Xiangtan City
2022-05-25
Xiangtan has a history of more than 1,400 years and has been an important commercial center in central part of Hunan Province since ancient times. As early as in the 17th century, it was nationwide renowned as "a rice market" and "a medicine city". Thanks to its mild climate, fertile land and abundant resources, it has become a major base for the production of grain and pork in China. Because of the abundance in lotus, it is also known as " the home of Hunan lotus in China".
Xiangtan is the birthplace of Hunan culture, enjoying a good reputation both in China and abroad for its scenery, talents and tourism resources. It is the hometown of Chairman Mao Zedong, Marshal Peng Dehuai and Qi Baishi, an ink painting master. There are many popular tourist destinations in Xiangtan like the former residences of Chairman Mao Zedong and Marshal Peng Dehuai, Yuhu Park and Shaofeng Scenic Area.
Xiangtan is an important industrial base in China with a strong industrial foundation. It has formed leading industries in the manufacture of automobile and parts, advanced equipment, new energy and new materials. It has two national parks (Xiangtan National Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone and Xiangtan Economic and Technological Development Zone) and Xiangtan Comprehensive Free Trade Zone.
Xiangtan is developed in education as well as science and technology. It has 8 full-time higher education institutions, among which Xiangtan University and Hunan University of Science and Technology are the national key universities, with more than 120,000 students enrolled. In addition, there are 97 scientific research institutions of all fields in the city, with more than 130,000 professional and technical personnel.
Xiangtan city has improved infrastructure and convenient transportation. For examples, Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway and Shanghai-Ruili Expressway pass through the city, and Wuhan-Guangzhou High-speed Railway and Shanghai-Kunming High-speed Railway intersect here. As the largest river in Hunan Province, Xiangjiang River flows through the city as well, and thousand-ton cargo ships can pass through Dongting Lake, entering Yangtze River and leaving Shanghai all year round. Besides, it takes only 40 minutes to drive from Xiangtan to Huanghua International Airport.
