Situated in the river valley along the lower part of Xiang River, Changsha is the capital city of Hunan Province. The recorded history of Changsha can be traced back 3000 years. Tomb relics from the primitive periods witnessing the earliest human of activities have been discovered in this region. During the Spring and Autumn Period (770 B.C. - 476 B.C.), the area developed into an important town within the State of Chu, (one of the seven warring states that existed before China's unification by Emperor Qin). After Emperor Qin (the first feudal emperor in China's history) unified the country, the town was set up as a county and later became the capital city of a state in the early Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - 220). The tomb excavation site of Mawangdui found in the eastern suburb of the city is a family graveyard from that period. The most fantastic historical relic should be the well-preserved mummified remains of a Western Han Dynasty woman excavated from the tombs. Some of thousands of relics unearthed include silk products, paintings, lacquer works, potteries, bamboo slips used for writing, weapons and herbs, all of which are exhibited in Hunan Provincial Museum.
In the dynasties that followed, the city experienced several expansions and during China's Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), it has developed into the political, economic and cultural center of Hunan Province.
Although not as ancient a capital city as Beijing, Nanjing or Xian, Changsha also has rich historical heritages including old wall remains, tomb sites, religious temples and buildings. What earns the city its reputation among tourists are two things. One is a great man in China's recent history, Chairman Mao Zedong and the other is Yuelu Academy, a time-honored academic school perched on the scenic Yuelu Mountain. Originally built in 976 during the Song Dynasty, the academy school survived through the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties and is considered to be the cradle of Huxiang Culture. (simply means the culture school in Hunan Province)
The village of Shaoshan, about 130 kilometers south-west of Changsha is the hometown of Chairman Mao Zedong. Today, the village has become a memorial place for Chinese people to remember this extraordinary man. People erected a statue of the Chairman and have preserved the houses he lived as a tourist site. A museum and other memorial spots in the scenic area create a kind of solemn atmosphere. Many Chinese come to pay respect and visit here during the memorial days.
In addition, the city was home to other revolutionary leaders including Liu Shaoqi, Huyaobang and former Chinese prime minister, Zhu Rongji. Therefore, it acts as a good place to learn more about China's recent history.
Changsha people boast to be the best gourmand of China and here people spend a lot of time eating. Xiang Cuisine is one of the Eight Cuisines in China and has a fine and delicate appearance and a hot & sour taste and the heavy and hot taste is an equal competitor to the spicy food of Sichuan. Street dining and restaurants in the city make every visitor's mouth hot. No matter the featured snacks - 'Stinky Tofu' and 'Sisters'Rice Balls' in Huogongdian (Fire Palace) or the famous spicy shrimps at Nanmenkou, the many types of delicious local food will not disappoint any guests.
Changsha people are also renowned for their acting and have created various traditional folk art performances of their own including the local operas, storytelling, drum opera, acrobatics and other dramatic styles. Everyone can feel their hospitalities and enthusiasm by their vigorous dances. Today, most of the entertainment houses in the city present dynamic and entertaining performances featuring a blend of the traditional essence and the modern flare. The neon lights of KTV squares, disco parlors, clubs and dancing squares illuminate the city at night. Dotted with all sorts of bars and pubs, Jiefang Xilu, although not as prosperous as Sanlitun Pub Street in Beijing, has its own styles. Romantic and quiet bars, dynamic show bars, teahouses, western style restaurants...People of all ages can find their ideal place to spend their leisure time.
Changsha Tour Information:
Hiking Tour: Information about hiking in Changsha for your reference
Bicycle Tour: Offer information about cycling in and around Changsha
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Q & A on Changsha City
1.
Feb. 4,2010 15:15 Reply
Ms.69MANX said:
I jusback from Changsha.Loved the place and Loudi. Very friendly people and all is good. Party place as well as good place. Will go back soon - will you :-)
2.
Mar. 1,2009 13:13 Reply
Mr.Michael Dardar(USA) said:
I fell in loved with Changsha on my first trip to visit my fiancee! It is a wonderful friendly city. I have been there 3 times, each time not seeing another foreigner except at the airport. I have made many friends there and despite the weather--rainy most of my 2nd visit (end of October/beginning of November) and it has been raining most of the days since the beginning of January--I would love to live there. The food is wonderful. There are so many nice places to eat, shop--gigantic high-rise malls--and enjoy both live music and karaoke, especially on Hungxīng L Pedestrian Commercial Street. My first visit, I stayed at the Dolton Hotel, which I highly recommend for its service, elegance and cost. I can't wait to get back there. It is where my heart is!
Mar. 5,2009 13:47
Ms.Heather K(USA) replied:
This was wonderful to read. I am teaching English at Changsha University this summer with my eight-year-old daughter in tow. This post encourages me that it will be a comfortable stay. We will be staying on campus, but I'm sure we will become intimate with the entire city. Thanks! (I would love to correspond and hear more via e-mail if you're game.)
Mar. 12,2009 16:24
Mr.Michael Dardar(USA) replied:
TO: Ms. Heather K. Yes, I will be happy to correspond by email. I am only now checking the site, that's why I didn't know I had a reply & then didn't know how to reply to a comment! Hopefully the site will allow me to give my email address: grandude1@yahoo.com. You might also want to get a QQ account to chat with family and friends. But the registration page is in Mandarin, so I had a friend in Changsha set it up for me. Looking forward to corresponding. I also plan to be back in Changsha soon.
Mar. 16,2009 01:17
Mr.Gene Mack(US - Los Angeles) replied:
Ms. Heather, I could not agree more with Mr. Dardar. Changsha is a wonderful place and the people are friendly, kind, gentle and considerate. You will find both the city and the surrounding countryside (you MUST go to Pingjiang) the authrnetic, traditional China. Tourists and foreigners, for that matter, are few and far between. Unlike westernized cities like Shanghai, Changsha and Hunan Province is real China. I'd like to take a moment and share my story with you; Chinese girls, especially those in the east, are the most beautiful in the world. I met my girl in Changsha last October and proposed in January. I also find it so very hard to leave. She is 47 (widowed)and has her own home and a wonderful, supportive 23 year old son on his own. We have become good friends and her family and friends are all excited about our marriage. I have a job opportunity Chief Representative for a U.S. based company and will open the first office in Changsha by August 2009, so we will live there. Changsha is a great place to visit; the people are kind and gentle and the food is wonderful. Hunan Province is quite traditional and many historical and interesting places to visit especially once you get out of the city. ALthough I must say I love Changsha and very luch look forward to living there with my bride to be. By the way, she looks like she's in her early 30's, 5'5" and only 110 lbs. Chinese girls are truly the most beautiful and I found my angel quite by accident - the best accident of my life. Visit Changsha and the surrounding countryside for a good view on what traditional China is really like. You just might meet the girl of your dreams and, like the rest of us, find it so very hard to leave. If you'd care to communicate I'd be happy to. My email is chbroker96@gmail.com.
Kind regards - you will love Changsha, I am sure.
gene
Mar. 16,2009 01:21
Mr.Gene Mack(US - Los Angeles) replied:
Dear Ms. Heather - sorry - I meant to say the MAN of your dreams!
Mar. 20,2009 05:11
Mr.Hooton(Texas) replied:
Hello Michael, I am going to visit for a month or so come this June. I met a very nice profesional lasy and we want to explore some ideas for the future. I am a world traveler and now teach at the university level. Looking forward to my trip...anything you can suggest will be appreciated...Joe
Mar. 24,2009 16:09
Mr.Michael Dardar(Texas USA) replied:
Mr. Joe Hooton. Please see my reply to Mr.Kevin Wong above. Also, you might enjoy my review of my stay at the Dolton Hotel on my first visit to Changsha. I actually left the review and photos on a few sites, but here are a couple: virtualtourist.com & tripadvisor.com. I'm sure you will have a wonderful visit. Still kind of rainy now though. Hoping to be there soon.
Mar. 30,2009 10:19
Mrs.Sissy(China (USA)) replied:
Ms. Heather,
Our family lives in Changsha for many years. I have three children. Changsha University is in Changsha, with bus lines -- to the heart of the city, but note that you will have to plan outing. Taxis are available, except from 4:30pm to 6:30pm -- shift changes -- taxi drivers DO NOT like to pick up passengers -- a Changsha rudeness! Changsha food is very spicy -- and the people here have a spicy flare as well. Hunan people are known to be cunning. College students for the most part are naive until they hit the real world! Overall, I love Changsha! Most people either hate it or love it.
If you have more questions I will try to answer as best as I can.
Jun. 18,2009 01:37
Mr.Raymond(USA) replied:
Bravo Michael on your response to Mr. Vinod, this will be my 2nd visit to China and I plan to stay much longer this time, my fiance is also happy with this so we do not have to worry about coming back to the states but actualy plan to live in Changsha. So as far as his negative views I can only imagine what he was up to while there. Being a Viet vet myself and disabled, I have found that I left my heart in Asia and am happy to be going back again, I also would like to teach English and am not worried about the pay since I get my disabilty from uncle sam, just something for me to do since I cannot work as a hard-hat diver any more. I will be in Changsha in mid July of this year 09 the best to you and may you also find your heart in Changsha as I did :)
Aug. 16,2009 19:33
Mrs.sylvia0001(USA) replied:
How far (miles) is Los Angeles, USA from Changsha? ...How many hours via Airplane?
Nov. 12,2009 20:13
Mr.Tan(Singapore ) replied:
Hi Mr Darder
My young daughter is going on a school trip to Changsha next week. How cold does it get at this time of the year, esp now that there's early snow in the north? Would she need winter coat? Thank you for your attention.
Jan. 8,2010 20:03
Mr.Tayfun Akyalcin(Australia) replied:
Hi All,
I extend my greetings from Australia and thank you for your informative notes. Does anybody know whether foreigners are allowed to open a business in China (in particular I refer to Changsha). What is the maximum period a foreigner can stay on a work visa? I read Gene Mack's note with delight. I am currently corresponding through chnlove.com with a beautiful woman from Changsha. Not meaning to be disrespectful to Western women, I agree with Mack that Chinese women are the most beautiful in the world.
Regards, Tayfun Akyalcin
3.
Oct. 10,2009 07:41 Reply
Ms.Y(China) said:
Cn any1 plz write a very very brief and short summary about Changsha?
Plz include:
What are important or defining moments in the history of the city?
Find an example of a time when the community of the capital city was divided.
Find an example of a time when the residents of the city came together as a community around shared goals.
Thnx!!!
4.
Aug. 22,2009 04:10 Reply
Ms.THEFIFTHTONE(China) said:
When you come to Changsha, make sure to get over to The Fifth Tone coffeeshop! It is Changsha's only real American style cafe, and you can make some good friends while enjoying great coffee and real American desserts!
Call us for directions: 0731-88805303
Aug. 28,2009 13:20
Mr.DaCosta(Brasil) replied:
Hi Ms. THEFIFTONE
I'm Brazilian have 66 years lod and qant know Changsha. Where is the best way to arrive from Brasil Hopng Kong, Shanghai or Beijing.
Best regards
Luiz DaCosta
Aug. 29,2009 04:40
Ms.THEFIFTHTONE(China) replied:
Usually coming through Beijing or Shanghai would be more convenient than HK.
5.
Aug. 3,2009 03:08 Reply
Mr.Greenlee(US) said:
Hello! My name is Joe and I am applying to teach English at a school in Changsha! I am eager to learn more about the city. I understand they speak Mandarin pretty well there, which I have just started to learn. I have always wanted to go to China, ever since I was a boy. I understand that it is not polluted very much, and is very beautiful. If anyone wants to share their experiences of what it is like to be a Westerner in Changsha, please email me, I would love to learn more about this place!
Aug. 3,2009 10:08
Ms.Tess(Malaysia) replied:
hi Mr Greelee
i am tess from malaysia. i dun know much about changsha, but i going to chang sha soon ( shld be sept or oct'09) for work. how is ur application to english teacher? if u need help i can ask my friend to help u. why u choose changsha and not shanghai? shanghai shld be better pay
Aug. 13,2009 02:37
Ms.Dan(sin) replied:
Hi,
I am from changsha, although I am staying at singapore, I still go back once or twice a year, coz my whole family stay there. Hmm...about changsha, the food overthere is super spicy...of course it is good. and the people is hot (can be positive or negative). and the traffic is terrible! may i ask which school u r applying?