Hunan Province Travel Guide

If you respond in Chinese to the tons of little kids who shout "hello hello" when the rare chance comes that they see a foreign face, they get confused and run away :)  Changsha is nice, but you better speak Chinese, as there ain't much for you there otherwise.  I loved getting the tour of where Mao did his taichi and where Mao went to school from scientists who you would have thought ought to have hated the guy for sending all the academics and educated people to work in farms for "re-education", but brainwashing has its effects even on the educated!

When you go to see the Terracotta worriers then just relax with all the shopping, you can find the exact same things in the bazaar in Xi'an. Anyways if you really want to buy something in one of the many stalls next to the sight, then BARGAIN HARD I managed to help a British couple getiing some 30 cm figures for 75y a peace.... they were telling them 1000.... just pretend that you don't really need it.. walk a bit away.. they will call you and say 750y... go over and look... talk a bit and walk away again.. works everywhere in China...

Unless you're traveling alone on a small budget, don't bother staying at the IYH.  The staff are friendly, but the bedding and facilities are lacking.  There are plenty family ran inns nearby (one being directly above the IYH) that will give an AC double-room for Y50/night, which is cheaper for two people than staying at the IYH.  Being a high tourist area, the rooms are clean, but the staff won't speak English like the IYH can.