Written by
Jennifer Shen |
Hunan Province is a mountainous region in South China. You may not be familiar with it, but you must have seen pictures of Zhangjiajie on the internet. It’s the city with the most stunning natural landscapes in the province. Changsha is its capital city, a cultural and transportation hub. Fenghuang Ancient Town showcases yet another different side of the province. The traditional buildings and lifestyle are particularly nostalgic and unique in this day and age.
Hunan with its unique scenery is definitely worth a trip during your travel in China. Here is the ultimate guide on how to plan a Changsha-Zhangjiajie-Fenghuang tour to Hunan including things to see and do in each place, best time to visit, transportation guide, how to draft the itinerary and many other useful information.
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- Why Visit Zhangjiajie, Changsha, & Fenghuang Together
- Top Attractions & Things to Do
- Best Time to Visit Hunan
- Transportation: Flights & Local Transport
- Hunan Itinerary Guide: How Many Days You Will Need
- What to Eat in Hunan
- Where to Stay in Zhangjiajie, Changsha, & Fenghuang
- Essential Travel Tips for a Hunan Tour
- Start Your Hunan Exploration with China Xian Tour
Why Visit Zhangjiajie, Changsha, & Fenghuang Together
- Zhangjiajieis a world-famous tourist city for its karst formations. The amazing peaks and pinnacles are the real-life inspiration for the floating mountains in Avatar. Traveling to Zhangjiajie is the perfect vacation choice for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers.
- Changshais the capital and largest city of Hunan Province. It has recently become popular among travelers because of its unique regional culture especially the local cuisine. It’s also the transportation hub of Hunan, so it’s easy to get to and a common transfer stop.
- Fenghuang Ancient Townis a small, stunning ancient town located in the Hunan Province of China. In Fenghuang, you will experience traditional architecture and an ancient lifestyle that make it feel like time has come to a stop in this tiny village along the Tuojiang River.
- Going on a Zhangjiajie-Changsha-Fenghuang trip will allow you to see three different sides of Hunan Province and have a more comprehensive understanding. Thanks to excellent infrastructure, getting around between these places will be easy. Changsha will service as your starting point.
Top Attractions & Things to Do
Zhangjiajie: Stunning Natural Sceneries
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is arguably the most famous attraction of Hunan Province. It is a massive scenic area consisting of a number of parts including Yangjiajie, Yuanjiajie, Huangshi Village, etc. The mountains and peaks here are known as the Avatar mountains of China. Strangely shaped pillars charge through the clouds into the sky. The otherworldly views are unforgettable.
Bailong Elevator will take you to the top of Yuanjiajie. It is the tallest elevator in the world and will take you to the top of the mountain in just 66 seconds. You can look around as you ascend among the peaks and forests.
Golden Whip Stream is a great area for hiking in the forest park. The stream will take you through the shaded forest among the tall mountains. Hiking is a good idea to slow down and spend some time in nature.
Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon has magnificent views. Over it is the highest and longest glass bridge in the world. Looking through the glass floor, you will see the valley below your feet. It is one of the best photo spots of Zhangjiajie and an excellent destination for adventurers.
Tianmen Mountain has two highlights. One is Tianmen Cave, a natural cave through the mountain. It’ll take you 999 steps to reach the bottom of it. This place once used to be a holy site for the locals due to its sheer height and strange shape. The other attraction are the glass skywalks. You’ll walk amid the clouds on the cliffsides. An exhilarating addition to any budding travel adventure.
Changsha: The Culture Hub of Hunan
Orange Island Park is the most renowned attraction of Changsha because it is linked to the most famous revolutionary figure in Chinese history, Mao Zedong. Chaiman Mao paid regular visit to the island during his time in Changsha which is near his hometown. The beautiful sceneries of the island were later featured in a well-known poem by Mao in which he expressed his patriotic aspirations.
Hunan Provincial Museum is the most comprehensive history museum of the region. It has a huge collection of precious relics excavated across Hunan. Its signature exhibition is one of the Mawangdui Han Tombs. The tombs, corpse, and treasures uncovered remain in excellent condition.
Yuelu Academy is one of the Four Great Academies of China dated back to 976 AD in Song Dynasty, considered one of the birthplaces of Chinese higher education. The academy is now located on the campus of Hunan University.
Fenghuang: Charm of Ancient Town
Historical buildings and architecture of Fenghuang Ancient Town are a great highlight. Ancestral homes, gates, and bridges all carry memories of local families.
Taking a Tuojiang River boat ride is the best thing to do in Fenghuang. See the stilt houses reflected in the calm water. At night, the lights come on to create a stunning night view.
Best Time to Visit Hunan
The best time to visit Hunan is autumn as well as spring. These two seasons have the best weather conditions for outdoor exploration, especially hiking, which is the top thing to do in Zhangjiajie. The temperature is neither too high nor too low. The weather tends to be clear with beautiful blossoms and foliage.
An important aspect to consider when planning Zhangjiajie-Changsha-Fenghuang tour is timing, seasons, and tourism traffic. We recommend avoiding China public holidays and the summer. These are when attractions are most likely to be rammed full of domestic tourists. It’s hot and clammy in the summer and outdoor activities lose some of their enjoyment value. Winter in Hunan is chilly. While you probably don’t want to go then, it’s generally the cheapest time of the year to do so.
Read more about Zhangjiajie Weather
Transportation: Flights & Local Transport
How to Get to Hunan: Gateway Cities
Changsha and Zhangjiajie are both easily reachable. Depending on where your tour launches, you can fly to Changsha Huanghua International Airport (CSX) or Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG). Both airports only have international flights to and from some Southeastern Asian countries including Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, etc.
If you’re traveling from other parts of the world, it’s recommended that you book a flight to one of the major transportation hubs of China including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. Then you can make a transfer for your destination. You’ll find plenty of connections from one of those cities to Zhangjiajie or Changsha.
How to Travel Between the Cities
Changsha, Zhangjiajie, and Fenghuang are not too far from each other. The most common way of traveling between them is by high-speed train. The highspeed rail service in China is very developed and convenient. It is not particularly costly, but if you’re seeking a budget option, you can also take the long-distance buses. They tend to take longer and less comfortable. Here are some transportation options between Zhangjiajie, Changsha, and Fenghuang.
Route |
Transportation Options |
Zhangjiajie – Changsha |
By highspeed rail: Zhangjiajie West Station – Changsha South Station (about 3 hours)
By long-distance bus: Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station – Changsha West Bus Station (about 5 hours) By car: about 4 hours |
Zhangjiajie – Fenghuang |
By highspeed rail: Zhangjiajie West Station – Fenghuang Ancient Town Station (about 1 hour)
By long-distance bus: Zhangjiajie Central Bus Station – Fenghuang Bus Station (about 5 hours) By car: about 4 hours |
Changsha – Fenghuang |
By highspeed rail: Changsha South Station – Fenghuang Ancient Town Station (about 2 hour)
By long-distance bus: Changsha West Bus Station – Fenghuang Bus Station (about 6 hours) By car: about 5 hours |
Local Transportation
Getting around locally is relatively easy. Changsha as the provincial capital has a metro system. It’s cheap and user friendly. In all three places, you can take a taxi to pretty much wherever you want to go. We recommend downloading and setting up the most popular ride-hailing app DiDi before your trip.
Read More about Zhangjiajie Transportation
Hunan Itinerary Guide: How Many Days You Will Need
We suggest dedicating at least about a week to a Changsha-Zhangjiajie-Fenghuang itinerary. 6 or 7 days are just enough for seeing each of the 3 places’ highlights taking into account the time you will be spending on the road. Ideally, plan for a full 9 or 10 days if making a comprehensive Hunan tour. If you have less than 7 days, consider picking only 2 of the 3 to then experience more in depth.
When it comes to the order of visiting these three places, here are some tips. Start and end your Changsha-Zhangjiajie-Fenghuang itinerary in Zhangjiajie and Changsha so that it would be more convenient to transfer to other cities or transportation hubs. Fenghuang Ancient Town is closer to Zhangjiajie, so we usually recommend visiting Fenghuang after your Zhangjiajie tour. Here are two itineraries for your reference.
Day 1: Zhangjiajie arrival
Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Yellow Stone Village) – Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon (Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge)
Day 3: Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (Bailong Elevator) – Tianzi Mountain
Day 4: Yellow Dragon Cave – drive to Fenghuang Ancient Town
Day 5: boat ride on Tuojiang River – drive to Changsha – Changsha night tour
Day 6: Hunan Provincial Museum – Orange Island Park – Yuelu Academy – Changsha departure
- 9 Days In-Depth Changsha-Zhangjiajie-Fenghuang Tour
Day 1: Changsha arrival – night exploration
Day 2: Hunan Provincial Museum – Orange Island Park – Yuelu Academy
Day 3: drive to Shaoshan, the hometown of Chairman Mao – Water Dripping Cave – Former Residence of Mao Zedong – Mao’s Family Ancestral Hall – drive to Zhangjiajie
Day 4: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Yellow Stone Village – Golden Whip Stream hike) – Baofeng Lake Scenic Area
Day 5: Tianzi Mountain (cable car ride) – Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (Bailong Elevator) – Ten Mile Gallery
Day 6: Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon (Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge – optional bungee experience) – Tianmen Mountain (sky walk – Tianmen Cave)
Day 7: Yellow Dragon Cave – drive to Fenghuang Ancient Town
Day 8: boat ride on Tuojiang River – ancient town ethnic life exploration
Day 9: return to Zhangjiajie or Changsha for departure
What to Eat in Hunan
Local food will be a big highlight of your Hunan tour. Hunan cuisine is one of the eight major cuisines of China. It is best known for being very spicy. A variety of mostly inland ingredients are prepared with lots of spices. The most prominent flavor profiles are spicy, sour, and smoky. There are many exquisite dishes, home-cooked recipes, as well as street snacks.
Visiting Changsha, Zhangjiajie, and Fenghuang means you’ll get to experience the subtle differences in local culinary culture and ethnic styles across regions. Here are some famous foods to try in each place and where you’ll find the most authentic flavors.
Zhangjiajie: Tujia Ethnic Cuisine
Zhangjiajie is home to many Tujia people, so its foods have many ethnic characteristics. They are rich, savory, and are mostly home-made dishes. Sanxia Guo is a signature dish which is a dry pot made with three main ingredients, pork belly, intestines, fatty beef, alongside vegetables like radish, and potatoes. It makes a hearty meal served with white rice which complements its spicy and rich flavors.
Tujia Pork Belly is another common dish on local menus. It may be smoked or steamed, delicious either way. You’ll find these traditional dishes at most local restaurants either in town or near the scenic areas. These restaurants may look down-to-earth but tend to have the most authentic flavors. Master Tang Xiangxi Famous Cuisine Restaurant and Lekoufu Home-Style Restaurant are two good options.
Changsha: Famous Street Foods & Classic Chinese Dishes
Changsha food is famous throughout the country especially the street snacks. Stinky Tofu, one of the most famous street food in China, originates from Changsha. The name and smell may frighten you off a little but you will discover why the locals like it the first bite! Spicy Crayfish is another night snack that has caught on with people across the entire country. The spices and rich flavors are perfect to go with a cold beer.
Changsha’s stir fry dishes have also made their way into the menus of other regions. Changsha-Styled Stir-Fried Pork with Chili Peppers and Stir-Fried Yellow Beef are representative of the local flavor profile. Steamed Fish Head with Chopped Chili is an absolute classic that makes a great cultural experience. A good Changsha travel tip is that if you don’t do well with spices, you can notify your server when you place your order.
You will typically want to have Changsha rice noodle for breakfast or brunch. It’s pretty much the go-to for locals and tourists alike. There are noodle shops across the city and for street foods and dinner-spot, there are many busy snack streets and night markets like Pozi Street, Huangxing Road Pedestrian Street, Wuyi Square, and Nanmenkou Snack Street.
Fenghuang Ancient Town: Miao Ethnic Flavors
Fenghuang Ancient Town is a place where people come from hives of Miao and Tujia people. Ethnic customs along with the proximity of fresh water have resulted in a distinctive food culture in its place with Blood Duck being the most well-known. Duck blood is a traditional ingredient in many Chinese foods and is well worth tasting while you are in the area. Sour-Broth Fish is a Miao dish with a very strong flavor. Look for the many little eateries and restaurants run by the people there in the ancient towns.
Where to Stay in Zhangjiajie, Changsha, & Fenghuang
Here are some general information on accommodation while planning a trip to Zhangjiajie, Changsha, and Fenghuang.
Where to Stay in Zhangjiajie
Where to Stay in Zhangjiajie is a common question that visitors have as there seem to be quite a few options. There are two big areas to consider, Zhangjiajie downtown area and Wulingyuan District. Some hotels to look into include Pullman Zhangjiajie, Crowne Plaza Zhangjiajie, Yunting Time Hotel, and Yunqi Qingshe Hotel.
The downtown area is convenient for transportation. You’ll be close to the train stations, airport, and have access to many restaurants, shops, and markets. You won’t be bored in the city area but it also means you’ll be spending some time every day to get to the scenic areas. Hotels, many of which are international chains, will have excellent services and facilities.
Wulingyuan District is where Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon are located. You’ll be close to the beautiful mountains, may have the chance to catch a gorgeous sunrise or sunset. There are also a variety of options ranging from luxury resorts to budget inns.
Where to Stay in Changsha
Finding accommodation in Changsha is easy. We usually recommend downtown Changsha, especially nearby Wuyi Square for first-time visitors. It’s the central district close to attractions, shopping centers, night markets, etc. You can look into Ritz-Carlton Changsha, Narada Boutique Hotel (Changsha Wuyi Square), and Atour Hotel.
Where to Stay in Fenghuang Ancient Town
Compared to Changsha and Zhangjiajie, your options will be more limited in Fenghuang Ancient Towns. Most accommodations in the town are converted from traditional wooded houses so they are quite unique, but that also means facilities and services won’t be as up-to-standard as you might be familiar with. You can look at Suixingju Boutique Inn or Yunqi Inn.
Essential Travel Tips for a Hunan Tour
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Entrance
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park will be the highlight attraction of your Zhangjiajie-Changsha-Fenghuang itinerary. It sees lots of tourism traffic every year especially during public holidays and the summer. So an important Zhangjiajie travel tip is that during the peak season (Mar. 1 to Nov. 30) you will want to book your entrance tickets about a week ahead of time online. The entrance fee is CNY 225 including four major scenic spots valid for 4 days.
What to Pack
Apart from the essential travel items you’ll need, for a Zhangjiajie-Changsha-Fenghuang tour, you should be prepared for extensive hiking and outdoor activities. Pack comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing because the weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, a light backpack for hiking, and a portable charger.
Trip Budget
Traveling to Changsha, Zhangjiajie, and Fenghuang is generally not expensive. For visitors considering the cost of travel, here’s an estimated budget for a 1-week trip to Changsha Zhangjiajie, and Fenghuang.
- Transportation(excluding flights): CNY 800-1000
- Accommodation: around CNY 300-500 per night for mid-ranged options
- Attraction tickets and activities: CNY 225 for Zhangjiajie, CNY 200-500 for other optional activities, CNY 100-150 for a boat ride in Fenghuang Ancient Town, plus cost for shopping and other entertainment options
- Meals: on average CNY 100-150 per person per day
- Total for a one–week trip: around CNY 6000-8000 per person
Start Your Hunan Exploration with China Xian Tour
Plan your Zhangjiajie-Changsha-Fenghuang trip now with China Xian Tour. Our travel experts can help you with a customized itinerary that suits your needs and plans. We’ll take care of the attraction bookings, intercity transportations, and provide private transfer service. Just sit back and enjoy the beautiful landscapes and culture of Hunan.
