Zhenjiang - “The Greatest Land Under Heaven”
Zhenjiang, referring to the “Garrison of the River” in Mandarin, is a city with a history of 2,500 years. It borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the west, Changzhou to the east, and Yangzhou across the river to the north. Zhenjiang boasts beautiful sceneries with a unique style of realistic environment, and it’s honored as “The Greatest Land Under Heaven”. The city was once the provincial capital during the rule of the Republic of China. Zhenjiang is today an important transportation hub, owing to its location near the intersection of the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal. Now Zhenjiang City is a prefecture-level city in Jiangsu, with a booming economy and protected environment in Yangtze River Delta Economical Zone.
Legendary History
With enriched heritage and culture, the city is often associated with a lot of fascinating folk mythologies happened in Chinese history. One of the most intriguing legends, “Tale of the White Snake”, was spread over generations in Chinese folklore, depicting a fantastic love story about a thousand-year-old snake spirit fighting an evil monk for her marriage to her human lover. With its legendary history, the city has become one of well-known historic and cultural cities in China.
Economy, Industry and Environment
Zhenjiang industrial sectors, occupying 60% of the city total GDP, are in a good shape of vast expansion, 15-20% increasing annually. Major industrial sectors include chemicals and manufacture, electro-mechanical, high-tech, bio-technology, new material, etc. Construction sector is stably increasing each year. Today, Zhenjiang has also been recognized as one of the fast growing economies in the Yangtze River Delta Region and new investments continues in an ascending trend.
Industrialization and environmental conservation have always seemed like two diverse approaches. The municipal government has made tough environmental policies and has spent significant funds over years to protect its land and air.
Transportation and Tourism
Zhenjiang is located between two major metropolises, Nanjing and Shanghai, and all road traffics connecting two cities pass the city. The railway, Jinghu Railway (Beijing-Nanjing-Shanghai), passes the city and Zhenjiang Railway Station is among the busiest passenger stations in Jiangsu, having 139 trains stopping daily. T-Trains take only 45 min to Nanjing and an hour and a half to Shanghai.
Zhenjiang Port is one of major ports along the Yangtze River and its water network, including the Grand Canal, the Yangtze River and numerous rivers provide the city a convenient waterway for cargo and passenger transportation.
The city does not have its own airport but has an easy access to nearby airports, including Nanjing Lukou International Airport and Changzhou Benniu Airport. The Benniu Airport connects more than 20 domestic major cities and the Lukou International Airport linke over 40 domestic cities and 20 international airports.
The city has an efficient network of municipal public transportation, consisting of bus and taxi.
Zhenjiang is one of tourist destinations in the Southern Jiangsu. The best tourist sites include five mountains/hills, includin Maoshan Hill Scenic Region, Baohua Mountain National Forest Park, Jiao Hill Scenic Region and Beigushan Hill. These hilly areas are covered by an intense forest and many have numerous historical relics including well-known Buddhism or Daoism temples.
Education
As the old provincial capital, Zhenjiang was originally a city hosted a few of prestigious higher learning institutions but after 1949, some of these universities were moved to Nanjing, the new provincial capital in PRC at the time. Located in Zhenjiang and founded in 1902, Jiangsu University is a key university. The university has been expanded since 2001 by merging four higher education institutions that stationed in Zhenjiang, including Zhenjiang Medical College, Zhenjiang Normal School, Nanjing Agricultural Institute.
Zhenjiang has well instituted compulsory primary education system for all school-age children. The secondary schools including high schools achieves significant graduate rate.
Geography and Climate
Sitting on the southern bank of Yangtze River, Zhenjiang borders Nanjing on the west and Changzhou on the east, and faces Yangzhou and Taizhou across the Yangtze River. Zhenjiang is under influences of Asian monsoon and Yangtze River, and enjoys a subtropical climate and distinct seasons.
Area and Population
Zhenjiang jurisdiction has a population of 2.67 million and owns a land mass of 3,847 square kilometers, including 1,082 square kilometers for Zhenjiang municipality.
Population: 2.67 million
Temperature: average 15.4 °C (59.72°F)
