Private Day Tour to Shaoshan from Changsha: Mao's Birthplace

Mao Zedong's Former Residence and the revolutionary sites that shaped modern China

A private day tour from Changsha to Shaoshan, the birthplace of Chairman Mao Zedong, includes hotel pickup, private transportation, a guide in English or Chinese, and entrance to the memorial sites. The tour covers Mao's former residence, his bronze statue, the Memorial Hall, the Forest of Steles of Mao's poetries, and natural spots like Water Dripping Cave and Shao Mountain, ending with the option to taste Braised Pork of Mao Family, the dish Chairman Mao favored. The eight-hour tour departs from your Changsha hotel and returns the same day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Shaoshan, Mao's birthplace

• Depart from Changsha hotel
• Drive 1.5 hours to Shaoshan
• Visit Mao Zedong Former Residence
• See Mao's bronze statue and Memorial Hall
• Explore Forest of Steles and Memorial Garden
• Visit Water Dripping Cave and Shao Mountain
• Taste Braised Pork of Mao Family

The experience

The drive from Changsha takes 1.5 hours to reach Shaoshan, a town 120 kilometers away in central Hunan Province that centers entirely on the life and legacy of Mao Zedong. Your private guide leads you through the sites where he studied, lived and carried out revolutionary activities: the Former Residence, a bronze statue, the Memorial Hall, and the Forest of Steles where his poems are inscribed. Between the historical landmarks are natural features (Water Dripping Cave and Shao Mountain) that break up the day with landscape instead of only buildings and plaques.

The Braised Pork of Mao Family is the one dish locals say you should not skip. The authentic restaurant in Shaoshan follows complicated traditional cooking methods. The result is golden and shining, fatty but not greasy. It is not a formal meal stop on the itinerary, but it is the kind of detail that makes the day stick in memory after the tour ends.

Bottled water is provided throughout the day. Your guide speaks English or Chinese, and children from age four are welcome. The entire tour (transportation, entrance fees, guide service and water) is included in one price, with pickup from your Changsha hotel and return at the end of the afternoon.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Changsha hotel.
• entrance fees to all attractions.
• private guide service in English or Chinese.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (14 to 98 years) · Child (4 to 13 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Hunan Xiangzhonglv International Travel Service

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English or Chinese, so choose the language that fits your group. If you travel with children from age four, they can join the full day without restriction.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 13 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What was Chairman Mao's connection to Shaoshan?

Shaoshan is the birthplace of Mao Zedong and the place where he studied, lived and began his revolutionary activities. The town is now a major memorial site in China, with his former residence, a bronze statue, a memorial hall, and the Forest of Steles inscribed with his poems preserved there.

How long is the drive from Changsha to Shaoshan?

The private drive from your Changsha hotel to Shaoshan takes 1.5 hours each way. The full tour lasts eight hours, including time at the sites, travel and a meal stop if you choose to eat.

What sites do I visit in Shaoshan?

You visit Mao Zedong's Former Residence, his bronze statue, the Memorial Hall, the Forest of Steles of Mao's poetries, and the Memorial Garden. The tour also includes natural spots such as Water Dripping Cave and Shao Mountain.

Is the Braised Pork of Mao Family included in the tour?

The dish is not a formal meal included in the tour price, but the authentic restaurant in Shaoshan is a recommended stop. It is the dish Chairman Mao was known to favor, prepared using traditional methods that require careful cooking.