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
No separate ticket; included with Orange Isle's free reserved entry. Sightseeing train costs extra.
Hours
Accessible during Orange Isle visitor hours; close-up access may change during maintenance or crowd control.
Transport
Orange Isle (橘子洲), Line 2, then walk or take the sightseeing train toward the southern tip
Duration
20-40 minutes within an Orange Isle visit
Best Time
Morning for fewer crowds; late afternoon for softer light
Visitors
All ages
How to Visit
1
Treat it as the main stop at the tip of Orange Isle
The Young Mao Zedong Statue is located at the southern tip of Orange Isle. It is not worth crossing the city just to see it for 10 minutes.
Tip:A better plan is to include it in your Orange Isle route and spend focused time there after arriving by sightseeing train or on foot.
2
Look at the whole form before choosing photo angles
The statue is large: 32 meters high, 83 meters long, and 41 meters wide. Very close angles do not always capture it well.
Tip:Start from a little farther away to understand the full outline, then look for angles from the diagonal lawn, riverside, or walking paths.
3
Do not spend all your time queuing for the front view
The front photo spot often has a queue, especially on holidays. If you only want a simple memory photo, side and distant views are enough.
Tip:If you care about photography, come earlier in the morning or outside weekends.
4
Watch for temporary maintenance or barriers
The statue area has been partially fenced during cleaning and protection work before, and similar maintenance can affect close-up photos.
Tip:If the scenic area posts notices about construction, crowd control, or maintenance, do not build the whole Orange Isle visit around this one photo point.
Highlights
- The most recognizable landmark on Orange Isle.
- Closely tied to the city memory of Mao Zedong's youth and the poem Qinyuanchun Changsha.
- Its large scale is often easier to appreciate from a distance than from directly below.
- The surrounding area also gives views of the Xiangjiang River, the island tip, and the city skyline.
- Best treated as the key stop within an Orange Isle visit, not as a standalone attraction.
Insider Tips
✦There is little shade around the statue, so summer photo queues can be hot.
✦Close-up upward photos can distort the shape; stepping back usually works better.
✦Do not climb barriers or enter maintenance areas.
✦If it is too crowded, visit Wentian Terrace, the riverside, or the poetry stele first, then return later.
✦A 20-40 minute stop is usually enough unless you are there specifically for photography.
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
05Historic Walk
Mawangdui Han Tombs
马王堆汉墓
All Ages
Admission
Usually CNY 2 for the tomb site; book separately through Hunan Museum's official channels.
Typical Visit
45-60 minutes
06Urban 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