As China’s first Unesco Creative City of Media Arts, it’s no surprise that an arts and culture complex is one of the top things to do in Changsha. Designed by renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, this dazzling centre features a striking serpentine design and state-of-the-art facilities, including a contemporary art museum and theatre for performances, exhibitions, and events.

A world of tantalising aromas and flavours await in the city’s beloved night markets. After the sun sets, dig into delicious street foods and local specialities, like sour and spicy cold noodles or chou doufu (stinky tofu). For a wide sampling, head to Yangfan, the most famous market, with over 300 stalls. Meanwhile, waterfront Yuren Matou (or Fisherman’s Wharf) offers beautiful views of the Xiangjiang River, a cool breeze and a family-friendly boardwalk.

If you have time to escape the bustling city for a couple of days, check out Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Having inspired the ethereal mountains in the blockbuster movie Avatar, this awe-inspiring region will wow you with its stunning vertical stone pillars, lakes and caves. While you’re there, check out the thrilling glass skywalk, which straddles the park’s Grand Canyon and is one of the world’s longest glass-bottomed bridges.

Long a hub of political and intellectual activities, Changsha is where Mao Zedong discovered Communism in his formative years. Tributes to the former Chinese leader appear all around, but the most prominent is a 32-metre-high granite statue of a young Mao peering over the city from Tangerine Isle in the middle of the storied Xiang River. Catch a glimpse of this local landmark before exploring the picturesque park.

Established over 1,000 years ago, Yuelu Academy was once one of four great academies of classical learning – ancient China’s most prestigious educational institutions. Countless scholars have graced its halls over the centuries to study everything from calligraphy and poetry to philosophy and Confucian studies. Located at the base of Mount Yuelu, this top-rated Changsha attraction offers a glimpse into the city’s intellectual prowess and picturesque grounds dotted with elegant pavilions, tranquil courtyards and lush trees.

At 2,100 years old, Lady Dai is believed to be one of the best-preserved mummies ever discovered. The Chinese noblewoman died of a heart attack in 163 BC, but her elaborate underground tomb – adorned with murals and delicate artefacts – has kept her earthly remains in remarkable condition. Visit this astonishing archaeological find at the Hunan Provincial Museum, the region’s largest museum devoted to history and art with over 180,000 artefacts.

With the Xiang River running through it, Changsha plays host to several scenic bridges, including the arching Fuyuan Road Bridge and the photogenic Houzishi Bridge. But the most impressive of all is the Lucky Knot. Inspired by the ancient Chinese art of knotting, the structure’s infinite loop structure has no beginning or end, providing a never-ending pedestrian walkway. When it comes to symbolism, the bright red form is said to evoke luck, prosperity and connection between people and cultures.

No Changsha holiday would be complete without a Hunanese feast. Also known as Xiang cuisine, Hunanese food is one of eight great culinary traditions of China and is characterised by its bold, spicy flavours and sourness from vinegar or pickled vegetables. Some must-try dishes include spicy crayfish, Hunan chicken, steamed carp head with pickled chillies and Mao’s personal favourite, hong shao rou (red braised pork) – bites of fatty pork belly braised in soy sauce, brown sugar and spices.