Last updated: 11.2024 by Magda Sawyer

Looking for an off-the-beaten-path city that is still off the radar of Western tourists? Look no further as Changsha is the place to go! Hugely popular with local tourists, it is almost unvisited by foreigners - I often saw people point at us and say外国人(Wàiguó rén - foreigner).

We simply loved Changsha - not because of some specific tourist attraction, but because of city's atmosphere. Due to high daytime temperatures, the city comes to life at night.

It seems that everyone is out at night - eating, dancing, singing and just having fun.

Did I get your attention? Great, so read along to find out how to make the most of your Changsha visit!

At a Glance

  • Best time to visit: Autumn (Sept-Nov) and Spring (Mar-May) for mild temperatures and less rain
  • Average daily budget: 30-60$ (including accommodation, food, and transportation)
  • Top areas to stay: Furong District, Yuelu District, Tianxin District
  • Getting around: Extensive metro system, buses, and taxis
  • Must-try food: Stinky tofu, Changsha-style crawfish, mala spicy shrimp
  • Family-friendly rating: 8/10

How to Get to Changsha

By Air

Changsha Huanghua International Airport (CSX)

  • Located 25km from city centre
  • Connected by airport shuttle buses and Metro Line 6
  • Domestic flights to all major Chinese cities
  • International connections to Southeast Asian hubs
  • Transfer to city: 45-60 minutes

By High-Speed Rail

Changsha South Railway Station serves as the main high-speed rail hub

  • Beijing → Changsha: 5 hours
  • Shanghai → Changsha: 4.5 hours
  • Wuhan → Changsha: 1.5 hours
  • Guiyang → Changsha: 3.5 hours
  • Hong Kong → Changsha: 4 hours

Pro Tips:

  • Book train tickets through official app or at station
  • Arrive 30 minutes before departure for domestic routes
  • Consider rail passes for multiple city visits

Where to Stay: Best Areas

1. Tianxin District (天心区)

Best for: Food lovers, nightlife enthusiasts

  • Pros:
    • Amazing food scene
    • Vibrant nightlife
    • Historic areas
    • Good value accommodations
  • Cons:
    • Some areas under development
    • Can be busy at night

Recommended hotels:

This is the hotel we stayed in and we absolutely loved it! The views were unparallel and hotel staff super helpful!

2. Furong District (芙蓉区)

Best for: First-time visitors, business travellers

  • Pros:
    • Central location
    • Major shopping areas
    • Excellent metro connectivity
    • Close to main attractions
  • Cons:
    • Higher prices
    • Can be crowded
    • Street noise in some areas

3. Yuelu District (岳麓区)

Best for: Culture seekers, students

  • Pros:
    • Cultural attractions
    • Beautiful scenery
    • University area
    • Quieter atmosphere
  • Cons:
    • Across the river from city center
    • Fewer shopping options
    • Hilly terrain

Recommended hotels:

Book hotel now

Top Things to Do

1. Orange Island (橘子洲头)

  • Cost:
    • Island entry: Free
    • Shuttle bus: 20 CNY round trip
    • Tourist train: 30 CNY
  • Time needed: 3-4 hours
  • Best time: Sunset or evening for light shows
  • Location: Middle of Xiangjiang River
  • Features:
    • Young Mao Zedong statue (32 meters tall)
    • Sand beach
    • Walking and cycling paths
    • Seasonal orange groves
    • Musical fountain shows
    • Firework displays on holidays
  • Pro tip:
    • Visit during autumn to see orange trees in fruit
    • Last ferries return around 9:30 PM
    • Bring comfortable walking shoes as the island is 5km long
Orange Island (Juzizhou) in Changsha
Everything you need to know to make the most of visiting Orange Island
Baba goes China!Magda Sawyer

2. Hunan Museum (湖南省博物馆)

  • Cost: Free (reservation required)
  • Time needed: 2-3 hours
  • Best time: Weekday mornings to avoid crowds
  • Location: Kaifu District
  • Features:
    • Mawangdui Han Dynasty tomb exhibits
    • Lady Dai mummy
    • Ancient bronze artifacts
    • Interactive cultural exhibits
  • Pro tip: Book tickets online 1-2 days in advance through WeChat

3. 文和友 (Wén Hé Yǒu) Restaurant

This is not simply a restaurant, it is an experience. With multiple floors, this "restaurant" is a living museum of old Changsha.

The whole place is designed to resemble atmosphere and look of old street of Changsha. And for those want to take better look around - there is even a small gondola for 10CNY that circles the restaurant.

It is an absolute must-see as I guarantee it is unlike any place you have seen before.

  • Cost: 10-100 CNY per person
  • Time needed: 1-2 hours
  • Best time: Early dinner (5-6 PM) to avoid long queues
  • Location: Hisense Plaza
  • Features:
    • Famous Hunan-style restaurant
    • Iconic traditional decor
    • Popular spicy crayfish & stinky tofu
    • Local delicacies
  • Pro tip: Try their signature dishes: spicy crayfish, braised pork, and stinky tofu
文和友 (wén hé yǒu) - the most unique eatery in Changsha
Find out why locals and tourists alike are going crazy about this extravagant restaurant at the heart of Changsha!
Baba goes China!Magda Sawyer

4. Meixi Lake (梅溪湖)

The lake is huge, so make sure you reserve plenty of time to walk around and you know where you want to go exactly. There are plenty of quiet places to admire nature as well as grand architectural gems.

At the furthest western side of the lake there is a huge round observation platform and a stunning Red-Knot Bridge, and a bit further east Changsha Meixihu International Culture and Arts Centre (梅溪湖國際文化藝術中心).

To get around you can rent small pedal bicycle-car-type-of-things and bicycles. The lake is huge, so they will come handy if you want to see a bit more.

  • Cost: Free for lake area, various costs for specific venues
  • Time needed: Half day
  • Best time: Sunset and evening
  • Location: Yuelu District
  • Features:
    • Modern architecture
    • Waterfront walking paths
    • Cultural and Arts Center
    • Evening light shows
    • Outdoor performances
  • Pro tip: Visit during evening hours for beautiful city lights reflection on lake.

5. Fisherman's Wharf (渔人码头)

  • Cost: Free to walk around, restaurant prices vary
  • Time needed: 2-3 hours
  • Best time: Evening
  • Location: Along Xiangjiang River
  • Features:
    • Riverside dining
    • Night markets
    • River views
    • Entertainment venues
    • Boat tours available
  • Pro tip: Combine with a river cruise for best experience

Getting Around

Metro

Bus

Taxi

  • Hours: 24/7
  • Tips: Use DiDi app for reliable service

Where to Eat

Best Local Dishes

  1. Changsha Stinky Tofu
  • Where: Huangxing Road Night Market
  • Cost: 10-15 CNY
  • Must try: Extra spicy version
  1. Mala Crawfish
  • Where: Taiping Street Food Market
  • Cost: 50-80 CNY/pound
  • Best season: Summer
  1. Changsha Rice Noodles
  • Where: Lushan Restaurant
  • Cost: 15-20 CNY
  • Must try: Classic pork version

Visiting with Kids

Out kids loved Changsha as much as we did - delicious food, lively atmosphere and friendly locals made the stay there into a unique experience.

Consider visiting an indoor playground - they are one of our kids' favourite thing about China in general, as they are much bigger and interactive than ones we know from back at home. There is a huge NeoBio in North Star Delta shopping centre.

Best indoor Playgrounds in Chinese Cities
Descriptions and locations of our favourite playgrounds in Chinese major cities
Baba goes China!Magda Sawyer
Exploring China with Kids: Your Ultimate Travel Guide
Everything you need to know to plan your family holiday in China!
Baba goes China!Magda Sawyer

Practical Tips

Weather

  • Spring: 15-25°C, occasional rain
  • Summer: 28-35°C, humid
  • Autumn: 15-25°C, comfortable
  • Winter: 5-15°C, damp

Language

  • Outside of western hotels, you can expect almost no one speaking English
  • Keep translation apps at hand

Safety

  • Generally very safe
  • Take normal precautions

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