Airlines and Aviation
Hainan Airlines flies between Los Angeles and Changsha, the capital of China’s Hunan province, home to one of the country’s most popular – and spiciest – cuisines.
Hainan Airlines is based on Hainan Island and maintains hubs at Beijing Capital International Airport, Haikou Meilan International Airport, and Xi’an Xianyang International Airport. In addition to a large domestic network, the airline flies to 90 international travel destinations.
The airline inaugurated twice weekly service between Changsha in China’s Hunan province and Los Angeles, California, on 21 January 2016.
The airline operates a 200 passenger Boeing 787 Dreamliner on the route. Flight time from Changsha to Los Angeles is approximately 13.5 hours.
The airline already flies between Los Angeles International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport. The Changsha – LAX route is the airline’s 8th North American route.
The air carrier also links China with Boston, Chicago, San Jose, New York, Seattle/Tacoma, and Toronto.
The airline also flies the following routes linking cities in China with cities in North America …
- Beijing – Seattle, Washington;
- Beijing – Chicago, Illinois;
- Beijing – Boston, Massachusetts;
- Beijing – San Jose, California;
- Beijing – Toronto, Ontario.
Quick Guide to Changsha
Changhsa has a 3,000-year history, which dates back to the Zhou dynasty (1046 – 156 BC). It was an important cultural centre during the Warring States period (500 – 300 BC).
One of Changsha’s most important tourist attractions is Mawangdui, an archaeological site, which consists of 2 hills, which contain the tombs of 3 luminaries from the Han dynasty (296 BC – 9 AD). Artifacts from the site are on display at the Hunan Provincial Museum.
Located on the western banks of the Xiang River, Yuelu Mountain has tombs, temples, and a bird sanctuary. You can hike to the summit or take a cable car.
Situated on the slopes of Yuelu Mountain, Lushan Temple is considered to be the most China’s most important Buddhist temple outside Tibet.
Revolutionary Past
Sculpture commemorating the Taiping Rebellion in tianxin Park. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons.
Built in 1924, Tianxin Park is dotted with historic landmarks, including the 400-year-old Xianxin Pavilion, remnants of the Ancient Wall, the Zhongjie Pavilion, Zhongjie Gate, and a sculpture commemorating the Taiping Rebellion.
Mao Zedong was born in a village near Changsha, and there is a large statue of him in Orange Island Park, which is situated in the middle of the Xiang River, which runs through the city.
Hunan is most famous for its fiery cuisine. Chairman Mao once attributed the large number peasant rebellions that were launched in the province to the spiciness of Hunanese food.
The capital of Hunan province, Changsha has a population of more than 7 million people, nearly 4.6 million of whom live in the urban areas,
Changsha Airport
Changsha Huanghua International Airport is a regional hub for China Southern Airlines. Several domestic air carriers link the city with numerous domestic and international travel destinations. It is China’s 12th busiest airport.
Several international air carriers also serve the airport.
AirAsia flies to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Asiana Airlines and Korean Air fly to Seoul, Korea; Dragonair flies to Hong Kong; Mandarin Airlines flies to 3 travel destinations in Taiwan; Maldivian flies to Bangkok, Thailand, and Male in the Maldives; Silkair flies to Singapore; Thai Airways flies to Bangkok; TransAsia Airways flies to Kaohsiung and Taipei, Taiwan; and Uni Air flies to Taichung.