Changsha

As one of the four biggest universities in existence during the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), Yuelu Academy has played an important part in China's history. The grounds of the university are a grand version of a typically formal Chinese garden, while the teaching that goes on within provides a little insight into the learning centres of ancient China.

The spectacular Mount Hengshan is the southernmost of the Five Sacred Mountains of China, with 72 peaks straddling eight counties in Hunan. It is a religiously important site for Taoists. Located more than 100 kilometres from Changsha, it can be easily reached in half an hour by high-speed train.

Jiefang West Road is home to a variety of bars, some with music. Dayfly Club is a cosy watering hole that offers live electronic music, folk music and jazz.

In times past, people in China wrote not on paper but also on sections of bamboo. In this unique museum, tens of thousands of bamboo slips from the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC to 8 AD) and the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280) are on display. Other exquisite items here include more than 3,000 bronze pieces, paintings, jade, silverware and gold artefacts from the Western Han period.

A five-kilometer-long sandbar in the Xiang River, Orange Continent Head rose to fame when it was mentioned in a poem penned by Mao Zedong. With its picturesque views and rich vegetation, it's a great spot for a leisurely walk. Head there on a Saturday evening to be treated to a fireworks display.

Originally a temple complex dedicated to the God of Fire, Fire Palace, pronounced as Huo Gong Dian in Mandarin, is a food street, home to the province's most famous dishes. The surrounding alleyways imbue the area with a sense of charm.

Shoppers are spoiled for choice in this shopping mall that features everything from fashion to local crafts to shops selling ingenious gadgets. If all the retail therapy gets too much, head to a café for some refreshment or a spa for a spot of pampering.