Here is a 2-day recommended self-drive itinerary for Hunan, including daily itinerary and detailed tips:
Changsha - Yueyang - Zhangjiajie.Day 1:
Morning Departure: Depart Changsha and drive to Yueyang city (about 2 hours drive).
Morning Itinerary:Upon arrival in Yueyang, you can first go to Yueyang Tower to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Dongting Lake. Yueyang Tower is one of the four most famous buildings in China, with a long history and magnificent architectural style. After climbing the building, you can overlook the Dongting Lake and the surrounding landscape scenery.
Noon break: taste local specialties in Yueyang city, such as Yueyang crayfish and Yueyang rice noodles.
Afternoon itinerary: in the afternoon, you can visit Yueyang City Library near Yueyang East Railway Station, which is a modern building with all kinds of books and cultural exhibitions inside.
Evening Arrangement: In the evening, you can stroll around the bars or night markets in downtown Yueyang City to experience the local nightlife.
Day 2:
Morning Departure: Depart from Yueyang and drive to Zhangjiajie City (about 3 hours drive).
Morning Itinerary:Upon arrival at Zhangjiajie, you can visit Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Here you will find the world-famous Zhangjiajie Scenic Spot, including the Tianmen Mountain Glass Trail, which is known as "the first bridge in the world", and the Golden Whip Stream and other attractions. You can choose to take the cable car or hike to explore these beautiful scenery.
Break for lunch: Taste local specialties in Zhangjiajie downtown, such as Zhangjiajie Chili Fried Pork.
Afternoon itinerary: in the afternoon, you can visit Huanglong Cave, a huge cave with many strange stalactites and stalagmites inside. After the tour, you can drive back to Changsha or choose to spend the night in Zhangjiajie City.
Evening Arrangement: If you choose to stay overnight in Zhangjiajie, you can experience the local culture and flavor in the folk village near the city in the evening.
This itinerary arranges two well-known attraction cities in Hunan, Yueyang and Zhangjiajie, with Yueyang featuring Dongting Lake and Yueyang Tower, and Zhangjiajie featuring National Forest Park and Huanglong Cave. Self-driving tours allow for better freedom in arranging your trip and enjoying the natural beauty of Hunan. However, you need to check the road and weather conditions in advance and ensure the legality and safety of your vehicle and driver's license before setting off.Here is another detailed arrangement of a 2-day self-driving tour in Hunan:
Changsha - Phoenix Ancient City - Zhangjiajie.Day 1:
Morning Departure: Depart from Changsha and drive to Phoenix Ancient City (about 4 hours drive).
Morning Itinerary:Upon arrival at Phoenix, you can visit Phoenix Ancient City and enjoy the ancient architecture and scenery. You can stroll among the stone alleys and enjoy the flavor of the ancient city.
Noon break: taste local specialties such as Miao sour soup fish and preserved meat at restaurants in the ancient city.
Afternoon itinerary: in the afternoon, you can go to Longtan Gorge Scenic Spot, where there are clear streams and magnificent canyon scenery. You can choose to float on a bamboo raft or explore on foot.
Evening Arrangement: In the evening, you can enjoy snacks at the night market in Phoenix Ancient Town or enjoy the Miao singing and dancing performance.
Day 2:
Morning Departure: Depart from Fenghuang and drive to Zhangjiajie City (about 3 hours drive).
Morning Itinerary:Upon arrival in Zhangjiajie, you can head to Tianmen Mountain and take the cable car up the mountain to enjoy the spectacular Tianmen Cave attraction. You can also take a walk on the top of the mountain to enjoy the sea of clouds and the strange view of the rocky peaks.
Lunch break: enjoy local specialties such as Zhangjiajie Chili Fried Pork and Peach Blossom Fish Head at the restaurant under Tianmen Mountain.
Afternoon itinerary: in the afternoon, you can head to the Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon Glass Bridge to challenge yourself with the high-altitude glass stack experience. This is a magnificent glass bridge overlooking the magnificent canyon scenery.
Evening Arrangement: In the evening, return to Zhangjiajie downtown and stroll around the shopping street or night market near downtown.
This route plans two famous tourist destinations in Hunan, the ancient city of Phoenix and the city of Zhangjiajie, with Phoenix featuring the ancient cityscape and the Miao culture as the main attractions, while Zhangjiajie features Tianmen Mountain and the Grand Canyon Glass Bridge. Self-driving tours allow better freedom to arrange the itinerary and enjoy the natural beauty of Hunan. You need to check the road and weather conditions in advance and ensure the legality and safety of your vehicle and driver's license before departure. Wish you a pleasant journey!