Changsha Fun for 5 Days, My Concept of Spending Collapsed

📅 Itinerary Highlights at a Glance ✅ Watch the live-action performance of "Qinyuanchun · Changsha" at Orange Isle ✅ Explore Yuelu Mountain and Aiwan Pavilion at night, and experience the atmosphere of the millennium-old academy ✅ Enjoy Wenheyou Crayfish + Chayan Yuese, eating and shopping ✅ Visit the niche art district "West Street" ✅ Explore the recording site of "Day Day Up" at Hunan Broadcasting System   🏞️ Detailed Daily Itinerary Day 1｜First Encounter with Star City: Fireworks Morning 📍 Arrive at Changsha Huanghua International Airport → Taxi to Wuyi Square (approx. 40 mins, CNY 80) 🏨 Check in to hotel (Wuyi Square business district recommended, walking distance to Pozi Street) Noon 🍜 Lunch: "Yizhandeng" stinky tofu (next to the main branch of Huogongdian) + sugar dumplings 🛍 Buy Chayan Yuese co-branded tea bags (stores available at the airport) Afternoon 🏯 Du Fu Jiang Ge (climb the tower for a panoramic view of the Xiang River) → Orange Isle fireworks show (every Friday at 20:30, arrive early to secure a spot) Evening 🎶 Taiping Street Night Market: Spicy crayfish, Zimei dumplings, scallion pancakes 🎤 Bar experience: "Mao Livehouse" for live music 💡 Local tips: Snacks on Pingjiang Road are overpriced, it is recommended to only have dinner at Taiping Street Exit E of Wuyi Square subway station leads directly to Pozi Street, don't go in the wrong direction   Day 2｜Yuelu Mountain: A Blend of Books and Nature Morning 🚌 Take Subway Line 2 to "Yuelu Mountain East Gate Station" → Walk to Yuelu Academy (CNY 30) 📖 Yuelu Academy (one of the four ancient academies in China) → Chongsheng Temple Pagoda (climb to the top for a view of Aiwan Pavilion) Noon 🍲 Lunch: "Benluobo Liuyang Cuisine Restaurant" (at the foot of Yuelu Mountain), must-try pickled radish and beef tripe Afternoon 🌳 Climb Yuelu Mountain (the best time to visit Aiwan Pavilion is after 15:00, red leaves season is from November to December) 🛤️ Suggested route: Yuelu Mountain East Gate → Aiwan Pavilion → Fenglin Road → Yuelu Mountain South Gate (sightseeing bus available) Evening 🏀 Visit Dongshan Primary School basketball court (Instagram-worthy) 🌃 Dinner: "Cuiyan Fried Beef" (main branch at Nanmenkou, strategy for queuing: arrive at 17:30)   Day 3｜Hunan Culture: A Historical Tour Morning 🏺 Hunan Provincial Museum (free! Reservations required 3 days in advance, must-see Mawangdui Han Tombs Exhibition Hall) 🎭 Xie Zilong Photography Museum (Instagram-worthy spot for photos) Noon 🍜 Lunch: "Mo Mo Dim Sum Bureau" Yangyuxing main branch (scallion pancakes + peach ginger with purple perilla) Afternoon 🚢 Songya Lake boat tour (picturesque scenery, perfect for photos) 🛍 Xie Zilong Photography Museum second floor cultural and creative store (Mawangdui digital cultural and creative peripherals) Evening 🎭 Tianxin Pavilion night view (light show starts at 19:00) → Jiefang West Night Market (Wenheyou Crayfish set meal, CNY 158 per person)   Day 4｜Art Enthusiasts: Niche Exploration Morning 📸 West Street (art district at the foot of Yuelu Mountain, full of coffee shops/bookstores/craft shops) 🐟 Ma Yuan Cafe (internet-famous cat cafe, order a "Osmanthus Latte" and bask in the sun) Noon 🍜 Lunch: "Yizhandeng" time-honored brand (must-try duck feet tendons) Afternoon 🎥 Visit the recording site of "Day Day Up" at Hunan Broadcasting System (reservations required via the official WeChat account) 🛍 Huangxing Pedestrian Street (visit the giant chili pepper sculpture at IFS) Evening 🌃 Wuyi Square nightlife: Fangsuo Bookstore (open 24 hours) → Lehecheng Night Market   Day 5｜Surrounding Areas: In-depth Experience Option A｜Red Tourism 🚌 Chartered car to Shaoshan (approx. 2 hrs, CNY 200 per person) 🏞️ Shaoshan Scenic Area (CNY 100, includes Mao Zedong's Former Residence + Dishuidong) 🍲 Lunch: Mao's braised pork (farmhouse cuisine in Yintian Town) Option B｜Nature Tour 🌊 Langshan National Geological Park (World Natural Heritage, glass walkway + Tianxin Lake) 🚂 High-speed train from Changsha South Railway Station to Zhangjiajie (1.5 hrs, start your next journey)   🚌 Transportation Guide ✈️ External transportation: Huanghua Airport → Subway Line 2 directly to the city center 🚇 Subway: Download the "Changsha Metro" app, transfer to the scenic train at Orange Isle Station 🚗 Taxi: Starting price is CNY 8, with surcharges at night, carpooling is recommended between scenic spots (CNY 20-30 per person)   ⚠️ Things to Avoid Vendors at Orange Isle sell souvenirs at high prices, genuine products can be purchased at shops within the scenic area There are scalpers around Yuelu Academy, look for official tour guides (CNY 50/hr) Wenheyou queuing strategy: Arrive 3 hours in advance for weekday dinner, start queuing at midnight on weekends Some stalls at Jiefang West Night Market use inaccurate scales, it is recommended to only order set meals with marked prices