Though the day is cold, love warms the heart—discover Changsha from a new perspective

This article is republished from: Traveling Photographer.

My first trip after New Year's was to Changsha, a city that feels comfortable. You can slow down, be lazy, with less hustle and bustle and more tranquility. The spiciness here is satisfying, and the food is unforgettable.

People say travel is addictive. Indeed, once you fall in love with travel, you can't stop your journey. Travel is a process of experience and reflection—to experience nature, to understand life, to brave all hardships, and to take everything as an experience. Go with the flow, keep a calm mind, and face things calmly.

For me, the impression of a city is best formed by the accommodation experience, because it's the most intimate way to connect with a place. From touch to smell, from sight to taste, sensory and spiritual feelings are more real. So for this trip to Changsha, I chose a serviced apartment recommended by many friends—Citadines Changsha Xingsha Apartment—to deeply feel the city's uniqueness.

The apartment is located within the Changsha National Economic and Technological Development Industrial Park, surrounded by headquarters of well-known engineering machinery, automobile manufacturing, parts industries, and major domestic and foreign enterprises. Around the apartment, everything you need—food, drink, fun—is within easy reach. Living here, travel is convenient. Outside is a bustling city; inside is a peaceful environment. Truly, 'the great hermit hides in the city.'

Stepping into Citadines Changsha Xingsha Apartment, the first impression is the lobby's artistic and quality feel, with exquisite decorations and soft lighting. Next to the front desk is a lobby bar with sofa seating and a business meeting area. It's youthful and trendy yet simple and elegant. You can entertain visiting friends here, or relax, read, or work when free.

'Though the day is cold, love warms the heart.' In the lobby bar, a small cup of ginger tea and a simple greeting from the hotel bring warmth. Every little detail bridges the distance between guests and staff, adding a warm layer to this cold winter.

In addition, every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, they offer free cola ginger tea and a rest area for DiDi drivers, giving them a warm treat in the cold winter. That detail is fantastic.

The apartment's overall decor is elegant, with calm, light tones. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with floor-to-ceiling windows that provide excellent natural light and wide views. For business travelers, the accommodation and work environment make business trips relaxed and comfortable, with dedicated business travel amenities, offering a quality urban vacation lifestyle.

The rooms are well-equipped with quality bedding, soft mattresses, LCD TV, full furniture, sofa sets, washing machine, microwave, cookware, and simple tableware. Whether for home travel or a short business stay, it offers a warm and comfortable home experience.

The security measures are commendable. Safety is the most important thing when traveling. The hotel has good security: if you return after midnight, staff verify identity before opening the door. The access control system provides higher protection for personal and property safety.

The apartment has 220 well-designed comfortable rooms, from studio apartments to three-bedroom luxury apartment suites, meeting different needs. It also has complete recreational facilities, such as a gym, yoga room, indoor heated swimming pool, sauna and steam room, reading area, and guest lounge. After eating, you can go to the gym or swim to burn calories.

Thoughtful hotel-style service fills every detail. Away from the city's noise, you can shed travel fatigue in the comfortable luxury rooms, enjoy a quiet leisure time, and feel at home.

Here, you often meet high-end business people and many foreign friends exchanging ideas with laptops. Most stay long-term; neighbors become friends. Many guests share local specialties with others and hotel staff.

Hotel-style service is more life-like than business hotels and simpler than star-rated hotels. Each room is equipped with kitchen and bathroom supplies, a refrigerator, a washing machine, and you can cook. Utensils, a microwave, and a toaster are all available. Spaciousness and comfort are the biggest experiences. Without complex luxury facilities, the price is more affordable.

The open-plan kitchen design is thoughtful, showing the designer's care. I wish I could stay a few more days, visit the nearby farmer's market, and use these tools to cook a feast for myself. Making some side dishes and chatting with friends around the table is very pleasant.

The rooms offer quality toiletries, bottled water, and many humanized facilities to meet different needs. If I didn't tell you this is an apartment hotel, you'd think it's a high-end star hotel. The rooms are spacious, especially the luxury king or suites. Space, lighting, and comfort are especially good, making it an excellent choice for business travelers, executives, and white-collar workers.

When night falls, shed all fatigue, lie on the comfortable bed, and sleep well…

Breakfast should not only fill you up but also be good. A buffet restaurant full of ritual makes your dining mood beautiful!

The breakfast buffet at Citadines Changsha Xingsha Apartment Hotel is very approachable. The breakfast room prepares a variety of dishes for every guest—main courses, desserts, fruits, both Western (pastries, vegetable salad) and Chinese (rice, health soups and porridges). Enjoying the feast in a stylish, simple restaurant definitely lifts your spirits.

Morning is the key to the day. A new start, full of energy, vitality, and deliciousness drives away fatigue.

Also, downstairs there are large supermarkets and shopping plazas, and not far away is a food street. When night falls, the night market snack street begins its hustle and bustle—hot pot, dry pot, barbecue… all kinds of food, including authentic Changsha flavors, satisfying different tastes.

Isn't staying in such an apartment hotel great value? I have to say, Citadines Changsha Xingsha Apartment Hotel targets specific groups and offers an excellent experience. A single stay leaves a deep impression. If you're on a business trip to Changsha or just here for a few days' vacation, it's a good choice.

Tips: The apartment is about 15 km from Changsha Huanghua International Airport and Changsha South High-Speed Rail Station, and about 6 km from Window of the World and Songya Lake National Wetland Park.