Xiangtan Rendezvous: Unlocking Multiple Ways to Explore the Treasure City
Xiangtan Rendezvous: Unlocking Multiple Ways to Explore the Treasure City
Xiangtan, a city located in central Hunan, boasts a rich historical heritage and unique cultural charm, making it a treasure city worth deep exploration. Whether you are tracing the footsteps of great figures, savoring historical culture, immersing yourself in natural scenery, or indulging in delicious food, Xiangtan has it all. Now, follow this guide to start an exciting journey in Xiangtan!
Leisure Vacation Three-Day Tour
Day 1: Arrive in the morning at Panlong Grand View Garden, a large ecological and cultural theme park. In the flower viewing area, various flowers compete in beauty, offering different scenic views in every season. There are also plenty of amusement facilities, making it especially suitable for family trips.
Noon: Dine at the park’s restaurant and try local farmhouse dishes. The steamed cured meat platter is a must-try, featuring cured pork, sausage, and chicken steamed together with a rich aroma.
Afternoon: Continue enjoying the park’s attractions and amusement rides, savoring a leisurely time.
Day 2: Head to Zhaoshan Scenic Area, a famous mountain on the east bank of the Xiang River and home to the ancient Xiangxi Eight Views’ “Mountain City Clear Mist.” Climb the mountain along the ancient Zhaoshan stone steps, visiting the Liu Qi Former Residence Site and the Great Man Pavilion along the way. At the summit, visit the ancient Zhaoshan Temple and pray under the millennium-old ginkgo tree while overlooking the magnificent view where the Xiangjiang River meets the three cities of Changsha, Zhuzhou, and Xiangtan.
Noon: Enjoy local cuisine at a restaurant at the foot of the mountain. The chopped chili fish head is a must-order dish, with fresh and spicy chopped chili paired with tender fish head for an absolutely delicious taste.
Afternoon: Proceed to Dongtaishan National Forest Park, which has a forest coverage rate of 85%, making it a great place for hiking and breathing fresh air. Stroll along forest trails, breathe in the fresh air, and relax your body and mind.
Day 3: Visit the Peng Dehuai Memorial Hall in Wushi Town, Xiangtan County. The hall showcases the life and deeds of Marshal Peng Dehuai. The “Standing Firm with Sword and Horse” themed sculpture is magnificent, and the realistic restoration of the Korean War command scene inspires deep respect for Marshal Peng.
Noon: Taste local dishes at nearby restaurants. Recommended dishes include Mao-style braised pork and chopped chili fish head to experience authentic Xiang cuisine flavors.
Afternoon: Before heading back, visit specialty stores to pick up local products such as Xiang lotus seeds, Longpai soy sauce, candle wick cake, and Xiangtan cured meats to bring the taste of Xiangtan home.
2. Food Highlights
Xiangtan offers a wide variety of delicious foods beyond those mentioned above. Xiangtan rice noodles are a must-try. Shibazong Rice Noodle Shop is a century-old brand, with soft and chewy rice noodles. Paired with thin-skinned, generously filled pot dumplings and sweet, mellow fermented rice wine with egg, it’s perfect! Huage Breakfast offers a rich variety, with shredded meat and ribs as main fillings, diverse side dishes, and homemade pot dumplings that taste amazing. The signature wontons at the Nameless Wonton Shop are generously filled, served in a specially made squid ink broth that is sweet and fresh. Paired with homemade pepper powder and pickled vegetables, it’s the “hidden boss” of wontons. The century-old Dongsheng Dumpling Shop’s wontons are also excellent, handmade with thin skins, large fillings, fresh flavors, rich broth, and juicy.
“Fly Restaurant” style eateries have their own unique charm. Shuige Flavor Restaurant’s stir-fried tripe is crispy and tender without any odor. Their secret recipe tofu is crispy on the outside and silky inside with an egg aroma. Huage Restaurant’s cumin chicken wings are fragrant with cumin, tender chicken, and soft potatoes. Steamed yellow duck calls combine spicy and fresh flavors, very appetizing. Dongping Home Cuisine’s cumin beef is strongly aromatic, with evenly cut beef coated in cumin and chili, looking very tempting. Their spicy boiled pork slices are bright red with tender, juicy meat. Zhilan Hand-Shredded Chicken and Duck Restaurant’s shredded chicken is firm with crispy skin and perfectly blended seasoning. The shredded duck is tender with soft skin, combining braised and fatty aromas. Wenhua Restaurant’s meat patties with soup and egg custard are as tender as clouds, with solid and chewy meat patties. Their home-style bream is crispy outside and tender inside with rich seasoning.
Special snacks are also not to be missed. Xinhua Zhai Pastry is a local Hunan brand with over 60 years of history. Their candle wick cake making technique is a representative intangible cultural heritage of Hunan Province. They also offer refreshing cakes, brown rice cakes, sesame dates, and other traditional pastries. Wen Qimu Sweet Wine House serves traditional sweet rice wine with plump, soft, and chewy glutinous rice and fresh, sweet rice wine juice. Dongtingchun Brain Roll has a complex making process, with paper-thin dough that melts in your mouth. Yihezai’s raw oil mooncakes have rich fillings such as peanuts and osmanthus, sweet but not greasy.
The food night markets are lively too. Liancheng Night Market is the largest and busiest night market in Xiangtan, with sizzling barbecue, crispy and tender stinky tofu, sweet and soft sugar oil cakes, and fresh, fragrant fish noodles full of everyday life atmosphere. Wanlou Youth Wharf Market is the largest container market in the country, with many snack stalls including stinky tofu, candied hawthorn, barbecue, and various Hunan specialties, making it super fun to eat and stroll.
3. Accommodation Recommendations
- City Center Area (Yuhu District/Yuetang District): Convenient transportation and complete commercial facilities. For cost-effective options, 7 Days Premium Hotel offers clean and tidy rooms with attentive service at 150-300 RMB/night. For more comfort, Xiangtan Huayin International Hotel is a good choice, priced at 400-800 RMB/night, with full facilities including a gym and swimming pool.
- Near Shaoshan Scenic Area: Convenient for visiting red tourism sites. Shaoshan Dishuidong No.1 Homestay costs 300-450 RMB/night, with some rooms featuring courtyards and a quiet environment. Shaoshan Hotel has a stronger historical atmosphere, priced at 400-600 RMB/night, allowing you to better experience Shaoshan’s red culture.
4. Travel Tips
1. Transportation:
- External transport: The nearest airport is Changsha Huanghua International Airport, about 50 km from Xiangtan. You can take the airport shuttle bus or go to Changsha South Station first, then transfer to the high-speed train to Xiangtan North Station. Xiangtan North Station and Xiangtan Station connect to cities nationwide. The high-speed train from Changsha South Station to Xiangtan North Station takes about 15 minutes. You can also choose long-distance buses or drive via Jinggang’ao Expressway, Hukun Expressway, etc., to reach Xiangtan.
- City transport: Buses, taxis, ride-hailing, and shared bikes/electric bikes cover major areas. For longer distances between attractions, taxis are more convenient; for shorter distances, buses or shared bikes are easy options.
2. Best seasons: Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November) are the best travel times with pleasant weather suitable for outdoor activities and beautiful scenery. Summer is hot, so prepare for sun protection and heat prevention; winter is cold, but the festive atmosphere during New Year and Spring Festival, along with the flower offering tide in Shaoshan, offers a unique charm.
3. Show tickets: If you want to watch the large-scale live show “China Gave Birth to Mao Zedong” in Shaoshan, book tickets in advance via the “Hong Pei Tong” mini program. Usually, there is only one show per night at 7:30 PM, and tickets are highly sought after during peak seasons.
4. Photo and outfit tips: Wear a red scarf at the bronze statue square for more solemn photos; wear Hanfu on Yaowan Ancient Street for a strong atmosphere; wear student uniforms at Nan’an Private School to capture the theme of “Youthful Study.”
5. Specialty shopping: When buying specialties, choose reputable stores. For products like Xiang lotus seeds, Longpai soy sauce, candle wick cake, etc., look for trusted brands and quality to avoid inferior products.