Changsha

Understand

Changsha has an urban population of over 10 million people (2022). Mao Zedong lived and worked as a teacher in Changsha, and it was the site of his conversion to communism. A huge sculpture of Mao's head on Orange Island reminds everyone of his connection to the city.

Get around

thumb|Inside a Changsha Metro Line 2 train thumb|Metro map Ubiquitous taxicabs flood the city streets, willing to transport you just up the street or to the other side of town. Meters start at ¥8 in daylight, ¥10 at night.

If you want to spend like a native or just want to experience the sensation of being sandwiched between locals, then hop on a bus for ¥2 and feel the thrill of speeding down the bumpy roads with barely any breathing room. Buses with air-conditioning (hot or cold) or cross city districts run for ¥2 and buses without run for ¥1.

As of 2020, Changsha has 5 metro lines, plus a sixth maglev line to the airport: Line 1 (north-south) - Has stops for Kaifu Temple and Provincial Museum, all due north. Line 2 (east-west) - Connects the Changsha Railway Station, Changsha South Railway Station, and West Bus Station (Wangchengpo stop). There is also a stop for Juzizhou. Line 3 (Southwest to Northeast)-It starts from Shantang Station, passes through Yuelu District, Tianxin District, Kaifu District, Furong District, Yuhua District and Changsha County in Changsha City, and ends at Guangsheng Station. Line 4 (northwest to southeast)-Changsha Rail Transit Line 4 starts from Guanling Station and passes through various districts in Changsha City, connecting three major scenic spots including Han Dynasty Tomb Relics Park, Yuelu Mountain and Moon Island, three major universities and Yuelu Mountain International University Science and Technology City, and connecting to Wangchen…

See

thumb|Historic and modern buildings in Wuyi District

Buy

. Wangfujing Mall (王府井). There are two Wangfujing malls in Changsha, which are very popular to local young shoppers. Guojin Street(国金街).The north side is connected to the Wuyi Square Metro Line 1 and 2 transfer station, the south side is connected to Huangxing Road Pedestrian Street (Simou Gate), the east side is seamlessly connected to Wharf B1 and B2, and the west side is connected to Wangfujing B1.

Eat

thumb|Taiping Old Street on a crowded Sunday thumb|Street store selling stinky tofu When eating in Changsha there is nothing better than a plate of stinky tofu (臭豆腐 chou doufu), butter pancake (酥油饼 suyoubing) or mini lobster (口味虾) bought right off the street. If you have just arrived, be wary of eating from street vendors. Although the inviting aroma of food cooking may be too tempting to resist, you had better have a strong stomach if you do not want to get an upset one.

Changsha food is part of the broader Hunanese cuisine (湘菜 xiang cai), one of China's traditional eight great regional cuisines. Traditional Hunan foods are quite spicy like Sichuan cuisine, but without the unique numbing sensation that comes with Sichuan peppercorns. In summer, oversized metal mixing bowls filled with crawfish seasoned with plenty of chili and spices take the stage atop countless tabletops. Restaurants get so busy and overcrowded that tables, chairs and diners spill into the busy streets, and the parade of tantalizing dishes endlessly leave the kitchen to appear on the tables of hungry diners.

Stinky tofu. Stinky tofu is a classic traditional snack in Changsha. It is recommended to go to Black Classic to buy the most authentic stinky tofu.

Drink

Jiefang West Road (解放西路 Jiefangxilu) has a few Chinese clubs along this road, including SoHo, the ubiqiutous Chinese chain. Drinks tend to be expensive, the music loud, and clubs crowded. It's just off the main walking street so it is in quite a handy location.

Taiping Street (太平街 Taipingjie) is a newly refurbished area, with traditional/tacky facades has a few smaller bars, some with live music. It is just off Jiefang West Road towards the river. This is a touristy shopping street and many prices are on par with the West. Bargaining is impossible here. Even those who speak little English know how to say no bargains. But the shops are worth seeing to get an idea of what is available.

Go next

Zhangjiajie Scenic Area Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Tianmen Mountain

Others Fenghuang - A well-preserved ancient town in western Hunan Province