Lóudî

Loudi grew beside the Lian River in central Hunan. A local account recorded in a 1673 Xiangxiang gazetteer traces the market to the Song, when a row of houses beside the river gradually developed into a trading settlement called Loudi. The waterway joins the Xiang farther east, connecting the market with the river towns downstream. Another tradition derives the name from the lunar mansions Lou and Di, said to shine together over the district.