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Changsha (长沙; Chángshā) is the capital of Hunan Province.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By air

Huanghua International Airport is the major airport for those seeking to visit Changsha. A 45 minutes drive on the expressway will take you to the city center. 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 of the rivers help irrigate the evergreen and enormous rice paddies.

[edit] By train

Jingguang Railway Station is in the heart of the city. There is train connections from any major city in China or at least you can find a connecting train. From Beijing it is about 16 hours by train.

Trolleys with the usual Chinese array of instant noodles, dried vegetables and packed fruit are noteable for their regularity, but for something slightly more fulfilling (and expensive), hop down to the restaurant car.

[edit] Get around

Ubiquitous taxicabs flood the city streets, willing to transport you just up the street or to the other side of town, the meters start at ¥5. There is a hidden charge that all taxi cabs will add on to your total tab, but that is usually only about ¥0.5.

If you want to spend like a native or just want to experience the sensation of being sandwiched between natives, then hop on a bus for ¥2 and feel the thrill of speeding down the bumpy roads with barely any breathing room.

[edit][add listing] See

• Hunan Provincial Museum (湖南省博物馆). Museum hours are posted as 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (except closed Mondays), but expect to get kicked out 20 minutes before closing. See the Han-era tomb of Xin Zui, the Marquess of Dai, and her 2,100 year old preserved body. Its extraordinary and looks more real than Ho Chi Minh. Her body was still moist and flexible when they found her, complete elastic skin. Also at the museum, is many exhibits on all kinds of Han Dynasty artifacts, including pottery, to lacqureware, to an impressive collection of intact silk, etc. Admission is free, but it is on a first come first serve basis - your ticket will have a time stamped on it that will show when you are allowed to enter the exam. Show up early in the morning if you want to get in right away, otherwise you might have to pick up a ticket and then return in a few hours to enter.  edit

• Hunan University, (Across the river). You will find lots of great places to eat in and around the studious atmosphere of the various campus' south of Yuelu Shan. Mao Zedong attended Hunan University and there is a statue in honour of this most famous of their alumni.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

• Theaters. Watch traditional folk art, eg lion dance, drum opera, clam dance and Xiang Opera.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Wuyi Shopping Circle. The most important shopping area downtown.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

When eating in Changsha there is nothing better than a plate of stinky tofu (chou dofu) or soo yo bing 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 better have a strong stomach if you do not want to get an upset one.

Food in Changsha is famously described as "xiang cai“. As Xiang Jiang is the major river that borders the city to the west, Xiang denotes not only the flavor and taste of the food but also of the land. Changsha, like Szechuan is known for spicy food, but without the additional "ma", numbing affect of certain spices and pepper. 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.

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

Head straight to Snake Alley for the best "point-and-eat" in the city for merely pennies (US$ of course).

• Food Street, (On the first floor of Huatian Hotel). Choices and a sampling of regional foods of the country. Long established and well-regarded, this cozy and rustic eatery stays bustling through the wee morning hours as food enthusiasts, businessmen, and families with their children flock to this fun food court styled eatery. Do not be fooled though by the fast-food style of ordering (prepared food is displayed at various stations, your orders are placed by a hole punched on your menu card and then served freshly prepared within minutes of ordering), the food here is superb. From the sweet taro dessert topped with gingko biloba nuts to steamed pork chops dusted with a layer of sticky rice powder, the food here arguably some of the best you will find. With the huge range and style that is presented at Food Street, you will be sure to find new favorites for you and each of the guests you bring.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Jiefang West Road (解放西路; Jiefangxilu) - on this road reside a few Chinese clubs, including SoHo, the ubiqiutous Chinese chain. Drinks expensive, music loud, people-a-plenty. Just off the main walking street, so pretty handy location.

Taiping Street (太平街; Taipingjie) - this newly-refurbished area, with traditional/tacky facades (delete where your taste lies) has a few smaller bars, some with live music. Just off Jiefang West Road towards the river.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Get out

Zhengzhou ← Wuhan ←

N  S

→ Zhuzhou → Guangzhou