. The metro Line 2 connects Changsha South station directly to most tourist areas. Download the "Changsha Metro" app or use Alipay/WeChat Pay for metro cards.
Money Matters: Most places in Changsha accept WeChat Pay and Alipay. Small street vendors may prefer cash—bring about 300 RMB in cash for food stalls and tips.
Language: Mandarin is spoken everywhere. Key phrases: 谢谢 (xièxie - thank you), 买单 (mǎidān - bill please), 多少钱 (duōshao qián - how much).
Transportation: The metro is the easiest way to get around. Taxis and Didi (China's Uber) are cheap and convenient. For fun, rent shared electric bikes that are everywhere near Wuyi Square!
Day 1: Arrival and Orange Island
We took the morning train from Guangzhou South (08:05-10:40) and arrived at Changsha South. The metro from Exit 2 took us directly to Wanjiali International Hotel (万家丽国际大酒店)—highly recommended for its location just 5 stops from the station. The hotel is massive, with a famous cultural exhibition hall on the 11th floor and a helicopter pad on the 28th floor with stunning city views.
After checking in, we grabbed lunch at Dawan Xiansheng (大碗先生) on the 7th floor of Wanjiali Plaza—generous portions of homestyle Hunan cuisine at budget prices.
Afternoon: We took Line 2 (8 stops) to Orange Island (橘子洲). Entry is free, but you need to scan a QR code to enter. The island is huge—consider the tourist train (small locomotive) to save your legs. Walking the full perimeter is over 10,000 steps!
Orange Island (橘子洲) sits in the middle of the Xiang River (湘江), surrounded by mountains on three sides. The island is planted with thousands of citrus trees and features dozens of plant varieties. The iconic Mao Zedong statue at the southern tip is a must-photo moment.
Evening: We headed to Wuyi Square (五一广场) via metro—one stop from Orange Island. The area comes alive at night with street food vendors, neon lights, and crowds of locals and tourists alike.
Pro tip: Take the hotel elevator to the 28th floor for incredible night views of Changsha—completely free and less crowded than ground-level attractions.
Day 2: Yuelu Mountain and Old Streets
Morning: We started early for Yuelu Mountain (岳麓山), taking Line 2 (11 stops) to Yuelu Mountain station. The east gate offers access to the mountain's main attractions.
We hiked from the East Gate to Yuelu Academy (岳麓书院)—one of China's four most famous academies with over 1,700 years of history. Entry is 40 RMB, and advance booking is recommended.
Yuelu Academy (岳麓书院): Founded in 976 AD during the Song Dynasty, this is the oldest continuing university in China. The architecture is stunning—red walls, golden tiles, and ancient cypress trees.
Afternoon: We visited Changsha Bamboo Slips Museum (长沙简牍博物馆)—free entry! This museum houses ancient bamboo slips from the Three Kingdoms period, providing fascinating insights into Chinese history and writing.
Evening: We explored the historic streets—Gaozheng Street (高正街), Taiping Old Street (太平老街), Pozi Street (坡子街), and Huangxing Square (黄兴广场). These pedestrian streets are packed with food stalls, souvenir shops, and historic sites like Jia Yi Former Residence (贾谊故居).
Must-try food in the old streets:
- Wenheyou Stinky Tofu (文和友臭豆腐): 10 RMB per serving, the most famous brand in Changsha
- Huo Gongdian (火宫殿): Historic restaurant for classic Hunan snacks
- Yang Yuxing Noodles (杨裕兴): Legendary noodle shop dating back decades
Reality check: The famous milk tea shops (茶颜悦色) have lines wrapping around the block. Worth the wait? Absolutely—their signature "Earl Grey Latte" (幽兰拿铁) is unique and delicious, around 16 RMB.
We rented electric bikes to explore the streets—perfect for zipping between food spots. New users get 3 free rides (30 minutes each) for the first 3 days!
Day 3: Hotel Exploration and Departure
Morning: We took advantage of the hotel's amenities—visiting the World Culture Garden (世界文化大观园) on the 11th floor, a massive 20,000 square meter cultural exhibition featuring famous wax figures and ancient artifacts. Then we enjoyed the panoramic views from the 28th floor.
Noon: Check-out and lunch at Chuiyan (炊烟) restaurant on the 7th floor—highly recommended Hunan cuisine, about 68 RMB per person.
Afternoon: We explored the hotel's underground supermarket for souvenirs and local specialties before heading to Changsha South station (5 stops on Line 2) for our return train (17:11-19:55).
Changsha Highlights Summary:
- Orange Island: Free entry, beautiful river views, iconic Mao statue
- Yuelu Mountain & Yuelu Academy: 40 RMB, rich history
- Taiping Old Street: Free, best for food and souvenirs
- Wuyi Square area: Free, nightlife and entertainment hub
- Changsha Bamboo Slips Museum: Free, fascinating ancient artifacts
- Wanjiali Hotel: Unique cultural attractions included