Changsha Travel Guide
Location: As the capital of Hunan Province, Changsha (长沙) is situated in the east of Hunan province. Population:7,040,000
Area: with an area of 11,819 square kilometers
Nationalities: There are Hui, Man, Mongolia, Hani, Miao, Zhuang, Li, Uygur, as well as Korean.
History: Changsha first got its name in the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century-771BC) 3,000 years ago. In the period of the Xia (21st- 17th century BC) and Shang (17th- 11th century BC) dynasties, Changsha was part of the ancient Sanmiao Kingdom. When the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC) unified China, Changsha became one of the 36 prefectures of the whole country. In 202BC, the founder of the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-8AD) Emperor Gaozu conferred Wu Rui the governance of Changsha, and set up the State of Changsha.
Then, Changsha was under the jurisdiction of Wu in the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), and was renamed as Tanzhou in the Sui and Tang dynasties. Changsha was part of Hunan Province and changed into Changsha Prefecture in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)) it was known as the capital of Hunan Province. In 1922 it was reaffirmed as the capital of Hunan, and in 1933, Changsha City was established. Changsha welcomed its peaceful liberation on August 5, 1949, and a new chapter was unveiled in its history.
Climate: Changsha has a humid subtropical climate with annual average temperature being 17°C. Average annual precipitation is 1,330 millimeters. The four seasons are distinct. The summers are long and hot, with heavy rainfall, and autumn is comfortable with abundant sunlight. Winter is comparatively dry (but somewhat damp and overcast) and rather brief, but cold snaps occur with temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing.
Transportation: Air- Changsha Huanghua International Airport has 39 direct flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Bangkok.
Railway- The railway system in Changsha is very convenient. Changsha is directly linked to many cities around the whole country.
Highway- The expressways network across Hunan Province is well-developed and Changsha serves as one of the hubs. The city is ranked as one of the 45 main highway transportation hubs in China.
Waterway- The first phase of Xianing's New Port in Changsha, has been finished and has opened for use.
Local Specialties: feather products, Hunan Rice Noodles, Liuyang Fermented Brown Bean, Chrysanthemum Stone Carving and Changsha tea
Local Food: When eating in Changsha there is nothing better than a plate of stinky tofu (chou dofu) or soo-yo-bing bought right off the street. If you have just arrived, be wary of eating from street vendors. Although the inviting aroma of food cooking may be too tempting to resist, you better have a strong stomach if you do not want to get an upset one.
Attractions: Yuelu Mountain—Yuelu Mountain (岳麓山), situated in the west bank of Xiang River, in Changshan, is a national key scenic spot and one peak of 72 peaks of Hengshan Mountain. With an altitude of 300.8 meters, the whole scenic area consists of hills, rivers, lakes, natural plants and animals, cultural relics, celebrity's tomb and revolutionary memorial site.
Orange Continent—Orange continent (橘子洲), in the middle of Xiang river, is the largest inland island across the world. It is in a shape of long island with a length of dozens of miles. It is wide 40 meters in the narrowest point and about 140 meters in the broad. Mao Zedong, at his young age, once described the orange continent in a poem named .
Mawangdui Han Tomb-Mawangduui Han tomb (马王堆汉墓) is the grave of Licang, the prime minister of Changsha State and his family. Three tombs together with over 3,000 pieces of funeral objects were excavated during 1972-1974 successively. In addition, there were a well-preserved female corpse and a silk scroll named <52 presciptions>, which is the earliest medical book on prescripts until now.
Yuelu Academy- Yuelu academy (岳麓书院) is one of the four famous ancient academies in China (the remaining three are Yingtian academy in Shangqiu, Chongyang academy in Zhengzhou and Bailudong academy in Jiujiang ). It belongs to Yuelu Mountain scenic spot. Yuelu academy was established in 976 by Zhudong, magistrate of Tanzhou area. Occupying an area of 21,000 square meters, architectural complex of Yuelu academy is composed of teaching building, library, sacrifice hall, memorial hall and garden.
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