About the City-Changsha
Changsha Transportation
Changsha Huanghua International Airport was built in 1986 and was put into operation in 1989. It has become the largest airport in Hunan Province and one of the major domestic airports in China. It has an annual transport capacity surpassing ten million passengers. The airport serves more than 100 regular flight routes to 73 cities at home and abroad. There are 31 Chinese and foreign airline companies operating in this airport, including China Southern Airlines, Xiamen Airline Co, and OKAIR.
Changsha City Bus
Public bus routes serve all parts of the city and its suburbs and there is a choice of ordinary buses or those with air-conditioner. Fares are CNY1or 2.
The Hong Kong based Lishan Bus line operates a service between the railway station in the east of the city and Central South University via the famous Mount Yuelu but we would recommend that your best choice is the air conditioned vehicles as they are far more comfortable in the hot weather.
Changsha Taxi
The charge standard of the taxi in daytime is: CNY3 for the first kilometer (0.6 mile); CNY4 for 1-1.5 kilometers (0.6-0.9 mile); CNY5 for 1.5-2 kilometers (0.9-1.2miles); CNY6 for 2-2.5 kilometers (1.2-1.6 miles); CNY7 for 2.5-3 kilometers (1.6-1.9 miles); above 3 kilometers, CNY1.8 is charged for each succeeding kilometer. For a single trip exceeding ten kilometers, an extra 50% surcharge for an empty run is charged in addition to the current total fare. However, if passengers take the same taxi to return to its starting point, the extra expense should not be charged.
The standard nighttime applies between 21:00 and 05:00: within 3 kilometers (including 3 kilometers), CNY1 is added for each distance covered based on the daytime standard; above 3 kilometers, CNY2.16 is charged for each succeeding kilometer. It is always best to ask for a quotation of the total cost prior to commencing your journey.
Changsha Weather
Situated in the river valley along the lower part of Xiang River, Changsha's summer comes around the later May with high heat and heavy humidity. The sweltering days of July and August are particularly stifling. Changsha's winter comes around November bringing little sunlight and heavy fogs. Although it is reported that the average temperature in winter is about five degrees, the winter days in Changsha can be severely cold as those in the northern China cities due to the great humidity carried by the river winds from Xiangjiang River.
Hunan Cuisine
Hunan cuisine, also known as Xiang cuisine, consists of the cuisines of the Xiang River region, Dongting Lake, and western Hunan province in China. It is one of the Eight Great Traditions of Chinese cuisine and is well known for its hot spicy flavour, fresh aroma and deep colour. Common cooking techniques include stewing, frying, pot-roasting, braising, and smoking. Due to the high agricultural output of the region, ingredients for Hunan dishes are many and varied.
Changsha-style rice vermicelli
Rice vermicelli are thin noodles made from rice and are a form of rice noodles. They are sometimes referred to as rice noodles or rice sticks, but they should not be confused with cellophane noodles, which is an Asian type of vermicelli not made from rice.
Changsha-style stinky tofu
Stinky tofu or chòu dòufu is a form of fermented tofu that has a strong odour. It is a snack that is usually sold at night markets or roadside stands or as a side dish in lunch bars rather than in restaurants. Unlike cheese, stinky tofu fermentation does not have a fixed formula for starter bacteria; wide regional and individual variations exist in manufacture and preparation.