2022 Changsha Travel Guide: Best Routes and Must-Visit Instagram-Worthy Spots

"Alone I stand in the autumn cold / On the Orange Islet head, / The Xiang River northward flows; / I see a thousand hills crimsoned through / By their serried woods deep-dyed, / And a hundred barges vie / In mid-stream green and wide..." The poem I memorized as a child is still vivid in my memory. I've always liked Changsha. This time, my boyfriend happened to be resigning, and I told him, "Let's go on a trip." He responded immediately, so as an action-oriented person, I started preparing. I was responsible for researching the itinerary, and he booked tickets and hotels. Because we did a lot of homework before departure, our trip went smoothly. Over these days, I experienced Changsha's food—spicy and satisfying, truly a city that foodies can't bear to leave. Any street or alley can offer a feast. If I have the chance, I will choose to visit Changsha again for a second or third time. Below, I'll share some scenic spots and food guides, including tips on flights and hotels summarized from various websites. Please leave comments or additions!

😊 Trailer - Quick glance at beautiful photos:

IFS International Finance Centre

Yuelu Mountain - Aiwan Pavilion

Hunan Provincial Museum

Li Zijian Art Museum + Xie Zilong Photography Art Museum

Huayi Brothers Film Town

Pozijie Food Street

Mao Zedong Statue at Orange Isle

Meixi Lake Grand Theatre

Hunan First Normal University

Helong Stadium Ferris Wheel

—————————————— The trip begins ————————————

MM, check this out! 3-2-1, itinerary starts! (Haha my goodness, recently watching Li Jiaqi's livestreams has really brainwashed me—I talk with his tone now.) After seeing the beautiful photos, let's look at the detailed itinerary. I'll divide it into scenic spots and food. If you're in a hurry, you can jump directly to your favorite sections via the table of contents.

Popular Attractions:

1. IFS International Finance Centre

2. Tianxin Pavilion

3. Fire God Temple, Pozijie (detailed in food section)

4. Du Fu River Pavilion

5. Orange Isle

6. Hunan University

7. Yuelu Mountain

8. Hunan Provincial Museum

First stop: IFS International Finance Centre, Changsha

This is a must-visit for trendsetters. I had seen this sculpture many times on my friends' Moments before I came. I specifically came here to take a photo with this landmark. It is also the most luxurious shopping center in Changsha, featuring many big brands. Located near Wuyi Square. Opening hours: 8:00-22:00. Free admission. There are many photo spots. The landmark rabbit is super cute. (●'◡'●) Touch its little rabbit head. Floors 1-2 have the "Hello Changsha" graffiti wall. Floor 7 has an open-air art exhibition area. Take the direct elevator (the regular elevator doesn't go straight up; you need to take an escalator floor by floor). There is the large Kaws sculpture and other art sculptures. Check in! The big rabbit is really cute—I love it so much. It's round and very adorable, and there's a circular marker on the ground indicating the best shooting spot. Standing there casually gives great photos. Suitable for both half-body close-ups and full-body shots. This place is a gathering spot for trendsetters, with many people taking photos.

(Trendy sculpture—from far away, I thought someone was sitting there.) Although it's lit at night, I recommend going during the day for clearer, better photos.

The temperature in Changsha these days was pleasant. I brought a trench coat and wore a dress underneath. I wore flat shoes to make walking and hiking easier. I also brought a compact umbrella for rain or sun. My large tote bag held tissues and drinks, ready to explore everywhere.

Inside the mall, there are Gucci, Balenciaga, COS, etc.—great for shopping. You can grab coffee at Starbucks. The building looks even better at night! Use a delayed shutter to capture traffic trails, then apply a film filter with the NOMO app and post to Moments. The night vibe is more urban than the day.

Second stop: Tianxin Pavilion

This is a well-preserved ancient city building with a strong historical atmosphere, located near Nanmenkou. The environment inside is beautiful. Many local aunties and uncles play chess and exercise in the park. In the morning, you can breathe fresh air. Hehe, strike a pose (•̀ ω •́)y, exploring really lifts my mood. Because of its high terrain and elevated location, Tianxin Pavilion is considered a sign of literary prosperity. A couplet reads: "Surrounded by clouds and mountains, all come into view; thousands of lights always concern the heart." Originally, both the Tianxin and Wenchang pavilions were built here, but they were later destroyed. Only a plaque with "Tianxin" remains, and a new structure was built beside the Wenchang Pavilion site. It's very beautiful. Tickets: regular 30 yuan, stamp souvenir postcard ticket 32 yuan. Half price with student ID; free for military and senior citizens. Students must bring their ID. Bus: Take routes 1, Tourist Line 3, 406, 803 to Tianxin Pavilion stop, then a short walk. Buses can be crowded. 143, 145, 358 to Tianxin Pavilion West Gate stop, walk about ten meters. Metro: Take Line 1 to Huangxing Square Station, then walk a few hundred meters. The original name was "Tianxing Pavilion," corresponding to the star "Changsha Star." The ancient style suits traditional photography. Autumn yellow leaves complement the pavilion perfectly.

Take a photo on the small city wall. Tianxin Pavilion was not only a scenic spot but also a defensive stronghold and military forbidden area, with significant historical value. In the Qing Dynasty, soldiers guarded it and civilians were not allowed inside.

Tianxin Pavilion has two entrances: South Gate and North Gate. There is also Tianxin Pavilion Park, free to the public. You can go upstairs to visit. The first floor has Buddhist-related displays; the second and third floors are exhibition halls. The upturned eaves are eye-catching, and red lanterns add a festive feel. The pavilion staff leave at 6:30 PM, but the park is open 24 hours. Pay attention to the time.

This uncle is very good at chess—he kept winning, haha.

(Here is Chonglie Gate.) The couplet on Chonglie Gate reads: "Qi tun hu jie, yong wei shan he" (Might swallows the barbarians, courage defends the mountains and rivers). "Jie" was the name of an ancient ethnic group that believed in the Hu Tian religion, hence called "Hu Jie," subordinate to the Xiongnu. Here it refers to the Japanese invaders. The couplet expresses patriotic sentiment, showcasing the fighting spirit of the anti-Japanese soldiers. The park has fresh air, with many elderly men sitting around playing chess, deeply engrossed. It's really a leisurely life. I'd like to come here when I'm old, hanging out with a couple of friends.

The sunlight is strong, making the skin look translucent.

Third stop: Changsha Fire God Temple (Fire Palace)

A must-visit in Changsha. The buildings are all red, and the high saturation brings joy. I've heard red also stimulates appetite. The design of the Fire God Temple captivated me for a long time—it's truly beautiful. I regard it as a scenic spot rather than just a place to eat. There is a lot of food here. You can taste snacks inside the Fire God Temple or walk along the street and eat on the go. We didn't eat inside; we just toured it like a scenic spot. Since the Fire God Temple mainly attracts tourists, the prices are not cheap. Those who come to eat can just check in briefly. 🍲🍲👇👇 [Address] No. 127 Pozijie, Tianxin District, Changsha [Transport] Bus: Take 2, 11, 18, 112, 138 to Jia Yi's Former Residence Station, then walk back 300 meters.

This photo looks like the entrance of a wealthy ancient drama set.

People sit on long benches waiting for performances.

In early years, Changsha often suffered fires, so people prayed to the Fire God for protection. From then on, they flocked to the Fire God Temple. Now there are regular performances inside. "If you haven't been to Fire God Temple, you haven't been to Changsha." Chairman Mao praised, "Changsha Fire God Temple's stinky tofu is delicious," making it extremely famous.

Fourth stop: Du Fu River Pavilion

"With you seeking refuge in the western Kangzhou, twelve autumns have passed since meeting at Dongting. I feel ashamed for the emperor's gift of shoes, but this is not my homeland, so I weary of climbing the tower..." In his later years, Du Fu, the "Sage of Poetry," came from Shu to Hunan to seek refuge with his old friend Wei Zhijin, who was about to be appointed governor of Tanzhou. However, when Du Fu arrived in Changsha, Wei had unfortunately died suddenly. Ill and impoverished, Du Fu spent his last two years in Changsha. During those unsettled times, the "River Pavilion" became his only shelter. Here, Du Fu found temporary peace. Visiting Du Fu River Pavilion allows you to deeply experience Du Fu's culture and imagine his life in his later years.

This is a replica ancient building, combining modern city architecture with old streets, creating a rich sense of layers. This was also one of my most anticipated spots.

Golden lotuses are embedded in the red pavilion roof. The combination of red and gold looks very noble. It is close to yesterday's Tianxin Pavilion, and you can also see the fireworks at Orange Isle at night. Many people come here to sing, dance, play instruments, play chess, walk, and exercise. Elderly people drink tea and play music, children chase each other in the greenery, couples stroll hand in hand. Everyone looks peaceful. I also found a place to sit, completely emptying my mind, enjoying the quiet moment.

Ticket: regular 11 yuan. Elevator goes directly to the 6th floor, offering a panoramic view of Changsha. Opening hours: 09:00-17:30 (Mon-Sun). Tips: Fireworks shows can be seen here.

The historic "Xiang Army Annals" displays a wealth of artifacts throughout the ages, including ancient rare books, Hunan famous calligraphy and paintings, ancient porcelain, bronzes, etc. The Northern Wei stone Buddha and Tang Dynasty nanmu Guanyin kept here are also extremely rare.

Fifth stop: Next, to [Orange Isle] (Juzi Zhou)

Metro direct: Line 2, Orange Isle Station 🚦. Orange Isle, island beside the boat; the boat moves, the island stays. Oranges are ripe. I saw Mao's head statue from far away! It's huge! Hahaha. Orange Isle indeed has special significance for Chairman Mao. In his youth, he expressed his ambition here: "I ask the vast earth, who determines the rise and fall." Standing here looking at the statue, I can imagine his high spirits back then. The statue is 32 meters high and 83 meters long—just the numbers show how big it is. Ticket: The park is free. There are two means of transport inside: cruise ship and a small train (tourist tram). The tram costs 20 yuan, and you can get on and off multiple times. Orange Isle is covered with green grass. During the day, you can enjoy the breeze and sunshine; at night, you can see the night view.

People warming up for morning jogging.

The sun started to get a bit strong, but morning exercisers continued running on the red track, while I just wanted to take the tram leisurely. I almost broke a sweat. About cruise ships: There are Xiangjiang day and night cruises and Orange Isle cruises. Orange Isle cruise ticket is 80 yuan, about 45 minutes. If you buy a cruise ticket, you get a tram ticket for free 😏 About the tram: 20 yuan, 5 stops at famous scenic spots within the park. You can get on and off once at each stop, one-way clockwise. Orange Isle is huge. If you don't have much time or don't want to get tired, choose the tram—it's more comfortable and convenient. 👍🏻👍🏻

Weak me and the giant Mao statue.

Xiaoxiang Celebrity Club—a lovely white building. So beautiful.

Different embroidery stitches.

Exhibited porcelain (or pottery?) pieces.

Sixth stop: Hunan University

Now at HN University, a provincial top university. If you want campus-style photos, go here. [Hunan University] continues the red style from before. The previous days we visited First Normal University (detailed in niche spots section), so we just took a quick look at HN University.

Large Mao statue.

HN University campus is really beautiful.

Students are having track and field classes, playing football, sweating, shouting cheers—it reminded me of my middle school days.

The name of this pavilion is interesting. I wanted to take a photo, but haven't checked why it's called that.

Seventh stop: [Yuelu Mountain]

Yuelu Mountain gets its name from the "Records of Mount Heng" from the Southern Dynasties: "Mount Heng surrounds eight hundred li, Huiyan is the head, Yuelu is the foot." It integrates the essence of Chinese ancient culture—Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism—and contains the cultural connotations of great thinkers in history. My first reaction to Yuelu Mountain is Yuelu Academy—full of scholarly atmosphere.

The sun is so bright~ Lucky! The weather has been good these days.

It's recommended to enter from Yuelu Mountain South Gate and exit from East Gate. There is a cable car, convenient for those who don't want to hike. Take the cable car down from the top. On a clear day, you can have a panoramic view of Changsha city. This cable car is open-air, like sitting on a chair, with cool breeze, feeling free and refreshing! But safety is assured, no need to worry! After getting off the cable car, head to East Gate, and a bit up on the right is the slide. Ticket: round trip 45 yuan per person. Good value. You sit in a cart that lifts you to the middle of the mountain, then slide down. Saves time by not having to hike up again. Yuelu Mountain itself is free. You can climb, take an electric car up, or come down by cable car, ropeway, or slide. From the top, you can see the panorama of Xiangjiang River and east Changsha. [Aiwan Pavilion] is also here. Red eaves and upturned corners; many aunties and uncles are enjoying the scenery and resting. Aiwan Pavilion was originally called Red Leaf Pavilion, also known as Ai Feng (Love Maple) Pavilion. It was renamed after Du Mu's famous poem: "I stop my cart to enjoy the maple grove at dusk / The frost-covered leaves are redder than February flowers."

Aiwan Pavilion is a small pavilion, not big. But its overall red ancient style is beautiful. I found I really like this style—want to take photos when I see it.

Eighth stop: Hunan Provincial Museum

I've always enjoyed visiting museums—a cost-effective leisure activity for me. Museums condense history and culture. An hour or two passes quickly. In my memory, Hunan Provincial Museum is about Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tombs and the plain silk gauze gown. It is said the entire garment weighs less than one liang (50g) and has been well-preserved for over 2,000 years. Up close, the thread is extremely, extremely thin—like cicada wings. The weaving technique is lost; modern crafts cannot replicate it. Imagine how it would look when worn: flowing sleeves, ethereal like clouds, with a celestial aura. Inside the museum, I realized my previous understanding was too limited. There are many exquisite collections well worth seeing. • Address: No. 50 Dongfeng Road, Kaifu District, Changsha (can be found by map navigation, quite accurate) • Tickets: free, with ID card, daily limit 15,000 visitors • Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9:00-17:00, last entry 16:00; closed on Mondays (don't miss out).

Although the eyes are not depicted, I feel it is lifelike.

The museum is a national first-class museum. The Mawangdui Han tombs were a part of high school history textbooks. I was really looking forward to seeing them. • Exhibits: § Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tombs (3F) § Hunanese—Historical and Cultural Exhibitions of Hunan (2F) § Xin Zhui (Lady Dai) (1F). Besides permanent exhibitions, there are temporary ones. You can follow the WeChat public account "Hunan Provincial Museum" to see what's on and make reservations online for next day's tickets. The venue is large; you can leisurely stroll for 2-3 hours. The guide is patient, explaining artifacts with simple stories—great for kids. Cultural products are on the first floor; you can buy a museum passport (must-have for stamps! They only stamp official notebooks or passports bought in the museum, not your own). If you want souvenirs, you can buy special postcards and mail them home. Postage: 0.8 RMB per card. Free parking! Great for self-driving friends. 🚗~

The white building is like a blank background, matching my black suit nicely. PLMM who love photos can take pictures at the staircase.

This Hunanese background is also nice for backlit shots.

Niche Spots:

1. First Normal University

2. Helong Stadium

3. Meixi Lake Grand Theatre

4. Lesser-known spots near the theatre

5. Huayi Brothers Film Town

6. Li Zijian Art Museum + Xie Zilong Photography Art Museum

First stop: First Normal University (vintage photo spot)

Hunan First Normal University is where Mao Zedong's original aspirations were formed and the embryo of Mao Zedong Thought. Mao has deep ties with this school. The architecture is very Republic of China style. As soon as I saw the four characters, I felt Chairman Mao's calligraphy style. The TV series "Zhi Tong Xue Shao Nian" was filmed here. The campus is beautiful; both film-style and Japanese-style photos can be taken here, as well as vintage and nostalgic shots. There is a grand lecture hall inside that feels special. In autumn, leaves turn yellow, and the old eaves give a deep courtyard feeling.

(Using light and shadow, tree shadows fall on the body, half profile in the light, enhancing facial features.) 🎫 Ticket: free (enter with ID card—don't forget). 🚗 Transport: Bus: take 1, 122, 139, 160, 901, 908 to First Normal University stop. Opening hours: 08:30-17:30 (Mon-Sun). 📍 Address: Shuyuan Road, Changsha (can be Baidu'd). ❗ Very close to Nanmenkou and Pedestrian Street.

Desks are very old, with a strong sense of time.

Mao's alma mater is now open to the public as a historical exhibition hall. Many documents are displayed. Patriotism is strong; there are still students attending classes, with a rich academic atmosphere. While studying, Mao often read Chen Duxiu's "New Youth" and admired the articles by Chen Duxiu and Hu Shi. He discussed "How to make individuals and human life improve." In the winter of 1917, the Xinmin Society was founded, becoming the backbone of Hunan's social and political movement. The youth who once "determined to leave his hometown" in search of truth to save the country and its people continues to influence generations of Hunanese. Here, you feel more patriotic spirit. The architecture is mainly Western, but incorporates many Chinese elements, such as courtyards, gates, roofs with four or six corners, decorated with finials, showing the combination and infusion of Chinese and Western cultures. Very beautiful.

The corridor's color scheme is pretty.

I love this large window, with leaves as foreground, creating depth. The dark blue matches my trench coat.

This is also the filming location for the MV of "Gardenia Blossom." The gardenia tree in the courtyard reminded me of He Jiong singing "Gardenia Blossom" on Hunan TV when I was young.

Second stop: Helong Stadium Ferris Wheel

You can directly locate "Baisha Square - Ferris Wheel." I've always had romantic fantasies about Ferris wheels. My earliest memory is from "Mischievous Kiss 2". In the drama, on their anniversary, Zhishu buys a cake for Xiangqin and they kiss at the highest point of the Ferris wheel. I used to peek through my fingers while blushing, feeling so happy. Ferris wheels are perfect for couples. It's said that if you kiss at the highest point, you'll be together forever. Now that I'm older, I think it's naive—relationships need understanding, trust, tolerance, and love 💕 to last forever!

(The photos here are really Japanese-style. I teased him that the wind was cold, and he immediately gave me his trench coat. He lowered the camera, asked me to look into the distance, and took a photo of me with the Ferris wheel.) This was my first time riding a Ferris wheel with my boyfriend! When the small cabin contains only you and your loved one 🌌, chatting while enjoying the view, it feels like a private space in the sky. Ticket: 💰70/person (usually 55 on Meituan). One cycle takes about 18 minutes (but it feels really slow). No student discount. WeChat/Alipay accepted.

The entire Ferris wheel is on the 5th floor of the building. You can take the elevator or walk up. The wheel is quite high—maybe 5 or 6 stories. From the top, you can see inside Helong Stadium and Changsha's buildings.

Third stop: Next, Meixi Lake Grand Theatre

Changsha Meixi Lake Theatre is the work of famous architect Zaha Hadid. The interior design is superb, with smooth and ethereal lines. Architecture lovers should see it. I felt a strong sense of familiarity when I came here; then I checked and found that Guangzhou Grand Theatre was also designed by the same architect. Indeed, it's similar. According to the introduction, the theatre resembles a hibiscus flower blooming beside Meixi Lake when viewed from above. It really does! You can feel the flow of music, extending from the center outward.

The weather was good today, with blue sky and white linear architecture, perfectly matching. Many famous dramas are staged here. If you're interested, you can check Damai for shows in advance. (Shows here include Jiang Wenli's "Same Time Next Year," the international opera version of "Dream of the Red Chamber" from San Francisco Opera, the classic original musical "The Bodyguard," the play "New Wilderness" by Cao Yu's daughter Wan Fang starring Wang Ji and Feng Xianzhen, He Jiong, Huang Lei and Sun Li's "Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land," Russian national ice ballet "Swan Lake" and "Sleeping Beauty," Chen Peisi and Yang Lixin's "The Stage," the Chinese version of "The Sound of Music"... Haha, we didn't book tickets in advance, so we came here just for photos. The hall where "Super Vocal" was recorded is usually not open to the public, so you can only take photos outside. The streamlined visual impact is stunning—everyone can take impressive shots! First find the main entrance, then walk around the theatre to see where you can take pictures.

Use the hollow space formed by the large building, place the person in the center, and pose dynamically—head down or up, not looking at the camera—blending perfectly into the scene. For distant shots, use the iPhone's 2x zoom or portrait mode.

Really never get tired of looking at it.

Fourth stop: Lesser-known photo spot near the theatre

A few hundred meters from Meixi Lake Grand Theatre is [Damei Meili Fang], a very beautiful symmetrical high-rise ins-style spot. Pure white color scheme, symmetrical lines. You can navigate there. Take Metro Line 2 to Meixi Lake Culture and Art Center Station, exit 4, turn left. There might be security at the entrance; if they think you're just there to take photos, they may not let you in. But you can go up from the underground parking lot—there are doors near the parking lot to take the elevator. The symmetrical structure inside is quite impressive. For composition, choose an angle parallel to the grid lines on your phone, emphasizing parallel lines. It's quite high. If you're afraid of heights, you can shoot horizontally—I dare not look down for fear of dropping my phone. The interior is white; simple and elegant trench coats and dresses in solid colors are good for photos. High-saturation colors like red and black probably match well here. Darker colors create stronger contrast. Highly recommend visiting here if you go to the theatre. No need to queue like at popular spots. You can explore many spots on your own.

Fifth stop: Huayi Brothers Film Town

A spot that looks very much like a European town. The only downside is it's far away. I suggest combining it with Li Zijian Art Museum on the same day, or devote a whole day separately for a leisurely pace. Location: No. 6 Xingguang Road, Yuelu District (follow navigation; it's a bit far. If you're nearby, it's better to drive—parking is free. For out-of-towners like me, take the metro then a taxi). 🚍 Route: Pingtang Avenue Tongxi Intersection (arrival stop). 🚏 Bus 380: Southern Suburbs Park - Heyetang - Pingtang Avenue Tongxi Intersection. 🚏 938: Changsha Railway Station - Provincial Plant Park North - Pingtang Avenue Tongxi Intersection. 🚏 378: Jiangshan Dijing - Yanghuchong - Pingtang Avenue Tongxi Intersection. All get off at Pingtang Avenue Tongxi Intersection. Opening hours: 10:00am-10:00pm.

Today, I wore a blazer with a dress underneath (stylish yet casual).

The pointy tower resembles Universal Studios. Day tickets: 💰147, night tickets: 💰87. Although I went during the day, I recommend buying night tickets because the light show at night is more interesting. Night tickets can be purchased from 3:30 PM; you can come earlier to take photos, so you get both the daytime scenery and the night light show—very cost-effective. The scenic area is quite spacious, with two sections: "Venice Water City" and "Axi Xishan City." Some areas are still under construction. Play tips: "Decoding Da Vinci" is similar to a room escape—queue too long, didn't go; "VR Horror Hospital"—a bit fake but still scared me; Mask and costume workshop—beautiful masks and court costumes, but trying on and taking photos costs 600 yuan (a bit expensive); St. Francisco Castle (church) hosts Russian performance troupes and bands—the lead singer was very lively, the atmosphere was loud. The rest are movie-themed rooms. You can wander around when bored. Many grand scenes look like European architecture. After posting photos on Moments, friends asked if I had gone abroad.

This looks a bit like Venice.

Some performers smiled warmly at us.

Sixth stop: Li Zijian Art Museum + Xie Zilong Photography Art Museum

Very suitable for wide-angle shots.

At these two museums, you can get tickets by scanning your ID card or entering the number. Paid areas offer student discounts. Art Museum opening hours: 09:30-18:00 (summer), 10:00-17:30 (winter). Xie Zilong Photography Art Museum: 10:00-18:00, closed on Mondays—don't miss out. The quality here is actually better than Huayi Brothers Film Town—looks more high-end, great for photos. Very high photo output rate. Some parts are still under development. Across the street is Yanghu Wetland Park. After a day of playing, I was too tired to go. Popular photo spots at the staircases have many people, but not many are actually viewing the exhibitions. So you can browse the exhibits while finding your own photo spots—no need to crowd. Spontaneous shots are fine, completely okay.

Very suitable for black-and-white editing. #Li Zijian Art Museum The museum collects and displays Li Zijian's oil paintings from nearly 50 years of his career, mainly realistic portraits. I think it's worth seeing.

The upward staircase has a strong sense of extension, making legs look longer.

Food Section:

1. Sexy Tea (Cha Yan Yue Se)

2. Chuiyan Shidai (Smoke Era)

3. Tanzong Spicy Fish Head

4. Super Wenheyou

5. Pozijie Food Street

1. Sexy Tea (Cha Yan Yue Se)

Long heard of it! There are incredibly many branches in Changsha—so many that it feels like "the dry ones are dry to death, the flooded ones are flooded to death." There are a ton in Changsha, you see one every few steps, but none in other places—only in Changsha. I envy Changsha friends so much. When will they open in Nanjing!!!!

After ordering, wait in line quietly. There are sofa seats, very comfortable. The staff make drinks quickly, and there weren't many people, so our drinks came fast. Sexy Tea is really everywhere in Changsha. If there's a long queue, search on review sites for nearby branches—no need to wait stubbornly.

The cups are beautiful! Their prices are low, and they often have half-price promotions. Oh my, so cheap. I ordered [Youlan Latte]—I really love milk tea with a strong tea flavor. The sweetness is just right, not cloying like other shops. The top has cream and nuts; the black tea base is topped with thick sweet cream and pecan pieces. First eat the nuts with cream, then stir the cream into the tea. This way, it's not too greasy and not too astringent. The cream is good-quality animal cream, very smooth.

I'm a happy girl after drinking milk tea. If you want to drink Sexy Tea, follow their WeChat official account for a half-price Sheng Sheng Wu Long coupon—very cost-effective. Also, following the account gives you a small crystal sticker. Not all stores give them; ask when you order!

2. Chuiyan Shidai (Time to eat (●'◡'●)) After shopping at IFS with big and small bags, we came here to eat. It's quite close to IFS, so we chatted and walked over, about 10 minutes. It's in the basement floor of Wangfujing Department Store, near Wuyi Square Exit 3A. There were many people in line, but the service was efficient. We arrived around noon and were seated around 1 PM. While preparing, I researched some popular restaurants; some were too spicy, so we switched to this one. At the door, there was a huge sign: "Yellow beef that entered the UN."

🙋 Happy queue check-in~~ The interior is mainly warm yellow, looking cozy. Even though the place was crowded, the dishes came quickly—efficient service. Brand effect might work, and the training is thoughtful.

Semi-open kitchen, you can see the cooking process. My food is here! Hehe, big appetite amount.

Spicy perch: tender meat, easy to debone. There's a flame underneath to keep it warm. The flavor gets better after a while. Moderately spicy, the vermicelli soaked in sauce is spicier than the fish. Generous portion. Stir-fried yellow beef 🐂: Almost every table ordered it. The TV in the shop was playing this dish on Hunan TV. Nice color combination, appetizing. Beef is tender, lean, well-seasoned, but a bit spicy. A copper bull base keeps it warm and flavorful.

Hehe, take a bite~ Taro ribs: non-spicy dish suits me. Taro is soft, savory 😋

🍆🍆 "Pidan chili pounded eggplant": a specialty cold dish. I saw the tool when passing by. It's a classic Hunan dish; mix it well manually before eating.

Pound it yourself. Garlic shrimp: finely minced garlic, not directly tasted, aromatic layer on top. Shrimp are fresh, not fried, each peeled—just a bit too few.

Luggage can be stored on the first floor; no need to carry it around.

3. Tanzong Spicy Fish Head

We visited Fire God Temple, took photos, then came here to eat. Fish head is my definition of Hunan cuisine—if you don't eat it, you haven't truly had Hunan food. Address: 5th floor of Yuefang, easy to find. 💛 Queue, free snacks and lemon water while waiting. Table turnover was fast; we got in shortly.

The shop is spacious, with private rooms and hall cubicles. The decoration is blue-themed. Tanzong—I saw many jars at the entrance.

My ordered dish: [Tanzong Big Fish Head🐟]

When a large platter was brought, I was surprised. The waiter poured vodka over the fish head and lit it on fire🔥—spectacular. He also chanted auspicious words. A bit dramatic, haha.

🔸 The fish head is big (serves 3-4 people). Lots of tender meat, no dry parts. Few bones, juicy and flavorful! The spiciness builds, but it's really satisfying! Not harsh, though. We ordered fish noodles to mix in. The noodles absorbed the chopped pepper and fish head flavors—delicious 👏

Stone pot seafood stuffed tofu: perfectly cooked, tender but not crumbling. Loved the texture. Strong seafood flavor, with a sweet taste.

"Taro steamed trotters": Besides the fish head, this was the other dish we finished completely. Trotters cut into small pieces, with mashed taro—fragrant but not greasy. I really like pork trotters—collagen for the skin.

Pounded chili with century egg: Found it novel at lunch and ordered it again for dinner.

Soy-sauced beef: Different from stir-fried beef; it's cooked with chili and garlic leaves. Salty, goes well with rice. Standard Hunan cuisine.

Stir-fried vegetables: Ordered to cut the grease. Stir-fried perfectly.

Satisfied and happy. Utensils are heated and disinfected, still warm when served. Staff were responsive and changed plates actively.

Super Wenheyou

From far away, this place looked like a set from a romance drama. Very Hong Kong style. I took many photos before eating. The most famous crayfish restaurant in Changsha is Wenheyou, with two branches—both in 1960s retro style. The first branch is smaller; #Wenheyou Old Changsha Crayfish Restaurant, Hisense branch is newer and larger.

When in Changsha, you must try flavored crayfish. If lucky, you might encounter celebrities filming in Changsha. Wenheyou has many flavors; often I order oil-fried crayfish. Deep-fried at high temperature, they're not greasy. The red color stimulates appetite. The aroma is irresistible before eating. Pinch the head and body, gently pull apart to peel the shell. The meat is plump and tender, dip in seasoning, then suck your fingers. Yum.

Hehe, this photo is the best! Love it. Honestly, Wenheyou is clean—my stomach is sensitive, but I didn't get an upset stomach. Worth recommending is the snail (the Sichuan pepper oil flavor is amazing! Great!). Very flavorful. There are five floors total—entirely retro style. Stepping inside feels like entering the 1960s. The first floor has mostly tables; floors 2 to 5 have private rooms, each with a different theme, like a 1960s home—all can be photographed.

Let him take a picture for me~~ After eating, I just want to go back and sleep. Today's schedule was relatively relaxed. It feels like Changsha doesn't have that many places to visit, but it has a lot of delicious food!!!

Pozijie, Taiping Street

No one can leave Changsha slim. Pozijie and Taiping Street have so much food, perfect for eating. Streets are the most vivid reflection of a city's life. Seeing the archway felt right. Let's eat. We were too full, so we didn't buy much~ (Only bought what had long lines.)

Big sausage: Very tasty, crispy fried, not too much flour. You can taste the meat. I dared to order medium spicy—really spicy, but I couldn't stop. Quite filling. 15 yuan each, good value.

How can you be in Changsha without trying stinky tofu! Spicy and delicious. You can order mild or sweet and sour (for those afraid of spice). 5 yuan for 3 pieces. I had the black classic stinky tofu. It's different from Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai style—that has thick sauce, while Hunan's is like chili sauce, crispy outside, tender inside. It's called stinky, but actually very fragrant. I heard Xishi stinky tofu is also good, but I was too full to try.

Tangyuan flour cake (Tangyou Baba): Bought from a random shop, osmanthus fragrance, fried outside, soft inside—average.

Check in fruit🌸 Feeling greasy, I bought some fruit to balance. Two coolers filled with 30-40 kinds of fruits 🥭—mix freely or choose a set. You can add licorice juice for a sweet, refreshing taste👍

Pozijie at night is much prettier than during the day! The lively, bright atmosphere is hard to describe—like a night market in Taiwan. Everything you can imagine: crayfish, skewers, tofu, spicy shrimp and crab—very tempting.

Everywhere is food, but we couldn't eat anymore~ The architecture here is very retro. When buying sausage, the girl behind us kept calling her friend to take photos📸. I think this place is very Hong Kong style at night—perfect for her makeup. After a full day of exploration, I was really excited. Back at the B&B, I threw myself onto the bed, not wanting to move.

Itinerary (●'◡'●) Our specific itinerary is in the table below.

(Places in the itinerary~)

Trip Preparation

Transport: We bought plane tickets on a platform—Nanjing to Changsha only 300 yuan, hard to believe. Off-season is really cheap.

Within Changsha, we mostly used buses and subway. Nearby spots we walked or used shared bikes. Farther spots like Huayi Brothers we took subway and then a taxi.

(Changsha subway network map) Changsha's subway network is rich and convenient. You can download the app or use Alipay to scan QR code for entry.

Accommodation: We chose a place near Pozijie, with lots of food and close to our itinerary spots. Very cheap accommodation. Off-season prices are incredible—during peak season, it's crowded and expensive. From airport to B&B: We took the airport line to 51 Qianjing Hotel, walked a bit to transfer to Line 2 to Wuyi Square, then a short walk to our B&B.

Epilogue

The first two days of the itinerary were packed, while the last two were more relaxed—hiking and visiting campus, then picking up luggage to take the train. Changsha is incredibly tasty!! It was totally worth it. If you like photography, I recommend a few Hong Kong-style spots like Fire God Temple or Wenheyou—great for photos. For Japanese or minimalist styles, try Meixi Lake Grand Theatre or Li Zijian Art Museum. If you like parks, go to Du Fu River Pavilion or Orange Isle. Changsha really has everything you want. After visiting, we set off for the train station—next stop, Wuhan. Hehe, my review ends here. If you like my travelogue, give it a like and bookmark it. I think three to four days are enough to visit Changsha. Traveling should be leisurely; rushing only skims the surface. I hope you can find your own travel experience here. If you have anything to discuss, leave a comment, and I'll reply when I see it. You can also recommend your favorite food places below—I'll try them next time I go to Changsha. Best wishes.