https://https://uk.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/xiangtan-county/best-things-to-do/10072858900000
Best Things to Do
Top 50 Best Things to Do near Xiangtan County [2025]
Show All Photos
Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park
4.6
/5
42089 reviews
9.4
From HK$314.26
Based on 1,375 reviews
Tianmenshan Cableway/Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8607448366666
Address: Tianmenshan National Forest Park, Tianmenshan Cableway, Dayong Road, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie City
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Glass Walkway with a panoramic view of the valley
197 ft glass walkway on cliffside
Saved by 5868 users30661 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
We were lucky enough to see a sea of clouds from the cable car up the mountain—it was breathtaking! Tianmen Cave was also stunning. The climb wasn't as tiring as I'd imagined because there were handrails to hold onto, and the stone steps were well-maintained. The only downside was the upper half, which was quite steep, and there were no flat areas along the way. To rest, you had to sit on the steps, which had a few viewing platforms along the sides. I completed both the east and west routes, both being loop trails with no backtracking. Both routes have 60-meter-long glass walkways available, but you need to pay an extra 5 yuan for each. The west route has a suspension bridge (the east route doesn't), while the east route allows you to climb to the top and overlook the surrounding area. Overlooking Zhangjiajie City (West Route not included), the entire route, even at a slow pace, takes a maximum of 6-8 hours, which is sufficient for one day.
Route A: Take the cable car from the city center directly to the East and West routes. Explore the East and West routes first, then take the six-section mountain-penetrating elevator down to Tianmen Cave. Walk down the stone steps to Tianmen Cave, or take the six-section ascending elevator down to the bottom of Tianmen Cave (Route A does not allow access to the stone steps to Tianmen Cave; for those who wish to ascend Tianmen Cave, routes B or C are recommended). Then walk along a boardwalk to the Tianmen Mountain Expressway, take the expressway down the mountain, and then transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus to the lower station of the Tianmen Mountain cable car in the city center. Route B: The complete opposite of Route A. This route is for those who want to climb up to Tianmen Cave but don't want to climb back down, and who want to experience the Tianmen Mountain cable car directly down to Zhangjiajie city. Note that Route B recommends exploring the East Route first, then the West Route, to avoid excessive walking. The cable car entrance is near the West Route, and when it's crowded going down, you'll need to get a reservation number from Li Na's Villa next to the cable car entrance (no need to get it in advance, as Li Na's Villa is usually closed when you first go up). If it's not crowded going down, you don't need a reservation number and can go directly down. Just queue, everything depends on the arrangements on the mountain.
Route C: This combines the ascent route B with the descent route A. It allows you to walk to and from Tianmen Cave, but you cannot take the direct cable car from Tianmen Mountain to Zhangjiajie city (7 kilometers in total).
Route A is the most crowded, and the vast majority of tour groups take it. When we descended from Route B to the lower cable car station at 3 PM, we still saw a huge queue for Route A, probably at least two hours long. It was much more crowded than earlier in the morning, but even then, Route A was much more crowded than Routes B and C in the morning, and this is during the off-season.
Put this on your bucket list. Brilliant engineering excellence combined with raw natural beauty. Of course, be prepared for a lot of steps and if you suffer from vertigo, you may want to avoid this one.
Show All Photos
Hunan Provincial Museum
4.8
/5
14480 reviews
8.7
Based on 137 reviews
Hunan Museum/Beichen Delta | 48.3 km from downtown
Phone +86073184415833
Address: No. 50, Dongfeng Road, Kaifu District, Changsha City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-6 hours
Highlights:
Ancient life virtual reality experience
VR experience: ancient life scenes
Saved by 543 users13350 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It was my first time in Changsha, and I chose to go to the Hunan Provincial Museum first. I saw the Mawangdui Han Tomb exhibits that I had only seen on TV before. The tour guide Xiao Xiao was very responsible and patient, and the explanation was very detailed. It was a great experience.
Today's visit to the Hunan Provincial Museum completely exceeded our expectations, thanks to our docent, Xiao Xiao. Instead of simply reading from a script, she brought the artifacts to life with vivid details. When discussing the brocade robes from the Mawangdui Han Tomb, she remarked, "Nobles over 2,000 years ago wore such lightweight, 'haute couture' garments." She spoke with impeccable speed and passion throughout, ensuring we didn't feel overwhelmed by information or miss any of the remarkable stories. At the end, she even shared many of her own photos. Her professional and engaging explanations allowed us to not only see the artifacts themselves, but also understand the history and culture behind them. If you visit the Hunan Provincial Museum, be sure to experience this unforgettable experience with Xiao Xiao.
Show All Photos
Orange Island
4.6
/5
12821 reviews
8.7
Based on 435 reviews
45.4 km from downtown
Phone +86073188882152
Address: Orange Island Beach Park, Yuelu District, Changsha City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
One of the first national red tourism classic attractions
Xiangjiang fireworks & music show
Saved by 1014 users6160 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
A large park around the river. In addition to enjoying the breeze by the river, you can also see the large statue of Mao Zedong! It's a long way to get in from the subway, and the round trip bus cost 40 yuan, which is not cost-effective! I can only say that if you have nothing to do and have time, it's okay to take a walk if you like to exercise.
The night view is stunning. The light show makes it look bustling and prosperous.
We took the train. It wasn't crowded. Most people went to see the giant statue of Chairman Mao.
We enjoyed the breeze from the Xiang River. The view was also expansive.
It's a shame our stay was short. We didn't get to see every scene in detail.
No.
4
Show All Photos
Du Fu Pavilion
4.6
/5
8579 reviews
8.4
From HK$19.65
Wu Yi Square/IFS | 45.1 km from downtown
Phone +86073182298545
Address: No.108, Xiangjiang Middle Road, Tianxin District, Changsha
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Watch the Orange Isle Light Show Across the River
360° view of Xiangjiang city
Saved by 597 users7579 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Upstairs, there's a video of Du Fu's poem "Meeting Li Guinian Again in Jiangnan," which brought me to tears. "Often seen at Prince Qi's residence, heard many times before Cui Jiu's hall. It is indeed a beautiful scene in Jiangnan, meeting you again in the season of falling flowers." Ultimately, he died far from home, never returning to his native soil. Du Fu, a poet saint for all time, dedicated his life to his country and its people!
Regarding this place, it is highly recommended to visit here at the evening because the nightview is very resplendent.
No.
5
Show All Photos
Yue Yang Tower
4.6
/5
9512 reviews
8.1
From HK$76.39
Based on 169 reviews
Yueyang Tower | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8607308830338
Address: Dongting North Road, Yueyanglou District, Yueyang City
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
View Dongting Lake & Junshan
View Dongting Lake's vastness
6346 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
Yueyang Tower is easily accessible; it's a 12-kilometer, 30-minute taxi ride from Yueyang East Railway Station. Stamp collectors should bring a notebook; there are 26 stamps to collect throughout the scenic area, distributed across various smaller attractions. Xiao Qiao's Tomb is also located there. Climbing Yueyang Tower offers panoramic views of Dongting Lake. Literature enthusiasts can explore the various exhibition halls to gain a deeper understanding of the classic poem, "The Yueyang Tower Inscription."
The scenic area is not large, but Yueyang Tower is a "three-dimensional history book" that requires quiet contemplation. Its appeal lies not in the entertainment projects, but in the immersive cultural experience and spiritual resonance it provides.
No.
6
Show All Photos
Pingxiang Wugong Mountain Scenic Area
4.5
/5
10007 reviews
8.1
From HK$76.39
Based on 63 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8607992106666
Address: Luxi, Pingxiang, Jiangxi, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
Highlights:
Tens of thousands of acres of meadows
Skywalk & rhododendrons & orchids
Saved by 168 users7349 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
We went in early August during summer vacation. It was quite crowded, so the line was understandably long.
However, some travelers were smoking and shirtless while waiting in line, which really ruined the experience. If you see this review, I hope it will be improved.
Want another review? Haha. I have to climb it once a year. Mountains, meadows, sea of clouds, there's no better place. We usually go down the mountain after watching the sunset, so we don't have time to take the cable car. What mountain climbing doesn't hurt your legs? If you don't hurt your legs, you're not a special forces soldier. Just do it.
No.
7
Show All Photos
72 wonder tower
4.0
/5
2488 reviews
8.0
From HK$52.38
72 Wonder Tower/Dayong Ancient City | >100 km from downtown
Phone +8607448882000
Address: 张家界市永定区武陵山大道1号
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 hours
Highlights:
Guinness stilt house landmark
Qi Lou Eight Scenic Spots showcase the charm of nature and culture
Saved by 2609 users1731 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The service at Orange Hotel (Tianmen Mountain Cableway Branch) during my stay was exceptionally attentive. The front desk staff, Xiao Deng and his colleagues, were professional, enthusiastic, and very friendly to guests. The hotel's location is excellent, right near the Tianmen Mountain Cableway, making it very convenient for getting around. The hotel's Wi-Fi signal was strong, and the hotel cleanliness and bedding were impeccable. I was also very satisfied with the room service, making my stay safe and comfortable. Highly recommended!
I enjoyed every second there, everything was mesmerising and breathtaking
No.
8
Show All Photos
Gaoyi Mountain Tourism Resort
4.5
/5
3863 reviews
8.0
From HK$103.67
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8607352672866
Address: Gaoyiling Village, Qiaokou Town, Suxian District, Quzhou City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Highlights:
Danxia: landscapes, springs & caves
Via Ferrata & cliff swing thrills
Saved by 203 users3401 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Gaoyiling boasts stunningly beautiful and rugged scenery, perfect for taking amazing photos. However, too many commercial attractions, such as ziplining, cliff walking (a heart-stopping experience), and horseback riding down the mountain, have ruined the overall experience.
Gaoyiling is still worth a visit overall. Even if you don't play the amusement equipment, it is a good choice to just climb the mountain. This time I chose the 4-hour route, which basically circled from the South Gate. If you go on a sunny day, remember to buy more water.
No.
9
Show All Photos
Mount Hengshan
4.4
/5
5367 reviews
8.0
From HK$120.03
Mount Heng Scenic Commercial Area | 61.3 km from downtown
Phone +8607345673377
Address: Zhurong Feng, Nanyue, Hengyang, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
Highlights:
Ancient palace & wartime sanctuary
Clouds & sunrise viewing platform
Saved by 110 users3029 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Mount Hengshan, one of the Five Great Mountains, is breathtaking. Besides the historic Nanyue Temple, there are also breathtaking mountain scenery. The highest peak is Zhurong Peak, where you'll see many students making wishes and fulfilling them. It's important to note that when ascending Zhurong Peak from the South Gate of Heaven, remember to take the main road, not the smaller path. The smaller path is a mountain path with high stone steps and is not recommended for the elderly or children.
Hengshan Mountain entrance fees are quite affordable, and compared to the Five Great Mountains, they're quite affordable. However, due to its reputation, there are a lot of vendors. I'm not sure why there's no cable car, but it makes no sense, considering this place doesn't need the income. The scenery is quite nice, and the climb isn't too strenuous. The shuttle service is excellent, and you can call to request a shuttle to pick you up at some smaller attractions.
No.
10
Show All Photos
Mount Yuelu
4.6
/5
5207 reviews
7.9
Based on 505 reviews
Yuelu Mountain/Meixi Lake Park | 45.1 km from downtown
Phone +86073188825011
Address: Changsha Yuelu Mountain Scenic Area
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-4 hours
Highlights:
Golden ginkgo & fiery maple leaves
Ancient trees (Jin to Qing dynasties)
Saved by 599 users1756 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Travel Tips:
If time is tight and the weather is bad, walk from the South Gate to Yuelu Academy and Aiwan Pavilion; the return journey takes about two hours.
If the weather is good and you have more time, enter from the East Gate by sightseeing bus to the mountaintop viewing corridor, then walk down the mountain to visit Chuanshipo Lake, Yuelu Academy, and Aiwan Pavilion.
The sightseeing bus route is flat throughout, making it beautiful even on rainy autumn days.
There are so many people on holidays. It is recommended to travel during off-peak hours. It will be more comfortable. We did not go to Aiwan Pavilion and Yuelu Academy up close. Yuelu Academy requires separate tickets. The tour guide did not give us time to buy tickets separately. We came to pick it up in a hurry.
1
2
3
4
5
