Changsha , city in southern China , the capital of Hunan Province , is one of the first nationally promulgated cities noted for its history and culture. It is laurelled as an excellent city for tourism in China .
Human events existed here as early as the Neolithic Age. During the Eastern (Later) Chou (771-221 BC), which included the Spring and Autumn period (771-481 BC) and the Warring States period (481-221 BC), Changsha became an important place of Chu State for its strategic importance and food supplies. It was set up as a city even then, historically called " Grand Town in South Chu State ". The Ch'in Empire (221-206 BC) established Changsha Shire here as one of the 36 shires of the whole empire but listed and classified it for the first time as a No. one administrative area of the in the whole nation. From Ch'in Empire to T'ang Dynasty (618--907), Changsha became the capital of two Kingdoms, showing its magnificent position in politics, economy and culture. In 1664, Hunan and Guangdong were divided into two provinces, and thereafter, Changsha became the capital of Hunan Province . In 1904, Changsha formally opened its wharf and established its maritime customs.



Changsha , this ancient city, has experienced many sensational historical events and accumulated profound history and culture. One can feel great and abundant Hunan culture and touch the soul of this historic and cultural city from such historic sites and famous scenic spots as Yuelu Academy, one of the four greatest academies of the North Song Dynasty, and Heavenly Heart Pavilion (Tianxinge), from a large number of excavated historic relics like Mawangdui, Zoumalou etc. and from the historical people and events of every dynasties recorded in history. As a poem goes,
"Successive vicissitudes of life never change its constancy;
Reputation remains whenever it encounters calamities." Such is Changsha .
Changsha is a fusion of mountains, water, islets and castles. Inside the castles are mountains and water, while in the water are islets and woods.
Xiangjiang River cuts across the city center, and runs into Dongting Lake in a mighty and torrential manner. Orange Isle (Juzizhou) in the middle of Xiangjiang River is one of the biggest isles in the river of the whole country.
On the west bank of Xiangjiang River is a verdant Yuelu Mountain , covering 5.2 square kilometers. It presents such a spectacular view described in an old couplet,
“To Hengshan Mountain comes floating southwest clouds;
Into Dongting Lake flows day and night the river sounds”.