4 Summer Resort Destinations Around Hunan – Hurry Up and Go Go Go!!!

Chengbu Nanshan Pasture - Transportation: Drive from Changsha, take the Jingzhu Expressway to Xiangtan, transfer to the Tanshao Expressway, then to the Shaohuai Expressway, exit at Longhui County, and take Provincial Road 219. The whole trip takes about 6 hours. You can also take a direct bus from Changsha South Bus Station to Nanshan Pasture, with one departure daily at 10:00 AM. - Admission: 70 RMB per person, open year-round from 07:00 to 18:00. - Must-Do Activities: Horseback riding and grass sliding on the Nanshan grassland; visit Gaoshan Hongshao to experience historical changes; tour Maoping Lake to enjoy the beauty of the grassland and high gorge lake; climb Ziyang Peak for a panoramic view of the 80-li Nanshan grassland. - Food: Yogurt with wild berry jam, stone slab zanba, jueba black-bone chicken soup, cured beef, and more. - Accommodation: In summer, you can choose Mongolian yurts; in winter, homestays with floor heating are recommended; you can also experience the pasture night watchman’s cabin. Yanling Shennong Valley - Transportation: Drive from Changsha via Changsha Ring Expressway, Hukun Expressway, Wushen Expressway, etc. Alternatively, take a train or bus to Yanling County, then take a bus from Xiaoxiyuan Station in Yanling County to Shennong Valley, departing daily at 15:30. - Must-Do Activities: Check in at Zhulián Waterfall, play on the water platform, and if lucky, see a rainbow under the waterfall; try stand-up paddleboarding; hike along Jinghua Creek to enjoy the “forest breath”; participate in Hakka mountain song duets every weekend at 11:00 AM. - Food: Taste local delicacies at Jingmi Chinese and Western Restaurant in Shennong Valley Haolivilla International Hotel or Tingyu Restaurant at Zhulián Mountain Villa. - Accommodation: Shennong Valley Haolivilla International Hotel offers complete facilities; Zhulián Mountain Villa has a swimming pool and other amenities; you can also choose homestays like Deep Breath Inn. Bamian Mountain - Transportation: Drive directly to "Longshan County Bamian Mountain Scenic Area." Refuel when passing through Liye Ancient Town. Alternatively, take a bus to the Liye Ancient City Ruins Square, then transfer to a direct bus to Bamian Mountain. - Admission: Free. - Must-Do Activities: Enjoy the scenery along the self-driving loop road; watch the sunrise and sea of clouds from the Zisheng Bridge viewing platform; explore Swallow Cave; climb Cup Rock; horseback ride and run wild on the 50,000-mu aerial grassland. - Food: Must-try Bamian Mountain roast whole lamb (advance reservation required), and local Xiangxi snacks like rice tofu, fried glutinous rice cakes, and stinky tofu. - Accommodation: Options include Yunshang Cottage, Xingyun Residence, RV Tribe, Tingtao Residence, or camping on the mountain top. Liuyang Dawei Mountain - Transportation: From Changsha, take the Changliu Expressway north, then transfer to Dawei Mountain Tourist Road. Driving takes about 1.5 hours. - Admission: Specific ticket prices not mentioned; some attractions like Jinshoutang Scenic Area are free. - Must-Do Activities: Enjoy alpine meadows and waterfall springs at Limuqiao Scenic Area; experience Dawei Mountain canyon rafting and high-altitude colorful glass rafting; play at Dawei Mountain Valley Park’s popular water play and aerial magic net; visit Honglian Temple Scenic Area; climb Qixingling Scenic Area to see the sea of azaleas. - Food: Local specialties are available but not detailed. - Accommodation: Homestays in Dawei Mountain Town such as Moye Banshandu Yinzhu Li Homestay and Moye Xiahe Wanwan Homestay are options.