Changsha

As the capital of Hunan Province, China, Changsha, resting on the river valley plain in the lower reaches of Xiangjiang River, has a total floor space of 11,819 square kilometers. Changsha's history in written records dates back 3,000 years, and it is also called the "Township of Qu Yuan and Jia Yi" since it is famed for the influence by Qu Yuan and Jia Yi. In Changsha there is world-famous Mawangdui Han Tombs and Bamboo Slips of Kingdom Wu, and Yuelu Academy, which is located at the foot of Yuelu Mountain and has a history of 1,000 years, typifies the "Huxiang Culture". Changsha City is defined as China's only city with a history of more than 3,000 years but unchanged city site.

Changsha belongs to subtropical monsoon climate and has four distinctive seasons. It is rainy at the end of the spring and in the beginning of the summer, but arid at the end of summer and during the autumn. In spring, the weather is humid and volatile. In summer and autumn, it is always sunny. However, the severe winter is short-lived but the hot summer weather lasts for a long time. Changsha City's frost-free period totals 275 days all year round, with mean annual temperature hitting 16.8~17.2℃. Records show that its ultra high temperature was 40.6℃, and ultra low temperature,-12℃. With mean annual precipitation of 1,422.4mm, Changsha City takes surface water as its major water resource. Thanks to its sufficient water sources, Changsha City's mean annual surface runoff hits 80.8 billion cubic meters. Aside from Xiangjiang River, Changsha City pools 15 tributaries including Liuyang River, Laodao River, Jingjiang River, and Weishui River. The largest reservoir in Changsha is Huangcai Reservoir in Ningxiang County and Zhushuqiao Reservoir in Liuyang City.

• 1. Yuelu Mountain
  Yuelu Mountain is located on the west bank of Changsha City, Hunan Province, and its main peak is Yunlu Peak, also called Linglu Peak, which has an altitude of 300.8m and serves as one of "72 Peaks of the South Mountain". As the Records on South Mountain, which was compiled during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, put it, within 800 miles around the South Mountain, Huiyan Peak is the top and Yuelu Peak is the foot. In 1975, Yuelu Peak was rebuilt into the Yuelu Mountain Park, and now it has become a component of Changsha downtown. On May 17, 2002, the Yuelu Mountain Park was given the position of a State-level Key Tourist Attraction by the State Council. In the park there are lots of sightseeing points like Yuelu Academy, Aiwan Pavilion, Lushan Temple, Yunlu Palace, and New Democratic Society etc.
  At the foot of the Yuelu Mountain there is Hunan's most important cultural and educational area where Hunan University, and Hunan Normal University and Central South University gather.
  Yuelu Mountain is adjacent to the ancient city Changsha, and it has been an indispensible sightseeing place for men of letters ever since ancient times. At the foot of the mountain there is Yuelu Academy, which is one of China's four great academies and also the most well-preserved ancient academy in China. Here, well-known historical sites include Lushan Temple (in the beginning of Jin Dynasty), Dagoba (Sui Dynasty), Li Yong Lushan Temple Stele (Tang Dynasty), Yuelu Academy (Song Dynasty), King Yu Stele, Yunlu Palace (Ming Dynasty), and Aiwan Pavilion (Qing Dynasty).
• 2. Tianxin Pavilion
  Situated in the south of Changsha City, Hunan Province, the Tianxin Pavilion is located in the northwest of the Changsha Helong Sports Center. Adjacent to Cai'e South Road and Chengnan Road, the Tianxin Pavilion, together with the city circumvallation, Tianxin Park, and other buildings, constitutes a whole part, and now, it is rated as one of the important ancient buildings in Changsha.

• Bus
  In Changsha City, No. 1 to No. 12 buses shuttle along the main lines. Besides, there are 20-odd bus lines, dedicated tourist vehicles, 1,000-odd minibuses, and about 6,000 taxies in Changsha City.
• Taxi
  In Changsha City, the taxi's flag-down price is RMB 8. If the taximeter reading exceeds 3km, RMB1.6/km will be charged, and 50% of total taxi fare will be additionally charged as the non-occupancy surcharge if the taximeter reading exceeds 10km. After 21: 00 o'clock, the flag-down price is RMB 9.6. If the taximeter reading exceeds 3km, RMB1.97/km will be charged, and 50% of total taxi fare will be additionally charged as the non-occupancy surcharge if the taximeter reading exceeds 10km.

Incorporated in June, 1986, Changsha Huanghua International Airport was officially put into service on August 29, 1986. After being expanded and reconstructed, the airport now has its aircraft movement area upgraded to Level 4D. Now, Changsha Huanghua International Airport is equipped with a new terminal building of 34,000 square meters and parking lot of 22,000 square meters. Presently, the airport has built a 2,600m-long runway and a parallel taxiway of the same length. In addition to sophisticated communication and navigation systems like ILS, VOR/DME, and NDB etc., the airport has also installed advanced and consummate ground safety and service guarantee equipments & facilities, which can ensure the landing and takeoff of large-scale aircrafts like Boeing 737, 757, 767, Airbus 320, and MD 82 etc.