01City Guide
Yuelu Mountain
岳麓山
All Ages
Admission
Free entry with real-name reservation; sightseeing bus, cableway, slide, and Yuelu Academy cost extra.
Typical Visit
2-3 hours for the cultural core; half day if adding summit viewpoints
Quick Facts
Ticket
Usually CNY 2 for the tomb site; book separately through Hunan Museum's official channels.
Hours
Usually Tue-Sun 09:00-17:00, last entry 16:30; closed Mondays.
Transport
Mawangdui (马王堆), Line 5, then continue by local transport or walking depending on the entrance
Duration
45-60 minutes
Best Time
Year-round; visit after Hunan Museum for better context
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Confirm you are going to the tomb site, not the museum gallery
The main Mawangdui artifacts are displayed at Hunan Museum, while the Mawangdui Han Tombs site shows the original excavation area.
Tip:If you have limited time on a first visit, choose Hunan Museum first. The tomb site is better for travelers who have already seen the artifacts and want to understand where they were found.
2
Book and pay separately
The Mawangdui Han Tombs site requires separate booking through Hunan Museum's official channels, and the adult ticket is usually CNY 2.
Tip:It is not an attached gallery you can enter with a Hunan Museum reservation, so confirm the date and entry method before going.
3
Plan it as a small archaeological site
The site mainly focuses on Tomb No. 3 and related displays. It is not large, and 45-60 minutes is usually enough.
Tip:Do not expect the same scale of artifact display as Hunan Museum; the value here is the original location and the size of the tomb pit.
4
Check opening hours and location
The site is usually open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00-17:00, with last entry at 16:30, and closed on Mondays.
Tip:It is around Guhan Road and not beside Hunan Museum. If you visit both in one day, leave time for transport.
5
Visit after Hunan Museum if possible
After seeing Lady Xin Zhui, the plain gauze gown, the T-shaped silk painting, and lacquerware at Hunan Museum, the tomb pit is easier to understand.
Tip:If you go to the site first, many visitors may find it too thin on its own.
Highlights
- The original tomb-pit site complements the artifact displays at Hunan Museum.
- Tomb No. 3 helps visitors understand the scale and structure of Han dynasty burial construction.
- The low adult ticket price makes it easy to add for travelers with strong archaeology or history interest.
- Seeing it with Hunan Museum creates a clearer excavation site plus artifacts story.
- The visit is short, so it works as a supplement to a half-day cultural route.
Insider Tips
✦Do not mistake the Mawangdui Han Tombs site for the Mawangdui exhibition inside Hunan Museum.
✦If you can choose only one, first-time visitors should prioritize Hunan Museum.
✦The ticket is inexpensive, but advance booking is still needed.
✦The site is near a hospital compound, so check the route and entrance before going.
✦For general travelers, this is a supplementary stop, not one of Changsha's top standalone attractions.
More Changsha Attractions
02Historic Walk
Yuelu Academy
岳麓书院
All Ages
Admission
CNY 40 standard ticket; reduced tickets are usually CNY 20.
Typical Visit
1.5-2 hours
03City Guide
Aiwan Pavilion
爱晚亭
All Ages
Admission
No separate ticket; reserve Yuelu Mountain entry. Yuelu Academy nearby is ticketed separately.
Typical Visit
20-40 minutes; 1-2 hours when paired with Yuelu Academy
04Historic Walk
Hunan Museum
湖南博物院
All Ages
Admission
Permanent exhibitions are free with real-name reservation; special exhibitions may require separate tickets.
Typical Visit
3-4 hours
05Urban Landmark
Orange Isle
橘子洲
All Ages
Admission
Free entry with reservation; sightseeing train is extra, with the full island route commonly listed at CNY 40.
Typical Visit
2-3 hours
06Urban Landmark
Young Mao Zedong Statue
青年毛泽东艺术雕塑
All Ages
Admission
No separate ticket; included with Orange Isle's free reserved entry. Sightseeing train costs extra.
Typical Visit
20-40 minutes within an Orange Isle visit