Changsha (capital of Hunan province in the People's Republic of China) has a history going back over 3000 years. It has grown to an important town of economy, culture and garrison in the southern area of Chu State (1115 B.C.-223 B.C.). In the Later Tang dynasty (923-936), the king of Chu, Ma Yin, founded the Chu Kingdom (927-963) and set it as the capital, the city quickly became the largest and most important population, commercial and financial center in southern China. It was devastated by the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Wenxi Fire in 1938 but was quickly rebuilt.[1][2] As of 2016, Changsha was ranked 13th of cities of China by comprehensive strength in 2016.[3]
The history of Changsha dates back to the primitive times. As early as the Paleolithic Period (20,000 to 150,000 years ago), there have been human activities in Changsha. The 7,100 year old Neolithic cultural relics at Nantuo Datang (南托大塘) have shown us the time-honored rice cultivation civilization of Changsha.[4]
Xia-Shang-Zhou Period
In the Xia-Shang-Zhou Period, Changsha came under the jurisdiction of an ancient kingdom, Sanmiao (三苗).
In the Shang dynasty (about 1,600 B.C.-1046 B.C.), Changsha was under the jurisdiction of Yangyue (扬越), which was a branch of Baiyue tribe (百越). The aboriginal culture has reached a certain level here. The most well-known human habitation in Changsha area was at Huangcai Town, where evidence was found of Tanheli site dated back to Shang dynasty (1159 B.C.-1046 B.C.). In the 20th century, the Four-goat Square Zun and Dahe Renmianwen Square Ding were discovered at Tanheli site in Huangcai Town of Ningxiang. The artifacts date to the late Shang dynasty (11th-10th century B.C.) and are preserved in the National Museum of China.[citation needed]
Warring States Period
In the Warring States Period (475 B.C.-221 B.C.), Changsha was under the jurisdiction of Qianzhong Prefecture (黔中郡) of Chu State and it was an important town of economy, culture and garrison in the southern area of Chu. In the late period of Chu, Qu Yuan was exiled to Yuanxiang (沅湘, today's Hunan province), he is known for his patriotism and contributions to classical poetry and verses, especially through the poems of the Chu Ci anthology (also known as The Songs of the South or Songs of Chu): a volume of poems attributed to or considered to be inspired by his verse writing.
In the 5th year (202 B.C.) of Emperor Gaozu of Han, king of Changsha, Wu Rui, set Changsha as capital and named it as Linxiang County (临湘县).[5] In the early Western Han dynasty (208 BC-8 AD), Sanshishu Town (三石戍城) was fortified at Sanchaji (三汊矶) on the west bank of Xiangjiang River. In the late Western Han dynasty, a waterside town, named “Beijin Town” (北津城), was fortified at the dock of Xiangjiang River outside the area from today's Daxi Gate (大西门) to Tonghuo Gate (通货门).
Buddhism was introduced into Changsha same time in the 3rd century, in the 4th year (268) of Taishi Period of Jin dynasty (266-316), Lushan Temple was built at Mount Yuelu by the Indian Buddhist monk Zhu Fachong (竺法崇).
In the Southern dynasty (420-589), Xiangxi County was separated from Linxiang County. Linxiang was the chief county of Changsha Prefecture. In the 1st year of Yongjia period of Western Jin dynasty, Jingzhou and Jiangzhou (江州) are separated, and Xiangzhou (湘州) was set up. Linxiang County became the seat of local government.
Sui and Tang dynasties
In the Sui and Tang dynasties (581-907), the wall of Changsha extended eastward to Xiaowu Gate (小吴门), Liuyang Gate (浏阳门), southward to Nanmenkou (南门口), westward to the Daxi and Xiaoxi Gates (大西门、小西门), and northward to the south of Sima Bridge (司马桥), Dengzi Bridge (戥子桥) and Huoyuan Bridge (活元桥).
In the year of 589, Sui Empire (581-618) unified China and changed Liuxiang County to Changsha County, and took Tanzhou as the place of local government.
In the 3rd year of Daye Period, Sui changed Tanzhou to Changsha Prefecture (长沙郡).
In the Tang dynasty (618-907), Changsha was set as Tanzhou and later as Changsha Prefecture.
In the middle Tang dynasty, the economy in Changsha became increasingly prosperous, Liuyang saw a rise of production of fireworks, and Changsha Tongguan Kiln (铜官窑) invented underglaze painted porcelain.[6] At the time, the Buddhism flourished, Miyin Temple was established in Ningxiang and Shishuang Temple was built in Liuyang.
Since the Zhenguan Period of Tang dynasty, talented people gathered in Changsha in succession. Ouyang Xun and his son were proficient in both regular and cursive calligraphies. Huaisu was famous for his vivid and powerful penmanship. Du Fu, Li Bai, Han Yu, Meng Haoran, Li Shangyin, Zhang Jiuling and many other celebrities have served as an official, or settled in Changsha, leaving innumerable popular poetic inscriptions.
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms
In the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907-960), in the 2nd year of Tiancheng Period of Later Tang dynasty (927), the king of Chu, Ma Yin, founded Chu Kingdom and set Changsha as its capital.[7] The north city wall extended to the area around Xiangya Road (湘雅路) which was located to the south of today's Kaifu Temple. Longxi County (龙喜县) was set up in southeastern Changsha, and Luzhiling (鹿芝岭) of Huangxing Town was the county seat. Ma's kingdom was committed to actively developing agriculture, industry and commerce. As it became stronger, the kingdom established Huichun Park, Jiayan Hall, Bixiang Palace and Jiulong Palace successively at south and north area of the city, later, Kaifu Temple was built at Huichun Park, facilitating the development of Buddhism.
In the 2nd year of Guangshun Period in the Later Zhou dynasty (952), Bian Hao, the general of Southern Tang kingdom, invaded the Chu kingdom, leading the demise of the Chu kingdom.
Song dynasty
Entrance of Yuelu Academy.
In the Song dynasty (960-1279), Changsha's economy and culture ascended to a new level, and the education was extremely prosperous.
In February of the 1st year of Qiande (963), Tanzhou was incorporated into the territory of Song Empire. Two years later in 965, Longxi County was renamed as Changfeng County (常丰县), the county seat was moved to today's East Lake Subdistrict of Furong District, it was the predecessor of Shanhua County (善化县).
In the 3rd year of Zhidao Period (997), the whole country was divided into 15 zones, and Tanzhou was the seat of the government for South Jing-Hu Zone (荆湖南路).
In the 1st year of Yuanfu (1098), Shanhua County was set up, and separated from Changsha County and both counties were governed independently under the jurisdiction of the same city.
In the 9th year of Kaibao Period (976), chief of Tanzhou, Zhu Dong (朱洞), founded the Yuelu Academy at the foot of Yuelu Mountain, and made it among the "four best academies" of the country.[8]
In the 3rd year of Qiandao Period, Zhu Xi came to Changsha and worked for Yuelu Academy together with Zhang Shi.
In the 2nd year of Shaoxing Period, Li Gang, anfushi of Huan (湖南安抚使), proposed the emperor to demolish the city wallby one third, relocated the north city wall to the area around today's Xiangchun Road (湘春路).
Yuan dynasty
In the 13th year (1276) of Zhiyuan Period of the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368), Changsha was incorporated into the territory of Yuan Empire. In the following year, the Tanzhou province was set up. In the 18th year (1281) of Zhiyuan Period, Tanzhou province was renamed Tanzhoulu (潭州路). In the 2nd year (1329) of Tianli Period, Tanzhoulu was changed as Tianlinlu (天临路). In the 24th year (1364) of Zhizheng Period, Xu Da liberated Changsha, renamed it Tanzhou Prefecture (潭州府).
Ming dynasty
During the Hongwu Period (1368-1398) of Ming dynasty (1368-1644), the city wall along the Xiangjiang River was repaired, four west gates was restored, and seven wharfs were built along the Xiangjiang River. In June of the 5th year of Hongwu Period, Tanzhou was renamed as Changsha Prefecture (长沙府) with 12 counties under its jurisdiction, Changsha was the seat of its government, and it was affiliated to Hu-Guang provincial administrative commissioner. The city wall was totally renovated and the footing of wall was built by stone stripes.
In the 14th year of Chenghua Period (1478), Prince Ji, also known as Zhu Jianjun (朱见浚), became the seignior of Changsha and founded his palace.
In the Wanli Period (1573-1620), Tang Yuan (唐源), the magistrate of Shanhua County, dug and dredged the South Lake Stream (南湖港河).
Qing dynasty
In the 4th year of Shunzhi Period (1647) of Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Gao Shijun (高士浚) led his army to conquer Changsha and Changsha was then incorporated into the territory of Qing Empire. Changsha Prefecture was set up, affiliated to Hu-Guang Province and still possessed 12 counties. Prince Ji's palace was pulled down and the bricks and stones were used to consolidate the city wall and moat.
In the 3rd year of Kangxi Period (1664), Pianyuan Xunfu (偏沅巡抚, provincial governor) moved to Changsha. Hu-Guang Province (湖广行省) was divided into two provinces. Changsha came under the jurisdiction of Hunan province.
During the Yongzheng Period (1723-1736), Changsha extended from east to west and eight canals were built. Since they were approved by the Yongzheng Emperor personally, they were called “Imperial canals”. In the 2nd year of Yongzheng Period (1724), the title of Pianyuan Xunfu was renamed as Hunan Xunfu (湖南巡抚).
In around the 24th year of Guangxu Period (1898), the earliest industry zone came into being outside the south gate of Changsha. In around the 30th year of Guangxu Period (1904), Changsha was opened as a commercial port and the areas along the river could be rented by ferry operators. In the 31st year of Guangxu Period (1905), Changsha-Zhuzhou section of Yuehan Railway was completed. Changsha Railway Station was established outside the Xiaowu Gate (now Furong Square) of Changsha city wall.
Republic of China
Wenxi Fire.
In April 1912, Changsha and Shanhua merged into Changsha County and Changsha Prefecture was revoked. Changsha County came under the direct jurisdiction of provincial government.
In 1913, Huang Xing proposed the urban planning concept for Changsha in the address that he delivered in the joint welcome meeting held by ten groups of Hunan province.
In 1921, Changsha government prepared “Changsha Municipal Planning”, planned the urban area extended southward to Chigangchong (赤岗冲) and Nanhugang (南湖港) and northward to Yazipu (鸭子铺) along the Liuyang River to the estuary of the Xiangjiang River.
In 1922, Changsha was selected as the capital of Hunan.
In 1924, the ancient city wall of Changsha was demolished, only Tianxin Pavilion section and the ancient pavilion were reserved.
From 1924 to 1932, Changsha government decided to build the riverside road.
In 1929, the first bituminous road was built with the name of “Zhongshan Road” (中山路), named after Sun Yat-sen.
In 1932, He Yuanwen (何元文), the first mayor of Changsha, presided over the preparation of the “Plan of Changsha New Urban Area”, and Yuanjialing (袁家岭) was planned as the central part of the urban area.
In 1933, Changsha was officially set as a city and become the capital of Hunan province.
In 1936, the Changsha section of Guangzhou-Wuchang Railway (粤汉铁路长沙段) was completely open to traffic.
In November 1938, the "Wenxi Fire" broke out. Most of the scenic spots and historical sites as well as the buildings inside the city were destroyed.[9]
In 1941, the Changsha government prepared the “Planning for Changsha New Urban Area”, and planned that its population would increase to 1 million and the urban land would reach 119 square kilometers in 20 years.
People's Republic of China
On August 5, 1949, Changsha was liberated peacefully and became the capital of Hunan province.
As of 2017, Changsha possesses 6 districts (Furong, Tianxin, Yuelu, Yuhua, Kaifu and Wangcheng) and 3 counties/cities (Changsha County, Ningxiang and Liuyang).
Related Research Articles
Changsha, Mandarin pinyin: Chángshā ) is the capital and the largest city of Hunan Province of China. Changsha is the 17th most populous city in China with a population of over 10 million, and the third-most populous city in Central China, located in the lower reaches of the Xiang River in northeastern Hunan. Changsha is also called Xingcheng and was once named Linxiang, Tanzhou, and Qingyang (青阳) in ancient times. It is also known as Shanshuizhoucheng (山水洲城), with the Xiang River flowing through it, containing Mount Yuelu and Orange Isle. The city forms a part of the Greater Changsha Metropolitan Region along with Zhuzhou and Xiangtan, also known as Changzhutan City Cluster. Greater Changsha was named one of the 13 emerging mega-cities in China in 2012 by the Economist Intelligence Unit. It is also a National Comprehensive Transportation Hub, and one of the first National Famous Historical and Cultural Cities in China. Changshanese, a kind of Xiang Chinese, is spoken in the downtown, while Ningxiangnese and Liuyangnese are also spoken in the counties and cities under its jurisdiction. As of the 2020 Chinese census, the prefecture-level city of Changsha had a population of 10,047,914 inhabitants.
Changsha County is a county in Hunan Province, China. It is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Changsha. Located in the west portion of Changsha, the county is bordered to the north by Miluo City and Pingjiang County, to the west by Wangcheng, Kaifu and Furong Districts, to the southwest by Yuhua District, and to the southeast and the east by Liuyang City. Changsha County covers 1,756 km2 (678 sq mi). As of 2015 it has a registered population of 743,000 and a permanent resident population of 916,000. The county has 5 subdistricts and 13 towns under its jurisdiction. The county seat is Xingsha Subdistrict (星沙街道).
Liuyang is a county-level city, the most populous and the easternmost county-level division of Hunan Province, China; it is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Changsha, the provincial capital. Located on the northeastern margin of Hunan, the city is bordered to the north by Pingjiang County, to the west by Changsha County and Yuhua District, to the south by Shifeng, Hetang Districts of Zhuzhou and Liling City, to the southeast and the east by Yuanzhou District of Yichun, Shangli, Wanzai and Tonggu Counties of Jiangxi. Liuyang City covers 4,997.35 km2 (1,929.49 sq mi) with registered population of 1,453,246 and resident population of 1,297,700. The city has four subdistricts, 26 towns and two townships under its jurisdiction, its jurisdiction, its administrative centre is at Guankou Subdistrict (关口街道).
Ningxiang is a county-level city and the 2nd most populous county-level division in the Province of Hunan, China; it is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Changsha. The city is bordered to the north by Heshan District of Yiyang and Taojiang County, to the west by Anhua County and Lianyuan City, to the south by Louxing District of Loudi, Xiangxiang City, Shaoshan City and Yuhu District of Xiangtan, to the east by Yuelu and Wangcheng Districts. Located in the central east of Hunan Province, Ningxiang covers 2,906 km2 (1,122 sq mi) with a registered population of 1,393,528 and a resident population of 1,218,400. The city has 4 subdistricts, 21 towns and 4 townships under its jurisdiction, its administrative centre is at Yutan Subdistrict (玉潭街道).
Yuelu District is one of six urban districts of the prefecture-level city of Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province, China. It is the 4th most populous district in Hunan. The district is bordered to the north by Wangcheng District, to the west by Ningxiang County, to the south by Yuhu District of Xiangtan City, across the Xiang river to the west by Tianxin, Furong and Kaifu Districts. Located on the west bank of the Xiang River, as the western part of the City proper, the district is named after Mount Yuelu, one of the national parks, Yuelu District covers 538.83 km2 (208.04 sq mi) with registered population of 644,834 and resident population of 818,900. The district has 16 subdistricts and 2 towns under its jurisdiction, its administrative centre is at Wangyue (望岳街道).
Yueyang, formerly known as Yuezhou or Yochow, is a prefecture-level city on the eastern shores of Dongting Lake and Yangtze in the northeastern corner of Hunan Province in the People's Republic of China.
Wangcheng District is one of six urban districts of the prefecture-level city of Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province, China. It is the largest district of Changsha by area. The district is bordered to the north by Miluo City and Xiangyin County of Yueyang, to the west by Heshan District of Yiyang and Ningxiang County, to the south by Yuelu and Kaifu Districts, to the east by Changsha County. Located in the northsouth of the City proper in Changsha, Wangcheng covers 951.06 km2 (367.21 sq mi) with registered population of 560,567 and resident population of 562,100. The district has 10 subdistricts and 5 towns under its jurisdiction, its administrative centre is at Gaotangling Subdistrict.
Furong District is one of six urban districts of the prefecture-level city of Changsha, Hunan Province, China. It is the smallest district of Changsha by area. Furong District is a part of the core of the Changsha urban area, located in the midst of the city. The district is bordered by Yuhua District to the south, Changsha County to the east, Kaifu District to the northwest, and Tianxin District to the southwest. Furong covers 42.68 km2 (16.48 sq mi) with population of 539,200, registered population of 403,948. The district has 13 subdistricts under its jurisdiction, the government seat is at Dongtundu subdistrict.
Tianxin District is one of six urban districts of the prefecture-level city of Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province, China. The district is bordered by Yuetang District of Xiangtan to the south, Yuhua District to the east, Furong and Kaifu districts to the north, Yuelu District across the Xiang river to the west. Located in the southern central Changsha, Tianxin covers 141.05 km2 (54.46 sq mi) with population of 604,600. The district has 14 subdistricts under its jurisdiction, its administrative centre is at Qingyuan Subdistrict.
Kaifu District is one of six urban districts of the prefecture-level city of Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province, China. The district is bordered by Furong and Tianxin Districts to the south, Changsha County to the east and northeast, Wangcheng District to the north, Yuelu and Wangcheng Districts across the Xiang river to the west. Located in the central Changsha, Kaifu covers 188.73 km2 (72.87 sq mi) with population of 595,000, registered population of 452,168. The district has 16 subdistricts under its jurisdiction, the government seat is at Furongbeilu subdistrict.
Hengshan County is a county in the Province of Hunan, China and it is under the administration of Hengyang prefecture-level city. Located in the north of Hengyang and the east-central part of Hunan province, the county is bordered to the north by Xiangtan County, to the northwest by Shuangfeng County, to the southwest and south by Hengyang County, Nanyue District and Hengnan County, to the east by Hengdong County. The county of Hengshan covers 934 km2 (361 sq mi) with a population of 449,500. It has five townships and seven towns under its jurisdiction, the county seat is Kaiyun Town (开云镇).
Tanzhou or Tan Prefecture (潭州) was a zhou (prefecture) in imperial China centering on modern Changsha, Hunan, China. In the Yuan dynasty it was known as Tanzhou Route (潭州路) and in the Ming dynasty as Tanzhou Prefecture (潭州府). It existed (intermittently) from 589 to 1372.
Jinggang is a town in Wangcheng district, Changsha, Hunan province, China. The town is located on the west bank of Xiang_River, and bordered by Qiaokou to the north, Zhuliangqiao and Shuangjiangkou of Ningxiang to the west, Gaotangling to the south, Tongguan across the Xiang river to the east. It covers 92.47 km2 (35.70 sq mi) with 67.3 thousand of population. The Jinggang town was formed by the former Jinggang and Getang towns on November 19, 2015. According to the result of 2016 adjustment programmes on village-level divisions (村级区划调整), the town has two residential communities and 10 villages under its jurisdiction; the administrative office is at Nongxi village (农溪村).
The Xiangjiang New Area is a new area at state level in Changsha City, Hunan Province, China. The new area was created on 8 April 2015, it is the 12th state-level new area approved to establish by the State Council. Xiangjiang New Area is located in the west of the Xiang River and covers parts of Yuelu, Wangcheng and Ningxiang. According to the official reply of the State Council, the new area has an area of 490 km2 (190 sq mi). The Hunan CPC Party Secretary Xu Shousheng and Hunan Governor Du Jiahao attended the opening ceremony of the new area held in Changsha, 24 May 2015.
Meixihu Subdistrict is a subdistrict of Yuelu District in Changsha, Hunan, China. It was formed from a part of Tianding Township in April 2007. The subdistrict has an area of 20.2 square kilometres (7.8 sq mi) with more than households of 29,359 and a permanent residential population of about 20,000. As of 2017, the subdistrict has two villages and six communities under its jurisdiction. Its seat is Jiashun Community (嘉顺社区). The subdistrict is the home and the core zone of Xiangjiang New Area.
Pingtang Subdistrict is a subdistrict of Yuelu District in Changsha, Hunan, China. It is historically the territory of former Baiquan Township (白泉乡), Taiping Township (太平乡) and parts of the former Pingtang Town in Wangcheng County in 1994. The subdistrict has an area of 90.13 square kilometres (34.80 sq mi) with a registered population of 46,000. The subdistrict has seven villages and two communities under its jurisdiction. its seat is Shifengshan Village (狮峰山村).
Juzizhou Subdistrict is a subdistrict of Yuelu District in Changsha, Hunan, China. It is historically the Shuiluzhou Subdistrict formed in 1950s. The subdistrict has an area of 16.02 square kilometres (6.19 sq mi) with a permanent resident population of about 168,000. The subdistrict has two villages and eight communities under its jurisdiction.
Wangchengpo Subdistrict is a subdistrict of Yuelu District in Changsha, Hunan, China. It was formed in 1998. The subdistrict has an area of 4.96 square kilometres (1.92 sq mi) with a permanent population of about 80,000. The subdistrict has 10 communities under its jurisdiction.
Wangyuehu Subdistrict is a subdistrict of Yuelu District in Changsha, Hunan, China. The subdistrict has an area of 1.57 square kilometres (0.61 sq mi) with a permanent population of about 52,000. The subdistrict has six communities under its jurisdiction.
Baoning Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Yuelu District of Changsha, Hunan, China.
References
↑ Shen Tie; Hei Ma (2016). 《中国抗日战争：长沙大会战》[The War of Resistance Against Japan: Grand Campaign of Changsha] (in Chinese). Beijing: Great Wall Publishing House. ISBN9787548301851.
↑ Wang Xijia (2014). 《长沙史话》[History of Changsha] (in Chinese). Beijing: Social Sciences Academic Press. ISBN9787509766620.
↑ Wangya Nitai (2016). 《长沙文夕大火》[Wenxi Fire of Changsha] (in Chinese). Shanghai: Commercial Press. ISBN9787100070805.
Further reading
Lv Sugao; Wang Wenqing (2008). 《长沙府志》[Topography of Changsha Prefecture] (in Chinese). Changsha: Yuelu Academy. ISBN9787807611127.
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