As one of the first national historical and cultural cities in China, Changsha boasts an abundance of museum collections and cultural relics. The best way to explore Changsha is to immerse yourself in its history, following the footsteps of time and tracing the marks left by its long-standing civilization in the city.

Yuelu Mountain Scenic Area

Yuelu Mountain in Changsha is comparable to Beijing's Fragrant Hills, not only offering stunning scenery throughout the four seasons but also concentrating prestigious schools and academies in its vicinity. The rich historical culture and the footprints of literati that have accumulated in the scenic area are enough to keep you exploring for an entire day. If you're in a hurry, Aiwan Pavilion, Lushan Temple, and Huang Xing's Tomb are must-see spots. Of course, many people also visit Yuelu Academy in one trip. Although it belongs to Hunan University, as one of China's four great academies, it represents the living culture of Yuelu Mountain and has become a signature feature of the mountain.

Tour Route

Yuelu Mountain Scenic Area is very large, and there are many convenient transportation options available inside. The East Gate has a cable car, a slideway, and buses, while the South Gate has sightseeing cars. Those with limited time often choose the South Gate route, which connects to Hunan University and Yuelu Academy for a combined visit.

Route 1: South Gate Up and Down the Mountain
Yuelu Mountain South Gate — (Yuelu Academy) — Aiwan Pavilion — Sheli Pagoda — Liu Daoyi’s Tomb — Tan Liming’s Tomb — Mid-Mountain Pavilion (rest) — Jiang Yi Wu’s Tomb — Lushan Temple — Baihe Spring — Xiaoti Rock — Yinxin Stone House — Yunlu Palace — Feilai Rock — Guilai Bell

Route 2: South Gate Hike Up, East Gate Cable Car Down
Yuelu Mountain South Gate — Five-Ring Pagoda — Mid-Mountain Pavilion (rest) — Lushan Temple — Baihe Spring — Xiaoti Rock — Cai E’s Tomb — Huang Xing’s Tomb — Long Corridor — Jimu Villa — Cable Car

Route 3: East Gate Cable Car Up, South Gate Hike Down
Yuelu Mountain East Gate — Cable Car — Jimu Villa — Yu King Stele — Long Corridor — Xianggu Ridge — Bird Forest — Yinxin Stone House — Lushan Temple — Baihe Spring — Xiaoti Rock — Jiang Yi Wu’s Tomb — Liu Daoyi’s Tomb — Tan Liming’s Tomb — Aiwan Pavilion — South Gate

Route 4: East Gate Cable Car Up, South Gate Down
Yuelu Mountain East Gate — Cable Car — Jimu Villa — Yu King Stele — Long Corridor — Xianggu Ridge — Bird Forest — Yunlu Palace — Feilai Rock — Guilai Bell — Wanjing Garden — Xiao Jinguang Bronze Statue — Chuanshuipo Pond — Five-Ring Pagoda — South Gate

Internal Transportation:
Cable Car:
Up: 50 yuan; Down: 40 yuan; Round trip: 80 yuan. (Half-price discounts available)
Slideway:
Up: 30 yuan; Down: 35 yuan; Full journey: 45 yuan.
Sightseeing Car (Mini Bus):
One-way: 20 yuan; Round trip: 30 yuan; Pass: 30 yuan.

It is not recommended to purchase a round-trip cable car ticket, as doing so will cause you to miss many scenic spots. It is advisable to take the cable car up and the sightseeing bus down, or take the cable car up and walk down the mountain.

Practical Information

Admission Fees: Yuelu Mountain is free of charge. The full ticket price for Yuelu Academy is 40 yuan per person, and the half-price ticket is 20 yuan.

Duration of Visit: 4-6 hours

Transportation: The East Gate of Yuelu Mountain is approximately 500 meters from Exit 3 of Yingwanzhen Station on Metro Line 2. The South Gate of Yuelu Mountain is about 1000 meters from Exit 2 of Hunan University Station on Metro Line 4. The Lishan Special Line and Bus Lines 1, 2, and 3 of the University of Science and Technology also provide access.

Opening Hours: Scenic Area: 06:00-23:30; Yuelu Academy: May-October: 7:30-18:00; November-April: 8:00-17:30.

Orange Isle Scenic Area

The Orange Isle Scenic Area is located in the heart of the Xiang River, opposite the urban area of Changsha. Stretching from south to north for dozens of miles, it spans the river's center, with the Yuelu Mountain to the west and the city of Changsha to the east. Surrounded by water on all sides, it is the most famous isle in the Xiang River. The scenic area features attractions such as the Historical and Cultural Exhibition Hall, the Xiaoxiang Celebrity Club, and the Citrus Culture Park. The most revered sights for visitors are the Statue of Chairman Mao in His Youth and the white marble stele inscribed with his poem "Qinyuan Spring · Changsha," which describes Orange Isle.

Tour Route

Land Tour Route:
Generally starting from the Orange Isle Subway Station, the route heads south and then north, with the southern section featuring more concentrated and abundant attractions.
Orange Isle Subway Station – Changsha Customs Modern History Exhibition Hall – Former Clergy Residence – Mobil Oil Company – "Qinyuanchun·Changsha" Poetry Monument – Zhu Zhang Ferry – "Who Rules the World" Sculpture Group – Pillow Pavilion – Chairman Mao Youth Art Sculpture – Wangjiang Pavilion – Southernmost Questioning Heaven Platform – Directly north to Jiangshen Temple – Beach Park

Scenic Area Sightseeing Train:
The scenic area is very large, and taking the sightseeing train can save energy. The train costs 40 yuan per person, with 5 stops where passengers can get on and off once each.
[Operation Route]:
Subway Station Exit 2 – Clergy Residence Station – New Poetry Monument Station – Zhu Zhang Ferry East Station – Orange Isle Inn – Tang Shengzhi Mansion Station – Cruise Pier Station – Subway Exit 1 (Transfer Station) – Jiangshen Temple West (Parking Lot) – Beach Park Station – Jiangshen Temple Station (Parking Lot)
[Ticket Sales Points]:
Ticket Point 1 (Subway Exit 2), Ticket Point 2 (Clergy Residence), Ticket Point 3 (Orange Isle Inn), Ticket Point 4 (Beach Park)

Boat Tour Route: In addition to strolling through Orange Isle, you can also opt for a sightseeing boat tour. Currently, there are two types of boat tours: daytime cruises and nighttime cruises along the Xiang River. The route circles around Orange Isle, starting from the boarding point at the West Viewing Platform, passing by the head of the isle, the east bank, and the Yinpenling Bridge.
On certain holidays, there are special nighttime fireworks cruises, allowing you to avoid the crowds and enjoy the fireworks from the boat. The cruise will stop at Du Fu Pavilion for 20 minutes, which is considered the best viewing spot, attracting many young people during holidays.

Operating Hours: Only two trips per day, with the afternoon session at 4:00 PM and the evening session at 8:00 PM.

Tour Duration: Approximately 80 minutes.

Ticket Prices: Daytime "Red Journey" tour costs 120 yuan per person; nighttime "Orange Isle Star" cruise costs 188 yuan.

Practical Information

Attraction Reservation: You may book your ticket from third-party ticketing platform.

Duration of Visit: Approximately 2 hours by taking the small train, and around 4 hours without it.

Operating Hours: Summer 7:30—21:30, Winter 7:30—21:00

Ticket Information: Partially free, with the Beach Park charging 50 yuan per person. Additional fees apply for boat rides and the small train.

Transportation: Take bus routes 123 or Tourist 2 and get off at the east side of Orange Isle Bridge, or take Metro Line 2 and get off at Orange Isle Station.

Hunan Museum

The Hunan Museum, one of the first national first-class museums, houses five national treasures, over 180,000 cultural relics, and is a standout museum featured in "National Treasures"... Such is the Hunan Museum, the most worthwhile destination for understanding Changsha and the culture of the entire Xiangxi region.

Treasure of the Museum

The exhibition hall is divided into 3 floors: Friends who have purchased tickets for the special exhibition can start by viewing the special exhibition on the first floor before moving up to see the specific exhibitions. Those who are not viewing the special exhibition should turn left and take the escalator to the 2nd floor, following the "left up, right down" rule, and proceed from left to right floor by floor for the best visiting experience.

1st Floor: Special Exhibition, Cultural and Creative Store, Xinhua Bookstore, VR Experience Zone, Lady Xin Zhui Viewing Area; in the lobby on the first floor, friends who have purchased tickets for the special exhibition can turn left to view the special exhibition first. There are two exhibition halls, and each special exhibition is highly worth seeing. Relevant information can be found on the official website.

2nd Floor: "Hunan People" - Historical and Cultural Exhibition of the Three Xiang Regions;

3rd Floor: Changsha Mawangdui Han Tomb Exhibition, Thematic Cultural Exhibitions (Paintings on Porcelain, Guqin Culture Exhibition), Café

The exhibition hall currently has 5 treasures of the museum: The remains of Lady Xin Zhui, the Plain Gauze Gown, the T-shaped Silk Painting, the Human-Faced Bronze Square Ding, and the Min Tian Quan Square Lei (léi). These are distributed across the second and third floors of the exhibition hall, so friends in a hurry should not miss them.

Practical Information

Attraction Reservation: Make a reservation through the Hunan Museum's official website, official app, or WeChat official account.

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM—5:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM); Closed on Mondays.

Ticket Fees: The permanent exhibitions in the museum are free to the public, but special exhibitions may charge an admission fee based on the content.

Important Notes: A valid ID, such as a national ID card, is required for entry into the Hunan Museum. Free guided tours in Chinese are available at fixed times and locations, from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM on open days, every half hour, meeting at the exhibition lobby (only for permanent exhibitions). If you miss the guided tour, you can also scan the QR code on-site for a self-guided tour.

Transportation: Accessible by subway and bus transfer.

For more information and online exhibitions, visit the official website.

Hunan University

Hunan University is a millennium-old institution and a significant higher education establishment in modern Chinese history. Nestled at the foot of Yuelu Mountain, it boasts a profound heritage that has been passed down to this day, along with a captivating array of ancient to modern architecture. It is a must-visit destination in Changsha. Here, we delve into the essence of Hunan University, highlighting its most noteworthy features!

Must-See Building Area

Yuelu Academy: As a millennium-old academy, its status naturally speaks for itself. At the same time, it is also the origin of Hunan University, from which the university embarked on the path of modern higher education in China. The academy houses numerous stone inscriptions and cultural relics, making it worth savoring slowly.

Admission: Full ticket 40 yuan/person, half ticket 20 yuan. Please refer to the official website.

Science Hall: One of the iconic buildings of Hunan University, it faces the Dongfanghong Square and is located in the heart of the campus, making it the most prominent structure. The Science Hall also holds significant historical importance as it was the site where the Japanese army surrendered.

Auditorium and Old Library: These two landmark buildings blend Chinese and Western architectural styles. They carry forward the legacy of ancient academies while paving the way for the modern architectural style of the new campus buildings of Hunan University. The most beautiful moment to appreciate them is during the sunset.

The Old Library currently serves as the Special Collections Branch of the Hunan University Library, but it is not open to the public. To appreciate its interior structure, you can only borrow a student card from a Hunan University student!

Three Distinctive Teaching Buildings: The Second Building (1927), Victory House (1948), and the Engineering Building (1951) are all works of Mr. Liu Shiying. Each incorporates elements of Western modernism in their architectural style.

Representative Student Dormitories: The First Dormitory (1946), the Seventh Dormitory (1947), and the Ninth Dormitory (1946). The Seventh Dormitory, also designed by Mr. Liu Shiying, is a three-story brick-concrete structure with exposed red brick walls. It is a popular spot for many to take photos.

Practical Information

Visit Reservation: Hunan University is open to the public. While the Yuelu Academy requires a reservation, other areas can be freely accessed.

Duration of Visit: 2 hours

Transportation: Nearby bus stops include "Hunan University Station" and "Pailoukou Station." Both the subway and buses can get you there.

Best Time to Visit: Autumn. During this season, the yellow and red leaves beautifully complement the red-brick historic buildings.