Today, let’s follow the footsteps of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala and explore the charm of Changsha, the sub-venue of the 2024 Spring Festival Gala. Changsha is the only southern venue selected for the Year of the Dragon Spring Festival Gala.
When it comes to Changsha, what comes to your mind? Is it Hunan TV and the classic Happy Camp? Is it the documentary “The Guardian of Liberation West” that makes people laugh and cry? Is it the May Day Square, Orange Island, Yuelu Mountain, Aiwan Pavilion, or the favorite snacks of foodies such as CHAYAN YUESE, stinky tofu, and chopped pepper fish head?
There are too many attractions in Changsha. If you don’t want to miss anything, you must read this article carefully! The must-visit attractions in Changsha are all listed here for you.
Orange Island
Orange Island is a popular check-in place for internet celebrities in Changsha, and both locals and tourists will come here. So, if you come during the peak tourist season, there will be more people. If you want to take beautiful photos with fewer people, you can go to Exit 5 of Bisha Lake Metro Station, cross the road to the Red Pepper Square. There are fewer people here and the angle is particularly good. Bring a telephoto camera to take great photos!
Changsha city is like a poem and a painting in the snow. If you are lucky, you may encounter a snowy day when you visit Changsha in winter. After the snow, Orange Island is covered with white snow, and the poem written by the instructor echoes in your ears: “The scenery of the northern country, thousands of miles of ice, and thousands of miles of snow.”
Orange Island also has a riverside trail, which will light up around 7:30 in the evening, and the night view is worth seeing!
Yuelu Mountain & Hunan University
Yuelu Mountain is the green lung of Changsha and a mountain that locals like to climb. Aiwan Pavilion and Hunan University are both located here, with a rich historical and cultural heritage.
The most beautiful seasons are autumn and winter. There are red maples in autumn and snow in winter (check the weather in advance). For friends who want to check in here, I suggest you go early. If you don’t want to walk, you can take the cable car. Buy tickets in advance on the applet so you don’t have to waste time queuing for tickets.
Hunan University is located at the foot of Yuelu Mountain, and it is said to be the only open university in China without walls. The campus environment is very good, with many modern buildings, mostly red bricks and green tiles, which look ancient and simple. There are also many cheap and delicious snacks around, which is worth visiting.
Hunan Provincial Museum & Mawangdui
To know a city, start with the museum, which witnesses the past and present of the city and remains unchanged in the long river of time. The Hunan Provincial Museum is characterized by the cultural relics unearthed from the Mawangdui Han Tomb. It is recommended to reserve half a day and make an appointment with the museum in advance. It is definitely worth a visit!
In the exhibition hall on the first floor, there is the body of Mrs. Xin Zhui that has not decayed for thousands of years, and some cultural and creative stores. Stamping is also on this floor. Basic exhibitions are free, while special exhibitions require additional ticket purchase. Please refer to the museum’s notice for details. Remember that it is closed on Mondays, so don’t go there in vain!
IFS International Finance Center & Huang Xing Pedestrian Street
IFS International Finance Center is our own “Times Square in New York”. The towering CBD buildings and big screens are full of fashion! The popular check-in landmark, the KAWS doll, is on the seventh floor. There are many people and you need to queue up. You can consider whether to go or not according to your own needs.
It’s better to visit Huang Xing Pedestrian Street in the evening. When night falls, the neon lights flashing have a cyberpunk flavor. There are many delicious fly restaurants in the alleys around. The night market starts at 7 pm and lasts until dawn. Don’t miss this place to experience the sleepless city when you come to Changsha!
Du Fu River Pavilion
“Drunk in Changsha wine at night, walking in Xiangjiang water in the morning”, Du Fu stayed in Changsha twice in his later years and lived in the river pavilion. The current Du Fu River Pavilion was built to commemorate Du Fu. You can overlook the river view of Xiangjiang River. Those who like history can check it in. It’s very pleasant to watch the night view in the evening.
Fire Palace & Wenhe You
Located on Pozi Street in Changsha, the Fire Palace is a famous restaurant built in a historic building. You can visit it even if you don’t eat there. You can visit the stone archway, grandpa statue, Fire Temple, stage and other attractions. Although it is a so-called “internet celebrity restaurant” and the price is slightly more expensive, it is not only tourists who go there, so you can safely check it in.
Wenhe You is a landmark internet celebrity store in Changsha. Going through the small door inside the mall is like traveling through time to the 1980s. On one side of the door is a typical 21st century mall, and on the other side is a retro nostalgic block, suitable for taking photos and checking in. Admission is free, but remember to get a number online in advance.
It is very close to the pedestrian street and Pozi Street. The famous “The Guardian of Liberation West” was also filmed in this area. You can check in at the temporary office.
Changjun Middle School
Like schools all over the country, there are many delicious foods around Changjun Middle School, with low prices and excellent taste: iron plate fried fried fried, lard noodles, sugar oil dumplings, perilla peaches, stinky tofu, leek box… There are too many delicious foods, it is recommended to come several times!
In the drama “Minglongshao Nian” starring Zhang Ruoyun, Changjun Middle School was transformed into “Minglong Middle School”. If you are a fan of the drama, you can also check in here and unlock the same scene as in the drama.
Hunan TV Building
How can you not check in at “Hunan TV” when you go to Changsha? Take the subway to Malangshan Station, then navigate to Mango TV, and you’ll see the Hunan TV building that frequently appears in various variety shows. Here, you can easily get the same check-in spots as celebrities, and if you’re lucky, you might even run into a celebrity!
Changsha is very friendly to tourists. Most of the attractions mentioned above are basically free. Whether you’re shopping, sightseeing, visiting museums, or eating authentic Hunan cuisine, you won’t have to spend too much on a trip here, and you’ll still be able to gather many beautiful memories. With a Changsha like this, do you want to go?
