Changsha Nightlife

The people of Changsha are renowned for their performing arts and they have created various traditional folk performances of their own, including Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, Drum Opera, Clam Dance, Xiang Opera (i.e. Hunan Opera), acrobatics and other dramatic presentations. At Spring Festival, these folk performances appear in the streets and lanes. Where the performers reach is where the atmosphere is the most alive.

Traditional folk art was highly fashionable during a period of the city's history and many of today's theatres and opera halls in Changsha date from that time. Today, most of these places of entertainment present dynamic entertaining plays and performances that feature a blend of the traditional elements with more modern trends.

The peak time for night life in the city is during the period from one to two o'clock. This is when you will find the streets jammed with cars, enthusiastic crowds and shrewd peddlers. Around twelve, it is very hard to find an available taxi near the main thoroughfares of Shaoshan Lu, Furong Lu and Bayi Lu as they are all kept very busy.

Some people think that to enjoy the nightlife of Changsha, you may have four steps: the first is footbath; the second is passing time in pubs; the third is singing in the KTV; and the last one is trying midnight snack.

In the downtown of Changsha, there are many footbath centers. After supper at around 19:00, you may go to a footbath center to have a foot massage. Put your feet in the wooden basin with warm milk or in the warm water with Chinese herbal medicines or flowers. The massage man cleans your feet and gives a massage to your legs, feet, arms and head.

It will take you about one hour to finish the footbath. After that, you can go to pubs or bars. If you were accompanied by friends, it would be more pleasant. Then, if you'd love to, you may sing several songs in KTV. Now, most Chinese KTVs provide not only Chinese songs but also English, Japanese, Korean and French songs. When you leave the KTV for your accommodation, you can have some midnight snack if you feel a little hungry. Think about this four-step nightlife and how do you like it?

Golden Time (Jin1 Se4 Nian2 Hua2)
Located in Jiefang Lu, this is the most up to the minute entertainment venue in the city. With its fantastic décor this club is renowned for its crazy atmosphere and first-class show performances. After the first few hours focusing on simpler dances, they go on to more challenging music and dances. Crowds consisting of hundreds of enthusiastic people sing and dance till they drop. Dazzling pop singers, dancers and bands give fantastic presentations on many occasions.
Customers tend to be those on higher incomes and businessmen.
Address: No. 18, Jiefang Xilu
Features: Show performances and KTV
Getting there: Bus No. 368 or taxi

Hedong DISCO
It is the most popular disco square in the city. They also have show performances and bars. However, people go there mainly for the crazy rhythms.

Huatian Theatre (Hua2 Tian1 Da4 Ju4 Chang3)
This attractive and well appointed theatre stages both formal performances and entertaining shows.
Address: 5&6th floor, Huatian In'l Club

Red Sun Entertainment (Hong2 Tai4 Yang2)
Considered the king of the entertainment enterprises, the Red Sun provides a comprehensive range of show performances.
Address: 7-A, Dongfeng Xilu