Yangzhou

Yangzhou
Name	Yangzhou
Native name	扬州
Settlement type	Prefecture-level city
Coordinates	32, 23, N, 119...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	China
Subdivision type1	Province
Subdivision name1	Jiangsu
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Wang Jinjian
Area total km2	6591.21
Population total	4,559,797
Population as of	2020 census
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	China Standard Time
Utc offset	+8
Postal code type	Postal code
Postal code	225000
Area code	514
Website	http://www.yangzhou.gov.cn/

Yangzhou. A prefecture-level city in central Jiangsu province, China, situated on the northern bank of the Yangtze River near its junction with the Grand Canal. Historically, it served as one of the wealthiest cities in China due to its pivotal role in salt administration and as a major trading port, celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, classical gardens, and distinctive Huaiyang cuisine.

History

Yangzhou's history stretches back over 2,500 years, with its founding during the Spring and Autumn period when it was known as Guangling. It flourished as a vital commercial hub during the Sui dynasty and Tang dynasty, largely due to its position along the Grand Canal, which linked it to the political centers of Luoyang and Chang'an. The city reached its zenith of prosperity during the Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty as the headquarters of the Lianghuai salt monopoly, attracting wealthy merchants, scholars, and artists. It was also a significant center for religious exchange, famously visited by the Tang dynasty monk Jianzhen who later spread Buddhism to Japan. The city suffered severe destruction during the Taiping Rebellion in the 19th century and was the site of the tragic Yangzhou massacre in 1645 during the Qing conquest of the Ming.

Geography and climate

Yangzhou is located in the Yangtze River Delta region, bordering the Yangtze River to the south and Gaoyou Lake to the north. The city's terrain is predominantly flat, characteristic of the Jiangnan water country, crisscrossed by numerous rivers and canals. It administers several districts, including Guangling District, Hanjiang District, and Jiangdu District, as well as the county-level cities of Yizheng, Gaoyou, and Baoying. Yangzhou experiences a humid subtropical climate, influenced by the East Asian Monsoon, with four distinct seasons, hot humid summers, and cool damp winters.

Economy

Traditionally reliant on the salt trade and agriculture, Yangzhou's modern economy is diverse and robust. It is a major manufacturing base for sectors such as automotive components, with Yaxing Motor Coach being a notable company, and petrochemicals. The city is a national leader in the production of jade carvings and lacquerware. High-tech industries, including new energy and biotechnology, are growing rapidly. Agriculture remains important, with specialties like Yangzhou fried rice, Gaoyou duck, and Baoying lotus root. Tourism, centered on historical sites and the Grand Canal, is a significant contributor to the local economy.

Culture and cuisine

Yangzhou is renowned as a historical and cultural city, famous for its well-preserved ancient streets like Dongguan Street, classical gardens such as the Ge Garden and He Garden, and the scenic Slender West Lake. It is a cradle of the Yangzhou opera, a form of traditional Chinese theatre, and the origin of the Yangzhou school of painting. The city's Huaiyang cuisine is one of the Four Great Traditions of Chinese cuisine, known for its delicate knife work, balanced flavors, and exquisite presentation, with signature dishes including steamed crab meat dumplings, braised lion's head meatballs, and Yangzhou fried rice. The Yangzhou jade carving craft is recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Transportation

Yangzhou is a key transportation node in the Yangtze River Delta, connected by the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal for water transport. The Runyang Yangtze River Bridge and the Zhenjiang Yangtze River Bridge provide critical road links across the river. The city is served by the Yangzhou Taizhou Airport and has high-speed rail access via the Lianyungang–Zhenjiang high-speed railway and the Shanghai–Nanjing intercity railway at stations like Yangzhou East railway station. An extensive network of expressways, including the G2 Beijing–Shanghai Expressway and G40 Shanghai–Xi'an Expressway, facilitates regional connectivity.

Education

Yangzhou hosts several institutions of higher learning, most notably Yangzhou University, a comprehensive university with strengths in agriculture, veterinary science, and the humanities. Other significant schools include Yangzhou Polytechnic Institute and Yangzhou Polytechnic College. The city has a strong historical tradition of scholarship, exemplified by the Yangzhou school of painting and its many literati during the Ming and Qing periods. Modern educational facilities also include various research institutes focused on local industries like gastronomy and jade carving.

Category:Yangzhou Category:Prefecture-level cities in Jiangsu