+852 5394 6901
Take China Group Tours in 2026/2027 to enjoy 30% discount compared to private tour. Same Experience & Lowest Price!
Map of Hunan Location: Where is Hunan in China Map?
To understand where is Hunan in China, just look at the very heart of the country.
If you check a Location Map of Hunan China, you'll find it nestled in the south-central region, sitting between 24°38' - 30°08' N latitude and 108°47' - 114°15' E longitude.
It is perfectly positioned with Hubei to the north, Guangdong to the south, Jiangxi to the east, and Guizhou and Chongqing to the west.
It sits right at the massive intersection of the North-South (Beijing-Guangzhou) and East-West (Shanghai-Kunming) high-speed rail lines. The Hunan location makes it one of the EASIEST provinces to reach from anywhere in China!
Hunan City China Map: Where to Go in Hunan? East vs. West
Let's zoom into the Hunan City China Map to see which cities you should actually put on your bucket list.
Hunan is divided into 14 prefecture-level divisions (13 cities and 1 autonomous prefecture).
However, for travelers, the most important thing to understand is the "East vs. West" divide.
| Region | The 14 Cities & Prefectures | Vibe |
| East Hunan | Changsha (The Capital), Zhuzhou, Xiangtan, Yueyang, Hengyang, Chenzhou, Yiyang, Loudi | Modern, Fast-paced, Historical |
| West Hunan | Zhangjiajie, Changde, Huaihua, Shaoyang, Yongzhou, Xiangxi Prefecture (Home to Fenghuang & Furong) | Nature, Ethnic Culture, Ancient Towns |
The East is where you'll find the skyscrapers, the legendary "stinky tofu," and the history of the Han Dynasty.
The West is where the "Avatar" mountains live and where the Miao and Tujia people keep their traditions alive in riverside towns.
8 Changsha City Maps: Attractions, Metro, Food Street | 2026
Map of Hunan Attractions: What to See in Hunan?
What exactly is waiting for you in Hunan? It's a beautiful, chaotic mix of jagged sandstone pillars, massive freshwater lakes, neon-lit night markets, and sacred mountain trails.
Most travelers come for the scenery but stay for the culture!
Here is a quick look at the stars of the Tourist Map of Hunan Province:
| City / Prefecture | Top Attractions to See |
| Changsha (长沙) | Orange Isle, Yuelu Academy, Hunan Museum, Taiping Street |
| Zhangjiajie (张家界) | Wulingyuan (Avatar Mountains), Tianmen Mountain, Glass Bridge |
| Xiangxi (湘西) | Fenghuang Ancient Town, Furong Waterfall Town, Dehang Canyon |
| Yueyang (岳阳) | Yueyang Tower, Dongting Lake, Junshan Island |
| Hengyang (衡阳) | Mount Heng (Hengshan) - One of China's 5 Sacred Mountains |
| Xiangtan (湘潭) | Shaoshan (Mao Zedong's Birthplace), Peng Dehuai's Former Residence |
| Zhuzhou (株洲) | Yan Emperor Mausoleum, Fantawild Adventure |
| Chenzhou (郴州) | Dongjiang Lake (The Misty Morning View), Mangshan National Park |
| Changde (常德) | Peach Blossom Spring (Taohuayuan), Willow Lake |
| Shaoyang (邵阳) | Langshan Mountain (UNESCO Danxia Landforms) |
| Huaihua (怀化) | Qianyang Ancient Town, Wanfoshan National Park |
| Yongzhou (永州) | Liu Zongyuan Memorial Hall, Shangzhou Ancient Village |
| Yiyang (益阳) | Chashan (Tea Mountain), Bamboo Forest Scenic Area |
| Loudi (娄底) | Ziquejie Rice Terraces, Meishan Dragon Palace |
If it's your first time to travel to Hunan, these are the "Big Three" spots that usually steal the show:
Changsha: The Soul of Hunan
The capital is all about energy. You have to walk Taiping Street (太平街) at night for the spicy snacks or see the massive Mao Zedong youth statue on Orange Isle (橘子洲头).
It's the ultimate base camp for your journey to Zhangjiajie!
Zhangjiajie: The "Avatar" Frontier
This is the "Pandora" you've seen on the big screen.
Between the towering pillars of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and the heart-pumping Glass Bridge, it's a place that feels completely otherworldly!
Don't miss the winding "99 Bends" road up to Tianmen Mountain (天门山).
Xiangxi (Fenghuang & Furong): The Ancient Heart
This is where you find the world-famous Fenghuang Ancient Town (凤凰古城), with its wooden houses hanging over the river.
Nearby, Furong Town (芙蓉镇) is a village literally perched on top of a massive waterfall—it's a dream for photographers when the lanterns light up at night.
To really soak in the "Big Three" of Hunan—the spicy energy of Changsha, the otherworldly peaks of Zhangjiajie, and the romantic river vibes of the Xiangxi ancient towns—I recommend planning for 8 to 10 days.
Hidden Gems Beyond the “Big Three” of Hunan
If you have a few extra days on your Hunan City China Map adventure, these spots are worth the detour:
- Mount Heng (衡山: Hengyang): Plan for 1.5 to 2 days. A favorite for hikers and those looking for a spiritual escape.
- Ziquejie Rice Terraces (紫鹊界梯田: Loudi): Add 2 days. These ancient terraces are carved into the mountainside and offer views that rival any in Asia.
- Dongjiang Lake (东江湖: Chenzhou): Budget 2 days. Famous for the "Misty Morning" where local fishermen cast nets into a thick, natural fog.
Travel Map of Hunan: How Many Days & How to Plan for a Trip to Hunan?
So, how long to spend in Hunan? To cover the absolute essentials, you should plan for at least 8 to 10 days.
We usually center our Travel Map of Hunan around Changsha, Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang, and Furong.
Why? Because these 4 spots give you the classic "Hunan experience"—you get the modern foodie energy of the capital, the world-famous "Avatar" peaks, and the misty ancient towns all in one seamless loop.
To help you visualize your journey, we've mapped out 3 distinct ways to explore.
One focuses entirely on a deep dive into the Hunan Loop, another connects you to the pandas and turquoise lakes of Sichuan, and the third links the modern lights of Shanghai with the legendary Huangshan mountains.
If your heart is set on exploring other hidden gems of Hunan—like the Ziquejie Rice Terraces—just contact Asia Odyssey Travel to customize a personal journey that fits your pace!
Once you've picked your favorite spots, the next step is connecting the dots on your Travel Map of Hunan.
#1 Travel Map of Hunan: The Classic 8 Days Hunan Loop (Changsha - Zhangjiajie - Furong - Fenghuang)
This is the classic route for first-timers to Hunan.
It's an 8-day adventure that starts with Changsha and ends in Fenghuang, with plenty of mountain air and ancient river views in between.
| Day | Where to Go | What to Do |
| 1 | Arrive in Changsha | / |
| 2 | Changsha | Orange Isle, Mount Yuelu (Sightseeing Bus), Yuelu Academy, Aiwan Pavilion, Dongmao Street Tea House, Taiping Street |
| 3 | Changsha to Zhangjiajie | Hunan Museum (Closed on Mondays), Transfer to Zhangjiajie by High Speed Train (2-3.5h) |
| 4 | Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan | From Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve; Bailong Elevator, Hallelujah Mountains, Tianzi Mountain |
| 5 | Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon | Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, Baofeng Lake |
| 6 | Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain | Tianmenshan National Forest Park, Cable Car, Tianmen Cave, Glass Walkway, Transfer to Furong Ancient Town (Night View) |
| 7 | Furong to Fenghuang | Furong Ancient Town (Day View), Fenghuang Ancient Town (Tuo River Boating) |
| 8 | Fenghuang Departure | / |
8 Days Hunan Highlight Tour: Vivid Changsha, Zhangjiajie, Furong & Fenghuang Town
Changsha - Zhangjiajie - Furong Ancient Town - Fenghuang Ancient Town
8 Days
4 Places#2 Travel Map of Hunan: Chengdu - Jiuzhaigou - Zhangjiajie
If you want to combine the "Avatar" pillars with Jiuzhaigou Valley (九寨沟), the most beautiful water scenery in China, this 9-day cross-province route is a dream.
You'll start with pandas and end with soaring peaks.
| Day | Where to Go | What to Do |
| 1 | Arrive in Chengdu | / |
| 2 | Chengdu - Leshan - Chengdu | Chengdu Panda Base, Leshan Giant Buddha |
| 3 | Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou | High Speed Train (2-2.5h), Huanglong National Park |
| 4 | Jiuzhaigou | Jiuzhaigou National Park |
| 5 | Jiuzhaigou to Chengdu | High Speed Train, Renmin Park, Jinli Old Street |
| 6 | Chengdu to Zhangjiajie | High Speed Train (4-5.5h) |
| 7 | Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan | From Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve; Bailong Elevator, Hallelujah Mountains, Tianzi Mountain |
| 8 | Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon | Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, Baofeng Lake |
| 9 | Zhangjiajie Departure | Tianmenshan National Forest Park, Tianmenshan Cable Car, Tianmen Cave, Glass Walkway |
9 Days Chengdu Jiuzhaigou Zhangjiajie Tour: Pandas, Lakes & Avatar Mountains
Chengdu - Huanglong Valley - Jiuzhaigou Valley - Chengdu - Zhangjiajie
#3 Travel Map of Hunan: Shanghai - Huangshan - Changsha - Zhangjiajie
This is the vertical China tour—connecting the skyscrapers of Shanghai with the 2 most iconic mountain ranges—Huangshan (黄山) & Zhangjiajie—in the country.
It's 8 days of pure visual wonder.
| Day | Where to Go | What to Do |
| 1 | Shanghai Arrival | / |
| 2 | Shanghai | Shanghai Museum, Yu Garden, & High-speed Train to Huangshan |
| 3 | Huangshan Mountain | Back Mountain/Yungu Cableway, Scenic Hiking & Mountain-Top Accommodation |
| 4 | Huangshan Mountain | Sunrise & Hongcun/Tunxi Ancient Town |
| 5 | Huangshan - Changsha - Zhangjiajie | High-speed Train Transfers |
| 6 | Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan | From Zhangjiajie National Forest Park to Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve; Bailong Elevator, Hallelujah Mountains, Tianzi Mountain |
| 7 | Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon | Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge, Baofeng Lake |
| 8 | Zhangjiajie Departure | Tianmenshan National Forest Park, Tianmenshan Cable Car, Tianmen Cave, Glass Walkway |
8 Days China Mountain Tour: Huangshan to Zhangjiajie
Shanghai - Huangshan - Changsha - Zhangjiajie
Map of Hunan Transportation: How to Get to Hunan, Air or Bullet Train?
Getting to Hunan is a breeze these days, especially with our Map of Hunan Transport Hubs. Most travelers arrive at one of our 2 main gateways: Changsha (the capital hub) or Zhangjiajie (the mountain hub).
Both cities are super easy to reach.
In Changsha, you've got Changsha Huanghua International Airport (CSX: 长沙黄花机场) and the massive Changsha South Railway Station (长沙南站).
If you want to head straight for the peaks, Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport (DYG: 张家界荷花机场) and Zhangjiajie West Railway Station (张家界西站) are your best friends.
Here is a quick look at the most popular ways to reach our favorite Hunan cities:
| From | To | Transport Mode | Travel Time |
| Chengdu | Changsha South / Zhangjiajie West / Changsha CSX | Train / Flight | 6-7.5h / 4-5.5h / 2h / 1.5h |
| Chongqing | Changsha South / Zhangjiajie West / Changsha CSX / Zhangjiajie DYG | Train / Flight | 5-6h / 2-4h / 1.5h |
| Beijing | Changsha South / Zhangjiajie West / Changsha CSX / Zhangjiajie DYG | Train / Flight | 5-8h / 12-18h / 2.5h / 2.5h |
| Shanghai | Changsha South / Zhangjiajie West / Changsha CSX / Zhangjiajie DYG | Train / Flight | 4-6.5h / 7-9h / 2h / 2.5h |
| Guangzhou | Changsha South / Zhangjiajie West / Changsha CSX | Train / Flight | 2-4h / 5.5-6.5h / 1.5h |
| Hong Kong | Changsha South / Zhangjiajie West / Changsha CSX | Train / Flight | 3-4.5h / 6.5h / 1.5h |
| Seoul (Korea) | Zhangjiajie DYG / Changsha CSX | Flight | 3.5h / 3.5h |
| Bangkok (Thai) | Zhangjiajie DYG / Changsha CSX | Flight (Stopover) | 7h+ / 3.5h |
| KL (Malaysia) | Zhangjiajie DYG / Changsha CSX | Flight (Stopover) | 10.5h+ / 5h+ |
| Singapore | Zhangjiajie DYG / Changsha CSX | Flight (Stopover) | 5h+ / 9h+ |
If you are coming from Seoul, Shanghai or Beijing, look for direct flights into Zhangjiajie (DYG). It saves you the 2-hour train ride from the capital.
If you're in Hong Kong or Guangzhou, the bullet train to Changsha South is a no-brainer.
For most international travelers from Bangkok, KL or Singapore, Changsha (CSX) is your most reliable entry point.
Coming from Chengdu or Chongqing? The train is actually faster to Zhangjiajie than to Changsha!
Bullet train tickets may sell out fast! Make sure to book your seats 15 days in advance on Trip.com or the 12306 app.
Train Map of Hunan: How to Get Around Hunan like a Local?
The secret to moving around Hunan like a local is the high-speed rail network. The tracks form a massive "Cross" in Changsha, linking the whole province.
Here is the layout of the major lines that make your Train Map of Hunan possible:
| Lines | Major Stops |
| Jingguang Line | Yueyang East, Changsha South, Hengshan West, Chenzhou West |
| Hukun Line | Changsha South, Xiangtan North, Huaihua South |
| Zhangjihuai Line | Zhangjiajie West, Furongzhen, Fenghuanggucheng |
| Yuxia Line | Changsha, Yiyang South, Changde, Zhangjiajie West |
- Both Changsha and Changsha South Station are well-connected to Metro Line 2.
- Zhangjiajie West Station is about a 40-minute drive to the Forest Park entrance.
- Fenghuanggucheng Station is about 20 minutes from the ancient town.
- Furongzhen Station is super close—just a 15-minute hop to the waterfall!
Beyond the Avatar Mountains: 8 Hunan Maps for Your Discovery
We know that planning a trip to China can feel like a puzzle, but that's where we come in!
At Asia Odyssey Travel, we don't just provide you Hunan Province Map—we provide the local experts to guide you through it.
We even have a local office right in the heart of the action! You can find us at Office 1117A, Zhongshang Plaza, Yongding District, Zhangjiajie (right in downtown, super close to the Tianmen Mountain Cable Car).
Whether you want to follow the Classic Hunan Loop or create a massive combo like a Jiuzhaigou + Zhangjiajie adventure, we've got the local maps and the boots on the ground to make it happen!
Data in submission...
