It's not that traveling abroad is unaffordable, but Changsha offers better value.

Here's a refined Changsha travel guide for you, without pictures, covering attractions, food, accommodation, and transportation. I hope it helps you have a great time in Changsha: Recommended Attractions 1. History and Culture: ◦ Hunan Museum: Rich in collections, including precious artifacts from the Mawangdui Han Tombs and Yuelu Academy. It is recommended to book tickets in advance on the official platform. You can rent an audio guide or join the scheduled free guided tours for a better understanding of the stories behind the exhibits. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (last entry at 4:00 pm). Closed on Mondays (except national holidays). ◦ Yuelu Mountain and Yuelu Academy: Yuelu Mountain is a landmark attraction in Changsha. You can take the cable car up and walk down, enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery. Yuelu Academy is one of the four famous academies of ancient China, with a profound cultural heritage. The academy is open from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm, and tickets cost around 40 yuan. ◦ Orange Isle: The Chairman Mao Zedong Youth Art Sculpture is a must-see. You can take the scenic train to tour the island. The scenic area is open all day, and the train ticket costs 20 yuan (round trip). ◦ Du Fu Jiang Ge: Built in memory of Du Fu, you can climb up and enjoy a panoramic view of the Xiang River. The scenery is beautiful at night when the lights are on. It's also an excellent spot to watch the fireworks show over Orange Isle. Open from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, and tickets cost around 30 yuan. 2. Urban Leisure: ◦ Huangxing Road Walking Street: The number one commercial street in Sanxiang, with numerous shops and snack stalls. It's a great place to experience the bustling commercial atmosphere of Changsha. ◦ IFS Tower: A fashionable landmark with the popular "KAWS: SEEING/WATCHING" sculpture on the rooftop, attracting many people to take photos. The mall has a wide range of brands, covering fashion, dining, and entertainment. ◦ Taiping Old Street and Pozi Street: Old streets full of Changsha characteristics, preserving many ancient buildings and gathering various snacks and specialty shops. Jia Yi's former residence is also located on Taiping Old Street. 3. Family Fun: ◦ Window of the World (Changsha): Features miniature landscapes of world-famous landmarks, as well as various amusement facilities and performances, suitable for family outings. Generally open from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm (subject to the scenic area's announcement), and tickets cost around 200 yuan. ◦ Huayi Brothers (Changsha) Movie Town: A movie-themed cultural tourism resort with a European-style town. You can watch performances, experience movie-related projects, and take great photos. Open from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm (subject to seasonal adjustments), and tickets cost around 150 yuan. ◦ Changsha Underwater World: You can see various marine creatures and enjoy performances at the Ocean Theatre. There's also a water park area for cooling off in the summer. Open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and tickets cost around 150 yuan. Food Recommendations 1. Hunan Cuisine: ◦ Steamed Fish Head with Chopped Chili: Made with bighead carp fish head, chopped chili, soy sauce, ginger, onion, garlic, and other ingredients. Recommended restaurants: Yizhandeng, Yuloudong, and Chuiyan Xiaochao Huangniurou. ◦ Stir-fried Pork with Chili: Made with fresh pork and chili, spicy and delicious. ◦ Spicy Zi Ran Chicken: Golden in color, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a strong spicy flavor. 2. Local Snacks: ◦ Stinky Tofu: The stinky tofu at Huogongdian Snack Kingdom is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, served with a unique soup and seasonings. ◦ Sugar Oil Baba: The sugar oil baba at Nanmenkou Jinji Tang You Tuotuo Dian is reddish-brown, sweet, and soft. ◦ Fried Snacks: Wenmiaoping Zhazhazha and Huji Zhazhazha offer a wide variety of fried snacks with unique flavors. ◦ Rice Noodles with Lard: The rice noodles with lard at Xiao Pangzi Zhu You Ban Fen are fragrant and smooth. 3. Trendy Food: ◦ Cha Yan Yue Se: A local milk tea brand in Changsha with many unique flavors, such as Youlan Latte and Shengsheng Oolong. Many branches are available. ◦ Wen He You: A retro-style restaurant famous for its spicy crayfish and other specialties, recreating the old Changsha style. ◦ Tianbao Brothers: Specializing in spicy crayfish, the crayfish are of high quality and the flavor is spicy and satisfying. Accommodation Suggestions 1. Wuyi Business District: Convenient transportation, surrounded by various restaurants, and close to major attractions, making it the first choice for most tourists. There are high-end hotels like Niccolo Changsha, as well as many cost-effective chain hotels and homestays. 2. Near Yuelu Mountain: Beautiful environment, suitable for those who prefer a quiet stay and want to visit Yuelu Mountain and Yuelu Academy nearby. There are some characteristic inns and homestays where you can experience the local culture. 3. Along the Xiang River: You can enjoy the river view and the beautiful night scenery and fireworks show in the evening. Some hotels have excellent locations and convenient transportation. Transportation Guide 1. Airport: Changsha Huanghua International Airport is far from the city center. You can take the Maglev Express, airport bus, or taxi to the city. The Maglev Express goes directly to Changsha South Railway Station, which is convenient for transferring to the subway. 2. Railway Stations: Changsha has Changsha Railway Station and Changsha South Railway Station. Changsha Railway Station is located in the city center, while Changsha South Railway Station is a high-speed rail station. From the railway stations, you can take the subway, bus, or taxi to your destination. 3. City Transportation: Changsha Metro has opened multiple lines, covering most attractions and business districts, making it convenient to travel around. The bus network is also well-developed, and some attractions may require taking a bus. In addition, you can also choose to take a taxi or use shared bikes. When traveling in Changsha, remember to plan your itinerary reasonably, check the opening hours and ticket information of each attraction in advance, and choose reputable restaurants when trying local cuisine to ensure a pleasant trip.