Shaoshan

Where is Shaoshan located?

Shaoshan is a county-level city situated in the Hunan province of China. Administered by the prefecture-level city of Xiangtan, the locality maintains its seat at Qingxi Town.

How does daily movement shape the area?

Daily movement across the city is influenced by its distinct topography, which is dominated by Mt. Shaofeng, the Shao River, and the Shishi River. Hills in the west give rise to a mix of hills and plains in the east. The geographical coordinates of the city span from longitude 112 degrees 23 minutes 52 seconds to 112 degrees 38 minutes 13 seconds, and latitude 27 degrees 51 minutes 40 seconds to 28 degrees 1 minute 53 seconds. The highest elevation is found at the peak of Mount Shaofeng at 518.5 meters above sea level, while the lowest point is Liumuzhou at 48 meters above sea level.

Transportation and daily transit connect various subdistrict divisions, which following an adjustment on November 16, 2015, consist of two towns—Qingxi and Yintian—and two townships, Shaoshan Township and Yanglin. Bordered by Ningxiang to the north, Xiangxiang to the west and southwest, and Xiangtan County to the east and southeast, the city covers a total area of 247.3 square kilometers, or 95.5 square miles.

Who populates the region?

The city records a census population of 118,236 and a permanent resident population of 97,800, making it the smallest administrative unit by size or by population among the counties and county-level cities in Hunan province. Within the population, a notable segment of daily life revolves around its historical status as the birthplace of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic of China. Because Shaoshan served as an important base during the Chinese Communist Revolution and Mao remains a popular figure locally, red tourism serves as a significant driver of the local economy.