Top 50 Best Things to Do in Hunan
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Top 50 Best Things to Do in Hunan

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Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
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  • Tianmen Mountain National Forest Parktop_1
    󰺂9.4
    34.9
    Zhangjiajie.Tianmenshan Cableway/Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoZhangjiajie's Tianmen Mountain Becomes a Winter Wonderland Overnight | Dec 2025-Jan 2026
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    Glass Walkway with a panoramic view of the valley
    197 ft glass walkway on cliffside
    󱨠Saved by 6739 users󱨠31799 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    Rona罗罗Rona罗罗

    Tianmen Mountain offers amazing views, but tickets are pretty expensive. The cable car is convenient however often crowded. The roads are good and the buses run often, so no problems with transportation. The glass walkway is exciting but not for everyone. Scenery is breathtaking,so its 100% worth visiting if you have time and budget⛰️

  • Zhangjiajie National Forest Parktop_2
    󰺂9.1
    27.51
    Zhangjiajie.Zhangjiajie National Forest Park/Wulingyuan>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoTop 10 Filming Locations for "Avatar" Revealed
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    󰋄Watercolor views from Tianzi Mountain Viewing Platform
    󱓊Avatar's stunning stone peaks
    󱨠Saved by 7928 users󱨠19694 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    _TI***as_TI***as

    Amazing trip! The bus connections could be better organised though!

  • Hunan Provincial Museumtop_3
    󰺂8.6
    Changsha.Hunan Museum/Beichen Delta>100 km from downtown
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights:
    󰋄Ancient life virtual reality experience
    󰋄VR experience: ancient life scenes
    󱨠Saved by 588 users󱨠13444 positive reviews
    4.8/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    This was Mrs. He's second visit to the Hunan Provincial Museum. Last time it was just the two of us, but this time we brought our two daughters who were back from working abroad on vacation. The guide, Xiaoxing, explained things clearly and concisely, a world apart from the professionalism of the guides in the large group of twenty or thirty people we visited last time. This guided tour and explanation were very insightful and engaging, and we are very grateful for her professionalism and enthusiasm. We are deeply impressed by the improvement in professional guided tour capabilities in China. Thank you again to guide Xiaoxing for her professional service!

  • Orange Island
    4
    󰺂8.6
    Changsha>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoOrange Isle turns a vibrant orange, its fruit-laden branches drawing every eye | Dec 2025-Dec 2025
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 100 - Best Things to Do
    Highlights:
    󱨜One of the first national red tourism classic attractions
    󱓊Xiangjiang fireworks & music show
    󱨠Saved by 1090 users󱨠6234 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    M29***06M29***06

    Orange Isle holds unique historical and cultural significance, making it a must-visit in Changsha. As for the river cruise at night, it's pretty much the same everywhere, and the ticket prices are similar. If you haven't experienced it elsewhere before, you can give it a try. The Xiangjiang River cruise lasts about 40-50 minutes and includes a ticket to the Orange Isle mini-train, making it relatively good value for money.

  • Du Fu Pavilion
    5
    󰺂8.4
    2.19
    Changsha.Wu Yi Square/IFS>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoA Dreamy Tang Dynasty Night at Changsha's Du Fu Pavilion
    trip best small logoAchieved a 3-year streak on the annual lists
    Highlights:
    Watch the Orange Isle Light Show Across the River
    󱨜360° view of Xiangjiang city
    󱨠Saved by 646 users󱨠7835 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    U44***13U44***13

    Going at night offers a completely different experience than during the day, with the lighting effects creating a unique view. It's perfect for taking photos in traditional Chinese style, singing and dancing by the river—Hunan people really know how to have fun!

  • Yue Yang Tower
    6
    󰺂8.1
    8.49
    Yueyang.Yueyang Tower>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoYueyang Winter Snow Chase: A Limited-Time Scenic Wonderland Awaits | Dec 2025-Jan 2026
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Hunan
    Highlights:
    󰋄View Dongting Lake & Junshan
    󰀆View Dongting Lake's vastness
    󱨠6492 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    皮卡丘dudu皮卡丘dudu

    Walking from Baling Square to Bianhe Street, you'll find the entrance to the Yueyang Tower scenic area across the street. From there, walk straight ahead to the tower (it's located quite deep inside the scenic area). Opposite the tower are shops selling Hunan embroidery. If you go around 4 PM, you can still capture the beautiful sunset view. The stairs between the first and second floors inside the tower are quite dark, so you'll need to use your phone's flash (be especially careful when going down the stairs to avoid tripping). In the afternoon, from the top of Yueyang Tower, you can photograph the sunset and Dongting Lake; the scenery is stunning.

  • 72 wonder tower
    7
    󰺂8.0
    5.82
    Zhangjiajie.72 Wonder Tower/Dayong Ancient City>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logo72 wonder tower opens | Mar 28, 2023
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 100 - Night Attractions
    Highlights:
    󱨜Guinness stilt house landmark
    Qi Lou Eight Scenic Spots showcase the charm of nature and culture
    󱨠Saved by 3055 users󱨠1887 positive reviews
    4.0/5
    JoyCNJoyCN

    Amazing architecture. With the night lights, spectacular view. Photo was taken opposite the street. Tip: Don’t need to enter the area, needs entrance ticket, mainly stalls selling merchandise which you can get else where.

  • Gaoyi Mountain Tourism Resort
    8
    󰺂8.0
    11.51
    Chenzhou>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoVisit Gaoyiling This Winter for Red Rocks, Clear Water, and Warm Sunshine | Dec 2025-Feb 2026
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 50 - Spring Outings
    Highlights:
    󱓊Danxia: landscapes, springs & caves
    󱓊Via Ferrata & cliff swing thrills
    󱨠Saved by 223 users󱨠3600 positive reviews
    4.5/5
    jointh songjointh song

    Gaoyiling, a place whose true beauty speaks for itself! I dare say, once you've seen it, the magnificent panorama of red cliffs, emerald waters, and crimson clouds will undoubtedly become the most stunning cover image in your phone's photo album. This isn't the gentle water towns of Jiangnan, but a wonderland where the ruggedness and colors of the earth are magnified infinitely. Walking along the "Dragon's Backbone," with bare, continuous mountain ridges beneath your feet and steep cliffs and emerald lakes on either side, every step feels like strolling on clouds, your heart pounding with the breathtaking scenery. The steps of the Sky Ladder may be physically demanding, but as you conquer them, the breathtaking panorama before you instantly washes away all fatigue. The suspended walkway (if open) offers an exceptional vantage point, allowing you to embrace this masterpiece of nature from every angle. It's also worth mentioning that the experiences offered here are quite abundant. Whether you're looking for thrills like Via Ferrata climbing and ziplining, or a more leisurely experience with the cliff swing and cloud mirror viewing platform, there's something for everyone. I personally tried the ziplining; the speed and exhilaration of plunging down from the heights, combined with the breathtaking mountain scenery, are definitely worth the experience! The only downside might be the intense sun! The entire scenic area offers virtually no shade, so sun protection is essential. Hats, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing are indispensable, and it's best to avoid the midday sun. Overall, Gaoyiling is the kind of top-tier geological wonder you absolutely can't miss if you're already there. It may not have many recreational facilities, but its pristine, wild, and magnificent beauty is enough to let you feel the purest power of nature. I highly recommend it to all nature lovers, hikers, and photographers. Trust me, it will become one of the most unforgettable spots on your trip.

  • Mount Hengshan
    9
    󰺂8.0
    13.33
    Hengyang.Mount Heng Scenic Commercial Area93.6 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoKangjialong Checkpoint at Mount Heng (Hunan) Is Temporarily Closed | Nov 3, 2025-Dec 31, 2025
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 50 - Spring Outings
    Highlights:
    󱓊Ancient palace & wartime sanctuary
    󰋄Clouds & sunrise viewing platform
    󱨠Saved by 123 users󱨠3140 positive reviews
    4.4/5
    孙亦涵孙亦涵

    Mount Heng (Nanyue) is best reached by those who prefer a leisurely pace. The bus ride to Nantianmen takes 45 minutes, where a sedan chair is available for 300 yuan (a price clearly stated by the scenic area). Hiking to the summit takes about an hour. There are many temples within the scenic area; you can pay respects to Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and the Great Emperor of Nanyue. The temples are all on the mainland and not difficult to access, making it suitable for families with children and parents.

  • Mount Yuelu
    10
    󰺂7.9
    Changsha.Yuelu Mountain/Meixi Lake Park>100 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoMaple viewing season at Yuelu Mountain, the mountaintop food street awaits your exploration
    trip best small logoFeatured in 2026 China 50 - Fall Viewing Attractions
    Highlights:
    Golden ginkgo & fiery maple leaves
    󰋄Ancient trees (Jin to Qing dynasties)
    󱨠Saved by 662 users󱨠1771 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    Yuelu Mountain is truly beautiful in autumn. I was the only one there for the 3:30 PM tour, enjoying the perks of a private tour. But the tour guide was incredibly attentive, providing a thorough and detailed explanation – a fantastic experience!

Best things to do in Hunan (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Hunan? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Hunan offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Hunan

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Hunan experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park

• Zhangjiajie.Tianmenshan Cableway/Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park | >100 km from downtown

• : Glass Walkway with a panoramic view of the valley,197 ft glass walkway on cliffside

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

• Zhangjiajie.Zhangjiajie National Forest Park/Wulingyuan | >100 km from downtown

• : Watercolor views from Tianzi Mountain Viewing Platform,Avatar's stunning stone peaks

Hunan Provincial Museum

• Changsha.Hunan Museum/Beichen Delta | >100 km from downtown

• : Ancient life virtual reality experience,VR experience: ancient life scenes

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Hunan

If you want to explore attractions just outside Hunan, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Hunan, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Hunan special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Hunan

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Hunan

Ready to explore the best of Hunan? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in Hunan?
These are all Best Things to Do in Hunan:Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Hunan Provincial Museum, Orange Island, Du Fu Pavilion
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Hunan?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Hunan include:Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park:4.6, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park:4.5, Hunan Provincial Museum:4.8, Orange Island:4.6, Du Fu Pavilion:4.6
At what locations in Hunan can Best Things to Do in Hunan be found?
The Best Things to Do in Hunan are mainly located in:Tianmen Mountain National Forest Park:Zhangjiajie, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park:Zhangjiajie, Hunan Provincial Museum:Changsha, Orange Island:Changsha, Du Fu Pavilion:Changsha
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