Changsha

Here is a 3-day, 2-night travel guide for Changsha, with a budget controlled within 2000 RMB (per person), covering food, accommodation, transportation, and activities. It balances classic attractions and local features, suitable for students or travelers on a budget.

📅 Itinerary Overview

Budget: 2000 RMB (including transportation, accommodation, meals, and tickets)
Accommodation recommendation: Homestays or budget hotels near Wuyi Square/Huangxing Square (150-200 RMB/night)
Transportation: Metro + walking (download the "Changsha Metro" app for QR code rides)

Day 1: Classic landmarks check-in + first food experience
💰 Estimated daily expense: about 600 RMB

Morning

Yuelu Mountain (free)

Take the metro to [Yuanwanzhen Station], enter from the east gate, recommended to walk or take the sightseeing bus (20 RMB one way) up the mountain, check in at Aiwan Pavilion and Yuelu Academy (ticket 40 RMB, half price for students).
Descend from the south gate and visit Hunan University snack street on the way.

Lunch: Snacks near Hunan University

Recommended: Stinky tofu (10 RMB), sugar oil baba (8 RMB), beef rice noodles (15 RMB)

Afternoon

Orange Isle (free, sightseeing bus 40 RMB round trip)

Directly accessible by Metro Line 2, recommended to take the sightseeing bus to the Mao Zedong Youth Statue for photos, stroll along the Xiangjiang River.

Evening

Wuyi Square / Huangxing Pedestrian Street

Check in at the KAWS sculpture on the rooftop of IFS International Finance Center, stroll around Pozi Street and Taiping Old Street.
Dinner: Local Hunan cuisine restaurant (50-80 RMB per person)

Recommended: Ben Luobo Liuyang Restaurant (vinegar steamed chicken, golden coin eggs), Yizhandeng (duck web tendon).

Late-night snack: Wenheyou Old Changsha Lobster Restaurant (100 RMB per person, choose crayfish + perilla peach ginger)

Day 2: Cultural experience + offbeat arts check-in
💰 Estimated daily expense: about 500 RMB

Morning

Hunan Provincial Museum (free, reservation required)

See the Mawangdui Han Tomb exhibits and Lady Xinzhui’s mummy (recommended to rent an audio guide for 30 RMB).

Lunch: Rice noodle shop near the museum (15 RMB per person)

Afternoon

Xie Zilong Image Art Museum (free outside, exhibition tickets from 80 RMB)

Popular photo spot, minimalist architecture, the lawn and stairs at the entrance are very photogenic.

Li Zijian Art Museum (free, nearby and convenient to visit)

Evening

Dongguashan Night Market

A night market loved by locals, recommended: Dongguashan sausage (3 RMB each), Dandan hot marinated dishes (30 RMB per person).

Day 3: Old street stroll + souvenir shopping
💰 Estimated daily expense: about 400 RMB

Morning

Chaozong Street / Xiyuan Beili (free)

Historic old Changsha street area, artsy cafes, vintage shops for photos.

Lunch: Sister Si’s Noodle House (same style as Zhang Yixing, 20 RMB per person)

Afternoon

Tianxin Pavilion (ticket 30 RMB) or Du Fu Jiang Pavilion (free distant view)

Choose one to experience Changsha’s history or Xiangjiang River scenery.

Souvenir shopping:

Chayan Yuese Garden Party (buy tea bags/merchandise, 50 RMB), Black Classic Stinky Tofu vacuum pack (30 RMB).

Return trip: Allow time to take the metro to the high-speed rail station/airport.

💰 Budget Breakdown

Transportation (round-trip high-speed train/train estimated at 500 RMB, local transport 50 RMB)
Accommodation: 2 nights in budget hotel/homestay (400 RMB)
Meals: 600 RMB (snacks + main meals)
Tickets/entertainment: 200 RMB (Yuelu Academy, Orange Isle sightseeing bus, etc.)
Others: 200 RMB (souvenirs + contingency)

⚠️ Notes

Chayan Yuese stores are everywhere; choose less crowded ones to queue.
Hunan cuisine is quite spicy; request mild spice when ordering.
Book accommodation in advance on weekends/holidays as prices may rise.

Following this guide, you can easily explore Changsha, checking in at popular landmarks while experiencing local life! Adjust as needed for other preferences~