China for free · Changsha
Common questions
The things people ask before they write. Short answers, with a link to the full page. Last checked: 2026-10.
Is staying really free?
The project is called China for free: three homes in Changsha, Hunan are open to travellers and learners. It is a small personal hospitality project, not a hotel or an agency. Read the home page for how it works.
How many guests do you take?
Two households per quarter, chosen personally after a short video call. The small number is deliberate so each stay gets real attention.
How do I ask about a stay?
Use the short booking wizard on the home page, or jump straight to the contact section for email, WeChat and phone.
Which languages can you reply in?
English and 中文 (Mandarin). The site itself is published in 53 languages — use the language button at the bottom right of any page.
Do I need a visa, and what is a port visa?
It depends on your nationality and route. The port visa & temporary entry permit guide explains the practical route and links the official sources. Always verify with the local immigration office — this is not legal advice.
What should I do in my first 72 hours?
A local SIM (bring your passport), mobile payment (WeChat Pay or Alipay — foreign cards work since 2024), and a map app that works in China. The full first 72 hours guide has the details.
Do I have to register my accommodation?
If you are renting a private room, yes — registration is required within 24 hours of arrival. There is a one-page bilingual sheet for your landlord and a short explainer.
Can I use my foreign bank card?
Foreign cards work with WeChat Pay and Alipay since 2024 — bind one before you fly. See the first 72 hours guide and the 7-step checklist.
How much does a day in Changsha cost?
A rough range for a careful traveller is 100–200 CNY a day for street meals, metro and a room. It is a ballpark, not a promise — see what a day costs.
Is Hunan food really that spicy?
Yes — Hunan heat is direct rather than Sichuan's numb-spice. Start one chilli level below what you think you need. The chilli guide has sentences that actually help.
Do I need to speak Chinese?
No, but a few lines go a long way. There are copy-and-say phrases on the home page, and one sentence of Changsha dialect that reliably makes people smile.
Can I learn Chinese there?
That is half the point. The four-week path goes from tones and pinyin to doing one real thing yourself in Chinese.
Where are the homes?
Three different Changshas: a quiet farmhouse in Dongtang village (Huanghua), an old city-side house in Shaping (Kaifu), and a city base. Village life or city life? compares them.
What is there to do for a week?
Yuelu Mountain, Orange Isle and the Hunan Museum's Mawangdui collection make a sensible route — see a week in Changsha. All eight practical pages are linked from the Changsha guide.
Is this an official site?
No. This is a personal project, not an official site and not legal advice. Rules change and differ by city — verify with the local police or immigration office before relying on anything here. There is a correction link on every page.
How current is the information?
The guides were last checked in 2026-10, and each page says so. If you spot something outdated, the Spot a mistake link at the top of the home page goes straight to the host.