Introduction to Sightseeing
in Changsha and Nearby Cities

1、Yuelu Mountain & Yuelu Academy
Yuelu Mountain is the peak of the last 72 Nanyue peak with elevation of 300.8 meters. Yuelu Mountain is one of the core area in the Lushan Mountain scenic area, an area of 5.28 square kilometers, which is located in the Xiangjiang River West Bank. Yuelu Mountain is a huge "plant museum." Total area of 174 families of plant species, 977 species, a typical subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest and coniferous forest dominated warm in some areas, but also save large tracts of native evergreen broad-leaved secondary forest. Old trees, everywhere, and the Jin dynasty Buddhist pine, ginkgo Tang, Song and Yuan camphor, Ming Feng Li, vibrant. Yuelushan old times, attractions abound, only above the provincial level as there are 15 key cultural relics protection. Pavilion love the quiet night, the depth of Yuelu Academy, Lushan of the ancient palace of the Qing Yun Lu, and Bai Hequan, Yuwang monument, two Southern poems engraved, Sui stupa, stone, etc., are all fascinating.
Qianlong Dynasty Fifty-seven years (1792), Dean of Law from the Code of Yuelu Academy was created. Anhui Chuxian the Drunkard Pavilion (1046), Hangzhou West Lake Pavilion (1552), Beijing Taoranting Park (1695) claimed that the four famous pavilions in China. Love Leaves Late Pavilion, formerly known as kiosks, also known as Love Maple Pavilion. Bi Yuan and later by the Viceroy, according to Du pieces, "Han Shan Shi Jing ramp on the far, white depths of people, Parking Fenglin love to sit late, Red Leaves in Flowers," a poem, later renamed the love of kiosk. Through the mists of Love Late Pavilion, wen, dynasty, Xuantong years have been all fixed. Xuantong three of them fall, Hunan Superintendent Mr. Cheng Songwan chair repair, the Law Code, written in couplets engraved in Tingzhu, the "trails late peach red Shu five hundred new species may die prematurely, dropping one pair of Gap Yunshen tame Tsui Crane to be caged." The matter of repairing Love Late Pavilion is also engraved on the stone tablet written down.
Yuelu Academy is a national 4A level scenic spots, national key scenic spots, the National Scenic Area civilized demonstration, the national key cultural relics protection units, located in Hunan Province, Hunan University campus Yuelu district, about 3 km from the city center, covering 31,000 square meters, construction area of about 11,000 square meters, is to demonstrate the College of Education and the Academy of Ancient Architecture Museum of ancient ruins. Yuelu Academy was founded in the Northern Song Kai Bao nine years (AD 976), is one of four Colleges in ancient China. She went through the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, to the naming of Hunan University in 1926. From the old Academy to Hunan University, the same strain, is music in the way; now, she has become the only one Ph.D., Master's College, known as the "Millennium Institution", but also the best repair, best preserved, one of the largest ancient College. Chinese and foreign tourists in recent years received about 65 million people, has gradually become a collection of Chinese Academy Heritage Centre, exhibition centers, research centers and communication centers.

Yuelu Mountain Area Management Agency：http://www.hnyls.com/


2. Orange Island (Juzizhou Park)
Orange Island is the biggest name of the Xiangjiang River Island, from south to north, runs through the middle of the river, looking west Yuelu, east city. Orange Island area is the demonstration civilized tourist area, the first batch of "red tourism," one of the classic attractions, the provincial civilized units, Hunan King hundred units, one of eight scenic spots, Changsha, "mountain, water, Island, City" Tour pattern of core elements.

 


Area of the original area of about 17 hectares, of which an open area of about 6 hectares, the main attractions are Chau Tau Chung orange booths, poetry white marble monument, Central Plaza, pergolas Square, Chairman Mao Memorial swim Xiangjiang point, Lan Yue Ting, Ting Jiang pillow , bonsai garden, plaza, and so on.

 

Yuelu Mountain Area Management Agency：http://www.hnyls.com/

3、Hunan Provincial Museum
Founded in the early 1950s, Hunan Provincial Museum is located in Kaifu District of Changsha City, adjoining the Martyres’ Park and covering an area of 51,000 square meters. The museum boasts abundant collections that feature the cultural relics excavated from the world-famous Mawangdui Tombs of Han Dynasty, the bronze wares of the Shang and the Zhou Dynasties, cultural relics of Chu Dynasty, pottery and porcelain works from various dynasties, calligraphy works and paintings, and modern cultural relics, thereby being listed as the largest historical and artistic museum in Hunan Province, as well as one of the first eight National Foremost Museums eligible to be co-constructed by central and local governments.
Seen from above, this placid and grandiose compound resembles a delicate small town embedded in a huge piece of emerald. The whole structure within the compound is a combination of the traditional culture of Hunan Province and modern architectural style, simple yet elegant, stately yet tasteful, thus becoming one of the landmarks of Changsha, a city with a long history. The museum features modern technologies and complete function, housing five permanent exhibitions and other temporary exhibitions.

Hunan Provincial Museum：http://www.hnmuseum.com/

4、Tianxin Pavilion

Tianxin Pavilion is located in the northeast corner of Changsha, inside the ancient city wall. It is not only the important landmark of Changsha, but also is the only remaining signs of ancient Changsha. The three-story structure with its green tiles, protruding eaves and painted pillars, sits in harmony with the city wall, the park and other surrounding buildings. From the pavilion, a visitor has sweeping views of Miaogao and Yuelu mountains as well as the whole city.
Built in the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty, it was destroyed by a fire in 1938, and rebuilt in 1983 with much care taken to recreate its original appearance. Many people come here to read books, view the scene, and taste the tea.

Tianxin Pavilion：http://www.hntxg.com/

1、Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was established by the State Council in 1982 as the 1st National Forest Park of China. Covering 13 sq km, the park is known for its unique landscape with lush forests dominated by quartzite sandstone pillars. Bubbling brooks and charming lakes wind around the area and connect giant caves.
Zhangjiajie is located in North-Western part of Hunan province. It is the First National Forest Park in China, also designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. The place has 3000 miraculous peaks and 800 streams. Movie AVATAR and Journey to the West has been filmed here.

The "Southern Sky Column" in Zhangjiajie had its name changed to "Avatar Hallelujah Mountain" The floating "Hallelujah Mountains" in the movie "Avatar " were inspired by the "Southern Sky Column," as a Hollywood photographer spent time shooting there in 2008.The film's director and production designers said that they drew inspiration for the floating rocks from mountains from around the world, including those in Hunan province. More and more people yearn for travalling to Zhangjiajie after the hot broadcasting of "Avatar".

Zhangjiajie Tourism Network Government Official Website：http://www.zhangjiajie.gov.cn/

2、Phoenix Town

Feng Huang is Chinese for Phoenix, the mythical bird of good omen and longevity that is consumed by fire to be re-born again from the flames. Feng Huang Cheng or Phoenix Town is so called as legend has it that two of these fabulous birds flew over it and found the town so beautiful that they hovered there, reluctant to leave.
The town is situated on the western boundary of Hunan Province in an area of outstanding natural beauty where mountains, water and blue skies prevail. Upon entering the town the visitor will be impressed by its air of mystery, elegance and primitive simplicity. This is a world that is dominated by the colour green. The mountain slopes are covered with green foliage, the fields are green and even the Tuo Jiang River reflects the greenery. The bridges over the water and unique houses built on stilts display a harmony that is so often portrayed in traditional Chinese paintings. This is particularly true when mist pervades the scene in the early morning or after rain. It soon becomes apparent that the claim to being one of the two most beautiful towns in the whole of China is more than justified; the other town is Chang Ting in Fujian Province.
In many ways, life has not changed here for centuries and this is typified by the tough, hard working yet simple-hearted people. Feng Huang Cheng offers the visitor from both home and abroad a view of a quite different China from anything experienced in the modern cities and large conurbations that are more widely known. We are sure that the opportunity to travel in such a picturesque region will be remembered as an experience of a lifetime.

Phoenix Town Official Website：http://www.hnphoenix.com/

3、The Former Residence of Chairman Mao & The Dripping Water Cave
The Former Residence of Chairman Mao is located at Shangwu Ground, Tudi Chong, Shaoshan village, Shaoshan Township. It lies on the south and faces on the north, the building structure is like Chinese character "凹". On the east, it belongs to Mao's family, on the other side of the house is the neighbor's, they shared the central room. On Dec.26, 1893, Mao Zedong was born in the house. We can see Mao's family photo, everyday household utensils, all kinds of farm tools, and shoulder pole, bucket, hoe, which were used by Mao Zedong when he was young.


As the hometown of the great man of the generation, now Shaoshan is one of the important tourist zones in Hunan province. The major tourist sites including the Former residence of Chairman Mao, Memorial Hall of Mao Zedong, Water-dripping Cave and Steles Forest of Mao's Poems, and so on.
The Dripping Water Cave, about 3 km northwest of the village, is a very popular destination, possibly because of the fact that Mao allegedly spent 11 days here in the early days of the Cultural Revolution Years (1966-76), contemplating the unknown.

The Former Residence of Chairman Mao Official Website：http://www.txssw.com/

4、Mt. Hengshan

Mt. Hengshan, also known as Southern Heights Mountain (Nanyue shan), is located about 120km south of Changsha. It is one of the five sacred Buddhist Mountains in China, although much of the mountain is also dedicated to Taoist belief. The mountain extends for 80 kilometers and there are a total of 72 peaks in all, the highest of which, the Wishing for Harmony Peak (Zhurong feng), rises to 1,298 meters above sea level. This is a pretty area, which is sometimes a little too popular, although filled with enough charming Buddhist and Taoist temples, some dating back over 1000 years, and pretty scenery to make it worth your while.
At the foot of the mountain stands the biggest temple in southern China, the Grand Southern Heights Temple (Nanyue damiao), which covers an area of 100,000 square meters and which is the largest group of ancient buildings in Hunan Province. The original temple is said to have dated back at least as far as the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), although it was destroyed by fire at various stages. The present temple dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD) and is based on Beijing's Imperial Palace. There are nine courtyards here, with the main hall as a highlight, at 22 meters high and supported by 72 stone pillars in tribute to the mountain's peaks. The temple, glazed in red and yellow, is linked with many other buildings and is a grand palace complex.

Mt. Hengshan Official Website：http://www.nanyue.net.cn/

5、Dongting Lake & Yueyang Tower
Yueyang Tower is located on the western gate of old Yueyang city, with Dongting Lake in the west and Yangtze River in the north. It has a history of over 1700 years, which is one of the three famous towers in southern China in history. The other two towers are Yellow Crane tower in Wuhan and Prince Teng pavilion in Nanchang. Among the three famous towers, only Yueyang tower is the original building of Qing Dynasty. It used to be a watchtower for soldiers. The tower owns a unique structure of “three floors, four pillars, flying eaves, helmet roof, and pure wood”. The famous article “Notes on Yueyang Tower” was written by Fan Zhongyan, an outstanding scholar in North Song Dynasty. It makes Yueyang tower even more famous.
Yueyang Tower is ranked in the Dongting Lake National Scenic Area. In 2001, it was accredited among the first batch of AAAA grade tourist areas of China. It was also listed one of the ten most famous cultural heritages in Hunan Province in 2005
In September 2007, Yueyang Tower Scenic Area was expanded from 73 acres to 670 acres, increasing new scenic spots of Zhan Yue Gate, Antique wall, turret, Dongting Lake Poetry Veranda, Bianhe River Street, the Southern Gate, the memorial temple of Teng Zijing and Fan Zhongyan, Five dynasties brass towers, tablet corridor, Lv Dongbin Temple, and other attractions.

Yueyang Tower Management Agency：http://www.yueyanglou.com/