Changsha

The Many Shines of the “Star City”

ALSO known as the Star City, Changsha is the political, economic and cultural center of Hunan Province. Located in the central hinterland, the city lies at the junction of the east-west axis of the Yangtze River and the BeijingGuangzhou, which makes Changsha an important economic belt and a comprehensive transportation hub in Central China. The title “Star City” does not come without reason, as we will see how this city shines in terms of education, history, culture and beauty.

Relating to education, Changsha is known in China and abroad for its scientific research achievements, including its hybrid rice breeding technology, Tianhe supercomputer, and 3D sintering printer. This city is home to 55 higher education institutions, 97 independent research institutions, 52 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, 14 national engineering (technology) research centers, 15 national key (engineering) laboratories and 12 national enterprise technology centers.

The world also owes Changsha historical exploration. Since the 1970s, a large number of historical relics have been unearthed in the city, of which the West Han Tomb excavated in Mawangdui and the Inscribed Bamboo Slips of Sun Wu from the Three Kingdoms Period uncovered in Zoumalou have shocked the world. Changsha was always an important city of Hunan and a key town in Southern China. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Changsha, as the capital city of Hunan Province, was made one of the first group of 24 historical cities in China by the State Council of China.

A number of outstanding people and brilliant minds also come from this city.

The world's cultural celebrity Qu Yuan, Han Dynasty outstanding politician Jia Yi and Tang Dynasty great poet Du Fu all "moved to Changsha" and left their masterpieces by the Xiangjiang River. Changsha also gave birth to a large number of proletarian revolutionaries and outstanding leaders shining in the annals of China, including Chairman Mao Zedong and Chairman Liu Shaoqi.

Wrapping up all its supremacy, Changsha is also bestowed with beauty.

Covered by forest around 54.71% of the area, Changsha is entitled as national civilized city, a national ecological construction demonstration city and a national forest city. While visiting, you will not want to miss the Yuelu Mountain that looks like fire with its autumn maple trees; the Tianxin Pavilion offering a magnificent vista when looking far from it; the Xiangjiang water flowing upward to the north; and the Orange Island that lies restfully in the middle of a river. There is also the Dawei Mountain Forest Park and the Huitang Hot spring along with a number of celebrities' residences, all of which are either famous destinations of tourism or sightseeing, making Changsha one of the first group of excellent tourism cities by the State Council of China.