Customized Tour Recommendation: Changsha - Inheriting and Unveiling the Charms of Hunan Culture

I. Introduction 

Yueyang and Changsha, two brilliant pearls on the land of Hunan, are steeped in profound cultural heritages and long histories. This time, led by professional instructors, we will embark on an in-depth exploration of the unique allure of this region. It's an immersive journey through history and culture, ranging from the magnificent Yueyang Tower, the academic charm of Hunan University and Yuelu Academy, the cultural treasures in Hunan Museum, to the poetic beauty of Orange Isle. The charm of Hunan culture is manifested not only in the grandeur of historical sites but also in the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage skills and in the delicious local cuisine and simple folk customs. The unique food here is another expression of Hunan culture. Let's follow the cultural vein of this land, travel among the attractions, cuisine, and intangible cultural heritage, touch the blend of the ancient and the modern, and feel the depth and vitality of Hunan culture. ## II. Travel Details ### 1. Itinerary Overview - **Departure**: Various locations in Shenzhen - **Destination**: Yueyang - Changsha - **Travel Duration**: 5 days and 4 nights (other travel dates can be customized) - **Recommended Seasons**: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter ### 2. Cultural Exploration Highlights - **Yueyang Tower**: Wander through the stele corridor to appreciate the magnificent poems left by ancient scholars, and gain a multi-faceted understanding of the history of Yueyang City. - **Hunan University**: Enter one of the oldest universities in China whose name was inscribed by Mao Zedong, and explore the learning stories of predecessors and talents. - **Yuelu Academy**: Visit one of the world's four famous academies, understand the history of this millennium-old institution and the footprints and poems left by literary giants in Hunan. - **Hunan Museum**: Conduct an in-depth visit to one of the first batch of national first-class museums, explore the mystery of the "Sleeping Beauty" (the well-preserved body of Lady Xin Zhui), and comprehensively understand the life of the nobles in the Western Han Dynasty. - **Orange Isle**: Interpret the artistic statue of the young great leader from aspects such as the creator's creative ideas and the sculpting process, and understand the birth of this artwork. - **Tongguan Kiln**: Step into the birthplace of the world's underglaze polychrome pottery, known as the "World a Thousand Years Ago", and deeply explore the relics of the ancient Silk Road. - **Tianxin Pavilion**: From the only remaining ancient city wall in Changsha, learn about the origin of the "Star City" and the historical changes of this city. - **Baisha Ancient Well**: Explore the reason for the high-quality and sweet water in Changsha, understand the sandstone landform of Changsha, and demonstrate the reason why the city site of Changsha has remained unchanged for three thousand years. ### 3. Cultural Experience Activities - **Tea Tasting in Bianhe Street**: Taste and watch professional tea artists explain the intangible cultural heritage - the famous Chinese tea Junshan Yinzhen. - **Strolling in Chaozong Street**: Appreciate the story that "Half of China's Modern History was Written by Hunanese"; explore 12 key cultural relics protection units in the block. - **Changsha Kiln Ceramic Making**: Participate in the handmade production of Changsha Kiln, touch the soul of Chinese porcelain culture, and create unique cultural souvenirs. - **Jiangtian Muxue Performance**: Watch a large-scale cultural and tourism theme performance that combines Hunan cultural aesthetics, and feel the profound cultural heritage of Hunan. - **Intangible Cultural Heritage Performance**: Avoid the crowds, take a boat tour on the lake, and witness the dual intangible cultural heritage performance of iron flower and fireworks. - **Cruise Night Tour on Xiangjiang River**: Take a luxurious cruise on Xiangjiang River and have a panoramic view of the unique landscape of "mountains, waters, isles, and the city". ### 4. Accommodation and Catering - **Accommodation**: Stay for 4 nights in local 5-star hotels. One is the first international five-star hotel in Yueyang with a view of Dongting Lake, and stay for 3 consecutive nights in a landmark luxury hotel in Changsha to enjoy the charming view of the "Star City". - **Catering**: There are the famous Balin Whole Fish Feast named by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty; the Chairman's Feast based on the food praised by Chairman Mao; the restaurants recommended by the chief director of "A Bite of China"; the restaurants visited in the program "Going to the Tasty Place in Hunan" hosted by Wang Han; the authentic rice noodle feast known as "Changsha is All About This Bowl of Noodles". ### 5. Professional Services Professional tour guides and authoritative experts will accompany and explain, combined with wonderful interactions and interesting interpretations, to deeply explore the historical and cultural customs of Hunan. Experienced professional drivers and exclusive vehicles are carefully selected to ensure a comfortable journey throughout and bid farewell to the fatigue of travel. ## III. Daily Itinerary ### Day 1: Arrival Day in Yueyang Yueyang is famous for Yueyang Tower, known as the top of the "Three Great Towers in the South of the Yangtze River". The millennium-old tower and Fan Zhongyan's "Yueyang Tower Record" complement each other. It carries not only the scenery but also the eternal feelings of Chinese culture. - **Bianhe Street - Chinese Famous Tea Tasting**: On the first day of the journey, we start from Bianhe Street, an antique commercial street full of the charm of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in front of the main building of Yueyang Tower. Walking here, it seems like time has reversed. The wind from Dongting Lake brings the prosperous atmosphere of the Song Dynasty, and every step contains the unique charm of Balin culture. Here, you can not only feel the weight of history but also have a deep encounter with intangible cultural heritage - taste the famous Chinese tea Junshan Yinzhen. Under the professional demonstration and explanation of tea artists, you can observe the unique beauty of the tea shape of Junshan Yinzhen, understand its fine production process, and listen to the stories behind it accompanied by the fragrance of tea, further appreciating the essence of Hunan culture. - **Dongting Lake and Yueyang Tower**: Yueyang Tower, located on the shore of Dongting Lake, is one of the Four Great Towers in China and is famous for "Yueyang Tower Record". This millennium-old tower not only carries the praises of countless poets but also is a gem of ancient architecture. Climbing Yueyang Tower and looking into the distance, you can trace the thousand-year cultural vein and feel Fan Zhongyan's patriotism of "worrying about the country's troubles before others and enjoying the country's prosperity after others". Stay in Yueyang at night. ### Day 2: Changsha - The Soul of Hunan Culture Changsha, a "Star City" with a three-thousand-year history, is the birthplace of Hunan culture. From the thousand-year-old scholarly atmosphere of Yuelu Academy to the flowing Xiangjiang River at Orange Isle, it is a city full of cultural heritage and youthful vitality. - **Tianxin Pavilion**: The city wall is a monument to the long history of the city. Under Tianxin Pavilion is the only remaining city wall on the ground in the old urban area of Changsha. "One Tianxin Pavilion, Half of Changsha's History". Tianxin Pavilion is a historical witness of the ancient city of Changsha. The pavilion and the remaining ancient city wall tell the story of Changsha's city defense for thousands of years. Here, we can explore the origin of "Star City" Changsha from the legend of "There is a Changsha star in the sky and a Changsha city on the ground" among the twenty-eight constellations; touch the historical vein of this city through the only remaining ancient city wall; and deeply feel the vicissitudes of war that Changsha has experienced from the tragic history of the "Wenxi Fire". Tianxin Pavilion, with its rich history, unique architectural style, and profound cultural connotations, has become a cultural business card of Changsha and even Hunan, and is worthy of our personal visit and exploration. - **Baisha Ancient Well**: The water in Changsha is famous for its clarity and sweetness. Especially Baisha Ancient Well, its spring water has not dried up or overflowed since the Tang Dynasty and is deeply loved by the citizens. Baisha Ancient Well is a famous historical and cultural relic in Changsha. This thousand-year-old well is known as the "First Spring in Changsha". It is not only one of the main sources of drinking water for Changsha citizens but also an indispensable chapter in the city's memory. It has witnessed the historical changes of Changsha, from the residents fetching water in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the water carriers in the Republic of China period, to the protection of cultural heritage in modern times. Stay in Changsha at night. ### Day 3: Changsha - Wandering in the Heart of Xiangjiang River - **Hunan Museum**: As a cultural treasure of Hunan, Hunan Museum is the largest historical and art museum in Hunan Province and one of the first batch of national first-class museums. Here, you will encounter the Hunan civilization spanning thousands of years and feel the beauty of the collision between the ancient and the modern. Under the guidance of the museum's explanation experts, we will search for the treasures of the museum, explore the mystery of the "Sleeping Beauty" (Lady Xin Zhui), and you can closely appreciate the well-preserved body of Lady Xin Zhui from the Western Han Dynasty, marvel at the superb craftsmanship and cultural heritage of that period; there are also exquisite silk fabrics, silk paintings, and lacquerware, which seem to reproduce the details of life in the Han Dynasty one by one. - **Orange Isle**: Orange Isle, known as the "Heart of Xiangjiang River", is one of the most iconic attractions in Changsha and the largest inland isle in the world, known as the "First Isle in China". Orange Isle is not only a natural wonder but also carries a profound cultural heritage. It is an important stop for us to understand the culture of this city and Mao Zedong's revolutionary journey. It is closely related to Mao Zedong's youth. He left many historical footprints here and also mentioned Orange Isle in "Qinyuanchun · Changsha", showing his heroic feelings in the impassioned words. We will explain the creative process of the sculpture, including the design ideas, shape, details, and materials, so that you can understand the birth of this artwork and feel the ingenuity of the designer and the beauty of carving. - **Jiangtian Muxue Performance**: The Jiangtian Muxue performance on Orange Isle in Changsha is a large-scale cultural and tourism theme performance that combines Hunan cultural aesthetics and immersive experience. With one of the "Eight Scenes of Xiaoxiang" - "Jiangtian Muxue" as the background and integrating wonderful multimedia technology, it takes you back thousands of years and makes you feel the unique charm of Hunan culture. You can drink with Su Shi and Mi Fu here, experience the romance of floating goblets along the winding water; discuss the wisdom of Hunan Neo-Confucianism with Zhu Xi and Zhang Shi; and witness the tragic love story between Qin Guan and Wang Youyou. This performance not only shows the profound cultural heritage of Hunan but also adopts the innovative "scene changes with the play" mode, allowing each audience to experience the plot while moving forward, as if being in a painting. - **Xiangjiang River Cruise Night Tour**: When the lights are on, the waves of Xiangjiang River and the stars are intertwined. Changsha at night exudes a charming rhythm. We will take the "Orange Isle Star" luxury cruise on Xiangjiang River, which is an experience not to be missed when exploring the night view of Changsha. At night, the cruise slowly passes through the neon lights on both sides. Du Fu River Pavilion shines in the distance, and Orange Isle shows its elegance. Looking from the deck, Xiangjiang River is like ink, and the ship lights are like stars. Every moment is like wandering in a poem. You can enjoy the view within the view and the scenery within the scenery, having a panoramic view of Changsha's mountains, waters, isles, and the city. Stay in Changsha at night. ### Day 4: Changsha - Exploring the Cultural Rhythm of Hunan - **Hunan University**: Hunan University was founded in 976 AD. In 1950, its name was inscribed by Mao Zedong. As one of the oldest universities in China, it has cultivated countless talents and is a mecca for scholars. The campus combines natural scenery and cultural landscapes deeply. It is known as the "Most Poetic and Picturesque University in China". The antique buildings and the modern academic atmosphere complement each other. Especially its close connection with Yuelu Academy makes it a palace of culture and academics. - **Yuelu Academy - Millennium Academy**: Yuelu Academy was founded in 976 AD and is one of the four ancient academies in China and the only traditional academy that has successfully transformed into a modern university system. The academy has continued its academic tradition for thousands of years. Since the Song Dynasty, it has been a holy land of Confucianism and has cultivated countless literati. As one of the oldest academies in the world, its ancient traditional academy buildings are completely preserved. "Every courtyard, every brick and tile, every lotus in the wind, all shine with the human spirit tempered by time." - **Tongguan Kiln**: Tongguan Kiln, also known as Changsha Kiln, is one of the three major export porcelain kilns in the Tang Dynasty in China and the birthplace of the world's underglaze polychrome pottery. Since its discovery in 1956, more than ten thousand cultural relics have been unearthed. It is called the "World a Thousand Years Ago" by archaeologists. Tongguan Kiln is not only a representative of Chinese ceramic art but also an important heritage of ancient Chinese ceramic technology and culture. We can understand and feel the relics of the thousand-year-old "Ancient Silk Road" here and also participate in the handmade production of Changsha Kiln, touch the soul of Chinese porcelain culture, and create a unique cultural souvenir. - **Tongguan Kiln Ancient Town National Style Park**: The National Style Park of Tongguan Kiln Ancient Town is a theme park with the ceramic culture of Changsha Tongguan Kiln in the Tang Dynasty as its core. With its unique cultural atmosphere and rich tourism and vacation products, it has become one of the must-visit cultural tourism destinations in Changsha. When night falls and the lights are on, we will take a boat tour on the lake and witness the dual intangible cultural heritage performance of iron flower and fireworks. The flying molten iron is like a meteor shower, and the fireworks rising into the sky are like a brilliant Milky Way. It seems like being in a dreamy scene full of stars, making people linger. Stay in Changsha at night. ### Day 5: Return Day - Half of Modern History in Chaozong Street - **Chaozong Street**: "If you don't enter Chaozong Street, you haven't really entered Changsha." It was originally the location of the county government in Changsha and has been a busy commercial area since ancient times. As one of the only four ancient granite streets remaining in Changsha, Chaozong Street retains a profound historical heritage and a strong flavor of local life. Walking in this block is like walking into a museum of historical memory. It is not only a witness to the history of Changsha but also carries a large number of cultural relics protection units, including historical buildings such as Shiwu Academy and Zuo Zongtang Memorial Hall. It enjoys the reputation of "Half of China's Modern History was Written by Hunanese". In addition to the numerous Republic of China buildings, modern shops have also injected new vitality into this block. It is the best place to explore the "old street style" of Changsha. Whether you are immersed in historical footprints or exploring unique treasure shops, Chaozong Street can bring you a unique cultural experience and make you feel the story of "A Group of Hunanese, Half of Modern History". - **Republic of China Café**: During the stroll, we will step into a café with a unique Republic of China style to take a break. It used to be a residential house in the Republic of China period. Taste a cup of fragrant coffee in the antique environment and enjoy the quiet afternoon time, immersed in the unique atmosphere of history and leisure intertwined here. - **Wenyoulou**: Wenyoulou is not only an important food business card of Changsha but also a cultural landmark full of memories and emotions. With the strong flavor of the old Changsha city life as the core, it reproduces the streets and alleys of the 1980s. The walls covered with old posters, the yellowing neon signs, and the mottled red brick alleys can evoke people's resonance with the past. Food and culture are intertwined here. You can taste the authentic Changsha snacks and feel the warm and human local atmosphere, as if traveling back to that simple and lively era. - **Send-off and Return**: Perfectly end the 5-day and 4-night Yueyang-Changsha themed tour and send off to the station for return according to the specific time. If you need to customize and extend the tour, you can send a private message to the consultant Yuwen. ## IV. Travel Expenses and Notes ### 1. Expenses - **Starting from 7000 yuan per person**: The recommended age for children is 6 years old and above. Note that this product is recommended for groups of 6 or more people to have a richer food experience. - **Included in the Cost**: - Accommodation in 4 nights of local 5-star hotels - Hotel breakfast - Services of 1 local excellent tour guide throughout the journey - Services of 1 online team leader Yuwen throughout the journey - Regular tourist vehicles and local professional driver services throughout the journey - Entrance tickets and experience fees for the attractions shown in the itinerary: Yueyang Tower, afternoon tea in Bianhe Street + tea artist explanation, Tianxin Pavilion, museum explanation, immersive performance of Jiangtian Muxue, Orange Isle cruise, Yuelu Academy + shuttle bus, Tongguan Kiln + shuttle bus + explanation + pottery making, Shiwu Academy, afternoon tea in the Republic of China mansion - 300,000-yuan domestic travel insurance with a limited amount - Public materials for the journey - **Not Included in the Cost**: - Transportation fees between Shenzhen and Hunan (Yuwen Travel can book on behalf of customers) - Full-course dinners (Yuwen Travel can recommend and book