A hotel even locals can't help but praise

Hidden among the plane trees on the east bank of the Xiangjiang River, Changsha Xiangjiang Hotel 1968 feels like stepping into a gentle fold of time the moment you enter. The Soviet-style main building with its blue bricks and gray tiles carries the texture of bygone years, where red lanterns hanging under the portico playfully contrast with vintage radios displayed in glass cabinets. Smiling staff in blue cotton jackets serve piping hot jasmine tea in enamel mugs, instantly transporting guests back to the vibrant era of old Changsha. The guest rooms are full of delightful surprises blending retro charm with modern comfort: warm-toned solid wood furniture with a smooth patina, walls adorned with 1960s Changsha map prints, and a replica "Seagull" alarm clock placed on the rattan coffee table under the glow of a warm yellow desk lamp. The bathroom design is particularly ingenious - green-and-white tiles form vintage patterns, the cast-iron bathtub pairs with a brass showerhead, and even toiletries come in enamel containers stamped with "Serve the People," maximizing nostalgia without sacrificing contemporary convenience. Dining here is a true time-travel experience for the taste buds! The second-floor restaurant retains the wooden lattice windows of state-run canteens, serving dishes like "Stir-fried Pork with Chili Over Rice" in earthenware bowls, where marbled pork glistens with oil and chopped peppers, its aroma making guests lick their chopsticks. Freshly ground rice porridge with egg carries the fragrance of wood-fired stoves, perfectly paired with sweet yet non-greasy sugar-oil glutinous rice cakes. At dusk on the riverside terrace, watching cargo ships slowly pass on the Xiangjiang River while savoring crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside stinky tofu drizzled with secret sauce, accompanied by the melody of "Liuyang River" from a gramophone - time seems to slow down in these moments. Within walking distance to Orange Isle's head and just a left turn away from old Changsha's alleys, the neighborhood buzzes with authentic local life - elderly sugar painting artisans and residents riding classic "28-inch" bicycles. Upon departure, guests receive a kraft paper gift containing a 1968 Changsha postcard, where these thoughtful details make every stay feel like a tender conversation with the past.