Exploring Changsha
By Kathy Feeney
It's a two-hour flight from Beijing to Changsha in Hunan Province. Known as the land of fish and rice, Hunan Province is a rich agricultural region boasting 60 million acres of farmable land.Changsha is in the Yangtze River valley. It is the capital city and the cultural, political, and economic center of Hunan Province. Built at the foot of the eastern Yuelu Mountains, the Yuelu Academy is one of Changsha's cultural treasures. The university dates back 1,000 years to the Sung Dynasty. Visitors can learn about the historic Chinese scholars who attended the academy and watch as contemporary students practice military drills. The Hunan Embroidery Museum provides a look at the history of a cherished Chinese folk art. Hunan Embroidery began in China more than 2,000 years ago. At the museum, visitors can learn about this art, which is sewn with stitches so small and painstakingly perfect that the pieces, ranging from nature scenes to portraits, look remarkably like paintings.



Where to Stay - Changsha
The five-star Grand Sun City Hotel in Changsha is 30 minutes from the airport; taxi ride costs about $20. Fortunately for guests, the hotel offers a free shuttle back to the airport. The Grand Sun City Hotel's 373 rooms are tastefully furnished. Amenities include four restaurants, a shopping center, an indoor pool, massage, a health spa and a nightclub. Standard room rates at the Grand Sun City Hotel start at $105. The hotel is within a tour bus drive of Changsha's attractions.