Hunan Sheng Travel Forum

Hello

I've booked myself a 5-day tour to Hunan province over the Chinese New Year holidays (late Jan. 2004), namely to Changsha and Zhangjiajie. However, I'll be taking the tour by bus originating from Hong Kong. I'd like to know:

-specialty snacks or products worth purchasing in Hunan province
-are there a lot of steps to hike up within Zhangjiajie
-special types of food unique in Hunan province
-weather in late-January (will there be snow in the mountains of Zhangjiajie

Thanks!

Dried slices of bamboo shoots called "yu lan pian" are very popular in spring. I'm not sure you can get them in January. Tangerines grow in abundance.
You will see (and smell) lots of fried stinky tofu in Changsha. Rice noodles (mi fen) are also a popular food. Junshan Silver Needle Tea is something you can purchase and take home with you.
The weather will be between 3 and 8 degrees celsius. No snow on the mountains. Plenty of steps.

I am not fond of stinky tofu. We have some shops in HK that sell it and it really stinks!

Any good souvenirs worth buying?

Tujia ethnic brocade handicrafts near Zhangjiajie and
Hunan "Xiang" embroidery in and around Changsha will be your best buys.

Thanks for the tips. I guess you can say that this area boasts a lot of local handicrafts from minorities?

You don't have the same diversity of minorities that exists in nearby Guizhou and in Yunnan, but the local Tujia folks make pretty good baskets.

I understand about Yunnan after visiting the colourful province in 2002. Hunan province really eludes me since it is not highly visited by many.

Please take lots lots of pictures and post tips on VT ! I'm really interested in going there also !

Chuck

I'll post my pics as soon as I arrive back from Hunan province. But, wait until Feb. rolls around for that...

You will enjoy your self. The people are very friendly. The young chilldren enjoy saying "hello" to foreigners. You should be able to find hand sowen silk pictures in Changsha.

I spent 3 days in Zhangjiajie in Augus 2004. There is many steps. The elevator and cable care up the mountain are a must. The view is spectacular.

I found the food to be rather poor quality in Zhangjiajie and over priced. I tried the stinky Tofu called todofu. The smell is not near as revolting as the taste is. There are many mushrooms grown in the mountains. I purchased dried mushrooms and still am enjoying them. The grean tea was also good.

Be prepaired to spend money. Everything seems expensive. I have wonderful memories of my visit to Zhangjiajie. I hope you enjoy your trip. A trip to the cave is also worth your time. It is amazing and is finished with a boat ride in the river that flows through the cave.