Changsha Hunan Jiefang Xilu popular bar

Changsha (長沙) is the capital city of Hunan Province, and is located in northeast part of Hunan. Populated by some six million souls, Changsha is a lively town well known for its food culture, military tradition and being one of Mao Zedong's haunts prior to launching his political career.

Changsha is an old city with a very long history. 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.

Changsha can be called the heart of China in more ways than one. It is found right in the middle of the breast of any big chicken map of China. Its satellite town Shaoshan is home to Chairman Mao, and its hinterlands produce grain for much of the nation. Furthermore, it is a transport hub, pumping goods East to West along the Xiangjiang River, and from Guangzhou to Beijing via railroad. Neither a glittering Shanghai nor a quaint Yangshuo, Changsha is one of scores of major Chinese cities concerned with growing from second tier backwater to first-rate economic juggernaut, come hell or high inflation.

Changsha tourism

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.

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.

Changsha Top Attractions :

1. Yue foothill academy.
Yuelu Academy is the most ancient academy in China. It was established in the ninth year of Kaibao Period of North Song (976 AD). In 1015, it was famous for its study atmosphere and obliged the name by Emperor Zhen Zong.

2. Hunan Sheng Bowuguan (Hunan Provincial Museum)
Hunan Provincial Museum has rich collections, among which Mawangdui Han Tomb, Bronze ware crafts of Shang and Zhou Dynasties, the cultural relics of Wu Kingdom are the most special.

3. Juzi Island
Juzi Island came into being in 305 AD and got its name in the six century, from the poem of famous poet in Tang Dynasty., “the field of Ju Island is still fertile”.

4. Lei Feng Jinianguan (Lei Feng Memorial)
Those looking for a trace of Mao's China will find it here. The selfless soldier whose only ambition was to be "a little screw that would never rust in the revolutionary machinery" ended up getting a whole memorial to himself, not to mention the Lei Feng Hospital, the Lei Feng Hotel, and the big statue of Lei Feng that flanks the street to the museum.

5. Mao Zedong Tongzhi Guju (Comrade Mao Zedong's Former Residence)
Best of the two main sights, Mao's former home doesn't look that different from some of the present farmhouses in Hunan and Sichuan.

6. Shao Shan Mao Zedong Tongzhi Jinianguan (Shao Shan Mao Zedong Museum)
The highlight of the museum, built in 2003, is undoubtedly the third-floor collection of items used by Mao during his life.

Changsha Nightlife

Changsha is well known for its stellar nightlife. Typical of southern China, Changsha's residents like to take their merrymaking to the streets and spread it around. If you're not too weary after a day of sightseeing, the ambiance on Shaoshan Lu and Furong Lu in the post midnight hours should prove enjoyable to those who enjoy the nightlife.

Changsha Bars and Clubs

There's a popular bar street in town, Jiefang Xilu. It's a 3 km (1.86 mi) stretch of road jam packed with bars. There's bound to be one suitable for just about any taste. Golden Times on Jiefang Lu is a popular choice with locals and has live music from time to time. If you're looking for a DJ, Re Wu Disco on Wuyi Dadao might suffice.

Some of recommended bars and clubs in Changsha such as :

1. Golden Time (Jin1 Se4 Nian2 Hua2)
Located in Jiefang Lu, this is the most up to the minute entertainment venue in the city.
Address: No. 18, Jiefang Xilu
Features: Show performances and KTV
Getting there: Bus No. 368 or taxi

2. Hedong DISCO
It is the most popular disco square in the city. They also have show performances and bars. However, people go there mainly for the crazy rhythms.
3. Huatian Theatre (Hua2 Tian1 Da4 Ju4 Chang3)
This attractive and well appointed theatre stages both formal performances and entertaining shows.
Address: 5&6th floor, Huatian In'l Club

4. Red Sun Entertainment (Hong2 Tai4 Yang2)
Considered the king of the entertainment enterprises, the Red Sun provides a comprehensive range of show performances.
Address: 7-A, Dongfeng Xilu

5. Shennong Club
Address: 4th, floor, Shennong Hotel

6. Tongcheng Club
Address: 7th, floor, Tongcheng International Hotel

Photos of Changsha

View of Changsha City from Yuelu Mountain

Changsha skycrapers. Changsha is one of China's top 20 "economically advanced" cities.

The Huángxīng Lù Commercial Pedestrian Street in Changsha

Yuelu Academy. 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)

Changsha Sheraton Hotel. The Sheraton Changsha Hotel will be the first international 5-star hotel in Hunan Province and will offer 388 rooms and suites, as well as other luxury facilities.

A giant statue of Chairman Mao Zedong under construction in Changsha, the capital of South China's Hunan Province. When complete, the sculpture, which is 32 meters in height and covers an area of 2300 square meters, will be the largest statue of Mao Zedong in China.

Watch video of Changsha, the capital of Hunan province, Southcentral China, located on the lower reaches of Xiangjiang river, a branch of the Yangtze River. Population 6 Million peoples.