Changsha
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Central China (华中) » Hunan (湖南) » Changsha (长沙)
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[edit] Overview
Changsha is the capital city of Hunan Province in Central China. It's situated in the lower reaches of the Xiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River.
Changsha's history can be traced back to the time of the Qin dynasty (221–207 BC). It later became an important commercial center known for its rice trading. Today's Changsha is a major port and a commercial and industrial city.
Although not regarded as an ancient capital city in China, Changsha boasts some tomb sites, old wall remains, temples and religious structures of historical significance.
The most well-known attractions in Changsha are around Mount Yuelu. Yuelu Academy (岳麓书院) is a must-see. It was founded in Song Dynasty of 976 AD, and later survived through the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. The time-honored academy school is considered to be the cradle of Huxiang Culture (湖湘文化). The celebrated philosopher Zhu Xi (朱熹) once taught at the Academy in 1165.
Changsha also earns its reputation as the home to Mao Zedong, the founder of P.R. China, and other revolutionary leaders including Liu Shaoqi, Huyaobang and former Chinese Premier, Zhu Rongji.
[edit] History
Changsha has a history of over 3,000 years. It belonged to the state of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period. After founding the Han Dynasty in 206 BC, Liu Bang (刘邦) renamed Linjiang to today's Changsha, and established Changsha State as the vassal state for Chu. Since then, Changsha began to construct its city wall and gradually became a strategic military stronghold.
[edit] Snapshot
| Location | To the northeast side of Hunan Province and on the lower reaches of Xiang river | ||
| Geography | 111°53′~114°15′E, 27°51′~28°41′N | |||
| Nearby Areas | Zhuzhou, Xiangtan | |||
| Area - Total - Urban area | 11,819.5 km² 556 km² | Population - Total - Urban area | 6,465k 2,200k | |
| Weather - Avg. Temp - Rainfall | 17.0°C/62.6°F 1422 mm /56 inch | People & Culture | ||
| Mountains | Mt. Yuelushan | Rivers | Xiang River | |
| Economy | Service, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery | Phone Area Code Postal Code | 0731 410000 | |
[edit] Weather
Changsha has a monsoon climate with mild winters and plenty of rains. It is within the sub-tropical zone, with annual average temperature of 17.0°C, and annual average precipitation of 142.2 cm. January temperatures average 5°C while July temperatures average around 29°C.
Changsha has four distinct seasons. The springs are rainy and warm. The summers are long and hot, with heavy rainfall. Fall is clear with abundant sunshine. Winter is mild with few rains, and the temperature quickly increases as it approaches spring.
| Weather averages for Changsha | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Avg high °C (°F) | 8 (46) | 11 (52) | 15 (59) | 21 (70) | 26 (79) | 30 (86) | 33 (91) | 32 (90) | 28 (82) | 23 (73) | 17 (63) | 11 (52) | |
| Avg low °C (°F) | 3 (37) | 5 (41) | 8 (46) | 14 (57) | 19 (66) | 23 (73) | 26 (79) | 25 (77) | 21 (70) | 15 (59) | 10 (50) | 4 (39) | |
| Rain cm (inches) | 8.28 (3.3) | 9.21 (3.6) | 14.87 (5.9) | 18.79 (7.4) | 22.03 (8.7) | 23.23 (9.1) | 16.44 (6.5) | 11.25 (4.4) | 7.5 (3) | 6.71 (2.6) | 7.66 (3) | 5.01 (2) | |
| Source: per MSN 2008 | |||||||||||||
[edit] Map
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[edit] Video
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[edit] Getting in & Getting out
[edit] By Air
Changsha Huanghua International Airport (长沙黄花国际机场)is located in the eastern suburbs of Changsha County, Huanghua Town. It's about 10 km away from the city center, and is linked to the city through the airport expressway, and the high-speed Changyong Highway. The airport has domestic flights to 45 major cities in China, and international flights to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, Pusan, etc.
[edit] By Train
The current train station, Changsha Train Station, is located at the east end of Wuyi Blvd (五一大道), at the heart of the city.
However, the new train station, is under construction at Lituo Village of Yuhuatai District (雨花区黎托乡). When completed, it will replace the current station as the hub station on the Wuhan-Guangzhou Railway.
From here, Beijing is about 14 hours by train; Guangzhou 8 hours; Wuhan 3.5 hours; Shanghai 8 hours.
[edit] By Bus
[edit] By Ship
[edit] Getting Around
[edit] By Public Bus
Changsha has extensive bus network. Buses go from downtown to suburbs such as Xingsha (星沙) and Wangcheng (望城).
There are 3 hub bus stations: the train station, Dongtang (东塘) and Yingwang Town (溁湾镇) of Hexi. From these 3 stations you can reach almost all other places in the city. The fare for regular buses is 1 RMB, and for air-conditioned bus is 2 RMB. Some bus lines group and divide bus stops into sections, and customers are charged 1 RMB from each one section to the next section.
The bus complaint line is: 0731-4303488.
[edit] By Tour Bus
Changsha has 3 tour bus lines. Line #1 goes from the train station to Juzizhou (橘子洲). Line #2 goes from Guitang (圭塘) to Huaxia (华夏), and line #3 goes from the train station to Yuelu Mountain.
[edit] By Taxi & Rental Car
The day-time taxi fare starts from 3 RMB for the first 1 km, and 1 RMB for each additional 500 meters for the first 1 to 3 km, and 0.9 RMB for each additional 500 meter after 3 km.
The night-time taxi fare starts from 4 RMB for the first 1 km, and 1 RMB for each additional 500 meters for the first 1 to 3 km, and 1.05 RMB for each additional 500 meter after 3 km, plus 0.5 RMB gas surcharge.
The taxi riders are entitled to the receipts, or can refuse to pay the fare. The taxi complaint line is 0731—4303488.
[edit] Attractions
Changsha Yuelu Mountain Scenic Spot (岳麓山风景名胜区)
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[edit] Hotels
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[edit] Restaurants
Changsha boasts to be the origin of Xiang Cuisine, or Hunan (湖南) cuisine, one of the Eight Cuisines in China. Hunan (湖南) cuisine, along with Sichuan cuisine, are the most famous among China's western regional school of cooking, and are known for their hot and spicy dishes and fine and delicate appearance.
[edit] Shopping
Changsha's shopping district is located at Zongshan Road (中山路), Wuyi Road (五一路), and Huangxing Road (黄兴路) on the east bank of the Xiang River. Both Zongshan Road and Wuyi Road are bustling commercial streets, and Huangxing Road is a pedestrian street.
Among the well-known local crafts and other specialty products are tea, embroidery, porcelain, duck down products, bamboo carving.
