Changsha County
The origin of the name "Changsha" is lost in antiquity. The name first appeared known in the "Yi Zhou Shu" in the 11 century BCE during the reign of King Cheng of the Zhou dynasty. A vassal lord from the Changsha area sent a type of softshell turtle known as "Changsha softshell turtle" () to the Zhou king as a tribute. The present Changsha County was parts of the historic Qianzhong Commandery of Chu state in late Warring States period (481 BC to 221 BC) and the historic Xiang County () in Qin dynasty (221 BC–206 BC). During the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), Xiang County was renamed Linxiang County (). Changsha County was formally established with the replacement of the Linxiang County, concurrent with the establishment of the Sui dynasty. Shanhua County () was formed from 5 townships of Changsha County and 2 townships of Xiangtan County in 1098 AD during the Song dynasty. Changsha and Shanhua Counties were merged into modern day Changsha County in 1912.