Evening river cruises on the Xiang River depart from the Orange Isle Bridge area and the central promenade, offering views of both riverbanks as the city lights come on. From the river, the combination of the Mao sculpture on Orange Island, the IFS towers, and the older city fabric visible on the east bank gives a more comprehensive picture of Changsha's layers than any single vantage point on land provides.
Cruises last 45 to 90 minutes and cost ¥50–120 depending on the vessel and route. The evening departures from 6-9 PM are the best time, when the light is changing and the city's neon is building. Boat operators cluster at the central ferry pier near Wuyi Square. Weekend evening cruises sell out; weekday departures usually have availability without advance booking. A cold beer on the boat while the city lights reflect in the Xiang River is one of the more pleasant ways to spend an hour in Changsha.