It is one of the must-visit attractions in Changsha and is known as “the First Isle in China”. You can see the Young Mao Zedong Statue, which is very magnificent. The scenic area is full of green trees and large areas of grassland, suitable for walking and relaxing.
Tourist Advice: You can choose to take the sightseeing train to directly reach the Young Mao Zedong Statue for taking photos, and then walk slowly to visit the surrounding scenery.
Yuelu Mountain
It is one of the four famous pavilions in China. It is famous for Du Mu’s poem “I stop my carriage to enjoy the evening maple woods; The frost-covered leaves are redder than the spring flowers”. Aiwan Pavilion is simple and elegant, surrounded by maple trees, and the scenery in autumn is extremely beautiful.
Tourist Advice: You can take the cable car up the mountain from the east gate of Yuelu Mountain, enjoy the scenery along the way, and then walk down the mountain passing by Aiwan Pavilion, Yuelu Academy and other attractions.
Hunan Museum
The museum has a rich variety of collections. The treasures of the museum include the cultural relics unearthed from the Mawangdui Han Tombs, etc. By visiting these cultural relics, you can deeply understand the history, culture and ancient civilization of Hunan Province.
Tourist Advice: Book tickets online in advance. When visiting, you can rent an audio guide to better understand the stories behind the cultural relics.
Characteristic Streets
Pozi Street
There are many food shops. In addition to Changsha’s local specialty snacks, there are also various national chain catering brands. The street is very lively and full of a market atmosphere.
Tourist Advice: Go to Pozi Street in the evening. You can taste delicious food while feeling the lively atmosphere.
Taiping Street
It is a historic ancient street with many ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties on both sides of the street. There are various specialty shops here, such as handicraft shops, cultural and creative shops, etc. You can also taste authentic Changsha snacks.
Tourist Advice: During the day, you can visit the shops and buy some special souvenirs, and at night, enjoy the night view of the ancient buildings.
Wuyi Square
It is the commercial center of Changsha, surrounded by many shopping malls, such as IFS. It is a good place for shopping, entertainment and relaxation, and a place where young people gather.
Tourist Advice: You can go shopping in the shopping malls, then go to the top floor to take photos with the popular KAWS doll, and then go to a nearby place to enjoy delicious food.
Food Guide
Classic Changsha Snacks
Stinky Tofu (Chou Doufu)
Features: Changsha stinky tofu is famous for its unique feature of “smelling bad but tasting delicious”. The outside is crispy, and the inside is smooth. It is served with unique sauces, chili oil, scallions, coriander and other seasonings, with a rich flavor.
Recommended Shop: Heise Jingdian (Black Classic) Stinky Tofu. Their stinky tofu is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a rich soup and a strong bean flavor.
Sugar Oil Baba (Tangyou Baba)
Features: Mainly made of glutinous rice flour, it is fried and then coated with sugar syrup. It has a bright yellow color, a soft and glutinous taste, sweet but not greasy, and is a traditional snack loved by Changsha people.
Recommended Shop: Ligongmiao Tangyou Baba. The sugar oil baba in this shop is soft and glutinous with a chewy texture, and the sugar syrup is rich and mellow.
Spicy Crayfish (Kouwei Xia)
Features: Made with crayfish as the main ingredient and cooked with seasonings such as chili and Sichuan pepper. It has a bright red color, fresh and tender crayfish meat, and a strong spicy flavor, leaving a memorable taste.
Recommended Shop: Wenheyou Old Changsha Lobster Restaurant. Their spicy crayfish is big and delicious, and the side dishes are also very flavorful.
Special Hunan Cuisine
Steamed Fish Head with Chopped Chili (Duojiao Yutou)
Features: Bighead carp fish heads are selected and steamed with chopped chili. The fish head is fresh and tender, and the sour and spicy flavor of the chopped chili is perfectly integrated into the fish meat. You can also match it with noodles and mix them in the soup, which is very delicious.
Recommended Shop: Tan Zong Steamed Fish Head with Chopped Chili. The fish heads they choose are big and fresh, and the taste of the chopped chili is authentic.
Stir-Fried Pork with Chili (Lajiao Chaorou)
Features: It is a classic Hunan cuisine, made by stir-frying pork belly and green peppers. The pork belly is fat but not greasy, and the green peppers are fresh and spicy. The combination of the two is very appetizing.
Recommended Shop: Fei Dachef Stir-Fried Pork with Chili. Stir-fried pork with chili is their signature dish, with fresh ingredients and authentic taste.
