Hunan Province is situated along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. To the south, it is bordered by the Nan Ling mountains, separating it from Guangdong Province. The name "Hunan" derives from its location south of the lakes region along the Yangtze River, bordering Hubei Province. Except for the northeast, Hunan is characterized by low mountain ranges, forming several isolated basins. Located approximately in the center of the province is Mount Hengshan, the southernmost of China's Five Holy Mountains.
The province is intersected by over 4,700 large and small rivers, among which the Xiangjiang, Zishui, Yuanjiang, and Lishui are the largest. These rivers all flow into Dongting Lake, forming a closed water system. Dongting Lake, one of China's five largest freshwater lakes, is where these four waterways converge and also serves to mitigate Yangtze River floods. Its waters discharge into the Yangtze at Chenglingji.
Changsha is situated on the banks of the Xiangjiang River, a major tributary of the Yangtze River, in the northeastern part of Hunan Province. The city boasts a history spanning three thousand years. Many historical cultural artifacts, such as the Han dynasty tombs at Mawangdui and bamboo slips from the Warring States period, have been unearthed through archaeological excavations.
Changsha is renowned as a cultural city. The Yuelu Academy served as a prominent institution for training highly qualified personnel in ancient China, with its teaching methods exerting a significant influence on scientific research in the country. Education has long been advanced in Changsha, with women historically receiving better education compared to other regions of China.
Interestingly, despite its advanced educational system, Changsha maintains a somewhat rural character.
Notable attractions in Changsha include Yuelushan Mountain, Orange Island, Pavilion of Storing the Hearts of Heaven, and the Han dynasty tombs at Mawangdui.
Changsha Huanghua International Airport is the international airport serving the provincial capital of Changsha in Hunan Province, China. It is the thirteenth busiest airport in China by passenger traffic. Located approximately 20 kilometers east of the city of Changsha, the airport underwent renovations in 2018 with new construction plans already underway. A new maglev train connects the airport to the city in just 10 minutes for 20 Yuan. Additionally, there is access to Metro Line 6 and several bus routes into the city. Plans are also in place for a connection to the high-speed rail network.
Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport is situated approximately 15 kilometers from the city center and about 40 kilometers from the Wulingyuan Mountains. Since 2011, the airport has offered connections to other parts of Asia. There are three bus routes, including a hotel shuttle, operating between the airport and downtown.
