Stay at Howard Johnson by Wyndham Changsha South Station, and capture legendary retro autumn photos at "Little Erhai Lake of Changsha"!
When visiting Changsha and wanting to shoot unique autumn scenery, choosing the right hotel and photo spots is crucial! This time, I stayed at Howard Johnson Club Hotel Changsha South Station and headed straight to Yuxiang Spinning Mill for retro autumn photos. The experience was amazing, perfect for traveling with girlfriends or family~
First, let me rave about the hotel's convenient transportation! We took the high-speed train to Changsha South Station, and it was just a 5-minute walk to the hotel. No need to rush with luggage and photo props, very hassle-free. The front desk staff was super friendly and efficient during check-in, even proactively recommending the route to Yuxiang Spinning Mill. They suggested taking Metro Line 4 and transferring to Line 2, which goes directly to the riverside. From there, it’s a 5-minute walk, avoiding traffic jams. The whole trip took only about 30 minutes, so heading out for photos didn’t waste any time.
The hotel room exceeded expectations! Spacious and bright, with soft and comfortable bedding. After shooting, you can lie down and rest comfortably. The room is fully equipped, with instant hot water, stable heating air conditioning, and a well-designed dry-wet separated bathroom, making washing up very convenient. Plus, the room has excellent soundproofing, quiet at night, so after a day of walking and shooting, you can sleep well and wake up refreshed the next day~
Now, about the autumn photo experience at Yuxiang Spinning Mill—every spot is photogenic!
1. Retro factory buildings for industrial autumn scenes: The old factory buildings at Yuxiang Spinning Mill retain red brick walls and steel trusses. In autumn, vines climbing the walls turn light yellow, creating a charming contrast with the red bricks and yellow leaves. Sunlight streams through the factory’s glass windows, casting mottled shadows. Standing casually by a wall corner or staircase, you get industrial-style retro photos with a natural grainy texture. Wearing dark coats or leather jackets adds great texture.
2. Riverside boardwalk for autumn river views: The mill is adjacent to the Xiang River. The water cypress trees along the riverside boardwalk turn caramel-colored in autumn. Strolling along the boardwalk, you have retro factory buildings on one side and autumn river views on the other, with the Orange Isle Bridge in the distance as a backdrop. Every snap is full of atmosphere. At dusk, you can capture stunning sunset reflections on the river.
3. Trendy staircase and corridor for layered photos: The mill’s spiral staircase and red-railed corridor are very stylish. In autumn, fallen leaves rustle underfoot on the stairs. Standing in the middle of the staircase with a glance back or posing sideways in the corridor, using light, shadow, and architectural lines, you can shoot photos full of depth. Perfect for friends taking pictures of each other or couples shooting together.
4. Close-up details under autumn light and shadow: The afternoon sunlight is gentle and soft, filtering through leaves and casting irregular light spots on the red brick walls. You can shoot close-ups of hands touching the bricks or leaves falling on shoulders. Paired with warm autumn tones, the photos instantly tell a story without needing posed expressions.
After enjoying the autumn scenery and taking perfect photos, returning to the hotel is convenient with many Hunan cuisine restaurants and snack shops nearby for dinner. This Changsha trip was made smooth and comfortable thanks to the convenient location and cozy environment of Howard Johnson Club Hotel Changsha South Station. If you want to shoot retro autumn photos in Changsha, this hotel plus Yuxiang Spinning Mill combo is definitely worth it, with excellent value for money!