Autumn colors the hometown of a great man! A 2-day, 1-night Xiangtan itinerary: encounter red maples and the thousand-year-old Yaowan Bay

Qiu Ran's hometown of the great man! A 2-Day, 1-Night Xiangtan Tour Guide: Encounter Red Maple Leaves and Millennium Yaowan

> Tracing the Red Footprints of Shaoshan, Listening to the Rumble of the Xiangjiang River in Yaowan Ancient Town, I was captivated by the city's autumn charm.

**Table of Contents**
- Highlights: See What to Do at a Glance
- Detailed Itinerary: 2-Day, 1-Night Guide
- Practical Tips: Transportation and Accommodation Recommendations

✨ **Highlights at a Glance**

- **🏛️ Immersing in Red Culture**: Visit Mao Zedong's Former Residence in the **Shaoshan Tourist Area**, and touch Chairman Mao's reading desk at **Dongshan Academy** to experience the great leader's journey.
- **🍁 Enjoying Golden Autumn Scenery**: Admire the vibrant maple leaves at **Yunyang Mountain** and experience the poetic beauty of the autumn forest.
- **🏮 Strolling the Millennium Ancient Town at Night**: Stroll along the bluestone streets of **Yaowan Historical and Cultural District**, admire historical sites like the Datangxing Temple and Wangheng Pavilion, and experience the prosperity of the millennium commercial port.
- **🎎 Experience Intangible Cultural Heritage Handcrafts: Experience Xiangtan paper-cutting at Wanlou and learn about traditional soy sauce making at the Dragon Brand Soy Sauce Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop. Experiencing the charm of intangible cultural heritage.
- **🍜 Authentic Cuisine: Savor authentic Xiangtan flavors from Mao's Braised Pork to Lantern Cake.

🗓️ **Detailed Itinerary**

🏛️ **Day 1: Red Shaoshan → Yaowan Night View**

**Morning: Departing Changsha, I drove about an hour to the Shaoshan Tourist Area. My first stop was the Former Residence of Comrade Mao Zedong. This quintessential Jiangnan farmhouse is where Chairman Mao was born and raised. Standing in front of the residence and touching the wood-burning stove, I felt as if I were reliving the great man's childhood.

**Afternoon: For lunch, enjoy authentic Mao's Braised Pork at the Shaoshan Hotel. Then, I headed to the Dongshan Academy. Within the academy, surrounded by towering ancient trees, I touched the desk where Chairman Mao once studied, feeling the warmth of history. The academy is exceptionally peaceful in autumn, perfect for quiet contemplation.

**Evening**: In the evening, I returned to downtown Xiangtan and headed straight for the **Yaowan Historical and Cultural District**. Walking along the bluestone pavement, the **Xiangjiang River flowing by** and the autumn breeze caressing my face were particularly pleasant. I strolled along the old street, visiting **Datangxing Temple** and **Wangheng Pavilion**, and paused on the ancient **Tangxing Bridge** to admire the illuminated nightscape of the Xiangjiang River.

🏮 **Day 2: Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience → Autumn Relaxation**

**Morning**: After breakfast, I headed to **Wanlou**. Built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, this ancient building is a cultural landmark in Xiangtan. Climbing the Wanlou offers **a magnificent view** of the Xiangjiang River, taking in the panoramic nightscape. At the Wanlou scenic area, I participated in the **Xiangtan Paper-Cutting** experience and, under the guidance of an intangible cultural heritage inheritor, completed a simple paper-cutting piece.

**Afternoon**: After lunch, I visited the **Dragon Brand Soy Sauce Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop**. Here, I learned about the traditional soy sauce production process and experienced the joy of handmade soy sauce making. If you have more time, you can also visit **Chrysanthemum Pond Park** to admire the sea of autumn flowers.

**Evening**: Conclude your enjoyable Xiangtan trip and prepare to return. Before leaving, I made a special trip to **Xinhuazhai** to purchase **Dengxin Cake**, a non-heritage item, as gifts for friends and family.

💡 **Practical Tips**

**Transportation Guide**

- **External Transportation**: Xiangtan offers convenient transportation and is accessible via high-speed rail. The high-speed rail from **Changsha South Station to Xiangtan North Station takes only 19 minutes**.
- **Intra-City Transportation**: Tourist attractions are scattered, so **charging a car** is a good option.

**Accommodation Recommendations**

- **Hotels in the City**: Choose central areas like **Yuhu District** for convenient transportation and a wide variety of dining options.
- **Near Shaoshan**: Choose **Shaoshan Hotel** and experience the red-walled themed rooms.

**Budget Guide (2 Days, 1 Night)**

| Activities | Budget (RMB) | Comfort (RMB) |
|------|------------|------------|
| Accommodation/person | 100-200 | 200-300 |
| Meals/day | 80-100 | 100-150 |
| Transportation | 100-150 | 200-300 |
| Entrance Fees | 50-100 | 100-150 |
| Total | 330-550 | 600-900 |

**Best Time to Travel**

- **Autumn (September-November): **The weather is pleasant, and the **Yunyang Mountain's maple leaves are a vibrant array**, making it a great time to enjoy the autumn scenery.

**Avoiding Pitfalls**

1. **Itinerary**: The Shaoshan tourist area is quite large, so it is recommended to **plan a full-day tour**. 2. **Ticket Reservations**: Attractions like Comrade Mao Zedong's Former Residence are **free, but reservations are required**. Advance planning is recommended.
3. **Special Events**: Follow the official "**Xiangtan Culture and Tourism**" website for the latest updates on intangible cultural heritage experiences and more.

On the return high-speed train, I flipped through the photos on my phone—**from the solemnity of the Shaoshan Former Residence, to the enchanting nightscape of Yaowan Ancient Town, to the majestic Wanlou**. Xiangtan, the hometown of this great man, with its profound revolutionary culture, rich history, and beautiful natural scenery, gave me a weekend filled with education and profound emotions.

If you're looking for a weekend escape to experience the charm of revolutionary culture and the poetic beauty of the Xiangjiang River, Xiangtan is absolutely worth a visit. I believe this "**Hometown of a Great Man, Red Xiangtan**" will leave you feeling awe-inspiring and deeply moving!