City guide · 长沙 Changsha
Changsha
A city of hills, river and islet on the Xiang: Yuelu Academy, Orange Isle and Mawangdui
Changsha is the capital of Hunan Province, with the Xiang River running through the city and Yuelu Mountain and Orange Isle facing each other across the river. In two to three days you can cover Orange Isle, Yuelu Mountain and Yuelu Academy, the Hunan Museum, Taiping Old Street, and Pozi Street, and leave one evening for the lights and snacks of Jiefang West Road. Changsha runs on a "night owl" rhythm: ten at night is the peak hour. Also worth visiting in the city: Yuelu Mountain, Hunan Museum, Taiping Old Street, Pozi Street, Fire Palace, Tianxin Pavilion, Former Residence of Jia Yi, Kaifu Temple, Changsha Tongguan Kiln, Martyrs Park and Meixi Lake.
History
How the city came to be
Changsha has more than 3,000 years of urban history. In the pre-Qin period it belonged to the State of Chu; after Qin unification, Changsha Commandery was established; in the Han Dynasty, the Kingdom of Changsha was established with Wu Rui enfeoffed as King of Changsha, and the Mawangdui Han Tombs are remains of this period. During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, Changsha was the capital of the Southern Chu Kingdom. In the Song Dynasty, Yuelu Academy was founded, becoming one of the four great ancient academies alongside Bailudong, Songyang, and Yingtian. In 1664, Changsha officially became the capital of Hunan Province. In 1904, Changsha opened as a treaty port under the Supplementary Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between China and Japan, and modern industry developed from then on. In 1938, the Wenxi Fire destroyed more than 90 percent of the buildings in the city; from 1939 to 1942, Changsha went through three battles. In the 1970s, the Mawangdui Han Tombs were excavated in succession, and the remains of Lady Xin Zhui, along with silk manuscripts and the plain gauze robe, shocked the academic world.
- Pre-QinChangsha belonged to the State of Chu, and the name "Changsha" appears in pre-Qin literature.
- 221 BCQin established Changsha Commandery.
- 202 BCEHan established the Kingdom of Changsha.
- Five Dynasties and Ten KingdomsChangsha was the capital of the Southern Chu Kingdom (from 927).
- 976Yuelu Academy was founded.
- 1664Changsha became the capital of Hunan Province.
- 1904Changsha opened as a treaty port.
- 1938The Wenxi Fire destroyed more than 90 percent of the buildings in the city.
- 1939 to 1942Three Battles of Changsha.
- 1970sThe Mawangdui Han Tombs were excavated in succession.
Stories
Stories of the city
Zhu Xi, Zhang Shi and Statecraft Learning
History · Yuelu Academy and Orange Isle
The Song Neo-Confucian scholars Zhu Xi and Zhang Shi lectured and exchanged ideas at Yuelu Academy, a celebrated episode in the history of Neo-Confucianism. By the early 19th century, besides self-cultivation, the academy's students also studied practical subjects such as waterworks, political economy and administration, known as "statecraft" (jingshi) learning. Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang, Cai E and others all came from here.
The Young Mao Zedong and the Xiang River
History · Yuelu Academy and Orange Isle
In his early years Mao Zedong lived in Changsha and often swam in the Xiang River with friends such as He Shuheng and Cai Hesen. The statue unveiled at the head of the island in 2009 depicts him as a young man.
The Eight Views of Xiaoxiang
Legend · Yuelu Academy and Orange Isle
The "Eight Views of Xiaoxiang" are a theme of poetry and painting by men of letters through the ages, and one of them, "Evening Snow over River and Sky", is associated with the Orange Isle area. These views are moods from the poetic and painting tradition rather than fixed natural landmarks, so enjoy them as cultural background as you explore.
Related myth features
- Qu Yuan's Nine Songs: Xiangjun and Xiang Furen ↗Chinese Mythology
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Trips beyond the city
These places can be explored from this city but lie outside it. See each place for transport and visiting guidance.
Shaoshan
The birthplace and childhood home of Mao Zedong, where a U-shaped farmhouse of earth and timber keeps its original household furnishings; a memo…
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Mount Heng
The Southern Peak of the Five Great Mountains, whose 72 peaks stretch for about 150 km; at its foot, the Grand Temple of Mount Heng lines Taoist…
Yueyang Tower
One of the Three Great Towers of Jiangnan, with a three-tiered, helmet-shaped roof found on no other ancient building in China; climb up to read…
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