7 Days Hunan Discovery Tour

Day 1

Arrive in Changsha

Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement

Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to hotel. The rest of the day will be yours to relax and wander around the city.

Day 2

Changsha (B, L)

Sightseeing: Yuelu Academy, Hunan Provincial Museum

We will first have a visit to the Yuelu Academy. It was the most important of all the four academies of the Song Dynasty as well as China's earliest government-funded institution of higher learning. The buildings extant on the premises are mostly a Qing legacy. Since the Song Dynasty many famous scholars had lectured and studied in this academy.

Then we continue visit Hunan Provincial Museum. First built in 1951, the museum was opened to the public in July 1974. It has gathered together most curios unearthed in Hunan Province, unfolding the cultural development of Hunan Province throughout thousands of years.

Day 3

Changsha / Shaoshan (B, L)

Transfer via: private vehicle on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Water-dripping Cave, Memorial Hall of Mao Zedong and Former Residence of Mao Zedong

After breakfast, we will drive to Shaoshan, the hometown of Chairman Mao.

First we will have a visit to Dishuidong Cave (Water-dripping Cave). About 3km northwest of the village, it is a very popular destination, possibly because of the fact that former leader-Mao spent 11 days here in the early days of the Cultural Revolution Years (1966-1976), contemplating the unknown. Combining the spirit of nature and civilization of man, this scenic spot attracts tourists from home and abroad.

Visit the Memorial Hall of Mao Zedong and Former Residence of Mao Zedong. The Memorial Hall exhibits there include 100 pieces of Mao Zedong's manuscripts and 72 items of Mao's personal belongings. The Former Residence is a very common farmhouse built with mud bricks and tiles, exhibiting Mao Zedong's family photos, daily household utensils, various dead stocks and photos and materials displaying Mao Zedong's engagement in the revolutionary activities, and the shoulder poles, pails and hoes used by Mao Zedong during his boyhood. The furnishings in the rooms are all collocated in accord with the original appearance as Mao Zedong lived here.

Day 4

Shaoshan / Huaihua / Fenghuang (B)

Transfer via: bullet train on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Fenghuang Ancient Town

Check out the hotel, you will be transferred to the train station and take bullet train to Huaihua, upon arrival you will be met at Huaihua and then be driven to Fenghuang. Visit the Fenghuang Ancient Town, tasting its air of mystery, elegance and primitive simplicity. The bridges over the water and unique houses built on stilts displaying a harmony that is so often portrayed in traditional Chinese paintings.

Day 5

Fenghuang / Zhangjiajie (B, L)

Transfer via: private vehicle on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Huangshi Village, Jinbian Brook Scenic Area

This morning you will be driven to Wulingyuan in Zhangjiajie. You will visit the beautiful scenic spots like the South Heavenly Gate and the Star-gazing Platform. Located in the west of the park, at 1,200 meters above sea level, Huangshi Village (Huangshizhai) is the largest viewing terrace of Zhangjiajie National Park. Photograph the beautiful landscape. Then explore Jinbian Brook, along which we stroll with chirping birds and singing cicadas.

Day 6

Zhangjiajie (B, L)

Sightseeing: Yuanjiajie Scenic Area, Tianzi Mountain

In the morning we take a gentle hike through the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area. Located at the north of the park, Yuanjiajie is a mesa that overlooks a deep valley and a chain of mountain peaks. Later we head for the Tianzi Mountain and this afternoon is for leisurely exploration around the peak, take photo shots.

After the tour you will be driven to downtown Zhangjiajie.

Day 7

Zhangjiajie / Departure (B)

Transfer via: Flight on your own arrangement
Sightseeing: Tianmen Mountains, Tianmen Cave

Further explore Zhangjiajie by visiting the Tianmen Mountains. Authorized as a national forest park in 1992, Tianmen Mountains is also known as Heaven Gate Mountains due to the unique natural miracle Tianmen Cave on the mountain, many Chinese believe that the Tianmen Mountain is the “Closest Earth Landmark to God”. 

Today you will also visit the Tianmen Cave. Looks like the junction of man's world and the heavens, Tianmen Cave is the highest altitude natural cave in the world. With some 1260 meters elevation, it is on the precipices and has a height of 131.5 meters and a width of 50 meters or so. Visitors need to walk up 999 steps to reach the cave.

After the tour, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight departure.