Recommended Places for Cycling in Changsha

Spring is a great season for cycling. The temperature is pleasant and the scenery is beautiful. So where are some good places to cycle in Changsha? Let’s find out!

1. Songya Lake Wetland Park

Songya Lake National Wetland Park in Changsha County combines leisure, tourism, entertainment, fitness, and water activities. The lake is expansive, the air is fresh, and there are bicycle paths along the lake, making it an excellent place for cycling. Now, more than 2,100 plum trees around Songya Lake are blooming in different stages, making a ride along the lake feel like cycling through a painting. As time goes on, cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, and other flowers along the Songya Lake will also bloom, creating beautiful scenery. When the weather is good, invite a few friends and take a lap around the lake for a truly enjoyable experience.

2. Peach Ridge Park

The dedicated bike path in Peach Ridge Park in Yuehu District is over 10 kilometers long, including a 7.26-kilometer loop around the lake. It’s a rare cycling destination in the city that offers peace and tranquility without being far from the urban area. Peach Ridge Park includes the Hongsi’an Reservoir, the Laba Temple ruins, and other significant attractions. The park has four different sightseeing experience routes: waterfront tours, mountain tours, and more. Each route offers a unique experience and makes this a natural and cultural destination worth visiting repeatedly.

3. Yang Lake Wetland Park

Yang Lake Wetland Park has a 13-kilometer slow-paced walking and cycling system. Cycle away from the hustle and bustle of the city, enjoy the red flowers and green leaves, and occasionally spot wild birds flying across the sky for a unique experience. Bring your bike and come to Yang Lake to let go of your worries and ride freely.

Cycling Route: Yang Lake Wetland Main Entrance (Pioneer Ox Sculpture Square) – Science Education Museum – Viewing Tower – Wind and Rain Bridge – Bird Watching Corridor – Agricultural Culture Experience Area – Yang Lake Wetland Main Entrance (Pioneer Ox Sculpture Square)

4. Jinggang Ancient Town

Located on the west bank of the Xiangjiang River, Jinggang Ancient Town was once a bustling trading hub for goods in the three Xiang provinces. Now it has become a tourist destination. From the urban area, ride towards Wangcheng District, following the Xiangjiang River upstream to reach the town. This route is ideal for leisurely cycling, and you can visit the ancient town once you’re tired.

5. Guangming Village

For cycling enthusiasts, Guangming Village in Baiyebu Town, Wangcheng District, holds strong appeal. Its 6.5-kilometer dedicated bike path allows cycling enthusiasts to enjoy a good sweat in the beautiful countryside. In Guangming Village, you can fully embrace the joy of returning to nature and enjoy the picturesque rural scenery. Besides cycling, you can also visit the Butterfly Valley and Squirrel Valley in Guangming Village to interact with the little creatures of nature; in the modern agricultural tourism experience area, you can pick your own strawberries and enjoy the long-lost leisurely rural life.

6. Huitang

The Huitang Bicycle Theme Park in Shuangjian Village, Huitang Town, Ningxiang City, is the first “Bicycle Theme Park” in Hunan Province. It currently has 15 kilometers of standard bicycle racing tracks and has successfully hosted two national mountain bike competitions. The racing tracks are all converted from original mountain roads according to international mountain bike competition standards. The scenery along the track is beautiful, with fragrant grass and trees, and surrounding forests of bamboo and pine trees. At the same time, there is also a professional cycling track around Zijian Lake in Huitang, offering stunning views of the peach blossoms blooming on the East Wu Mountain by the lake in March. When you get tired, you can soak in the Huitang hot springs to relieve fatigue.

7. Chima Lake

“A gentle breeze blows, and the water is calm.” Chima Lake in Liuyang City is surrounded by mountains with over 90% forest coverage, making it a natural oxygen bar with excellent air quality. Chima Lake Scenic Area boasts beautiful mountains and clear water, with 13 scenic spots around the lake, including Chima Temple, Shanzhen Forest, Minghu Temple, Shifeng Peak, Shixingzhai, Xianglu Mountain, and more, creating a typical “idyllic retreat.” If you’re not satisfied with a cycling ride around Chima Lake, you can also participate in various activities like barbecue camping, outdoor adventures, indoor skiing, jet skiing, and fancy water speedboat rides.