Stay Smarter

The Business Card Rule:

As soon as you check-in, grab a handful of hotel business cards sitting at the front desk. Make sure the address is in Chinese characters. Changsha taxi drivers do not speak English. Showing them an English map on your phone will be useless most of the time.

Spice Warning:

Changsha is the capital city of a spicy province. If you cannot handle hot food, tell them "Bu la" (not spicy) or "Wei la" (a little bit spicy). But be warned, in Hunan,"not spicy" still means chili oil. The breakfast rice noodles (Mifen) in this city are yummy and strong.

The Deposit:

At check-in, you will most probably be asked for a deposit (approx. 500-1000 RMB) for incidentals. They accept international credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) at this level of hotel, but sometimes their machines struggle. Highly advisable to have cash (RMB) or set up Alipay/WeChat Pay linked to your foreign card beforehand.

Foot Massage Culture:

There are many "Foot Massage" signs around the hotel. This is not sleazy; it is a wholesome part of Changsha social life. After a day of walking, go for a 60-minute foot massage. It usually includes tea, fruit, and sometimes even a light meal, and let's face it-incredibly cheap compared to Western prices.

Smoke Management:

If you are sensitive to smoke, be very firm at check-in: "No smoking room, high floor." Even then, check the room before you unpack. If it smells like an ashtray, go back down and ask to switch immediately. In older Chinese hotels, this is a common operational issue.