Changsha

Changsha (长沙 Chángshā) is the capital of Hunan Province in South-central China.

A modern city center with skyscrapers, shopping malls and walking streets invites for relaxed strolls. There are also plenty of opportunities to try the famous Hunanese cuisine and street food stores offer small bites (小吃 xiaochi) such as stinky tofu, mini lobsters, butter pancakes, and many more!

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.

History
The city is known among the Chinese for being the site of the Battle of Changsha, which was the first major victory the Chinese scored against the Japanese during World War II. The city however, suffered from major damage from the war after it was set on fire by Kuomintang officials in 1938, planning to implement scorched earth policy should Japanese forces invade. In particular, most historical relics were obliterated during the fire and 4 Japanese campaigns against the city.

Changsha has a history of more than 2,000 years of urban construction on the original site. The name "Changsha" was first seen in the "Book of Yizhou" in the pre-Qin period. Changsha County was established in the Qin Dynasty, and the Changsha Kingdom was established in the Western Han Dynasty. The Mawangdui Han Tomb is world-famous. The Changsha kiln in the Tang Dynasty was the first to create underglaze colored porcelain, which was exported to countries all over the world.

Read


 * The Underbelly of the Dragon by F.S. Upp

By plane
Ground transportation:
 * A maglev rail line connects the airport to the Changsha South Railway Station. From there, the subway can take you to the city center.
 * A 45-minute drive on the expressway will take you to the city center.
 * Airport buses operate from 06:00-22:00 between the airport and downtown Changsha and cost ¥16.5. The bus arrives at/leaves from the CAAC Aviation Hotel on Wuyi Dadao (五一大道) a block west of the central train station. There are also shuttle buses to take you to the South Railway Station and the South Bus Station
 * Taxis wait outside the arrivals area. As of February 2013, taxis to the city cost approximately ¥90-100 (plus ¥10 tolls).

Traveling from the airport will allow for some window viewing of the relatively wealthy countryside surrounding the city. Although annual floods do sizable property damage, the overflowing rivers help irrigate the evergreens and enormous rice paddies.

Transit without a visa
Changsha has a special visa exemption scheme, which allows visitors from 54 counties who are transiting to a third country to stay for up to 72 hours without a visa. The Chinese government's website has more details. You must enter and leave mainland China via Changsha Huanghua International Airport, and you must present an onward ticket to a country other than the one you arrived from to immigration when you arrive; Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan count as separate countries with regard to this scheme. Unlike in most other cities, you may travel out of Changsha city, but must remain within Hunan province for the duration of your stay.

By train




From nearby cities Zhuzhou and Xiangtan, you can take the Changsha–Zhuzhou–Xiangtan Intercity Railway, which opened in 2016. But for other nearby cities, the intercity railway is still under construction. You can take train and bus, or book a private car service with a local transfer company.

By urban rail

 * Changsha, Zhuzhou and Xiangtan can enter Changsha by intercity rail. The intercity rail transit west ring project creates a seamless transfer with Changsha Metro Line 3.

Get around
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 Wangchengqing Bay. The town commercial center, and other important urban functional centers and hub areas end at Dujiaping Station.
 * Line 5 (north-south)-Changsha Rail Transit Line 5 starts from Maozhutang Station and ends at Shuiduhe Station.

Amusement parks

 * Changsha Underwater World (长沙海底世界), 501 Trinity Avenue, Kaifu District (开福区三一大道501号).
 * Changsha Underwater World (长沙海底世界), 501 Trinity Avenue, Kaifu District (开福区三一大道501号).

Theatres
Watch traditional folk art, e.g. lion dance, drum opera, clam dance and Xiang Opera.

Buy

 * Wangda Plaza (万达广场). It is shopping mall with famous fashion brands such as Coach, Gome, as well as large office buildings with many branch companies such as Logoson. Besides, many people who goes to Changsha will go there at nights of some traditional Chinese festivals, for it is one of the best places to watch fireworks show on Orange Island.
 * 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.
 * Changsha IFS(九龙仓长沙国际金融中心).Located at the intersection of Huangxing Road and Jiefang Road in Wuyi Business District, Changsha City, Hunan Province, it is a large-scale super high-rise urban complex integrating large-scale shopping and entertainment centers, high-end office buildings, serviced apartments and international five-star hotels.
 * 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.
 * Changsha IFS(九龙仓长沙国际金融中心).Located at the intersection of Huangxing Road and Jiefang Road in Wuyi Business District, Changsha City, Hunan Province, it is a large-scale super high-rise urban complex integrating large-scale shopping and entertainment centers, high-end office buildings, serviced apartments and international five-star hotels.

Eat
When eating in Changsha there is nothing better than a plate of stinky tofu (臭豆腐 chou doufu), butter pancake (酥油并 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 along with 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.

Street food areas

 * Pozi Street(坡子街).Pozi Street in Changsha has a long history of more than 1,200 years. It is a veritable thousand-year-old street and a representative of Hunan culture.
 * Pozi Street(坡子街).Pozi Street in Changsha has a long history of more than 1,200 years. It is a veritable thousand-year-old street and a representative of Hunan culture.
 * Pozi Street(坡子街).Pozi Street in Changsha has a long history of more than 1,200 years. It is a veritable thousand-year-old street and a representative of Hunan culture.
 * Pozi Street(坡子街).Pozi Street in Changsha has a long history of more than 1,200 years. It is a veritable thousand-year-old street and a representative of Hunan culture.
 * Pozi Street(坡子街).Pozi Street in Changsha has a long history of more than 1,200 years. It is a veritable thousand-year-old street and a representative of Hunan culture.

Restaurants
For international cuisine, four- and five-star restaurants have reputable chefs although for a visitor, the infinite array of dishes native to or with a Hunan flair are sure to please even the most discriminating palate.

Chui Yan Shi Dai 炊烟时代 or 炊烟食代. Depending on which days, 时代 means "age" and 食代 doesn't mean anything actually, it just that both are homophones and 食 means "to eat" in middle Chinese. There are several other restaurants that likes to play with these kinds of homophones. The third floor of the Taskin Mall (德思勤) on the intersection of Shaoshan Nan road and Xiangfu Zhong road. Well prepared Xiang cuisine. Must try are Lajiao Lei Pidan (擂辣椒皮蛋), Xiangyu Paigu (香芋排骨) and Chao Hua Cai (炒花菜).

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