Hunan University

Hunan University is listed as a Double First-Class University, Project 211, and Project 985. It is a comprehensive research university with a long history and a great reputation both at home and abroad.
The campus houses the Chinese Academy Museum and the National Supercomputing Changsha Center, and enjoys the reputation of “a thousand-year-old institution of higher learning and a century-old prestigious school”.
This is not only a Chinese institution of higher learning, but also a famous tourist destination in Changsha. Yuelu Academy is located on the campus.

Attractions Location: No. 2, Lushan South Road, Yuelu District, Changsha City, Hunan Province

Tickets: free

Opening hours:
All day

Contact Details: 0731-88823764

Transportation:
Public transportation: Take bus No. 63, 106, 152, etc. to Hunan University Station (bus station), which is within walking distance.
Subway: Take Subway Line 4 to Hunan University (subway station) and walk to the university.

Time reference: 1-3 hours


Recommended itinerary for Hunan University tours

1-Day Itinerary

Visit Hunan University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China, then explore nearby historical and cultural sites in Changsha.

  • Morning: Arrive in Changsha. Take taxi or metro Line 2 to Hunan University Station (about 25 minutes from city center).
  • Tour Hunan University campus, appreciating its classical architecture and historical significance (2–3 hours).
  • Afternoon: Walk or taxi (~10 minutes) to Orange Isle (Juzizhou) for riverside views and the Mao Zedong Youth Statue (2 hours).
  • Evening: Return to city center for dinner.

Transportation: Taxi or metro Line 2.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in downtown Changsha. Try spicy crayfish, stinky tofu, and Hunan-style rice noodles.

Souvenirs: University merchandise, local snacks, Mao-themed items.


2-Day Itinerary

Combine the university visit with Yuelu Academy and Tianxin Pavilion for a historical and cultural day.

  • Day 1: Follow 1-day itinerary.
  • Day 2 Morning: Take taxi or bus (~20 minutes) to Yuelu Academy, explore the ancient academy and gardens (2–3 hours).
  • Afternoon: Visit Tianxin Pavilion (~15 minutes taxi), a historic fortress with panoramic city views (1–2 hours).
  • Evening: Explore Huangxing Road Pedestrian Street for shopping and street food.

Transportation: Taxi, bus, or metro Line 2.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in city center. Recommended dishes include spicy duck neck, rice cakes, and local hot pot.

Souvenirs: Calligraphy brushes, embroidered crafts, local teas.


3-Day Itinerary

Visit museums and parks, blending education with leisure.

  • Days 1–2: Follow previous itineraries.
  • Day 3 Morning: Visit Hunan Museum (~30 minutes taxi or metro), home to Mawangdui Han Tomb artifacts (3 hours).
  • Afternoon: Relax in Martyrs’ Park (~20 minutes taxi), enjoy lakes and memorials (2 hours).

Transportation: Taxi or metro.

Accommodation/Food: City center hotels. Sample spicy fish dishes and herbal teas.

Souvenirs: Museum replicas, local snacks, embroidered textiles.


4-Day Itinerary

Include a day trip to Tianmen Mountain for natural beauty and thrilling cableway rides.

  • Days 1–3: Follow above itineraries.
  • Day 4: Take a taxi or tour bus (~1.5 hours) to Tianmen Mountain cable car station.
  • Ascend via cable car, visit glass skywalk and Tianmen Cave (3–4 hours).
  • Return to Changsha city in the evening.

Transportation: Taxi or bus; cable car ride.

Accommodation/Food: Stay in Changsha. Try mountain vegetables and spicy local dishes.

Souvenirs: Tianmen souvenirs, local teas, glass crafts.


5-Day Itinerary

Explore Xiangjiang River Scenic Belt and Orange Isle to enjoy riverside leisure.

  • Days 1–4: Follow previous plans.
  • Day 5 Morning: Stroll or cycle along Xiangjiang River Scenic Belt, visit parks and cafes (2–3 hours).
  • Afternoon: Relax at Orange Isle, enjoy cafés and live music.

Transportation: Taxi or metro Line 2.

Accommodation/Food: Downtown Changsha. Recommended: spicy crayfish, river fish dishes.

Souvenirs: Tea products, embroidered crafts, music-themed gifts.


6-Day Itinerary

Visit ethnic cultural villages to experience Tujia and Miao traditions.

  • Days 1–5: Follow previous plans.
  • Day 6: Taxi (~1 hour) to nearby ethnic villages, enjoy traditional crafts and performances.
  • Return to Changsha in evening.

Transportation: Taxi.

Accommodation/Food: City or village eco-lodges. Sample ethnic cuisine and herbal teas.

Souvenirs: Silver jewelry, embroidery, local handicrafts.


7-Day Itinerary

A complete immersion in Changsha’s academic, cultural, natural, and ethnic attractions.

  • Days 1–6: Follow previous itineraries.
  • Day 7 Morning: Visit Changsha Museum of Natural History (~1.5 hours).
  • Afternoon: Shop and stroll Huangxing Road Pedestrian Street.
  • Evening: Farewell dinner featuring spicy Hunan cuisine such as stinky tofu and chili fish.

Accommodation/Food: Downtown hotels. Enjoy final local specialties and street foods.

Souvenirs: Natural history replicas, local snacks, calligraphy brushes, embroidered crafts.


User Reviews

By GAGA |

Hunan University is built on the mountain, stretching from Yuelu Mountain to the Xiangjiang River. It is an open university with public transportation and each teaching building and office building has its own access control system. After coming out of Yuelu Academy, you can visit Hunan University.



This thousand-year-old institution of higher learning is shaded by green trees, which are even more lush and leafy in spring. The architectural style is a combination of Chinese and Western styles, and they were all designed by modern Chinese architectural masters such as Cai Zefeng, Liu Shiying, and Liu Dunzhen. They are very beautiful. Many old teaching buildings bear traces of time.



When we arrived at Hunan University, the rain had lightened a lot, and it was now drizzling like silk. The dense trees blocked out a lot of noise. On the way, we met groups of middle school students who were visiting Yuelu Academy and Hunan University for exchanges. The sound of fighting rang out in the huge campus, but after a while, everything returned to calm.



Tour time: 1-2 hours (some canteens are open to the public. You can go to the canteen to experience the scenery while enjoying the scenery. Of course, there must be a food street near the campus, which is also a good choice)

Transportation: There is a bus station in Hunan University where you can take the bus

By Magic City Real Detective Flower Cat |

Before entering Yuelu Academy, we first passed Hunan University. Hunan University is an open university (but you still need to swipe your card to enter), so it is quite convenient to take pictures outside.



Although the university we attend is not as good as Hunan University, it still feels great to take a photo in front of Hunan University. There are many students taking photos here, especially during the Spring Festival.

By Yuhao |

Hunan University, also known as Hunan University for short, is located on the bank of Xiangjiang River and at the foot of Yuelu Mountain. It enjoys the reputation of "a thousand-year-old institution of learning and a century-old prestigious school". The university is a national key comprehensive university directly under the Ministry of Education, a key university of the national "211 Project" and "985 Project", and a national "world-class university construction university". The university originated from Yuelu Academy, which was founded in the ninth year of Emperor Taizu of Song Dynasty (976 AD). It has gone through the changes of the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties and has always maintained the continuity of cultural education. In 1903, it was restructured into Hunan Higher School, named Hunan University in 1926, and became one of the more than ten national universities of the Ministry of Education of the National Government in 1937.

By Metasequoia |

Hunan University (Hunan University), referred to as "Huda", is located in Changsha, Hunan Province. It is a national key university directly under the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. It is listed in the national "Double First-Class", "985 Project", and "211 Project". It is a university jointly built by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the People's Government of Hunan Province, and the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. It has been selected for the "Strengthening Basics Plan", "Mount Everest Plan", "2011 Plan", "111 Plan", the Excellent Engineer Education and Training Plan, the Excellent Legal Talent Education and Training Plan, the National Construction of High-level University Publicly Sponsored Graduate Students Program, and the National New Engineering Research and Practice Project. It is a national demonstration university for deepening innovation and entrepreneurship education reform, a base for the transformation and technology transfer of scientific and technological achievements in higher education institutions, a national intellectual property demonstration university, a national college student cultural quality education base, and a Chinese government scholarship for international students. It is a member of the BRICS University Alliance and the "Yangtze-Volga" University Alliance.

By Leather Hill |

Hunan University, Yuelu Academy and Yuelu Mountain are very close and can be visited together. However, since I just came from Zhangjiajie and really didn't want to climb a mountain, I didn't go to Yuelu Mountain.

By Ning Xiaoxin |

Due to time constraints, we were unable to properly visit Hunan University, but the buildings and scenery we saw made us feel the historical heritage of Hunan University. This place is indeed very suitable for taking photos of the Republic of China style.

By Axun wants to see the world |

Continue walking down from Yuelu Academy, and you will find Hunan University after exiting the South Gate. A road passes through the school and goes straight up Yuelu Mountain. This road is also a snack street. I had a Dingxin stinky tofu and a handsome sesame cake for lunch, and then started wandering around the campus of Hunan University. This day was the last day of military training at Hunan University. I didn't catch the morning military parade, and only saw the end of the afternoon. Finally, I walked in formation a few more times, sang a few songs, played around with each other, and took photos. Youth is really good.

By 【Behind the prosperity】 |

A major attraction in Changsha, you can go and see it if you have time

By Xiaoying~lo |

The campus is beautiful, open, antique, and has a snack street. Yuelu Mountain and Yuelu Academy are both here.

By echo tassel |

The subway station is inside the campus, a very beautiful campus

By null |

Ding~ Check in at Changsha University’s landmark building… Go up the mountain from the east gate of Yuelu Mountain, and go down the south gate, and you’ll find Changsha University’s food street~ Very lively

By Jue |

Walking along the road, the area is so vast that you can't even walk through it in a day. They have their own snack street, supermarket, and several canteens. The campus environment is so beautiful. The teaching buildings are built according to the characteristics of each department, each with its own characteristics, unique and novel. The streets have their own style, the water and trees are clear, the lake is sparkling, and it is extremely fresh. The mountains and rivers are beautiful, and the people are outstanding. The towering university, the top school in the country, has nurtured a century of vicissitudes.

By Happy every day |

Hunan University is known as "the majestic Lushan Mountain, the mighty Xiang River, the grand university, the vast and prosperous; inheriting the traditions of Zhu and Zhang, and learning from the strengths of Europe and America".

By Great Magician SS |

The outer side of Yuelu Mountain is a place with modern buildings and a place where many talents emerge.

By Leaf paper |

After leaving Yuelu Academy, you will enter the campus of Hunan University. The lack of walls is one of the main features of this university. The architecture of Hunan University really has a strong Republican style, which is quite suitable for taking pictures.

By Still today |

An open university without walls, Yuelu Mountain is the school's back garden

By _Manny |

The students here are so lucky, the famous Yuelu Mountain is their back garden

By Jiangnan❦Moon without Sleep |

Worthy of the title of "a thousand-year-old institution of higher learning, a century-old prestigious school", Yuelu Academy, one of the four major academies, is hidden deep in the mountain, and the road leading to Yuelu Mountain has formed a crowded shopping street with many tourists. The snowmen made by HUST students are also more exquisite than those made elsewhere, and the ice and snow spirits are very cute.

By Big Bad Wolf |

The university without walls is not only a Chinese institution of higher learning, but also a famous tourist destination in Changsha. There are many businesses around it.

By Cheng Xiaohe |

Some campus buildings of Hunan University are very distinctive, among which a group of old buildings are the works of Master Liu Shiying.

By Langjiujiuer |

It is an institution without walls, which is said to allow students and residents to have close contact, which is a very arbitrary setting.

By CY bacteria |

The campus of HUST is very historic, and the classrooms and laboratories are all in buildings with old red brick walls, which is very cultural.

By rustle |

A university without walls, with a good atmosphere and environment

By liinthesky |

It is completely connected with Yuelu Academy. To be honest, it must have had an impact on students. The whole university is like a scenic spot. Seeing the campus road that was blocked by traffic, I really should follow the example of Peking University. Actually, I still don't want to make an appointment to enter.

By Youth never ends |

What a famous university! I finally arrived. I searched for a long time but couldn’t find the gate. It’s open. The campus is so big. I want to come again.

By Eagle |

Hunan's most famous university, located close to Yuelu Mountain.

By Tang Cheng Yi You |

A great place with a pedestrian street and lots of food

By Have a bowl of rice |

A place I accidentally passed by very close to Yuelu Mountain

By Warm King |

Hunan University is so handsome, really so handsome, so obviously handsome!!!

By Wang Miaomiao's Light and Shadow Diary |

It is at the foot of Yuelu Mountain. I went there on a weekend morning. Young people were still doing military training. I felt younger too.

By TT's small PP |

I'm so envious and jealous. This kind of university environment is perfect for dating. Oh no, no, it's time to study.

By freezing point |

An open university without walls, Yuelu Mountain is the school's back garden. Because of the Yuelu Mountain, the campus is also shaded by trees, and the old red brick teaching buildings exude a humanistic atmosphere everywhere.

By Playful little kid |

Wow, the students here are so happy, it's like a snack paradise. It was probably almost lunch time, there were a lot of people eating and shopping.

I feel that Hunan University is very good, the place is big, and the whole school atmosphere is very good. I envy my classmates now, because the study conditions are much better than ours.

By Uzimi |

Hunan University and Yuelu Academy are together, so you can visit both attractions here. In fact, I personally think Hunan University itself is nothing special, but Yuelu Academy is more fun.

By Path on the Rainbow |

Walking around the university doesn’t feel like a school. Each college is an independent building, and it feels like wandering around in a residential area.

By Morning teacher |

The school has no gate and is well connected. It is located at the foot of Yuelu Mountain, where Yuelu Academy and Aiwan Pavilion are located.

By Vega |

You can’t find a proper school gate or a proper wall, and you can’t tell whether it is a scenic area or a campus. This is the characteristic of HUST and the charm that belongs only to HUST.

With red bricks and green walls, there are many ancient and distinctive buildings in Huda. Only by standing in front of them can you feel its heavy sense of history, solemnity and beauty.

By Piglet Exhibition |

At the end of the commercial street, on the right is Hunan University, the former Hunan University Science Museum, which is listed as a modern protected building. The building is a brick-concrete structure and was built in 1933. On September 15, 1945, the surrender ceremony of the Japanese invaders in Changheng area was held here. Now it is the office building of Hunan University. You need to swipe your card to enter and exit, and ordinary people cannot enter.

By Random Travels |

Because of the rain, I didn’t go around the campus much. I had wanted to go to the cafeteria to have a meal, what a pity.

By Autumn1010 |

Most people who come to Yuelu Mountain will pass by Hunan University. The university is an open campus. The tree-lined road that blocks out the sun is full of banners. The banners on the road are all greetings to students during the graduation season. It’s great to be back to school.

By The Travels of a Dirt-Eating Girl |

After coming out of Yuelu Academy, we were already in Hunan University. This university feels quite special, an open university without a gate. If we have to say it, the East is Red Square may be considered the face of Hunan University. Well, the school is made up of various colleges scattered in various directions, and buses also run through it.

By Ancient Alley |

Hunan University is quite unique. You can’t find the walls or the school gates. It is completely integrated into the society. I rode a shared bicycle for a while but couldn’t find it. I didn’t find the words Hunan University until the next day.

By The Western Poison is no more than Ouyang Feng |

The buildings inside are very much in the style of the Republic of China. If you go there during this season, you will see students taking graduation photos.

By Southern Girl Xiao Yuer |

"Yuelu Juzhou Aiwan Pavilion, Yuhua Xiangjiang Huangxing Street." In my heart, Changsha is not a travel city, it is more of a sentiment here.

By Wiper Music |

The school is located in Yuelu Mountain Scenic Area, but it can bring glory to the scenic area.

A school comparable to Yuelu Academy that can pass on cultural knowledge.

It is not inappropriate to describe this place with the word "lime chant": it was chiseled out of the deep mountains with thousands of hammers, and burned by raging fire as if it were nothing.

By okura sauce |

I took the bus to Hunan University and walked around the university. The old buildings were beautiful, the red bricks were very old, very tasteful and suitable for taking pictures.

By cici just want to go for a walk |

When you go to Hunan University, you will immediately feel the atmosphere of a prestigious university. The surrounding buildings are not very gorgeous but have their own characteristics. Each college has its own architectural features. There are also some retro buildings that are worth a look.

By The system is refreshing. |

I had heard that this was a university with great charm. It was indeed an interesting place. Before I knew it, it was dark while I was walking around.

By doubleweng |

The retro appearance attracted many girls to take photos here. We went in to take a look and found that it had been converted into an office building.

By J_J |

The North Campus of Hunan University, formerly Hunan University of Finance and Economics, is located on another level of Yuelu Mountain.

By Qibao travels around the world |

It's cloudy, walk around inside, the stinky tofu is very famous

By Sligo's Old Dreams |

I went there during the summer vacation. It was at the foot of Yuelu Mountain. The sun was a bit hot and most people were tourists.

By Janny |

It's still worth a visit, a place with rich heritage~

By 1/2 Tonghua |

After I came out of Yuelu Academy and bought some snacks, I found that Hunan University was right outside the academy. Hunan University was very different from my previous impression of universities. There were no walls or gates here. Maybe it was because I had been to Peking University and preferred universities with a strong classical atmosphere. I also saw Xiamen University, where everyone was flocking to it, and felt that Hunan University was indeed a little inferior in scenery. I took a quick walk, took a few photos, and left.

By Nicknames don't matter |

I really like the style of HUST, and I even met a couple taking wedding photos!

By Tom Cruise |

The area below Yuelu Academy has a very historical feel. I like it!

By RexRen |

There are many talented people in Hunan. The whole campus atmosphere is very good.

By It's Ling, not Ling |

This is the only way to the foot of Yuelu Mountain. When I went there, it was the beginning of the school term and military training was going on, so it was very lively.

By Go your own way |

Hunan University is located in the national 5A-level Yuelu Mountain Scenic Area on the west bank of the Xiang River in Changsha, Hunan. It is a famous university with a long history and a great reputation. It is a key university in the "211 Project" and "985 Project" directly under the Ministry of Education. Hunan University enjoys the reputation of "a thousand-year-old institution and a century-old famous school". It is not only a higher education institution in China, but also a famous tourist destination in Changsha.

By G-Axing |

Yuelu Academy has been incorporated into Hunan University, which is really great. The campus of Hunan University is also very large. There are taxis and buses, as well as many Mobikes and Xiaohuang. The transportation is convenient.

By A seagull |

The university has no gates, but it houses buildings from various eras. It is backed by the thousand-year-old Yuelu Academy and faces the surging Xiangjiang River.

By China-TravelNote users |

Now I am trying to recall the trip two years ago... I think it was in Yuelu Mountain~ There were many students taking group photos at that time. My favorite was the black classic I ate at a snack street in Hunan University!!! This was my first time to eat stinky tofu in Hunan, it was not stinky at all, super delicious~ I really miss it~

By He Anfei |

Hunan University is a national key university and enjoys the reputation of "a thousand-year-old institution and a hundred-year-old famous school". It is not only a higher education institution in China, but also a famous tourist destination in Changsha.

To go to Yuelu Academy, you have to have been to university.

By rrrreason |

It's worth a visit, but there were too many people and I didn't have a good look inside.

By Free traveler |

Hunan University has a good campus environment with lots of greenery. It is close to the Yuelu Mountain Scenic Area, which is very convenient. There are also many snack streets on campus.

By YingyingL |

I feel that students at Hunan University are so lucky. The scenic area is their back garden, there are so many delicious foods, and they can watch Hunan Satellite TV programs from time to time.

By charming_哲 |

Hunan University is located at the foot of Yuelu Mountain. It is an open campus with tree-lined roads.

By The poor |

Hunan University is an open campus. The campus is well greened and relatively cool in summer. There are Denggao Street and Yuelu Mountain Scenic Area nearby. From this gate of Hunan University, turn right and you will soon reach Aiwan Pavilion and Yuelu Academy. If you don't want to climb the mountain, it is recommended to enter from this gate.

By Black |

Take your parents to walk around the campus and feel it

There are small stalls selling sliced pineapples on both sides of the boulevard.

I prefer to visit the university cafeteria and canteen

Although I don't study here, I will still check it out.

There are many bicycles on both sides of the road.

It's a relaxing feeling to chat and take a walk with friends in groups. The food in the cafeteria is very cheap, but it feels spicy.

By July benevolence |

Hunan University is located in the Yuelu Academy scenic area. There are so many delicious foods along the way, and the various snacks are really countless. The architecture is also very distinctive.

By Fake literary youth |

When you come to a city, you must visit famous universities. They are really other people's universities and are worth visiting.

By Karry |

The school is quite large without walls, and it is ancient and quaint. I went there just for Yuelu Academy. Although I didn't visit it much, the air was still quite good, and there were many trees, so the weather was a bit cooler.

By Hearing the wind |

It's normal, aren't all schools similar? Except at the corner of Yuelu Mountain, you can see the river view facing the Xiangjiang River. The road to the campus is also good. We walked slowly towards the Xiangjiang River when we went down the mountain. The stinky tofu on the campus is also good~

By Graffiti |

Hunan University does not have a school gate, it is open and anyone can enter. Tourists, students, residents. However, you need to swipe your card to enter the office building.

By Danny |

The literary and worldly atmosphere of HUST is very strong. Next to it is Yuelu Academy and Aiwan Pavilion. There is also a lively snack street. The famous handsome biscuits are here. There are also many specialty shops. I suggest you go to the specialty shops to buy after shopping. You can send them home for free if you spend more than 150 yuan. Tsk, the topic seems to have gone off track. Anyway, it is worth a visit.