What Is the Planet of Happiness? Check in at the Trendy City Changsha for May Day – This Guide Has You Covered~

📍 Changsha · 👁 1 reads · ❤️ 58 likes

"Top-tier" Changsha has become a viral sensation yet again – a recent travel platform's "2021 May Day Holiday Resident Travel Forecast Report" shows that Changsha has made it into the "Top 10 Cities for Hotel Booking Growth During the 2021 May Day Holiday," with hotel bookings for the May Day holiday even surpassing the same period in 2019. On April 21, media investigations found that many budget hotels have raised prices by two to three times during the May Day period, with some even exceeding 1,000 yuan, and most rooms are already fully booked. Many netizens complain, "Changsha is just too popular! I finally managed to snag a ticket, but I can't get a hotel I like." Others say, "I've already booked the high-speed rail and hotel – even if Changsha is packed during May Day, I'm still going!"

What is the planet of happiness? If you want to know what the planet of happiness is, come to Changsha during May Day. As a foodie, I've put together a guide for you to explore~

Tianxin Pavilion is a city gate tower in Changsha and the only remaining ancient city landmark of Changsha. The three-story pavilion features green tiles, flying eaves, red beams, and painted rafters, exuding a classic charm. It is accompanied by four scenic spots: "Pavilion Piercing the Clouds," "Lush Green of the Lushan Screen," "Sparse Trees Veiled in Mist," and "Evening Glow over the Pond." Throughout history, many literati have left poems here. Ascend Tianxin Pavilion, look far into the distance, and take in the entire cityscape – isn't that delightful? If you're interested in antiques and art, you can also browse the nearby Tianxin Pavilion Antique City; you might find something you fancy.

Arriving in the "City of Gastronomy," be sure to indulge your taste buds with Changsha specialties such as stinky tofu, tangyuan (glutinous rice balls in syrup), and crayfish.

If you're looking to entertain your kids, or if you're a big kid yourself at heart, the family-oriented Xiangjiang Happy City and Bela Town are great choices. At Bela Town, the "Exploration Flight," "Forest Traverse," "Strongest Brain," and "Woodworking Workshop" are all quite good. Xiangjiang Happy City is known as the "Wonder of Joy Below the Horizon" and became one of Changsha's hottest new trendy tourist landmarks upon opening.

The longer you stay in the concrete jungle, the more you yearn to return to nature's embrace. There are many natural "oxygen bars" around Changsha, such as Heimi Peak in Wangcheng, Zhouluo Grand Canyon and Xixi Panshi Grand Canyon in Liuyang, as well as Shiniuzhai where you can see the "Hundred Mile Danxia" and Chimahu where you can ski – all beautiful leisure destinations. Moreover, these spots are only 1-2 hours by car from Changsha.

If you go to Heimi Peak, it's recommended to also visit the Ouyang Xun Calligraphy Culture Park at Shutang Mountain; the drive between the two is about half an hour.

On the last day of the holiday, soak in a hot spring to relax your body and mind, wash away all fatigue, and face new challenges after the long holiday with your best state – you'll likely be immune to "post-holiday syndrome."

If you get tired from the above itinerary, you can try a classic Changsha delicacy – Laojie Yuzuiba (Old Street Fish Lips).

Changsha's cuisine is deeply rooted in culture. As a time-honored catering enterprise in Changsha, Laojie Yuzuiba uses Hunan cuisine as a medium to recreate the bustling Republican-era style of Changsha.

"Welcome, honored guest!" As a waiter dressed in Republican-era attire calls out at the door, Laojie Yuzuiba transports you back to the old Changsha grand restaurant a hundred years ago.

In terms of food, it brings together classic dishes from old Changsha. Besides the signature dish Old Street Fish Lips, you can also enjoy Changsha-style crayfish, braised pig trotters, kimchi, cold noodles, stinky tofu, and more.

It also features some precious century-old brand products, such as Sullivan's pastries and the glutinous rice wine from Chengyuan Baigujiu (Ancient Wine House), available for purchase.

Eighteen years ago, Laojie Yuzuiba won over the taste buds of Changsha locals with one signature dish. To this day, whenever fish lips are mentioned, Changsha people instinctively think of this place.

Here, almost every table has a steaming plate of fish lips. Laojie Yuzuiba specifically selects grass carp, using only the front part of the fish head, which is plump and tender. It takes 100 jin (50 kg) of fish to make one serving of Old Street Fish Lips. The fish lips are fried until crispy, then simmered with a secret recipe including chili and Sichuan pepper, with konjac tofu at the bottom, and served on a small stove over low heat.

The tender and smooth fish lips, after high-temperature frying, release a unique aroma, each piece rich in gelatin and savory upon entry. If you're on Pozi Street, don't miss it!

After reading this, I believe everyone can hardly contain their excitement and can't wait for the holiday to start (rubbing hands excitedly). Actually, there are many more places in Changsha worth visiting – you just need to discover them with your heart. This super practical guide, from a foodie, hopes to help you find a different kind of beauty during your journey!

Travel Directory

1. First Stop: Visit Tianxin Pavilion, eat crayfish, experience "Night Changsha"

2. Second Stop: Relive childhood at Xiangjiang Happy City and Bela Town

3. Third Stop: See mountains, admire waterfalls, play in water, get close to nature

4. Fourth Stop: Soak in hot springs, relax body and mind, eliminate fatigue

5. Laojie Yuzuiba

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