CHANGSHA

SERVICED APARTMENTS IN CHANGSHA, CLOSE TO CHANGSHA'S BUSINESS DISTRICT

Welcome to Changsha, the capital of China's Hunan province and a vibrant metropolis that's full of surprises. This southern Chinese city of eight million people is renowned for being an artistic haven that blends history and modernity with barely a ripple. Designated a Creative City by UNESCO in media and the arts, Changsha is a city of prestigious universities, world-class performance halls, astounding architecture and fiery Hunan cuisine. Changsha is also an important commercial hub attracting some of the world's top companies, with over 160 Fortune 500 companies boasting a branch in the city's business districts. The best way to experience everything Changsha has to offer is a stay in Frasers Hospitality's Changsha serviced apartments, ideal for short-stay business and leisure travellers.

STAYING IN CHANGSHA

Life in Changsha offers all the benefits of China's dynamic growth and the vibe of a big Chinese city without the sprawl of China's larger metropolises. Hunan's capital has grown in stature over the last decade, becoming a vibrant urban environment that embraces progress without ignoring or forgetting its rich, 3,000-year history. Changsha also benefits from its sub-tropical climate and beautiful surroundings, including mountains and the mighty Xiang River that divides the city in two, fringed with tree-lined streets and wide boulevards. The father of modern China, Mao Zedong, once lived in Changsha and today visitors to the city will see a sizable sculpted bust of the younger Mao gazing over the city and the Xiang River on Jizizhou (Orange) Island.

Changsha is a city renowned for its art scene and architecture, earning its status as a UNESCO Creative City for media and the arts. Urban architecture buffs will love some of Changsha's most iconic structures, including the Changsha Meixihu Cultural and Arts Centre (designed by one of the world's most renowned architects, the late Zaha Hadid), and the Lucky Knot Bridge – more a work of art and cited by CNN as one of the world's most spectacular bridges. Hunan's capital brings all the fire of Hunan's cuisine to the plate, with fiery dishes aplenty for chilli lovers. There's also a fantastic international food scene, and plenty of dining options for families during your stay in Modena by Fraser serviced apartments in Changsha.

3,000-YEARS IN THE MAKING

Changsha has a long and illustrious history and played an important role as a staging post to imperial China's expansion as early as 206 BCE. A remnant of those times lives on in the form of Changsha's old city walls, which once stretched an impressive 9-kilometres around the ancient city. Located only a short walk from your serviced apartment in Changsha only a small section remains, but the sight is impressive nonetheless. Atop the walls, be sure to visit the Tianxin Pavilion - a 14th century pavilion added to the walls during the early years of the Ming dynasty.

For a closer look at the history of Changsha and Hunan itself, pay a visit to the Hunan Museum, located only a short walk from your hotel in central Changsha. The largest museum in the province and an impressive architectural marvel in its own right, the Hunan Museum boasts over 180,000 artefacts and cultural relics including pieces from the world-renowned Mawangdui Tombs. The tombs of Mawangdui are truly something. The perfectly preserved tombs of three members of Changsha's Han-era ruling family were discovered in the 1970s. Today, the museum houses the thousands of texts, tapestries, bamboo and pottery objects found in each of the tombs.

GREEN LUNGS OF A GREEN CITY

Located to the south of your apartment hotel in Changsha, the Shiyanhu Ecological Park is considered the green lungs of Changsha. An area of green sloping mountains and still lakes, the park is like something out of a traditional Chinese landscape painting. Locals from Changsha folk to the area on public holidays and weekends to enjoy the area's natural beauty and outdoor activities including sailing, kayaking, horse riding and hiking. The site is also a haven for the area's wildlife, including birds, monkeys and numerous fish species.

ARCHITECTURAL MARVELS

Changsha's UNESCO Creative City status is exemplified in the city's astounding modern architecture and urban spaces. It's well worth your time to don a daypack and head out from your hotel for a bit of urban exploration. The first stop on your self-guided tour is Meixi Lake Park. Numerous large public installations border the lake in the centre of the park, as well as the Changsha Meixihu Cultural and Arts Centre - a brand new building devoted to the arts. The centre incorporates Changsha's new contemporary art museum, the MICA, and an 1800-seat theatre. The flowing, wave-like lines of the building are a wonder to explore and represent the open petals of a flower. Another seemingly organic structure nearby is the Lucky Knot Bridge, an astounding red bridge that crosses the Dragon King Harbor River. The bridge is a never-ending shape - three bridges woven into one structure with no beginning or end as the design twists and turns back on itself./p>