Hunan Day 9 (Final) Explore Changsha - Hunan Museum & Bye Bye

It was the final day in Hunan where we were given a free and easy morning, some of us headed to the Old Taiping Street again, armed with umbrellas for a last minute shopping.

In the day time we were able to see clearer Taiping Street though it was wet and drizzling as felt and enjoyed by these kids on the street.

I was fascinated by this food stall with its tempting delicacy, the way they displayed the skewered meat and sausages has enticed me into trying them.

Another unique shop selling traditional Chinese weighing balance with various sizes and made. The ancient Chinese scale uses measuring unit called "liang" that comes with a 16 markers or "liang".

This gorgeous painting found at one of the shops known as "Menshen" or door gods. These are divine guardians of doors and gates in the Chinese belief and these gods are there to protect against evil influences or to encourage the entrance of positive ones.

 Some of the old lanes are narrow but well maintained. It was still early with no crowd seen but it was still looking nice and colourful despite the emptiness. 

 While the streets were not busy there were workers busy preparing works such as laying cables.

It was a good re-visit in the day time having a good experience of the atmosphere in this my peaceful old place called Taiping Street.

Everyone was happily carrying their purchases walking in the drizzle back to Grand Mercure Hotel. Our next itinerary was Hunan Provincial Museum.

A lunch before we visit to the museum at Yu Lou East Restaurant. A popular food chain located at Wu Yi Avenue 125 (GPS : 28.194115, 113.003080).

Established in 1904 popularly known for their Hunan cuisine especially Xiang dishes and it is listed as one of the 10 best restaurants in Changsha.

Hunan Provincial Museum was first built in 1951. Over 180,000 items are found in the museum and most of these objects were discovered by archaeological excavation within Hunan.

The exhibits are classified into the following kinds: bronze, silk paintings and books, lacquers, textiles, ceramics, paintings and calligraphy.

The museum unfolds the cultural changes in Hunan throughout thousands of years with its superb collections.

Warring States bronze drum one of the many bronze items displayed in the museum.

Enough of walking in the museum, we were glad to find a place for some bites and nice coffee.

The last section we visited was the famous ancient mummy from Mawangdui tomb, In 1968 where an excavation work was carried for a hospital project and found a Chinese woman tomb together with her husband's tomb and a young man. She was Lady Dai辛追, her body was remarkably well preserved even though it is over 2,100 years ago. This amazing discovery has astonished many experts from all over the world.

The visit to Hunan Provincial Museum it was truly a good and educational itinerary for everyone of us.

One more last round of shopping mostly dried food stuff before we leave for the airport at a supermart near the museum.

Some interesting and entertaining parting words from Leo in the coach while we were heading to the airport. Leo will then drive back to his hometown for the celebration of Chinese New Year after sending us off. We wish him all the best in his business endeavour and til then we hope to meet up again.

So long Hunan it has been a remarkable tour covering Zhangjiajie the Avatar world, Baofeng Lake, Grand Canyon Glass bridge, Tianmen Mountain, Furong Town, Phoenix Town and Changsha. In deed it was a memorable trip that I will treasure till the day I die. 再见 ! 

Hunan Day 8 Explore Changsha - Orange Island & Yuelu Academy

Changsha長沙 (long sand) is the capital and most populous city of Hunan province in the south central part of the People's Republic of China. It was a short drive from our hotel to Orange Island Park.

Orange Island Park is 5km long surrounded by Xiang River which was silted up by sand and stones in 305 A.D. It is popularly known that Maozedong and his friends used to swim in the River Xiang during their younger years in Changsha.

All freshen up and ready for another good day of sightseeing in Hunan.

In a shutter bus from the vehicle parking area to the desired spot of interest as guided by Little Duck & Leo.

A view into the beautiful and relaxing landscape at the park.

Here you are, the Young Mao Zedong statue standing a height of 32 metres tall, most iconic landmark in the island and was built in 2009. By the way, Hunan is the place where Maozedong was originated, born in Shaoshan about 80km from Changsha and studied in Changsha.

 In 1925, Chairman Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China, revisited Orange Island and wrote a famous poem, “Changsha Tune – Spring in a Pleasure Garden”, to praise the place and express his willingness to build a new country. In 1960 a park was established on the island and two years later it was opened to the public, named as Orange Island Park.

Maozedong began his revolutionary career in Hunan and the rest was history while Lisa and Lai Yoong posing with the young and handsome soldiers with Maozedong eyeing on them.

While Jo flirted with young Maozedong.

I had my share of fun, taking a wefie with the youthful guards.

Some of the many paintings of young Maozedong seen at the Exhibition Hall.

I took the chance to show off my Chinese name on the electronic screen with my own calligraphic strokes.

Lai Yoong's calligraphy skill was much nicer than mine.

Lunch at one of the famous restaurants in Changsha.

Nice ambiance and fabulous food on its way to the table.

Some of dishes we had, one of them was the stinking tofu but not as strong as the one in Taiwan.

Our second visit of the day was the famous Yuelu Academy located somewhere at the foot of Yuelu Mountain. There were an entrance fees imposed which was all taken care by our Tourist Guide, Little Duck.

This is the main entrance into the old academy full of historical details especially on those Chinese characters at the entrance door.

Yuelu Academy is one of the four most prestigious academies over the last 1,000 years in China, it is now known as Hunan University.

The ladies from our tour at the gorgeous Confucius Temple.

Ewe Kiang taking a snap shoot at the main hall.

Confucius at the courtyard where his philosophy, Confucianism emphasized on personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity.

There are many moon shaped gates, meticulously manicured landscape and courtyards that we went through, all of them are really classical and ancient.

The old oriental architecture is amazingly pretty and carefully restored. 

And lastly a pond nearby before we left the Yuele Academy.

Looks like I was a "part-time" guide in this tour. Anyway I find that Yuelu Academy is too academic for me nevertheless I enjoyed spending time feeling the ancient China and seeing the well preserved buildings.