Changsha Three-Day Two-Night Travel Guide

### Changsha 3-Day 2-Night Travel Guide | Complete Guide to Exploring, Eating, Playing, and Staying, Unlocking New Ways to Experience the Star City --- **Trip Highlights** - **Classic Meets Trending**: Experience the collision of ancient and modern Changsha, from thousand-year-old academies to cyberpunk night markets. - **Budget of 1,300 Yuan Per Person**: Covers transportation, accommodation, and food, an extremely cost-effective budget travel plan. - **In-Depth Food Experience**: Check out must-visit spots like HEYTEA, crayfish, stinky tofu, and more, with locals' secret recommendations included. --- ### **Day 1: Historical Culture and Old Street Vibes** **Morning: Yuelu Mountain Cultural Tour** - **Yuelu Mountain + Yuelu Academy** (Ticket: 40 yuan, half-price for students) Climb Yuelu Mountain for a panoramic view of Changsha. Recommended hiking route: South Gate → Aiwan Pavilion → Ancient Lushan Temple → Yunlu Palace. Take the slide down (30 yuan) for an exciting and effortless descent. At Yuelu Academy, one of China's four great academies, listen in on guided tours to learn about the history of scholars like Zhu Xi and Wang Yangming. - **Hunan University Food Street**: For lunch, try "Handsome Guy Baked Flatbread" and "Old Man's Sugar Oil Cake," eat until you're full for just 15 yuan. **Afternoon: Orange Isle and Revolutionary Heritage** - **Orange Isle** (Free entry, sightseeing car: 20 yuan) Take Metro Line 2 directly there and visit the Young Mao Zedong statue, stroll along the Xiang River. During holidays, check the official website for fireworks show times. Du Fu River Pavilion is the best viewing spot. **Evening: Taiping Old Street + Super Wenhe You** - **Taiping Old Street**: Experience Jia Yi's former residence, cobblestone paths, and the aroma of stinky tofu. Recommended: "Black Classic" juicy stinky tofu (10 yuan/serving). - **Super Wenhe You** (Hisense Plaza location): Travel back to 1980s Changsha, enjoy crayfish with lard-mixed rice. Get a number through the mini-program in advance to avoid peak queues. --- ### **Day 2: Museum Exploration and Trendy Spots** **Morning: Hunan Provincial Museum** (Free, reservation required 3 days in advance) - Focus on the Mawangdui Han Tomb exhibition. The three national treasures—Lady Xin Zhui's preserved body, the plain silk dress, and T-shaped silk painting—are truly awe-inspiring. Free guided tours at 10:00/14:30. The third-floor café overlooks Martyrs' Park. **Afternoon: IFS Mall + Xie Zilong Art Museum** - **IFS Mall**: Take photos with the KAWS sculpture on the 7th floor, capture trendy shots at the pink zebra crossing and neon signs. - **Xie Zilong Photography Art Museum**: The pure white geometric architecture is perfect for Instagram-worthy photos. Security guards' photography tips are a hidden bonus. **Evening: Yangfan Night Market + Xiang River Nightlife** - **Yangfan Night Market** (18:00-24:00): Try perilla peach ginger, scraped cold jelly, and crayfish. Eat your fill for about 50 yuan per person. - **Jiefang West Road Bar Street**: Experience Changsha's "never-sleeping city" vibe, or choose a riverside bar for night views. --- ### **Day 3: Artistic Stroll and Local Cuisine** **Morning: Chaozong Street + Kaifu Temple** - **Chaozong Street**: A photo hotspot where granite roads meet creative bookstores, blending trendy and historical elements. - **Kaifu Temple** (Ticket: 10 yuan): A thousand-year-old temple for peaceful prayers. Try the plain noodles for 10 yuan, a light palate cleanser. **Afternoon: Early Exploration of Dongguashan Night Food Base** - **Dongguashan Sausage**: 3 yuan each, charred and slightly sweet, perfect for a photo op at the "Day Day Up" TV show location. - **Mengzhong BBQ**: Must-try butter and fire beef, a local favorite for late-night snacks. **Last Stop Before Departure: HEYTEA Concept Store** - At the Taiping Street location, you can try on Hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing) and order an "Orchid Latte" with pecan bits and cream topping—it's divine. --- ### **Accommodation Recommendations** - **Financial Center Area**: Kyriad Prestige Hotel (Hunan Financial Center) features extremely spacious rooms and beautiful night views. It's right above Chazisan Metro Exit 3, near three HEYTEA locations and Cade One Mall. A few minutes' walk to the riverside and about 10 minutes to Changsha's three major night markets at Fisherman's Wharf. - **Line 4 to Line 2 Metro Route**: More convenient transportation and better value. Try locations near Xiangjiang Middle Road Station (close to Wenhe You) or Furong Square Station (near IFS). ### **Practical Tips** 1. **Transportation**: Download the "Changsha Metro" app, which works for both buses and subway; from the airport to downtown, choose either maglev + subway (20 yuan) or taxi. 2. **Food Traps to Avoid**: Be cautious of fruit salads on pedestrian streets and "Fox Paws" snacks; locals recommend "Black Classic" stinky tofu over Wenhe You's version. 3. **Reservations**: Book the Provincial Museum and Orange Isle fireworks 3 days in advance; set your birthday to your travel date in the HEYTEA app for free vouchers. 4. **Souvenirs**: HEYTEA tea bags, vacuum-packed "Black Classic" stinky tofu, and marinated duck. **Follow this guide to experience the essence of Changsha in three days and feel the charm of the Star City where "spicy" and "sweet" flavors intertwine!**