A Tranquil Oasis in Changsha You Won't Want to Leave

Just got back from Changsha. If you're planning to go, wait a few days. It's freezing! I've experienced the cold spring in Changsha before. I stayed up late to write this travel journal. I can't say it's the best guide, but I do have some insights! I hope it helps those planning to visit Changsha! Accommodation recommendation: Changsha Pearl River Garden Hotel. It's over CNY 300, but the quality is great, with lots of details. It's only about 800 meters from the subway station. Line 1 goes directly to Wuyi Square, Kaifu Temple, etc. After checking in, the receptionist gave me a small map of Changsha. She's a local and very enthusiastic. She told me a lot. Based on the map and her suggestions, I followed the popular route for the first four days. After all, I was there, so I had to visit the iconic places. I ate, watched, and took photos. If you don't go to the popular places, the local restaurants are delicious and warm you up. So spicy! On the last day, I chose to experience the local life around the hotel. Slowing down, I truly experienced the life of Changsha people. Day 1: Wuyi Square → IFS → Du Fu Pavilion Day 2: Orange Isle → Chaozong Street → Taiping Street → Jiefang West Road Day 3: Yuelu Mountain → Yuelu Academy → Li Zijian Art Museum → Hunan University Day 4: Kaifu Temple → Hunan Museum → Wanjiali Square. In the evening, I went back to the hotel to rest for a while, then went to the snack street opposite. I ordered a cup of tea and tried some snacks. I especially recommend Zhang Shisan Malatang and Huanxi Shaomai. I love them! Day 5: I had a light pork noodle soup on the second floor of the hotel to prepare my stomach. I went downstairs for a walk. Behind the hotel is a community with an artificial lake. Young mothers take their children to feed the fish and ducks. The elderly practice Tai Chi and Baduanjin. Surrounded by green trees, listening to the birds singing, it's peaceful and comfortable. To the left of the hotel is a square, Star Ring, with shopping and places for children to play. Further on are self-built houses. In the buildings, there are grandmas selling vegetables. I bought some homemade pickles. The grandma said the whole family loves the pickles with steamed pork. At noon, I had stir-fried dishes at Xiangcun Chaifang next to the hotel. It's full of life and very lively. In the afternoon, I took a taxi to the Liuyang River Scenic Belt. There's an art museum, but I forgot the name, sorry. There are rivers, forests, islands, and sandbars. If you come on the weekend, you can camp, have afternoon tea, walk your kids and dogs, ride bikes, fish, dig sand, and fly kites. It's so relaxing! Be sure to bring your ID card. Many attractions require real-name reservations. If you have a student ID, bring it too. Some attractions offer half-price tickets and sightseeing bus tickets.