Xiangtan (湘潭)

1. Introduction

Xiangtan City, abbreviated as Tan, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Hunan Province, People's Republic of China. It is located in the central-eastern part of Hunan Province and is also known as the "Lotus City" due to its abundant production of Hunan lotus. The city borders Changsha to the north, Zhuzhou to the east, Hengyang to the south, and Loudi to the west. Situated in the low mountainous and hilly region of central Hunan, it lies at the northern foot of Mount Heng. The Xiang River flows through the northeastern corner of the city and traverses the urban area, with its tributaries, the Juanshui and Lianshui Rivers, running from west to east and converging into the Xiang River. The city covers a total area of 5,006 square kilometers, with a permanent population of approximately 2.73 million. The People's Government of Xiangtan City is located in the People's Building on Xiangtan Avenue, Yuetang District.

In a narrow sense, Xiangtan refers to the "Xiangtan urban area," which was built on the foundation of the Xiangtan county town established after the Southern Song Dynasty. It once flourished as a major commercial hub known as "one of the largest inland trading ports in China." Currently, it includes the Yuetang and Yuhu districts, covering a total area of 658 square kilometers, with a built-up area of 76 square kilometers. The total population is approximately 1.06 million, of which about 960,000 are urban residents. Xiangtan ranks among the top 100 cities in China in terms of comprehensive strength and competitiveness and is an important industrial, technological, and tourist city in Hunan Province. It is the birthplace of the Huxiang School and Huxiang culture, one of the central cities of the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan city cluster, and was approved as a national comprehensive reform pilot zone for building a resource-saving and environmentally friendly society in 2007.

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2. History

The name "Xiangtan" originates from its geographical features. One theory suggests that the area was named "Xiangtan" because it is located on a bend of the Xiang River and has many deep pools ("tan"). For example, the "Xiangtan County Annals" from the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty record: "The land borders the Xiang River, and within its territory lies Zhaotan... It was renamed Xiangtan in the Tang Dynasty, taking its name from the tan." Another theory attributes the name to the Xiangzhou Tan (i.e., Zhaotan) in the Xiang River at the foot of Zhao Mountain. However, the "Xiangtan County Annals" from the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty states: "Tan means 'extensive,' not named for clear deep pools." It argues that the place name "Xiangtan" was not derived from the deep pools of the Xiang River, but because the local area was vast and expansive. Consequently, as a major geographical feature, the area has been named Xiangtan County since the Tang Dynasty.

2.1 Before the Ming Dynasty

Stone tools and pottery unearthed at the Tiger Pit site in Jinqi Village, Yangjiaqiao Town, Xiangtan County, and the Daiziping site in Jinshi Town, Xiangxiang City, demonstrate that residents within the area had reached a relatively high level of civilization during the Stone Age. The Daxi culture sites indicate that settlements began to emerge in the Xiangtan area 5,000 years ago. Additionally, late Shang Dynasty bronze ritual vessels in the shape of a pig (zun) and Warring States period tomb clusters have been excavated from Chuanshan Mountain, reflecting the nascent urban form of Xiangtan at that time. During the Three Kingdoms period, the Eastern Wu state established a city west of present-day Xiangtan's urban area, which once served as the administrative seat of Hengyang Commandery, marking the initial formation of the city. In the eighth year of the Tianbao era of the Tang Dynasty (749 AD), Xiangtan County was officially established with its administrative seat located at the site of present-day Yisu River. After the Southern Song Dynasty, the location of Xiangtan County's seat remained fixed at the site of today's Xiangtan urban area. Due to convenient water and land transportation, it gradually became an important distribution center for goods in Hunan.

2.2 Ming and Qing Dynasties

Based on the transit trade of goods such as rice and medicinal products, Xiangtan flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the Ming Dynasty, it was a bustling commercial port described as having "a hundred thousand artisans and merchants, with traders gathering like clouds," earning it the nicknames "Little Nanjing" and "Golden Xiangtan." Before the Opium War in the Qing Dynasty, Xiangtan was a crucial transit station for the transportation of import and export goods to and from Guangzhou, as well as a commercial hub connecting Shanghai, Hankou, and the southwestern regions, making it Hunan's most important entrepôt trade city. "Xiangtan is also a major inland commercial port in China. It is observed that foreign goods, after landing in Guangdong, must first gather in Xiangtan before being distributed inland. This is not only true for imports; Chinese silk and tea destined for foreign markets must first be packed in Xiangtan before being shipped to Guangdong for overseas transport. Consequently, trade between Xiangtan and Guangzhou was exceptionally brisk." At that time, Xiangtan developed into Hunan's largest commercial and economic center.

The prosperous commerce of the Ming and Qing dynasties drove the expansion of Xiangtan city. In terms of urban population, according to academic research, Xiangtan was one of the two largest cities in Hunan Province during the Ming and Qing periods, with a county seat population of approximately 200,000 by the late Qing. In terms of urban area, the actual city of Xiangtan was divided into two parts: inside and outside the city walls. The construction of Xiangtan County's city walls began in 1576, stretching from Songjia Bridge in the east to Dabu Bridge in the west, with a circumference of 2,500 zhang. This area was the center of political activity, housing government offices. Commercial activities, however, were concentrated outside the city walls. The actual urban area of Xiangtan expanded along the river, and by the Wanli and Tianqi eras of the Ming Dynasty, the city's streets and markets had extended from Songjia Bridge to the Shizui'nao area, spanning about 7 kilometers and forming a ribbon-shaped city known as the "Shoulder Pole Market." "The county's wealth and populace are concentrated outside the city walls, extending over ten li along the Xiang River upstream. Since the early Ming Dynasty, it has been called 'Little Nanjing'." At this time, the actual urban scale of Xiangtan even surpassed that of Changsha. "The city streets are arranged in three parallel layers, each fifteen li long; three times fifteen makes forty-five li." The outer city's streets consisted of three main thoroughfares, from the riverbank inward: River Street, Main Street, and Back Street, each fifteen li long. Each street formed a distinct functional zone: River Street gathered brokerage firms, shops lined Main Street, and residences were generally concentrated on Back Street and inside the city walls. This urban structure largely persisted until the 1940s.

During the late Qing and early Republican period following the Opium War, with the opening of Changsha (Hunan's administrative center) as a treaty port, the completion of the Yuehan Railway, and the relative decline of Guangzhou's trade status, commercial activities in Hunan shifted towards Changsha. Xiangtan's commerce gradually declined. The devastating destruction caused by wars such as the War of Resistance against Japan completely ended its phase as a consumer trade city. Subsequently, Xiangtan gradually transitioned into an industrial city.

Although the prosperity of the Ming and Qing dynasties sharply declined after the Republican era, as described in a contemporary report: "The past prosperity has left only a quiet main street and the footprints of people from bygone days," it still left behind some cultural heritage and material legacy. For example, the names used since the Ming Dynasty to designate street blocks, from "Jiu Zong" to "Shiba Zong," have continued as place names in Xiangtan to this day, serving as witnesses to Xiangtan's history as a port city. Simultaneously, as an early form of urban community, each "Zong" had its distinctive architecture and folk customs, some of which have been preserved, becoming vivid records of Xiangtan's urban development.

2.3 Republican Era to Present

After 1905, when Xiangtan essentially opened as a "port of call," modern industry emerged. Foreign cargo ships successively entered Xiangtan, giving rise to steam-powered shipbuilding and repair industries. In the late 19th century, state-run industries and foreign-operated industrial and transportation enterprises appeared in Xiangtan. In the early 20th century, coal and manganese mining developed rapidly. In the 1930s, the Nationalist Government's National Resources Commission designated Xia Shesi in Xiangtan as a heavy industrial base, planning to establish factories such as the Central Steel Works, the Central Machinery Manufacturing Plant (relocated in 1938 due to the Japanese invasion), and the Central Electrical Equipment Works (partially retained as the Xiangtan Electric Machinery Factory), along with the supporting Xiangjiang Power Plant (predecessor of the Xiangtan Power Plant). The National Resources Commission purchased a total of 10,022.5 mu of land in Xia Shesi, Xiangtan, of which 4,083.54 mu were for the Central Machinery Manufacturing Plant and Central Electrical Equipment Works, 5,938.97 mu for the steel works, and related infrastructure was constructed.

Railway construction began in Xiangtan County during the Republican era. The Yuehan, Zhegan, and Xiangqian railways converged at Zhuzhou, 30 kilometers east of the county seat. Zhuzhou gradually replaced Xiangtan County's status as a transportation hub, developed rapidly, and eventually became an independent city separate from Xiangtan.

On August 3, 1949, the People's Liberation Army besieged Changsha. On the same day, the 46th Army of the Fourth Field Army occupied Zhuzhou. By then, military and political personnel of the Nationalist Government had already fled. On August 9, the 138th Division of the 46th Army entered Xiangtan from the direction of Zhuzhou and occupied it without any resistance, leaving Xiangtan undamaged by warfare. On August 11, the PLA entered Xiangxiang County town. On the 15th, the PLA 46th Army occupied Shaoshan, the hometown of Mao Zedong. In the same year, Xiangtan County was placed under Changsha Prefecture. Subsequently, the administrative divisions of Xiangtan County underwent significant changes. In 1950, Xiangtan City (county-level) was established from the county seat town of Xiangtan County. In 1951, Zhuzhou City and Wangcheng County were established. In 1952, it was transferred to Xiangtan Prefecture. In 1983, prefecture-level Xiangtan City was established.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, with the construction or relocation of other large and medium-sized enterprises, Xiangtan gradually developed into an industrial powerhouse in Hunan and the central-south region. Its main industries included steel, electrical machinery, textiles, and military products. During the same period, urban expansion was primarily driven by industrial plants and mines, with city zoning closely related to industrial distribution. However, the city's influence was weaker than that of Changsha, Hunan's central city, and Zhuzhou, the railway hub. Furthermore, being within the gravitational pull of these two neighboring cities, Xiangtan's urban expansion proceeded at a relatively slower pace. In the 1990s, a number of enterprises in Xiangtan failed to adapt successfully to marketization, incurring losses and closures, leading to a period of stagnation in Xiangtan's economic and urban development. During China's period of rapid market economic development, the lag in Xiangtan's market economy was a signal of urban economic decline. During the Ninth Five-Year Plan period (1996-2000), enterprises in Xiangtan City experienced 66 consecutive months of overall losses.

After 2000, the pace of economic development in Xiangtan City began to accelerate. During the Tenth Five-Year Plan period (2001-2005), its ranking in terms of total economic output in Hunan Province rose from 11th to 7th; its ranking in total output value of large-scale industries rose from 6th to 4th; and its ranking in total local fiscal revenue rose from 11th to 7th. Simultaneously, the pace of urban expansion accelerated, with the urban area expanding from 45 square kilometers to 76 square kilometers.

3. Geography

3.1 Basic Geographical Features

Xiangtan City is located in the central-eastern part of Hunan Province, bordering the prefecture-level cities of Changsha, Zhuzhou, Hengyang, and Loudi. Its total area is 5,006 square kilometers, with a maximum east-west width of 108 kilometers and a north-south length of 81 kilometers. The general topographic outline features higher elevations in the north, west, and south, with lower, flatter terrain in the central and eastern parts. The Xiang River flows through the urban area in a C-shaped curve, forming a 42-kilometer bend, and is joined by the Juan River flowing through Xiangtan County and the Lian River flowing through Xiangxiang City and Xiangtan County. The entire city belongs to the hilly basin region of central Hunan. Nearly 80% of the area lies below an altitude of 150 meters, with the highest point at 802 meters, the highest point in the urban area at 299.1 meters, and the lowest at 29.9 meters. The landform types are diverse: mountains account for 12.12% of the total land area; hills for 19.25%; gentle slopes/terraces for 32.05%; plains for 28.05%; and water surfaces for 8.53%.

3.2 Climate

Xiangtan has a continental subtropical monsoon climate with four distinct seasons: spring is warm but changeable; summer is hot with a long period of intense heat; autumn is cool; and winter is cold but the period of severe cold is short. Sunshine is ample, with an average annual sunshine duration of 1,640 to 1,700 hours. Rainfall is abundant, with an average annual precipitation of approximately 1,200 to 1,500 millimeters. The average annual temperature ranges from 16.7°C to 17.4°C. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 4.1°C, while July is the hottest with an average of 29.7°C. The frost-free period is long, averaging about 280 days per year. Sunlight, heat, and water are generally in sync with the seasons. | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------|------|------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|------|------|-------|-------| | Record High °C | 23.5 | 30.1 | 32.4 | 35.4 | 36 | 37.5 | 39.6 | 41.8 | 37.9 | 34.2 | 32.7 | 24.5 | 41.8 | | Record High °F | 74.3 | 86.2 | 90.3 | 95.7 | 96.8 | 99.5 | 103.3 | 107.2 | 100.2 | 93.6 | 90.9 | 76.1 | 107.2 | | Avg. High °C | 8.5 | 10.9 | 15.1 | 21.8 | 26.8 | 29.8 | 33.6 | 32.8 | 28.5 | 23.2 | 17.6 | 11.7 | 21.7 | | Avg. High °F | 47.3 | 51.6 | 59.2 | 71.2 | 80.2 | 85.6 | 92.5 | 91 | 83.3 | 73.8 | 63.7 | 53.1 | 71 | | Daily Mean °C | 5.1 | 7.3 | 11.2 | 17.5 | 22.3 | 25.7 | 29.1 | 28.2 | 23.9 | 18.6 | 13 | 7.3 | 17.4 | | Daily Mean °F | 41.2 | 45.1 | 52.2 | 63.5 | 72.1 | 78.3 | 84.4 | 82.8 | 75 | 65.5 | 55.4 | 45.1 | 63.4 | | Avg. Low °C | 2.5 | 4.7 | 8.3 | 14.2 | 18.9 | 22.6 | 25.5 | 24.9 | 20.7 | 15.3 | 9.6 | 4.1 | 14.3 | | Avg. Low °F | 36.5 | 40.5 | 46.9 | 57.6 | 66 | 72.7 | 77.9 | 76.8 | 69.3 | 59.5 | 49.3 | 39.4 | 57.7 | | Record Low °C | −6.2 | −8.0 | −1.6 | 2.4 | 9.6 | 13.2 | 19.3 | 17.1 | 12.1 | 2 | −1.4 | −12.1 | −12.1 | | Record Low °F | 20.8 | 17.6 | 29.1 | 36.3 | 49.3 | 55.8 | 66.7 | 62.8 | 53.8 | 35.6 | 29.5 | 10.2 | 10.2 | | Avg. Precipitation mm | 70.9 | 97.5 | 131.3 | 170.1 | 184.6 | 213.9 | 131.6 | 106 | 68.9 | 80.5 | 73.6 | 48.1 | 1,377 | | Avg. Precipitation inches | 2.79 | 3.84 | 5.17 | 6.7 | 7.27 | 8.42 | 5.18 | 4.17 | 2.71 | 3.17 | 2.9 | 1.89 | 54.21 | | Avg. Relative Humidity (%) | 82 | 82 | 83 | 82 | 81 | 84 | 77 | 80 | 81 | 79 | 77 | 77 | 80 |

3.3 Natural Resources

• Land Resources: By the end of 2000, the city had 120,960 hectares of cultivated land, equating to 0.043 hectares per capita. Usable soil types include paddy soil, red soil, and vegetable garden soil.
• Water Resources: Xiangtan City is relatively rich in water resources, with a total water resource volume of 4.092 billion cubic meters, of which 3.462 billion cubic meters is surface water and 630 million cubic meters is groundwater. The total length of rivers and streams within its territory is 630 kilometers. The annual total runoff of the three main rivers—the Xiang River and its tributaries, the Lian River and the Juan River—is 58.134 billion cubic meters.
• Mineral Resources: The total mineral resources are relatively scarce. A total of 36 mineral types have been discovered within the territory. The main mineral types are coal, manganese, and limestone, with manganese being the most famous; the area was once known as the "Manganese Capital."

3.4 Environmental Pollution

Xiangtan's urban area suffers from relatively severe water and air pollution.

Despite the abundant water flow of the Xiang River, the Xiangtan section remains heavily polluted, ranking among the most polluted water bodies in Hunan Province, primarily due to discharges from industrial enterprises upstream of the urban area, especially from the heavily polluted industrial zone in Qingshuitang, Zhuzhou City. The severe cadmium pollution incident in the Xiang River in January 2006 was not an isolated event (see Reference 1 and the list of water pollution incidents). The main pollutants in the Xiangtan section of the Xiang River in 2004 were fecal coliform bacteria, petroleum, and cadmium (Hunan Provincial Environmental Protection Bureau, September 2005). Pollution in the Xiangtan section of the Xiang River has drawn widespread concern among local residents. In 2008, Hunan Province launched a three-year action plan for comprehensive water pollution control in the Xiang River basin. However, by 2012, Xiangtan was the only city in the Xiang River basin whose drinking water source had not yet met basic standards. Proposals by the city's People's Congress delegates suggested promptly developing a second water source. For example, the Shaoshan Irrigation District, with Class I water quality, is considered a more suitable drinking water source. Research on a second water source for the entire Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan region has also been placed on the agenda.Xiangtan City is a component of the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan urban agglomeration in Hunan Province, which has the highest level of urbanization and industrial density in the province. The geographical environment of such an urban agglomeration is not conducive to the purification of urban air pollution. According to the experience of developed countries internationally, Xiangtan City is currently still in the early stages of industrialization, with a relatively high concentration of industrial enterprises. Rapid increases in air pollution sources such as various construction projects and motor vehicles have led to relatively severe air pollution in Xiangtan City. Among 113 key environmental protection cities nationwide, Xiangtan ranked 37th in the comprehensive air pollution index in 2003 and 3rd in Hunan Province. The main pollutants are inhalable particulate matter and sulfur dioxide.

4. Administrative Divisions

Xiangtan City administers 2 districts, 1 county, and oversees 2 county-level cities.

• Districts: Yuhu District, Yuetang District
• County-level Cities: Xiangxiang City, Shaoshan City
• County: Xiangtan County

In addition to the formal administrative divisions, Xiangtan City has established the following economic management zones: National Xiangtan High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, National Xiangtan Economic and Technological Development Zone (formerly Jiuhua Demonstration Zone).

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|-------------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 430300 | Xiangtan City | Xiāngtán Shì | 5,005.81 | 2,726,181 | Yuetang District | 411100 | 25 | 35 | 10 | | 430302 | Yuhu District | Yǔhú Qū | 445.97 | 616,130 | Yuhulu Subdistrict | 411100 | 10 | 3 | 2 | | 430304 | Yuetang District | Yuètáng Qū | 206.4 | 483,762 | Wulidui Subdistrict | 411100 | 11 | 1 | | | 430321 | Xiangtan County | Xiāngtán Xiàn | 2,140.01 | 792,829 | Yisuhe Town | 411200 | | 14 | 3 | | 430381 | Xiangxiang City | Xiāngxiāng Shì | 1,966.10 | 730,103 | Wangchunmen Subdistrict | 411400 | 4 | 15 | 3 | | 430382 | Shaoshan City | Sháoshān Shì | 247.33 | 103,357 | Qingxi Town | 411300 | | 2 | 2 |

5. Economy

5.1 Overview

Xiangtan City is located in the central region of China. Its current economic development is at an intermediate level within the country, weaker than coastal areas, but its industry and agriculture are of considerable scale. Betel nut processing is its characteristic industrial form.

In 2011, Xiangtan's regional GDP was 113.741 billion yuan, with a per capita figure of approximately 41,382 yuan, ranking 2nd in the province. In 2010, the GDP was 89.401 billion yuan, with a growth rate of 15.2%. The per capita GDP was 32,024 yuan, ranking 3rd in Hunan Province and placing it among the top 100 nationally. According to 2010 statistics, the added value of the primary industry was 9.604 billion yuan, an increase of 4.3%; the secondary industry added value was 49.938 billion yuan, an increase of 20.6%; and the tertiary industry added value was 29.859 billion yuan, an increase of 11.5%. Economic development primarily benefited from industry. In 2010, Xiangtan's overall industrial growth rate reached 21.3%, with industry's contribution to GDP as high as 62.4%. In 2010, the total import and export volume reached 2.159 billion USD, ranking 2nd in Hunan Province, a year-on-year increase of 51.1%. Of this, total exports were 777 million USD, an increase of 47.6%; total imports were 1.382 billion USD, an increase of 53.1%.

The above data reflects that although Xiangtan, having the fewest subordinate counties and county-level cities, is the prefecture-level city with the smallest area and the third smallest population in Hunan Province, its total economic output ranks in the middle among the province's prefecture-level cities. The main reason is the relatively large economic output and higher per capita figures of its urban core, making it a relatively developed area within Hunan. In 2010, the per capita disposable income of urban residents was 18,059 yuan, ranking 3rd among the 14 prefectures and cities. The per capita net income of rural residents was 7,817 yuan, ranking 2nd.

Currently, Hunan Province is guiding Xiangtan and its neighboring cities, Changsha and Zhuzhou, through the Chang-Zhu-Tan Economic Integration initiative to engage in regional economic division of labor and cooperation, aiming to further cultivate and strengthen the overall economic strength of the Chang-Zhu-Tan region. In December 2007, it was approved by the National Development and Reform Commission as a National Comprehensive Supporting Reform Pilot Zone for building a resource-saving and environment-friendly society. In February 2008, it became one of the six comprehensive national high-tech industrial bases prioritized for development by the NDRC. Xiangtan is the core base for new energy industries within this framework and is also a new materials industrial base.

5.2 Primary Industry

Xiangtan is an important agricultural production area. In 2005, Xiangtan County was the second-largest county in Hunan Province for grain and meat production, and Xiangxiang City was also one of the top 100 counties nationally for meat production.

5.3 Secondary Industry

Industry is the dominant sector of Xiangtan's economy. The main industrial types are metallurgy, electromechanical, chemical, chemical fiber, textiles, agricultural product processing, leather, and coal. Industrially influential products with national impact include steel, electromechanical products, some chemical products, and military-industrial products. The four listed companies among the city's industrial enterprises precisely come from these four fields: Hunan Valin Xiangtan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (a subsidiary of Valin Steel), Xiangtan Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (XEMC Shares), Xiangtan Electrochemical Scientific Co., Ltd. (Xiangtan Electrochemical), and Jiangnan Machinery Group (Jiangnan Red Arrow). Other large enterprises include Jianglu Mechanical & Electrical Technology Co., Ltd., Hunan Jiangbin Machinery (Group) Co., Ltd., Xunda Science & Technology Group Co., Ltd., Datang Xiangtan Power Plant, etc.

In 2009, the Xiangtan High-Tech Industrial Development Zone was approved for upgrading to become the 55th national-level high-tech industrial development zone. The Jiuhua Economic Zone, established in 2003, has developed rapidly. It currently hosts enterprises such as Geely Automobile, Samsung Aiming Digital Electronics Co., Ltd., and Xingye Solar. In 2011, it was approved as the national-level Xiangtan Economic and Technological Development Zone. Yuetang Economic Development Zone, Yuhu Economic Development Zone, Tianyi Economic Development Zone, Xiangxiang Economic Development Zone, and Shaoshan High-Tech Industrial Development Zone are provincial-level development zones.

5.4 Tertiary Industry

In commerce, the Xiangtan market has nurtured two major commercial groups: Bubugao and Xinlianxin. "Bubugao" is among China's Top 100 Commercial Enterprises and Top 100 Chain Stores, and is the only listed company among Xiangtan's non-industrial enterprises. "Xinlianxin" is also among China's Top 100 Chain Stores. They have formed a monopoly situation in the Xiangtan market, which serves as their headquarters and stronghold. Bubugao has 8 hypermarkets, 8 supermarkets, and 11 department stores and other types of stores within Xiangtan's urban area, while the market share of external supermarket chains is minimal. However, their development has also introduced some newer business formats and brands, such as the first Starbucks in a non-provincial capital city in central and western China. Through horizontal comparison, the transactions of large-scale wholesalers and retailers are relatively prominent in Xiangtan's overall commerce. In 2009, the total sales of wholesale and retail trade enterprises above a designated size were 12.2 billion yuan, with 9.8 billion yuan in the urban area, ranking 7th and 4th in Hunan Province respectively. However, the total final consumption and scattered commerce are relatively weak. The total retail sales of consumer goods in 2009 were 22.3 billion yuan, ranking 8th in Hunan Province, of which 13.8 billion yuan was in the urban area, ranking 7th in the province. Both rankings lag behind the city's and urban area's GDP rankings. The number of basic economic units in Xiangtan is relatively small, with only 7,800 legal entities, ranking 13th in Hunan Province, one place behind its population ranking. There are 11,200 industrial activity units, ranking 13th, and 76,800 individual businesses, ranking 12th (based on Hunan Province's First Economic Census in 2004).

In finance, based on urban credit cooperatives, the local joint-stock commercial bank—Xiangtan City Commercial Bank—was established in 1997. It was restructured into Huarong Xiangjiang Bank in 2010, with its headquarters relocated. In 2008, led by the then Xiangtan City Commercial Bank, the Xiangxiang City Village Bank was established. In 2009, China Everbright Bank initiated the establishment of the Shaoshan Everbright Village Bank. Each county and district has a Rural Credit Cooperative Union. In 2012, the Rural Credit Cooperative Unions of Yuetang District and Yuhu District were integrated to form Xiangtan Rural Commercial Bank, which is currently the city's only local legal-person banking institution. Banks that have opened branches in the city include: Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Postal Savings Bank of China, Bank of Communications, China Merchants Bank, Industrial Bank, China CITIC Bank, China Everbright Bank, Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank, China Minsheng Bank, Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, Bank of Beijing, China Guangfa Bank, Bank of Changsha, etc., totaling 24. There are 4 securities business institutions and over 40 insurance institutions.

5.5 Characteristic Industries

The folk saying "Long brand soy sauce and Dengxin cakes, betel nut fruits floating on water, ten-mile lotus ponds with a hundred-mile fragrance, Tuotuo girls for you to choose" summarizes the once-popular "specialties" of Xiangtan. Xiangtan produces Xiang lotus seeds, with a long history dating back to the Ming Dynasty when they were tributes, hence Xiangtan is also called the "Lotus City," and Xiangtan County is the "Hometown of Chinese Xiang Lotus." The variety of fruits produced is not extensive, primarily citrus. Other fruits like pears and apples can be grown, but their taste and quality are inferior to those from main producing areas due to climate and other factors. Traditional processed products include Long brand soy sauce, original soy sauce, Ziyoujiang (ginger in oil), Ziyouluobo (radish in oil), Dengxin cakes, Zhonglupu medicinal candy, Xiangtan Fenjiu (a spirit), Xiangxiang baked cakes, etc. Long brand soy sauce won the "Gold Medal at the Panama International Exposition" as early as 1915, alongside other traditional Chinese products like Moutai liquor. However, although these specialties were indeed representative before the 1990s, many products have gradually faded from the market.

5.5.1 Betel Nut Industry

There is a saying, "People from Xiangtan are treasures, with a blade of grass in their mouths," where "grass" refers to betel nut. Xiangtan does not locally produce betel nut; the raw betel nuts mainly come from the tropical region of Hainan Island. Most people may experience warmth, dizziness, and accelerated heartbeat when first trying betel nut, making it hard to accept, but people in Xiangtan uniquely enjoy chewing betel nut processed in a specific way. It is both a popular leisure snack and an important social tool.

Xiangtan has a history of processing betel nut for about 400 years, possibly originating from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties when locals chewed betel nut to prevent epidemics, or from the habit of medicinal merchants chewing betel nut in Xiangtan, which was a major medicinal distribution center. The "Xiangtan County Annals" from the Guangxu period described the betel nut industry in Xiangtan city at that time: "The city streets have three layers... within 300 steps, on average every five steps there is a table selling it, with tables facing each other, each table estimated to make a profit of a hundred coins per day." Although long-term excessive chewing of betel nut may cause harm to the body, it does not affect its status as an important commodity in the Xiangtan market, with betel nut stalls found all over the streets and alleys. Historically, betel nut production was mainly based on family workshops and small-scale production. After the 1990s, large-scale betel nut enterprises using modern technology and packaging began to emerge, such as Xiaolongwang, Binzhilang, Pangge, Youwen, Huangye, etc. Mechanically packaged products gradually surpassed hand-packaged ones, dominating the market. Furthermore, Xiangtan betel nut has gradually penetrated other areas within Hunan Province and even other cities in China. In 2003, the sales output value of betel nut production enterprises above a designated size in Xiangtan City was 800 million yuan.

6. Transportation

6.1 Highways

Xiangtan boasts a relatively superior and convenient highway transportation system. "The Changtan Highway, constructed in the 3rd year of the Republic of China (1914), is the earliest highway in China." The Xiangtan Xiangjiang Bridge is the first highway bridge over the Xiang River. The Changtan section of the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway (Changtan Expressway), completed in 1996, is the second expressway in Hunan Province. Xiangtan, together with Changsha and Zhuzhou, forms the most convenient highway network within the province and collectively constitutes a National Highway Transport Hub. It is situated at the intersection of two national highways, G107 and G320, and two national trunk expressways, G4 (Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao) and G60 (Shanghai-Kunming). Other expressways within its territory include the S50 Lianyi Expressway, built to high-grade highway standards in 1994; the S41 Changtan West Line Expressway, completed in 2007; the S01 Shaoshan Expressway, completed in 2008; and sections of the S61 Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway parallel route (Yuelin Expressway) — the Tanheng West section and the Changxiang section — completed in 2011 and 2012 respectively. The city's highway network density is 45.4 km per 100 square kilometers, with an average of 8.3 km per 10,000 people, significantly higher than the national average and ranking first in Hunan Province. By the end of 2006, the urban road area totaled 9.52 million square meters.

Urban public transportation is in a developmental stage. Bus services are operated by two companies under a corporate management model, running over 40 routes. In recent years, vehicles on some routes have been updated. However, issues such as drivers refusing to pick up elderly passengers, vehicles lingering at stops waiting for passengers, and boarding/alighting not at designated stops remain severe, indicating irregular operations, relatively chaotic management, and inconvenience for citizens. There were 1,400 operating taxis in the urban area (2012). A public bicycle system in the urban area (excluding Jiuhua Economic Development Zone) began trial operation on December 30, 2015, offering free rental for the first two hours.

6.2 Railway

Conventional Railway: The Shanghai-Kunming Railway traverses Xiangtan, with stations at Xiangtan and Xiangxiang. The Beijing-Guangzhou Railway skirts the northeastern part of the city, but its Yijiawan Station in Yuetang District no longer handles passenger service. The Luoyang-Zhanjiang Railway passes through Xiangxiang but also lacks a passenger station. The Shaoshan Branch Line connects the Xiangshao Station on the Shanghai-Kunming line with Shaoshan Station. Xiangtan Station on the conventional Shanghai-Kunming line is close to the hub station Zhuzhou Station (26 km by rail) and the provincial capital Changsha Station (78 km by rail via Zhuzhou). However, trains stopping at Xiangtan are mostly through trains with low service priority and limited ticket availability, often necessitating transfers at Zhuzhou or Changsha, which is inconvenient. Renovation and expansion of Xiangtan Station and Xiangxiang Station began in December 2008 to improve railway conditions to some extent.

High-Speed Railway: The Beijing-Guangzhou High-Speed Railway passes through Yuetang District and Xiangtan County but has no passenger stations there. The Shanghai-Kunming Passenger Dedicated Line, whose construction started on March 26, 2010, passes through Yuhu District, Xiangtan County, Shaoshan City, and Xiangxiang City. New stations, Xiangtan North Station (in Xiangshui Township, Yuhu District) and Shaoshan South Station (in Yongyi Township, Shaoshan City), were built along this line. The municipal administrative center is approximately 37 km from Changsha South Station, 12 km from Zhuzhou West Station, and 15 km from Xiangtan North Station.

Intercity Railway: The under-construction Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan City Cluster Intercity Railway will also connect to Xiangtan Station and Xiangxiang Station. Hunan Province once planned a light rail/subway system connecting the three cities ("to start by end of 2008 and complete within three years"), but canceled this intercity light rail system in 2009 in favor of the city cluster intercity railway plan. The Xiangtan section officially commenced construction in November 2010, with new stations at Zhaoshan, Hetang, and Bantang, connecting to the intercity rail yard at Xiangtan Station.

Urban Rail Transit: Construction of the West Loop Line started in 2019. It opened for operation on June 28, 2023, operating through-service with Changsha Metro Line 3. Subsequently, on June 27, 2024, it was fully integrated into Line 3 and no longer retains its original name.

6.3 Water Transport

The Xiang River has the capacity for 1,000-ton cargo ships and currently mainly handles freight. Major operational terminals at Xiangtan Port include Tieniu Bu Terminal, 16 Zong Bulk Cargo Terminal, 14 Zong 1,000-ton Container Terminal, Tanjiahu Bulk Cargo Terminal, Yijiawan Bulk Cargo Terminal, and Hanji Port Ore Terminal. The Tieniu Bu Port Area and the Jiuhua Hexi Central Port Area, each with three 1,000-ton berths, are under construction. In recent years, with the growth of freight business, Xiangtan Port has accelerated its development. Its throughput reached 3 million tons in 2005 and 5 million tons in 2006. Its growth rates in port terminal investment and construction, port cargo throughput, port cargo turnover, and waterway fee collection ranked first in Hunan Province, making it a major national inland river port.

6.4 Aviation

There is no airport within the territory. The expressway connects to Changsha Huanghua International Airport, approximately 50 km away.

6.5 Bridges

The winding Xiang River naturally divides the urban area of Xiangtan into three parts: Hexi (west bank), Hedong (east bank), and Yisuhe. Therefore, river crossings are particularly crucial for urban traffic. During the construction of the Xiangtan-Qianyang (Xiangqian) Railway in 1937, sections on both banks were built first, leaving the Xiang River as a breakpoint. Since the opening of the Xiangqian Railway Xiangjiang Bridge in 1954, over ten cross-river bridges have been successively built on the Xiang River, becoming city landmarks. From upstream, they are: Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway Bridge (crossing Xiangtan-Zhuzhou boundary), Furong Bridge (Fifth Bridge), Second Bridge, Xiashesi Bridge (Eighth Bridge, under construction), Yangmeizhou Bridge (Seventh Bridge, under construction), First Bridge, Third Bridge, Shanghai-Kunming Railway Bridge, Shanghai-Kunming Railway Parallel Line Bridge, Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan Intercity Railway Bridge, Liancheng Bridge (Fourth Bridge), Shanghai-Kunming Expressway Bridge, Zhaohua Bridge (Sixth Bridge), Shanghai-Kunming High-Speed Railway Bridge (crossing Xiangtan-Changsha boundary). Additionally, there are several smaller bridges on the main stream and tributaries, such as the Tangxing Bridge built in the early Qing Dynasty, and bridges used for organizing three-dimensional land traffic, such as the Xiangtan Grand Bridge on the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan Intercity Railway's Xiangtan section, which is 12.95 km long.

7. Education

Xiangtan has a relatively strong historical tradition in education, with many schools boasting a long history of operation. Currently, the city's basic education has established a solid foundation. In 2006, there were 592 primary schools and 218 regular secondary schools in the city, including 30 primary schools and 38 regular secondary schools in the urban area. Additionally, there were 10 provincial-level exemplary secondary schools in Hunan Province, such as Xiangtan No. 1 Middle School, Xiangtan No. 2 Middle School, Xiangtan No. 3 Middle School, Xianggang No. 1 Middle School, Xiangtan County No. 1 Middle School, Xiangtan County No. 5 Middle School, Xiangtan County Fenghuang Middle School, Xiangxiang City No. 1 Middle School, Xiangxiang Dongshan School, and Shaoshan School. Xiangtan Electric Machinery Subsidiary Middle School (Xiangji Middle School) was one of the first key secondary schools in Hunan Province. In 2012, students collectively destroyed books to vent their frustration over excessive supplementary classes. The school was subsequently stripped of its provincial exemplary regular high school status due to issues such as "unauthorized supplementary classes, unauthorized fees, and poor management." In 2004, government expenditure on education accounted for 0.9% of GDP. In 2005, the dropout rates for primary and junior secondary schools were 0.11% and 1.02%, respectively, while the college entrance examination admission rate was 73.5%.

At the same time, Xiangtan is a secondary center for higher education in Hunan Province. It is home to five regular undergraduate institutions: Xiangtan University, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Hunan Institute of Engineering, Xiangtan Institute of Technology, and Hunan Software Vocational and Technical University. Additionally, there are seven higher vocational colleges (specialized programs): Xiangtan Medical and Health Vocational and Technical College, Hunan Urban Construction Vocational and Technical College, Hunan Polytechnic Vocational and Technical College, Hunan National Defense Industry Vocational and Technical College, Hunan Electrical Vocational and Technical College, Hunan Geely Automobile Vocational and Technical College, and Xiangtan Science and Technology Vocational College. The city also has three independent colleges: Xiangtan University Xingxiang College, Hunan University of Science and Technology Xiaoxiang College, and Hunan Institute of Engineering Applied Technology College, as well as one adult higher education institution: Xiangtan Technician College. Among these, the first four universities each have a student population exceeding 10,000, totaling 99,475 enrolled students, with 91,330 in the urban area. This places Xiangtan 37th nationally in terms of higher education enrollment, with 1,268 college students per 10,000 people, ranking 9th in the country.

8. Population

8.1 Ancestral Origins

According to research by Tan Qixiang: The people of Hunan came from all over, with those from Jiangxi being the majority. "The people of Hunan came from all over; those from the eastern regions of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, and Jiangxi constituted nine-tenths, and within that, those from Jiangxi province alone made up nine-tenths of the easterners. Furthermore, those from the Luling circuit and Nanchang prefecture made up nine-tenths of those from Jiangxi." Hence, Hunan has the nickname "Jiangxi Lao Biao" (Old Cousins from Jiangxi). Xiangtan was similar. The Qing Dynasty Tongzhi edition of the Liling County Annals quotes the Xiangtan Tuonan Lu stating: "During the Yuan-Ming transition, only a few households of the indigenous population remained in Xiangtan; most of the later inhabitants came from Yuzhang (present-day Nanchang and surrounding areas)." Among the non-local merchants who came to invest and operate in Xiangtan during the Qing Dynasty, those from Jiangxi were also the most numerous. "The Guangxu edition of the Xiangtan County Annals, Volume 11, Commerce, states: 'The eastern border is closest to Jiangxi. Merchants arriving from there formed three major guilds: Ji'an, Linjiang, and Fuzhou. Others followed in numbers too many to count. Brokers and porters were mostly from Jiangxi, outnumbering the locals, which caused considerable resentment among those competing for profit.'" The Veritable Records of Emperor Renzong of Qing, Jiaqing 24th year, 6th month, Wushen day: "According to the report, outside the walls of Xiangtan county town in Hunan, Jiangxi merchants have traditionally made up seven or eight out of ten traders, while local residents constituted only two or three out of ten. Among the dock porters at various wharves, Jiangxi people were especially numerous." Based on successive editions of the Xiangtan County Annals, during the Qianlong period, Xiangtan had 6 guildhalls, 2 of which belonged to Jiangxi groups; in the 22nd year of Jiaqing, the total number of guildhalls was 19, with 6 belonging to Jiangxi groups, consistently accounting for one-third. The ancestral origins of many people (native to) Xiangtan can be traced back to Jiangxi, such as Wang Kaiyun, Mao Zedong, Ma Ying-jeou, etc. "Among the more than 350 genealogies from the Xiangtan area held in the Shanghai Library, excluding about 50 of unclear origin, at least 200 indicate that their ancestors migrated from Jiangxi, with the vast majority arriving during the Ming Dynasty to the early Qing Dynasty."

8.2 Current Composition

At the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 2.7027 million. Among them, the urban population was 1.7723 million, with an urbanization rate of 65.58%, an increase of 0.42 percentage points from the end of the previous year. The population aged 0-15 (including those under 16) accounted for 16.27% of the permanent resident population, a decrease of 0.20 percentage points; the population aged 16-59 (including those under 60) accounted for 61.95%, an increase of 0.21 percentage points; the population aged 60 and above accounted for 21.78%, a decrease of 0.01 percentage points.

According to the 2020 Seventh National Population Census, the city's permanent resident population was 2,726,181. Compared with the 2,752,171 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a decrease of 25,990 people over ten years, a decline of 0.94%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.09%. Among them, the male population was 1,383,396, accounting for 50.74% of the total population; the female population was 1,342,785, accounting for 49.26% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 103.02. The population aged 0-14 was 423,711, accounting for 15.54% of the total population; the population aged 15-59 was 1,704,598, accounting for 62.53% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 597,872, accounting for 21.93% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 460,418, accounting for 16.89% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 1,754,969, accounting for 64.37% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 971,212, accounting for 35.63% of the total population.

8.3 Ethnic Groups

The results of the 2000 Fifth National Population Census showed that Han Chinese residents accounted for 99.5% of the population within the jurisdiction of Xiangtan City, with 12,382 people belonging to ethnic minorities. The main ethnic minority populations included Tujia, Miao, Mongol, Dong, Hui, Yao, Manchu, and Zhuang, among others. The Tujia population was 3,805, accounting for 30.73% of the minority population; the Miao population was 2,779, accounting for 22.44% of the minority population. The remaining minority populations accounted for 46.83%, each with fewer than a thousand people.

In 2020, among the city's permanent resident population, the Han Chinese population was 2,699,356, accounting for 99.02%; the total population of all ethnic minorities was 26,825, accounting for 0.98%. Compared with the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the Han Chinese population decreased by 40,586, a decline of 1.48%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.54 percentage points. The total population of all ethnic minorities increased by 14,596, a growth of 119.36%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.54 percentage points.

9. Religion

Buddhism was introduced to Xiangtan during the Jin Dynasty. The earliest Buddhist temple was the Stone Temple built on Shizui'nao. According to Liu Yuxi's "Stele Inscription for Master Yan of Tangxing Temple in Xiangtan, Hengyue Vinaya Master of the Tang Dynasty," its establishment should predate the ninth year of the Xiantong era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (334 AD). In the sixth year of the Yonghui era of the Tang Dynasty (655 AD), Chu Suiliang inscribed the name "Great Tangxing Temple" for the temple, and it has since been called Tangxing Temple. Later, the temple was destroyed and rebuilt into Tangxing Temple School, still preserving the plaque "Great Tangxing Temple." There are two main temples in the urban area with thriving incense. One is Haihui Temple on Dahu Road, established by the Yuan Dynasty monk Puzhong. During the late Qing Dynasty, the monk Jing'an once stayed here. After the 1990s, it was renovated, with the plaque at the entrance inscribed by Zhao Puchu as "Haihui Ancient Temple." It is now a key temple in Hunan Province and the location of the Xiangtan Buddhist Association. The other is Yunju Temple on Guangyun Road, built in 1943. Yunmen Temple is a Buddhist sacred site in Xiangxiang City.

On Zhaoshan Mountain, there is Zhaoshan Temple, which historically alternated between Buddhist and Taoist management. Taoism called it Zhaoyang Temple. Before its destruction during the Cultural Revolution, it enshrined the Mysterious Emperor (Xuan Di) and originally had a Quanzhen sect abbot, but there are no Taoist priests there now. The main Taoist temple currently in the urban area is Dongyue Temple, located on Yanjiang East Road and built during the Ming Dynasty. It is one of the key temples in Hunan Province, a major activity site for the Zhengyi sect, and the location of the Xiangtan Taoist Association.

On Xiannü Mountain, there is Long'an Temple. According to Liu Zongyuan's "Stele Inscription for Master Hai of Long'an," the Tang Dynasty eminent monk Master Hai came here to build a hermitage, and believers constructed the second ancient temple in Xiangtan—"Long'an Temple."

In the seventh year of the Shunzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1650 AD), the Liu brothers from Xiangtan accompanied a mission of the Southern Ming regime to visit the Roman Curia and the General Council of the Jesus Church. Upon returning, they established a Chapel of Our Lady in their home in Yuntang, marking the beginning of Catholicism in Xiangtan. In the twenty-fourth year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1685 AD), the magistrate of Xiangtan, entrusted by the Catholic missionary Ferdinand Verbiest, set up a Catholic church east of the county office in the Ever-Normal Granary, with the French missionary Motiwu presiding over religious affairs. In the fifty-seventh year of the Kangxi era (1718 AD), the Catholic missionary Liu Wuyang built a Catholic church beside the Jiangnan Hotel near the back lake of Shibazong. Subsequently, with the changes of the times, the Catholic church experienced periods of prosperity and decline but remained concentrated in that area, gradually establishing affiliated institutions nearby. In the fifth year of the Republic of China (1916 AD), the Italian Catholic priest Wen Huanzhang founded the Xiangtan Catholic Church Yucai School beside the Shibazong Catholic Church. On January 4, the twenty-seventh year of the Republic of China (1938 AD), the Italian supervisor Jia Suoli established the Xiangtan Catholic Church Infant Orphanage. On April 1, the thirty-fifth year of the Republic of China (1946 AD), the parish of the Catholic Church founded Dexin Hospital, later renamed Boji Hospital. After the Chinese Communist Party came to power, it took over the church, schools, and hospitals. The school was renamed Liberation School, and the hospital was renamed Xiangtan Municipal Hospital. After 1958, church activities were suspended until their restoration in 1978, after which buildings like the chapel were renovated. Currently, the Xiangtan Catholic Church located beside Renmin Road at Shibazong is the only public missionary site in the city.

In the twenty-fourth year of the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty (1898 AD), the American China Inland Mission pastor Gai Yinhua came to Xiangtan to preach, marking the entry of Protestant Christianity into Xiangtan. In the twenty-sixth year of the Guangxu era (1900 AD), the North American Presbyterian missionary Ling Xiaozhi came to Xiangtan to preach. In the twenty-eighth year of the Guangxu era (1902 AD), he built a church and Sanyu Primary School at the intersection of Datong Street in Shierzong, and established the American Presbyterian Xiangtan Hospital (renamed Huijing Hospital in 1931, the predecessor of today's Xiangtan Central Hospital), among others. In the twenty-seventh year of the Guangxu era (1901 AD), the Methodist Church was established on Luzhu Street. In the twenty-third year of the Guangxu era (1904 AD), a church was built on Zheng Street in Shibazong. In the first year of the Xuantong era (1909 AD), the Anglican Church established a mission at Fengcheping on the back street of Shisizong, with facilities including a chapel, a pastor's residence, and St. Paul's Primary School, later divided among multiple institutions including Xiangtan No. 2 Middle School. In the first year of the Xuantong era (1909 AD), the German China Inland Mission missionary Yan Ende established the China Inland Mission on Xuanhua Street (today's 383 Chengzheng Street). The chapel and pastor's residence have been preserved to this day and serve as the location of the Xiangtan Christian Association, the main worship place for tens of thousands of Protestant Christians in the city.

Islam was introduced to Xiangtan with the migration of Muslims in the fifth year of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty (1800 AD). Subsequently, a small mosque was built on Fengzheng Street beside Jiuhuigou. During the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, another mosque was built on Lianhua Street on Pozishang (today's Jiefang South Road), which is now the location of the Xiangtan Islamic Association.

10. Culture

10.1 Language

The local dialect of Xiangtan is generally classified as New Xiang Chinese in the urban area, Xiangtan County, and Shaoshan, with the urban area being more influenced by Mandarin. In contrast, Xiangxiang retains the authentic Old Xiang dialect.

10.2 Cuisine

Rice is the staple food for the people of Xiangtan. Among rice products, rice noodles remain a popular breakfast choice, while snacks like "Baili Balls" are becoming increasingly rare. Apart from local specialties such as betel nuts and Xiang lotus seeds, Xiangtan cuisine is known for its freshness, aroma, spiciness, and braised flavors. Signature dishes include: Flavorful Chicken, Flavorful Shrimp, Boiled Live Fish, Fire-Dried Fish, Huashi Tofu, Roasted Seeds and Nuts, Countryside Cured Dishes, and Countryside Chopped Chili Peppers. Some homemade dishes, such as cured "Tied Fish," salted duck eggs, salted chili peppers, fermented tofu, smoked cured fish, and cured meat, are not only easy to preserve for long periods but also give the ingredients new flavors. However, the tradition of making these at home is gradually declining. Xiangtan is an important representative of the Xiang River regional cuisine within Hunan cuisine. The current top ten officially recognized signature dishes are: Panlong Betel Nut Duck, Flavorful Weishan Rabbit, Liancheng Jade Pearl Turtle, Xiangbin Amber Pork Knuckle, Lotus Triumph Meat, Green Field Coiled Dragon, Jade Beef Brisket, Xiangzhou Duck Emperor, Signature Braised Pork, and Fuxing Stone Blood Duck.

10.3 Folk Customs

Against the backdrop of ongoing social changes in China, traditional spontaneous folk customs with local character are becoming increasingly rare in cities. Examples include dragon and lion dances during the Spring Festival and dragon boat races held on the Xiang River during the Dragon Boat Festival, which attract numerous teams and large audiences. Traditional Xiangtan Flower Drum Opera, Xiangtan Xiang Opera, and shadow puppetry face survival threats in the era of television and movies. Traditional folk music in the Xiangtan region mainly includes suona performances and folk songs. The folk suona music of Qingshanqiao in Xiangtan County was included in the first batch of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage of Hunan Province in 2006 and the first batch of national-level intangible cultural heritage expansion projects in 2008, making it the only project from Xiangtan City to be selected.

Traditional festivals that remain popular today include: Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, March 3rd, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, July Half (Ghost Festival), Mid-Autumn Festival, and Little New Year. During the Spring Festival, it is customary to "send off spring," "welcome spring," "send off the God of Wealth," and "welcome the God of Wealth." March 3rd preserves the tradition of "shepherd's purse boiled eggs" from the Shangsi Festival. During July Half (the Ghost Festival), rural areas welcome the spirits of ancestors home, offer sacrifices, and burn spirit money, commonly known as "welcoming old guests in July Half."

Despite repeated government efforts to promote funeral reforms, burial remains the predominant practice in rural areas. Funerals are likely the traditional custom that preserves the most folk rituals, involving numerous elaborate and intricate etiquettes and procedures. Funerals can follow Taoist, Confucian, or Buddhist traditions, but Taoist ceremonies are the most common, sometimes accompanied by night singing. When a family experiences a bereavement, the entire village volunteers to help, and the funeral typically lasts several days before burial.

Mahjong and playing cards are popular among urban and rural residents. Beyond these, public entertainment is mainly provided by mass media or entertainment venues such as dance halls. The Xiangtan dialect talk shows performed by Li Qingde and others have gained widespread attention in recent years through media as a folk art form with local characteristics. Using the relatively "rustic" Xiangtan dialect, these shows feature humorous anecdotes from rural or urban lower-middle-class life and self-deprecating social observations, reflecting a revival of new secular culture.

As the hometown of Mao Zedong, some people in Xiangtan have developed customs of commemorating him during festivals or anniversaries at the Bronze Statue Square in Shaoshan or the Dongfanghong Square in the urban area. For example, they bring wine, food, and firecrackers to the Mao Zedong Bronze Statue Square during the New Year to pay their respects. Xiangtan photographer Kuang Huimin has documented many such unique public cultural scenes, winning awards such as the World Press Photo contest.

10.4 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Comrade Mao Zedong's Former Residence in Shaoshanchong
• Peng Dehuai's Former Residence
• Qi Baishi's Former Residence
• Site of Dongshan Academy
• Northern Five Provinces Guild Hall

11. Sister Cities

Xiangtan has established sister city relationships with several domestic cities. Among these, the most frequently reported exchanges are with Changning District of Shanghai. The two cities (districts) became sister cities in 1984 and have maintained exchanges and cooperation since then. In terms of international exchanges, Xiangtan has established friendly ties with seven cities in six countries, including Japan. Among these, the exchanges with Hikone, Japan, have been the longest and most frequent. Shaoshan City established a sister city relationship with Nam Đàn District, the hometown of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, on June 23, 2010.

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The name "Tang Dynasty" is derived from "Xiangzhou Tan."

Yuetan District

Xiangtan County

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Camphor tree

Chrysanthemum