The summer holiday is always the perfect time to break free from daily routines and step onto a journey.
In the summer, I went to Changsha, and every single day here was filled with spice, coziness, and surprises. Here’s how my 3-day wonderful Changsha journey perfectly unfolded:
Stepping out of Changsha Railway Station, I could already smell the delicious scent of chili oil floating in the warm summer air. The metro ride to my booked hotel took more than an hour, and by the time I finally dragged my luggage and stepped into the hotel room, I was already worn out like it was the end of a long, tiring day. I took a quick rest to recharge my energy, because I knew exciting food adventures were waiting for me right around the corner in this amazing city.
My first official stop was Pozi Street, the core food center of Changsha. The narrow old street was bustling with lively crowds and lined with countless small stalls and snack shops, selling all kinds of iconic local snacks. From crispy, juicy stinky tofu and signature creamy milk tea to sweet and chewy sugar-oil cakes. I couldn’t hold back my cravings and stopped at Feidachu, a super popular local Hunanese restaurant. I ordered a plate of stir-fried yellow beef, paired with a big cup of icy lemonade to cool down the spice. It was the perfect first feast as a kickoff for my Changsha trip.
Day two was a mix of natural scenery and historical vibes, totally different from the food-filled first day. I started the morning with a slow, relaxing walk around Orange Isle, a long, lush tree-lined island lying quietly in the middle of the vast Xiangjiang River. I slowly made my way to the iconic Mao Zedong Youth Art sculpture, the most famous landmark on the isle. Standing there quietly, gazing out over the river and the skyline in the distance, I felt like stepping into a piece of history and peace.
My last day in Changsha was arranged to be slow and sweet, with no rushed schedules or hurried check-ins. I wandered back to Pozi Street once again for one final bowl of classic stinky tofu and a cup of my favorite milk tea, savoring every last bite and sip of the Changsha flavors. After satisfying my taste buds, I stopped by a lively local market to pick up jars of chili sauce and many packaged local snacks, preparing to take them home to my friends once I get back.
Soon enough, it was time to leave. As I boarded the train heading back to Suzhou, I found myself already missing this city. I missed the familiar smell of chili oil, the sound of locals chatting on the streets, and the amazing feeling that every single meal in Changsha was a fun and exciting adventure for my taste buds.
Changsha isn’t just an ordinary tourist city; it’s a warm and vivid feeling: bold, passionate, warm-hearted, and endlessly flavorful.
I left Changsha with a bag full of tasty snacks, a phone full of beautiful travel photos, and a sincere promise to myself to come back to this lovely city soon for another wonderful food and travel journey. If you’re looking for a perfect summer holiday destination full of food, scenery, and good vibes, Changsha will never let you down!
Im curious, “touching down” is usually used to describe a plane touching down, not really touching down at the railway station
It was more of like a metaphor, to say that “I have arrived”.