Changsha City Introduction
| Population | 7040000 people |
|---|---|
| Surface area | 11,819㎢ |
| Administrative division | Six districts and three counties: Furong District, Tianxin District, Kaifu District, Yuelu District, Yuhua District, Wangcheng District, Liuyang City, Changsha County, Ningxiang County. |
| City tree | Camphor tree |
|---|---|
| City flower | Azalea |
| URL | http://changsha.com.cn/ |
Changsha is the capital of Hunan province in China. Also called “Star City”, it is situated in southern China in the midstream area of Yangtze River and the downstream area of Xiang River. Located in the eastern part of Hunan province, the city plays the role of its governmental, economic, cultural, scientific, educational and transportation center. In 2015, Changsha’s GDP (total output) reached 851 billion yuan (13 trillion Japanese Yen), becoming the sixth most economically powerful province capitals of the country. Being a tourist city with outstanding scenic areas and fine old castles (it was the first place to be designated as a National Famous Historical and Cultural City in China), it is also known as a Green City highly ranked for the well-being of its citizens.
Industries
Changsha is an important commercial city of the South Central region of China. It is nation-wide famous for its industries, service sector, entertainment industry, mass media, film and variety show production. Its recent remarkable growth in the fields of high-tech engineering and electronics industry is worth mentioning as well. Numerous Japanese companies, such as Mitsubishi Motors, Sumitomo Corporation or Heiwado, are also expanding into the local market.
Transportation
All means of transportation (by water, land or air) are well-developed. Changsha Huanghua International Airport provides direct flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Shizuoka, etc.
History
Changsha is the birthplace of Chu and Han cultures, and its name and location haven’t changed for the last 3,000 years. The city possesses various important cultural assets, such as Mawangdui archaeological site, Yuelu Academy, Four Sheep Square Statues or Zoumalou, as well as scenic and historical places depicting rich Chu, Han and Huxiang cultures. Qu Yuan, Jia Yi, Du Fu and other famous poets have celebrated Changsha, and a large number of excellent literary works have been preserved. Changsha has also produced a great number of notable politicians of modern times (Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, etc.).
Natural features
Changsha, a place of glorious ancient civilization, is blessed with beautiful natural scenery and rich in famous cultural tourist attractions, such as scenic and historical places of Yuelu Academy, Mawangdui archaeological site, Kaifu temple, Tianxin Pavilion, or sightseeing areas of Yuelu Mountain, Hunan Martyrs Park and Orange Isle.
Tourism
Situated in the area of outstanding natural beauty, Changsha is a place of numerous tourist attractions to be enjoyed in any season. However, the highest peak of tourist activity is reached in autumn. Yuelu Mountain is especially breathtaking during the autumn foliage season, attracting a considerable number of tourists every year.
Local specialities
Xian tea cultivated in the area is highly valued in China and abroad for its pleasant taste. Other famous local products are Hunan embroidery, red chinaware and Chrysanthemum stone carving, which are called “Changsha’s Three Absolutes”. Liuyang black soybeans, Liuyang fireworks, feather products and Changsha Mei Fun rice noodles also count among local specialities.
Museums
Hunan Provincial Museum, Changsha Bamboo Slips Museum, Changsha Museum, Hunan Embroidery Museum, Hunan Provincial Museum of Geology, Hunan Science and Technology Museum, Hunan Arts Museum, Changsha Dahexi Leading Area Planning Exhibition Hall, Xiangxiu Museum, Hunan Picture Gallery, Furong Science and Technology Museum, China Seal Museum, Rice Museum, Museum of Porcelain, History Museum of Hunan Agricultural University, Specimen Museum of Hunan Agricultural University, Diwa Theory Exhibition Hall
Universities and colleges
Changsha is the seat of 48 universities, including 15 four-year universities and 33 vocational colleges.
Hunan University, Central South University, National University of Defense Technology, Hunan Normal University, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Hunan University Of Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Commerce, Changsha University, Hunan First Normal University, Changsha Medical University, Hunan International Economics University
Entertainment
Changsha is called a “City of Entertainment”. A number of popular variety shows airing all over the country are produced by Hunan TV Station. The city also offers a great choice of night entertainment spots, such as night markets, traditional art performance places, where people can enjoy drinking and watching various stage performances, or have a good time dancing and singing in disco and karaoke bars.
Traditional performance arts :
Hunan opera, Hunan Huagu opera, shadow picture play, puppet show, Changsha tanci, Changsha flower drum opera, Liuyang ancient music, acrobatics, etc.
Recreational facilities：
Hunan Grand Theatre, Tianhan Music Hall, Changsha Concert Hall, Changsha Experimental Theatre, Changsha Qindao Grand Stage, Entertainment Center, Jiefang Xilu Bar Street, HuaLongChi Bar Street, Changsha Meixihu International Culture and Arts Center, Wanda International Cineplex, Ouyang Yuqian Grand Theater, etc..
Places of cultural, artistic and historical value
Yuelu Mountain and Yuelu Academy
Xiang River and Orange Isle
Taiping Street
Dufu Jiangge, Tianxin Pavilion, Kaifu temple, Changsha Window of the World, Hunan Provincial Museum, etc.
Food specialities
Fermented tofu
Changsha Mei Fun rice noodles
Hunan-style dumplings
Spicy crayfish, Deyuan dumplings, steamed eggs, Changsha steamed vegetables, Chili fish head, etc.
Partner Cities
Yuelu Mountain and Yuelu Academy
Yuelu Mountain, with its highest point at about 300 meters above the sea level, is situated on the west bank of Xiang River. This sacred mountain is dotted with ancient relics of Confucianist, Taoist and Buddhist cultures.
Yuelu Academy was founded in 976, during the Northern Song dynasty. It is one of the four most famous academies of classical learning of ancient China. It was designated as an Important Cultural Property and is called now a “one-thousand-year-old academy”.
Yuelu Academy is also a home to several provincial research bases of the prestigious Hunan University : Research Base for Humanities and Social Sciences, Research Base for Changsha Studies, Research Base for Cultural Studies of Hunan Province, Research Base for Chinese Traditional Culture, Research Institute for Chinese Academies.
Xiang River and Orange Isle
Xiang is one of the tributaries of Yangtze River. 844 kilometres long and with 9,4660 square metres of river basin area, it is the largest river of Hunan province. River’s waters flow into the Dongting lake.
Originally shaped by vehement waters of Xiang river, Orange Isle is located in the central part of the city. With a length of several kilometres and a width up to 140 meters, it is considered the world’s longest inland river isle. Youth Mao Zedong Statue, Traditional Culture Center and Orange Garden are main local attractions.
Taiping Street
Taiping Street, Changsha’s old street with renovated traditional-style buildings, is like an open-air museum of ancient Changsha.
Fermented tofu
Fermented tofu (also called “stinky tofu”) can be served deep-fried or boiled. It is a common dish all over the country, but the tofu marinated in fermented liquor is Changsha’s local speciality.
Changsha Mei Fun rice noodles
In Hunan province, famous for it production of rice, Hunan rice vermicelli have been eaten for the last 400 years. Flat Changsha Mei Fun rice noodles are especially preferred here and commonly enjoyed at breakfast.
Hunan-style dumplings
Using glutinous rice similar to this used for making Japanese rice cakes (omochi), these round rice balles are filled with meat or sesame paste. Originally served by two beautiful sisters in the famous Changsha’s restaurant Huogongdian, they are now known by the name of “Sister’s rice balls”.
