Changsha (
simplified Chinese: 长沙;
traditional Chinese: 長沙;
pinyin:
Chángshā;
Wade-Giles: Chang-sha) is the
capital city of
Hunan, a
province of south-central
China, located on the lower reaches of
Xiang river, a branch of the
Yangtze River. Its municipality covers an area of 11,819 sq. kilometers and has a population of 6,017,600 (2003
intercensal estimate), the urbanized area has around 2.7 million people. Changsha was important from the time of the
Qin dynasty (221–207 BC). In AD 750–1100 Changsha was an important commercial city, and its population increased greatly. Under the
Qing dynasty, from 1664, it was the capital of Hunan province, and it was a major
rice market. It was besieged during the
Taiping Rebellion but never fell. Changsha was the site of
Mao Zedong's conversion to
communism. It was the scene of major battles in the
Sino-Japanese War of 1937–45 and was briefly occupied by the
Japanese. Rebuilt since 1949, the city is now a major port and a commercial and industrial center. Climate Changsha experiences a
humid subtropical climate (
Köppen climate classification Cfa), with annual average temperature being 17.6 °C (63.7 °F), with a mean of 5.2 °C (41.4 °F) in January and 29.5 °C (85.1 °F). Average annual precipitation is 1,330 millimeters (52.4 in), and the yearly frost-free period is 275 days. 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 overcast) and rather brief, but cold snaps occur with temperatures occasionally dropping below
TransportationChangsha is well connected by roads, river, rail, and air transportation modes, and is a regional hub for industrial, tourist, and service sectors.
- Public Transport: The city's public transportation system consists of an extensive bus network with over a hundred lines as well as taxis.
- Roads: National Highways 107 and 319, as well as Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan Express Way connect the Changsha metro area nationally. There are three main bus terminals in Changsha: South Station, East Station and West Station, dispatching long- and short-haul trips to cities within and outside Hunan Province.
- River: Changsha is surrounded by major rivers, including the Xiangjiang, the Liuyanghe, and the Laodaohe. Ships transport mainly goods from Xianing port located in North Changsha domestically and internationally.
- Air: Changsha Huanghua International Airport is a regional hub for China Southern Airlines, which serves major cities in China, including Hong Kong. Other major airlines also provide daily service between Changsha and other domestic and international destinations. The airport provides direct flights to 45 major cities such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, Seoul, Pusan, Osaka and etc