Zhuzhou International Circuit
Location
Tianyuan District, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China
Current Local Time
Track Info
Zhuzhou International Circuit - Zhuzhou, China
Modern hillside circuit in Hunan Province - known for touring cars, steep gradients, unusual banking and several high-speed straights
When was the track built?
Construction began in 2018, with the completed circuit opening in October 2019. It became Hunan Province's first permanent venue built to the international standards required for major professional car racing.
The circuit forms part of Zhuzhou Automobile Expo Park, an area developed around the city's strong automotive and engineering industries. National touring-car racing arrived during the opening month.
What's the circuit like?
- Large elevation changes: Crests and downhill braking zones can hide the next corner and make the car feel lighter or heavier.
- Three long straights: The longest measures approximately 645 m, giving faster cars space to build considerable speed.
- Banked oval-style corner: One long bend slopes towards the inside. This banking supports the car and allows drivers to carry more speed.
- Varied corner speeds: Fast sweeping sections are mixed with tight turns where braking, traction and accurate positioning become more important.
What races here?
- TCR touring cars: Production-based racing cars from manufacturers such as Hyundai, Honda and Lynk & Co compete in close sprint races.
- Chinese Touring Car Championship: CTCC has formed an important part of the circuit's programme since its opening season.
- Single-seaters: Formula 4 and Formula Renault cars provide experience for drivers moving towards higher international categories.
- GT and Porsche racing: Powerful sports cars compete in sprint, one-make and endurance events.
- Track days and training: Licensed drivers can attend organised practice sessions, while racing schools use the circuit for instruction.
How did it gain international attention?
Zhuzhou first became known through Chinese touring-car and GT competition. Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, Formula 4 South East Asia and Formula Renault later added international drivers and teams to its calendar.
The FIA TCR World Tour visited in 2024, bringing the highest level of international touring-car racing to the circuit. Wet weather produced changing grip and particularly unpredictable races.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Porsche Carrera Cup: 1:36.839 - Yu Kuai in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 2021.
- Formula Renault: 1:39.657 - Gerrard Xie in a Tatuus Formula Renault 2.0, 2022.
- Formula 4: 1:40.425 - Jack Beeton in a Tatuus F4-T421, 2023.
- TCR touring car: 1:44.056 - Jason Zhang in a Lynk & Co 03 TCR, 2024.
Different cars, tyres and race formats produce separate benchmarks. Qualifying, testing and race laps should not be compared directly.
Why go?
Zhuzhou provides modern facilities and a circuit that is easy to understand without being simple. Long straights create overtaking opportunities, while the banking and elevation changes make the movement of the cars clearly visible.
Major weekends may combine touring cars, GT machinery, single-seaters and support races, allowing new spectators to experience several forms of motorsport during one visit.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main grandstand: Best for race starts, pit stops, grid activity and the chequered flag.
- Opening corners: Good for heavy braking, crowded first laps and early overtaking attempts.
- Banked corner: Best for seeing cars use different lines while carrying speed through the circuit's most unusual feature.
- Elevated sections: Useful for appreciating the climbs, descents and several connected parts of the lap.
- Paddock: A good place to view the cars and team preparation when public access is included.
Zhuzhou International Circuit is inside Automobile Expo Park in Tianyuan District. It is approximately 10 minutes by car from Zhuzhou West railway station, 40 minutes from Changsha Huanghua International Airport and close to the G4 expressway. Entrances, seating and paddock access vary between events.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Zhuzhou International Circuit (China)
Zhuzhou International Circuit, now officially called Hunan International Circuit, is in Tianyuan District on the western side of Zhuzhou. Driving or taking a taxi is easiest, while Zhuzhou West high-speed railway station is only around 10 minutes from the circuit.
Driving to the circuit
Driving is straightforward because the circuit sits close to the G4 Beijing–Hong Kong–Macau Expressway on the western side of Zhuzhou.
- From outside Zhuzhou: use the G4 and leave at the Zhuzhou West toll station.
- From the motorway: the circuit states that the venue is only around two minutes from the Zhuzhou West exit.
- From central Zhuzhou: approach via Zhuzhou Avenue and Liyu West Road towards the Automobile Expo Park.
- Navigation: search for “Hunan International Circuit”, “Zhuzhou International Circuit” or “湖南国际赛车场”.
Save the address as No. 1 Zhonghua Road, Zhuzhou Automobile Expo Park, Tianyuan District, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China.
Getting there by train
Zhuzhou West Railway Station is the most convenient station for the circuit and is on China's Beijing–Guangzhou high-speed railway.
- Take a high-speed train to Zhuzhou West.
- Continue by taxi or ride-hailing directly to the circuit.
- Allow around 10 minutes for the final journey in normal traffic.
This is usually the easiest option for visitors arriving from Changsha, Guangzhou, Wuhan or another city on the high-speed rail network.
Local public transport
Local buses serve the wider Zhuzhou Automobile Expo Park area, but they are less convenient than taking a taxi directly from Zhuzhou West.
- B62: currently serves the Zhuzhou Automobile Expo Park West stop.
- Final journey: expect some walking or an additional short transfer depending on your event entrance.
- Major events: temporary traffic restrictions or special transport arrangements may be introduced.
For a first visit, the short taxi journey from Zhuzhou West is simpler than navigating local bus connections.
Flying in
Changsha Huanghua International Airport (CSX) is the main airport for Zhuzhou and the circuit states that it is around 40 minutes away by car.
- Taxi or ride-hailing: the simplest direct airport transfer.
- Rental car: useful if you are travelling around Hunan during your visit.
- Via Changsha: you can also travel towards Changsha South railway station and continue to Zhuzhou by high-speed rail.
Allow extra time during busy periods because traffic around Changsha and the airport can significantly increase the journey time.
Parking
The circuit is part of a large motorsport and automotive complex, but spectator parking arrangements depend on the individual event.
- Major events: organisers normally publish specific parking areas and entrance routes.
- Follow event signs: spectators, competitors, VIP guests and paddock vehicles may use different entrances.
- Arrive early: large national and international race meetings can create queues around the Automobile Expo Park.
- Check before travelling: do not assume parking arrangements from a previous meeting will remain the same.
The circuit also contains dedicated underground and internal parking for some hospitality and commercial facilities, but these should not be confused with general spectator parking.
Where to stay
Zhuzhou has plenty of accommodation close enough to make the circuit easy to reach each morning.
- Automobile Expo Park area: closest to the circuit and useful for a multi-day motorsport event.
- Tianyuan District: convenient for both the circuit and Zhuzhou West station.
- Central Zhuzhou: offers more restaurants and city facilities but requires a longer race-day journey.
The circuit operator states that more than ten hotels and several commercial areas are located within roughly 5 km of the venue.
Understanding the circuit
The circuit opened in 2019 and was designed as a modern international-standard motorsport facility.
- Opened: 2019.
- Length: 3.774 km.
- Turns: 14.
- Licence: FIA Grade 2.
- Elevation change: approximately 25.98 metres.
- Character: three long straights, large gradients and unusual banked sections.
The complex also includes an international kart circuit, driving areas and other automotive facilities.
Race-day tips
- Use the new name when searching: “Hunan International Circuit” may produce more current results than “Zhuzhou International Circuit”.
- Save the Chinese name: 湖南国际赛车场 is useful when showing the destination to a taxi driver.
- Arrive early: major CTCC and endurance-racing weekends can attract large crowds.
- Prepare for heat: Hunan summers can be very hot and humid.
- Bring hearing protection: particularly for children and spectators close to the circuit.
- Save the address: No. 1 Zhonghua Road, Tianyuan District, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China.
For a first visit, taking a high-speed train to Zhuzhou West and then a taxi to the circuit is particularly easy. If you are flying in, a direct transfer from Changsha Huanghua Airport is also practical.
Parking, public transport, spectator entrances and traffic restrictions can change between events. The venue was renamed Hunan International Circuit in late 2025, so check current event information under both names before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Zhuzhou International Circuit (Zhuzhou, China)
Zhuzhou International Circuit - also known as Hunan International Circuit - is a modern racing venue in the industrial city of Zhuzhou, Hunan. Its fast straights, elevation changes and technical corners host touring cars, endurance racing, drifting and track days - while museums, theme parks, riverside areas and China's famous Liling ceramics are all within reach.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Zhuzhou Fantawild Adventure: A large theme park with roller coasters, indoor attractions, dinosaur experiences and family rides. It is an easy choice if you have a full non-race day.
- Zhuzhou Museum: A modern museum with natural-history, local-history, folk-culture and art galleries. Dinosaur fossils and displays about Zhuzhou's industrial past make it approachable for younger visitors.
- Shennongcheng Scenic Area: A large urban cultural and leisure area surrounding the museum, with open spaces, shopping, food and evening activity.
Culture & rainy-day winners
- Zhuzhou Museum: The best starting point for understanding a city that grew into one of China's important railway and manufacturing centres.
- China Power Valley: Zhuzhou is strongly associated with rail transport, aviation and new-energy manufacturing. Industrial exhibitions and visitor activities are sometimes available - check access before making a special trip.
- Liling Ceramics Museum: Head east to Liling to discover the area's long porcelain tradition, including its famous underglaze five-colour ceramics.
Eat & drink around Zhuzhou
- Central Zhuzhou: Shennongcheng and the main commercial districts provide the widest choice of restaurants, cafés and evening food.
- Try Youxian rice noodles: Rice noodles from Zhuzhou's Youxian County are a well-known local speciality and an easy breakfast or quick meal.
- Look for Liling fried noodles: Another regional favourite, particularly useful if you are combining your trip with the ceramics attractions in Liling.
- Expect Hunan heat: Local cooking often uses plenty of chilli. If you prefer milder food, asking for less spice can make ordering much easier.
Get outdoors between race days
- Xiangjiang River: Head toward the city riverfront for an easy walk and a quieter break from the circuit.
- Shennongcheng: The open public spaces around the cultural district are convenient for an evening stroll without leaving central Zhuzhou.
- Yunyang Mountains: If you have more time, head farther into the Zhuzhou region for forest scenery, mountain walks and cooler conditions away from the city.
Hunan summers are hot and humid. Carry water and sun protection, especially during long race days or outdoor sightseeing.
Easy day trips if you're extending your stay
- Changsha: Hunan's provincial capital is the obvious city extension, with the Hunan Museum, Orange Island, Yuelu Mountain and a huge choice of restaurants and nightlife.
- Liling: Explore China Ceramics Valley, the ceramics museum and shops selling locally produced porcelain. Some locations also offer hands-on ceramic-making experiences.
- Shennong Valley: For a longer day, head into the mountains of the wider Zhuzhou region for forests, waterfalls and hiking. It is better treated as a dedicated excursion than something squeezed between race sessions.
Good to know during race weekends
- The venue has two names: You may see Zhuzhou International Circuit and Hunan International Circuit used for the same facility, including on international race calendars.
- Check the event before travelling: Touring cars, endurance racing, drifting and private track activity can have different entrances, tickets and spectator arrangements.
- The terrain matters: Despite its urban surroundings, the circuit has substantial elevation change, giving hillside viewing areas broad sightlines across several sections.
- Save the Chinese address: Keeping the circuit's Chinese name and address on your phone can make taxi or ride-hailing journeys easier.
- Bring hearing protection: Touring cars and other competition vehicles are extremely loud from close spectator areas, particularly for children.
Race schedules, spectator access, track activities, attraction opening hours and transport arrangements can change - check current information before travelling.