Changsha

The site of Changsha has been inhabited for 3000 years. The town prospered due to its convenient location along the Xiangjiang river and the fertile Hunan plains. Mao Zedong began his political career in Changsha. Changsha is one of China's 20 most economically advanced cities. Its GDP has grown at an average yearly rate of 14% between 2001 and 2005.