Welcome to Hunan!

Located in central China, Hunan is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, rich historical culture, and distinctive cuisine. Here's a comprehensive travel guide covering local delicacies, recommended hotels, transportation options, and itineraries.

I. Local Cuisine
1. Hunan Cuisine Representatives: Known for its spiciness, signature dishes include Steamed Fish Head with Chopped Chili, Stir-fried Pork with Chili, Spicy Crawfish, and Chairman Mao's Red-braised Pork. Don't miss Changsha's Stinky Tofu and Glutinous Rice Cakes at Huogongdian.
2. Regional Specialties: Zhangjiajie's Sanxiaguo (three-pot dish), Xiangxi's cured meat, Yueyang's spicy snake with ginger, and Hengyang's fish noodles.
3. Street Food: Visit Taiping Street and Pozi Street in Changsha for authentic snacks like Scallion Oil Cakes, Sister Dumplings, and Cold Rice Noodles.

II. Recommended Hotels
1. Changsha: Grand Hyatt Changsha (near Wuyi Square), The St. Regis Changsha (luxury option), Niccolo Changsha (with panoramic views)
2. Zhangjiajie: Pullman Zhangjiajie Hotel (Wulingyuan Scenic Area), Sunshine Hotel Zhangjiajie (downtown)
3. Fenghuang Ancient Town: Riverside boutique guesthouses like Shadow Coffee Inn and Fenghuang Encounter Time Inn

III. Transportation
1. Flights: Changsha Huanghua International Airport is the main hub, with Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport offering some routes
2. High-speed Rail: Served by Beijing-Guangzhou and Shanghai-Kunming lines, with Changsha South Station as the main hub
3. Local Transport: Combine high-speed rail and buses - 2.5hrs to Zhangjiajie by rail, transfer at Huaihua or Jishou for Fenghuang

IV. Travel Tips
1. Classic Itineraries:
- Changsha 2-day: Yuelu Mountain, Orange Isle, Hunan Museum, Taiping Street
- Zhangjiajie 3-day: Wulingyuan, Tianmen Mountain, Glass Bridge at Grand Canyon
- Fenghuang 2-day: Tuo River cruise, ancient town night views, Miao Village day trip

2. Best Seasons: Spring and autumn (April-May, September-October), avoiding summer heat and rainy season

3. Notes:
- Hunan dishes are spicy - request less spice when ordering
- Book scenic spot tickets online in advance
- Fenghuang Ancient Town requires entrance tickets
- Pack jackets for Zhangjiajie's mountain temperature variations

4. Unique Experiences:
- Changsha nightlife: Bar culture along Jiefang West Road
- Zhangjiajie: "Charming Xiangxi" folk performance
- Fenghuang: Dress in Miao ethnic costumes for photos

Suggested duration: 7-10 days, adjustable based on schedule. Allocate 1-2 days at start/end in Changsha as transit hub, with main time for Zhangjiajie and Fenghuang. Plan transport connections ahead and book early during peak seasons.