橘子洲

Updated April 5, 2026

橘子洲 is a well-regarded tourist attraction located in Changsha, China. With a rating of 4.2 out of 5, it stands out as one of the top-rated tourist attractions in the area.

Location

You can find 橘子洲 at China, Hunan, Changsha, Yuelu District, 对面的湘江中流.

Visiting 橘子洲

Located in Changsha, China, 橘子洲 is a tourist attraction that visitors to the area may find worth exploring.

Planning Your Visit

The tourist attraction is located at China, Hunan, Changsha, Yuelu District, 对面的湘江中流. GPS coordinates: 28.169802, 112.960427. Check locally for current opening hours and any admission fees before visiting.

Location

Places to Stay Near 橘子洲"Has museums and beautiful gardens"

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橘子洲 is a narrow, 5-kilometer-long river island sitting right in the middle of Changsha’s Xiang River, making it one of China’s most unusual urban parks.

This isn’t your typical city green space. You’ll find thousands of orange trees, riverside walking paths with skyline views, and a massive 32-meter statue of young Mao Zedong’s head at the island’s tip.

Getting there couldn’t be easier—Metro Line 2 drops you right on the island. The park stays open from early morning until 11 pm and, honestly, it’s wild that entrance is totally free.

Here’s a little secret: if you swing by in October, you can actually buy oranges straight off the trees, with prices hanging from each branch. Not something you’ll find in most city parks, that’s for sure.

橘子洲 really shines as a half-day escape. You can wander, snap photos of the Changsha skyline shimmering across the water, and meander through the gardens at your own pace.

Spring in April brings an explosion of color, while autumn fruit season in October and November is peak Instagram bait.

Key Takeaways

• 橘子洲 is a free 5-kilometer island park in Changsha’s river with gardens, orange groves, and a giant Mao statue
• You can reach the island easily via Metro Line 2 and spend 2-4 hours walking, taking photos, and soaking in river views
• Visit in April for spring blooms or October-November to see and buy fresh oranges right from the trees

About 橘子洲

This long, skinny island sits smack in the middle of Changsha’s Xiang River, stretching for 5 kilometers, with orange trees scattered everywhere you look. There’s a real sense of history here, too—somehow equal parts natural retreat and cultural landmark.

History and Significance

Orange Isle was formed by natural sedimentation way back around 305 AD. It’s been around for ages.

But what really put this spot on the map? Young Mao Zedong spent time here during his revolutionary years in the 1910s and 1920s. That connection is everywhere.

The most famous moment? In 1925, Mao wrote his celebrated poem “Qinyuanchun·Changsha” right here on the island. That poem gave 橘子洲 a permanent place in Chinese cultural history.

Today, there’s a massive 32-meter sculpture of young Mao’s head at the southern tip. It’s become a pilgrimage site for “red tourism” fans and casual visitors alike.

The island is actually made up of three connected sections: Ox-head Isle, Land-and-water Isle, and Fujia Isle. If you’re into history, locals will tell you that temples and pavilions once covered the island during the Qing Dynasty, but most are long gone.

What Makes It Special

You’d be hard-pressed to find another city-center island quite like this—it’s the world’s longest inland river island inside a city, apparently. The width varies from just 40 to 140 meters, so from above, it looks like a green ribbon slicing the river.

More than 3,000 orange trees grow here, and if you time your visit right, you’ll see them heavy with fruit. Entry is free, which honestly feels rare for a spot this popular.

You can walk the full 5.7-kilometer pedestrian path, or, if your feet start complaining, hop on a tourist tram. Both options are solid.

The views are killer in both directions—mountains to the west, Changsha’s glassy skyline to the east. And here’s a little bonus: there are weekend fireworks shows in certain seasons, but you’ll need to check local schedules since they seem to change year to year.

What to See and Do

橘子洲 (Júzi Zhōu), or Orange Island, stretches nearly five miles down the middle of Changsha’s Xiang River. It’s a mix of natural beauty, historical monuments, and cultural sites that give you a real sense of Changsha’s past and present.

Main Attractions and Highlights

The giant statue of young Mao Zedong dominates the southern tip, standing an impressive 32 meters tall. Built in 2009, it looks like it’s carved from stone, but it’s actually red granite and concrete.

Mao wrote about this exact island in one of his most famous poems during his student days—a fact every local seems proud to mention.

The island’s name comes from the orange trees planted everywhere. In October and November, you can buy fruit right off the trees, each with its own price tag. It’s a quirky touch that makes the place memorable.

Walking the 8-kilometer shoreline gives you some of the best views of Changsha’s skyline. If you don’t want to walk the whole length, there are park buses that run up and down the island.

Historical pavilions like Shuilu Temple and Jiangxin Pavilion pop up along the way, offering quiet spots to pause and imagine the island’s past. Firework displays light up the sky on some evenings—catch one if you can.

But honestly, the gardens and orange groves are what make a stroll here so relaxing.

Best Time to Visit

April is hands-down the best month if you want to see gardens and fruit trees in full bloom. The weather’s mild, and everything feels fresh and alive.

October and November bring a different vibe. The orange trees are heavy with fruit, the leaves start to turn, and the air cools down—perfect for wandering.

If crowds aren’t your thing, avoid weekends and public holidays. July and August get packed with students on summer break.

The island opens from 7 am to 11 pm, year-round, and admission is free. Metro Line 2 drops you right at Orange Island station, which makes getting here a breeze—no need for tours or taxis.

Visitor Information

Orange Isle sits smack in the middle of the Xiang River in central Changsha. Getting there is refreshingly easy thanks to the metro.

The island is open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM every day, and you won’t pay a thing to get in.

Location and How to Get There

The simplest way? Just hop on Metro Line 2 to Juzizhou Station and use Exit A2. You’ll walk right onto the island—no fuss.

The station’s pretty central, too, so you can easily combine your visit with other Changsha highlights like IFS Tower or Huangxing Road Walking Street, both just a few stops away.

If you’re coming from Yuelu Mountain across the river, it’s about 2 km from the East Gate. The island itself stretches 5.7 km, so plan your wander accordingly.

Some folks mention a ferry, but honestly, the metro is the easiest bet.

橘子洲 is in Yuelu District, perfectly placed for those skyline views of the city’s modern CBD to the east and the river valley’s quieter beauty to the west.

Tips for Visitors

Plan on spending at least 2 to 4 hours if you want to really soak in the main spots on 橘子洲. Trust me, that’s barely enough if you’re the wandering type.

Fall, especially October and November, is prime time—over 3,000 orange trees light up with fruit and, well, so do the crowds. If you hate weaving through selfie sticks, sneak in on a weekday morning.

Skip the headache with the sightseeing train tickets. Just buy them right at the ticket office; the WeChat system seems to glitch for a lot of people, and nobody wants to be that person fumbling with their phone in line.

The train runs you 20 to 40 RMB depending on your route, and honestly, it’s a lifesaver if you’re not keen on trekking the park’s full length.

Pack some water and a snack or two. Food stalls here are more about speed than flavor, so don’t expect a culinary adventure.

Paths are paved and wheelchair-friendly, and there are elevators at the big attractions. Still, comfy shoes are non-negotiable—even with a train ride, you’ll be on your feet plenty.

If you’re visiting in summer, consider coming in the evening. The heat can be relentless during the day, and the island feels more relaxed after sunset anyway.