Zhejiang (China): location, description and history of the city, interesting places, photos and reviews

Zhejiang Province in China is located in the east of the country, on the shores of the East China Sea. The region has an ancient history, is known for architectural monuments and picturesque landscapes. The territory is covered by a dense network of rivers, canals and lakes that contribute to high soil fertility.

Description

Zhejiang is one of the smallest administrative units of the PRC. The area of ​​Zhejiang province (China) is 106,078 km², which allows it to occupy only 24th place among the regions of the country. For comparison, this is comparable to the Volgograd region of Russia.

Meanwhile, about 56 million people live here. The population density is one of the highest on the planet - more than 550 people per square kilometer. The most populated areas adjacent to neighboring Shanghai, as well as coastal areas.

Location

Zhejiang (China) is located at the intersection of the 30th parallel of north latitude and the 120th meridian of east longitude. Borders on other provinces of China:

• Shanghai (northeast);
• Jiangsu (north);
• Anhui (northwest);
• Jiangxi (west);
• Fujian (southwest).

In the east and southeast it is washed by the waters of the East China Sea of ​​the Pacific region.

The name of the province is given by the name of the most full-flowing river of the area - Zhe. When it flows into the Pacific Ocean, it forms a bay (bay) 25 km wide, through which a unique bridge is laid.

Difference in time

Zhejiang (China) lives according to a single Chinese standard time, which is also called Beijing. The province is administratively and geographically related to the UTC + 8 time zone. That is, the difference with the Greenwich meridian is 8 hours. The time difference (taking into account the transition to summer) between major cities is:

• London - 7 hours;
• Berlin - 6 hours;
• Moscow - 5 hours;
• Samara - 4 hours;
• Yekaterinburg - 3 hours;
• Delhi - 2.5 hours;
• Bangkok - 1 hour;
• Sydney - 2 hours;
• New York - 12 hours;
• Los Angeles - 15 hours

Administrative division

Zhejiang Province in China is divided into 9 urban districts and 2 cities of republican (sub-provincial) significance.

In turn, urban districts are divided into 90 administrative units of the municipal level: 36 districts, 33 districts, 20 counties and 1 autonomous district. The capital of the region is the city of Hangzhou.

Early story

Zhejiang Province in China is one of the oldest centers of civilization. A favorable warm climate with an abundance of rainfall and fertile soil contributed to population growth, the development of culture and technology. 6000-5000 years BC e. In the Hangzhou area, the early Neolithic culture of Kuahuqiao flourished. Then it was replaced by the Hemudu culture (5000-4500 BC), the first artifacts of which were found near the city of Ningbo. Beginning in 3400 BC, the last Neolithic “jade culture”, called Lanzhou, was elevated.

In the second millennium BC, the power of the Shang civilization was established in eastern China. However, the peoples of Ouye and Donggue, who inhabited the Zhejiang region, were able to maintain independence. In the 7-3 centuries BC e. in this territory, the Yue kingdom was formed, which actively and with varying success fought with the neighboring kingdoms of Wu, Qi and Chu. In 333 BC e. was conquered by the Chuy van (ruler). In 222 BC land became part of the Qin Empire. At the same time, residents of Yue largely retained their political and social structures.

History of our era

During the Three Kingdoms (3rd century), Zhejiang entered the kingdom of Wu. Being a relatively calm region, it has become a haven for many refugees from northern China, who suffered from civil strife. The merger of cultures contributed to rapid economic growth. Metallurgy was particularly developed, and local merchants established a wide trading network from Manchuria to South Vietnam. According to historical chronicles, the local navy was the strongest in the Far East.

In the middle of the 1st millennium, Qiantang (Hangzhou) was one of the three most developed cities in southern China. The region became the base of the Sui dynasty, which managed to unite the country after a long period of unrest. To transport food (mainly grain) from the Zhejiang province to the central regions of the country, the Grand Canal was built, and today it is a grand hydraulic structure recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The development of unique celadon ceramics characterized by the exceptional quality of glaze dates back to this historical period. Products with a pale greenish grayish tint resembling a jade structure are especially valued.

In the 900s, Hangzhou became the capital of the Wuyu Kingdom. The city retained its capital status after the unification of China by the Song Dynasty. According to some reports, in the X-XII centuries it was the largest settlement in the world, and the inhabitants of the region were considered the richest and most civilized in all of East Asia. Even the Mongol conquests could not undermine the prosperity of the province. The famous traveler Marco Polo called Hangzhou "the best and most noble city in the world."

The final borders of Zhejiang were delineated during the Ming Dynasty. Until the 18th century, local ports were leading in the country. After being defeated by the British in the Opium Wars, Ningbo City in 1843 became one of five open to trade with foreign merchants. In 1876, the port of Wenzhou joined it.

Recent story

During World War II, Zhejiang was occupied by Japan. For help to the US Air Force, the Japanese carried out a punitive operation, destroying about 250,000 residents of the province.

In 1949, power in the country passed to the Communists. During the years of the Cultural Revolution, the once richest region experienced stagnation, which intensified after the restriction of maritime international trade caused by the policy of self-isolation. However, in the 1980-1990s, Zhejiang became the epicenter of the development of a new economic policy - the merger of communist ideas and a market economy - which allowed China to become one of the leading countries.

Cities

Zhejiang in China is an example of a harmonious combination of urbanization and rural development. The administrative center of the region remains the metropolis of Hangzhou. The population of the district is approaching 10 million. Once the city was one of the most beautiful in Asia. Although many architectural objects have been lost, it is today called the pearl of East China.

According to the reviews of tourists, especially stunning the historical and cultural district "West Lake" (a World Heritage Site) in the north of Zhejiang province (China). The photo of the complex is amazingly picturesque. It is a harmonious combination of the natural beauty of lakes and ponds with the architectural and park ensemble, made in the national Chinese style. Waterworks and landscaping began in the 10th century and continue to this day. Among the attractions stand out:

• Leifeng Pagoda.
• Buddhist temple Jintssy.
• Lingyins Temple Complex
• Racing Tiger source with mineral water.
• Memorial of the national hero Wu Song.

The city remains a major industrial, scientific and cultural center of China. Zhejiang Daxue University, founded in 1897, is considered one of the most elite educational institutions in the country. They study engineering, mathematics, art, agricultural sciences, medicine, international law, jurisprudence, etc.

Ningbo is the second most populated city in the region. About 8 million people live here. Since time immemorial, the port has retained the status of “sea gate” of China, being one of the busiest in the world. Through its terminals, exports of electronics, textiles, manufactured goods, food, tea. The architecture is dominated by modern buildings, including skyscrapers. Among the historical objects stand out:

• Tianyi Pavilion (1516). One of the oldest libraries in the Middle Kingdom, a museum.
• Baoguo Temple (9th century). The oldest surviving wooden temples of South China.
• Temple of Zita (IX century).
• Tanhou Temple (1191). Once the most beautiful Buddhist complex in China. Destroyed in 1949, partially restored.

Million-plus cities are also: Huzhou, Wenzhou, Ruyan, Yuyao, Cixi, Jiaxing, Huzhou, Shaoxing, Zhuji, Shenzhou, Jinhua, Yiwu, Taizhou, Linhai, Wenling, Lishui.

Economy

Zhejiang, despite its relatively small size, is fourth in terms of GDP among the regions of the PRC (more than $ 12,500 per day). In 2016, the turnover amounted to 711 billion dollars. Zhejiang factories in China produce electromechanical products, chemicals, building materials. The textile industry is developed. The ports of Ningbo, Wenzhou, Taizhou and Zhoushan make a significant contribution to the economy.

Agriculture is intensive. Due to the high soil fertility and the ability to collect several crops a year, the region is called the breadbasket of the country. Among crops dominated by high-quality rice, wheat, cotton and tea with the world name Longjing. The province ranks second in silk production. Developed fishing, growing seafood and pearls. The coast and thousands of picturesque islands attract tourists from all over the world.