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Changsha packs its sights along the Xiang River and the food streets of the old town. Most first time visitors split their time between Yuelu Mountain on the west bank, Orange Isle in the river, the Hunan Provincial Museum with its 2,000 year old Mawangdui finds, and the neon lit snack streets around Pozi Street and Taiping Street. Everything below is reachable on the Changsha Metro or by a short taxi ride. For the complete picture, start with the main Changsha guide.
Things to Do in Changsha: Iconic Sights
Yuelu Mountain (Yuelu Shan)
This forested ridge on the Xiang River’s west bank is the city’s main green space and free to enter. At its foot sits Yuelu Academy, one of China’s four great ancient academies founded in 976 AD, where entrance costs 40 RMB. The Aiwan Pavilion, set among maple trees, turns vivid red in November. Take the cable car up (30 RMB one way) or hike the 300 metre summit in about an hour. The mountain stays cooler than the city in summer and is a popular autumn leaf viewing spot. Allow half a day. For the full month by month data, see the Changsha weather by month guide.
Orange Isle (Juzizhou)
A 5 km sandbar in the middle of the Xiang River, Orange Isle is free to enter and is best known for the 32 metre stone head of a young Mao Zedong at its southern tip. Mao studied in Changsha and wrote his famous poem about the island. Walk the riverside promenade, hire a bike or take the 20 RMB sightseeing train from the Metro Line 2 Orange Isle station. Come at sunset for views of the downtown skyline, and check for the periodic fireworks shows staged from the island. For the event calendar, see the Changsha events and festivals guide.
Du Fu Pavilion
This riverside pavilion on the east bank honours the Tang dynasty poet Du Fu and offers one of the best free views across the water to Orange Isle and Yuelu Mountain. It is lit up at night and sits a short walk from the Xiangjiang Middle Road riverside promenade. Combine it with a stroll along the river in the cooler evening hours. For hotel recommendations, see the where to stay in Changsha guide.
Things to Do in Changsha: Museums and History
Hunan Provincial Museum
The headline draw is the Mawangdui Han Tombs exhibition, centred on the 2,000 year old body of Lady Dai and her remarkably preserved lacquerware, silks and the famous T shaped funeral banner. Entry to the permanent galleries is free but requires a real name reservation through the museum’s WeChat account, and only 5,000 tickets are released daily. It opens 09:00 to 17:00 with last entry at 16:00, closed Mondays except public holidays. In summer the hours extend to 20:30. Book at least a day ahead.
Tianxin Pavilion
The last surviving section of Changsha’s Ming dynasty city wall, Tianxin Pavilion dates to the 14th century and stands on a small hill in the south of the old town. Entry to the park is free; climbing the three storey pavilion costs 32 RMB and gives a view over the city walls and Xiang River. It opens around 07:00 to 22:00. Pair it with a walk through the surrounding Tianxin district, covered in the Changsha neighborhoods guide.
Jia Yi Former Residence
A small, quiet courtyard memorial to the Han dynasty statesman Jia Yi, tucked down a lane off Taiping Street. Entry is free and it takes about 30 minutes. It is a useful counterpoint to the busy food streets outside and a rare surviving example of a Qing dynasty courtyard in the city centre.
Things to Do in Changsha: Food Streets and Markets
Taiping Street (Taiping Jie)
The main pedestrian food street in the old town, Taiping Street runs through the Furong district and stays busy from late afternoon until well after midnight. Expect stinky tofu (chou doufu), sugar oil baba (deep fried glutinous rice cakes), spicy crayfish and milk tea from the local Chayan Yuese chain. Stalls are cashless, so have WeChat Pay or Alipay set up. It gets extremely crowded on weekend evenings.
Pozi Street and Fire Palace (Huo Gong Dian)
Pozi Street is the older, more traditional sibling to Taiping Street, and its centrepiece is the Fire Palace, a temple and restaurant complex that has served Hunan snacks since the Qing dynasty. Order stinky tofu, sister buns and spicy duck neck from the counters inside. A plate of stinky tofu typically costs 10 to 20 RMB. Go before 19:00 to beat the worst queues.
Donggua Mountain Night Market
A local favourite south of the centre, this night market is known for its grilled skewers, crayfish and cold noodle stalls rather than the big tourist crowds. It opens in the evening and runs late. Portions run 10 to 30 RMB per dish. It is easiest to reach by taxi or didi from downtown.
Things to Do in Changsha: Day Trips
Shaoshan (Mao Zedong’s Birthplace)
About 80 km southwest of Changsha, Shaoshan is the village where Mao Zedong was born in 1893. The mud brick farmhouse is free to visit and the site also holds a museum and the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall. High speed trains run from Changsha South to Shaoshan South in about 30 minutes, followed by a short shuttle bus. It is a popular domestic pilgrimage site, so expect crowds during national holidays.
Zhangjiajie (Multi Day Add On)
Zhangjiajie’s sandstone pillars, which inspired the floating mountains in the film Avatar, lie about 320 km northwest and are too far for a comfortable day trip, but they are the classic add on to a Changsha trip. High speed rail now connects Changsha to Zhangjiajie West in roughly 2.5 to 3 hours, making a two to three night side trip easy. For transport details, see the Changsha travel tips guide, and for timing around the weather, the best time to visit Changsha guide.
