Known for Yuelu Academy—one of the world’s oldest academic institutions—Changsha is a city steeped in cultural heritage that also has impressive natural beauty, best experienced on Orange Island where the Xiang River offers breathtaking views. Culinary connoisseurs are drawn to Changsha’s bold, spicy Xiang cuisine, and visitors can take home a piece of the city’s rich cultural history in the form of Xiang embroidery. The heritage of erudite elegance has positioned Changsha on a path to economic vitality, ranking #30 in our overall Prosperity pillar. With a #36 ranking in our GDP per Capita subcategory, the city is attracting domestic and international investors such as BYD, Gree and Sany Heavy Industry, positioning it as a manufacturing and logistics hub. The local government is courting investment in high-tech manufacturing, automotive industries and new energy, with plans for over US$6 billion in investments by 2027. This influx of investment has bolstered the city’s reputation as a prime location for talent and capital alike. A focus on strengthening infrastructure like public transit to meet the needs of its growing population, which has surged by three million in the past decade, is a priority over the coming decade, as young professionals are drawn to the 10th-lowest unemployment in our ranking and continue streaming into the city.