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Taizhou, Jiangsu

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Graeme Bartlett (talk | contribs) at 11:21, 28 September 2011 (→Administration: dab Xinghua, Jiangsu). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For the prefecture-level city in Zhejiang province, see Taizhou, Zhejiang.
Taizhou
泰州
Prefecture-level city
泰州市
Taizhou is highlighted on this map
Taizhou is highlighted on this map
CountryPeople's Republic of China
ProvinceJiangsu
Government
 • MayorYao Jianhua (姚建华)
Area
5,794 km2 (2,237 sq mi)
 • Urban
434 km2 (168 sq mi)
 • Metro
434 km2 (168 sq mi)
Population
 (2010 census)
4,618,558
 • Density800/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
 • Urban
571,516
 • Urban density1,300/km2 (3,400/sq mi)
 • Metro
571,516
 • Metro density1,300/km2 (3,400/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+8 (China Standard)
Postal code
225300 (Urban center)
214500, 225400, 225500, 225600, 225700 (Other areas)
Area code523
GDP¥165.1 billion (2009)
GDP per capita¥35,498 (2009)
Major NationalitiesHan
County-level divisions6
Township-level divisions105
License Plate Prefix苏M
Websitehttp://www.taizhou.gov.cn

Taizhou (Chinese: 泰州; pinyin: Tàizhōu) is a prefecture-level city in central Jiangsu province of Eastern China. Situated on the north bank of the Yangtze River, it borders Nantong to the east, Yancheng to the north and Yangzhou to the west.

Its population is 4,618,558 at the 2010 census whom 571,516 in the built up area made of 2 urban districts (Hailing and Gaogang). One can notice that 2 county-level cities have built up areas of more than 1 million inhabitants : Xinghua with 1,428,790 inhabitants and Taixing with 1,179,904 inhabitants, which are two of the most important county-level cities in China. Taizhou is the hometown of the current CPC General Secretary and Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Administration

See also: List of administrative divisions of Jiangsu

The prefecture-level city of Taizhou administers 6 county-level divisions, including 2 districts and 4 county-level cities.

These are further divided into 105 township-level divisions, including 91 towns, 8 townships and 6 subdistricts.

Geography and climate

At the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Jinghang Canal (Grand Canal of China), in the mid south of Jiangsu province, the north bank of lower reaches of the Yangtze river, the south end of Jianghuai Plain. Its latitude ranges from about 32° 02′ —— 33°11′ N, and longitude 119° 38′ —— 120° 32′ E, with a total area of 5,793 square kilometres (2,237 sq mi).

Neighbouring Areas: Yangzhou to the west, Nantong to the east, and Yancheng to the north.

History

Taizhou is a city with a long history. It was called "Hǎiyáng" (海阳/海陽) in the Chunqiu Period, and "Hǎilíng" (海陵) during the Western Han Dynasty. It was named Hailing county in 117 B.C. It was famous during Eastern Jin Dynasty on a par with Jinling (Nanjing) and Guangling (Yangzhou), Lanling (Changzhou). It was named "Taizhou prefecture" in Southern Tang Dynasty, which means 'Peaceful country and lucky citizens'. The name has been kept since then for 2100 years.

Taizhou became independent of its larger neighbour Yangzhou in the 10th century AD. Under the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), it was a center of the salt trade, and like Yangzhou, was the home of many wealthy salt merchants. In 1952, a new canal and ship locks were constructed to link Taizhou with the Yangzi River.

With a history of over 2100 years, Taizhou enjoys the reputation of "Ancient County in Han and Tang Dynasties and Famous District alongside the coast of the Yellow Sea". Through ages, it has seen gatherings of great talents and famous merchants. It was ever a political, economic, cultural and transportation center in Central Jiangsu. It is also the hometown of great artistic Masters like Shi Nai'an, Zheng Banqiao, and Mei Lanfang, etc, the birth place of the Navy of Chinese People's Liberation Army. It is now one of the famous historical and cultural cities of Jiangsu province.

Economy

Taizhou is a center for flour mills, textile works, fishing net manufacturing, and other industries based on local agriculture.

Having a favorable geographical location, rich resources and solid economic foundation, Taizhou was approved by the State's Council to be one of the open coastal cities. In the past 20 years, the economic growth has remained at an average annual rate of over 10%. It is one of the central cities inside the Yangtse River Delta for its developed industry, convenient transportation and prosperous commerce. In 2009, the GDP reached RMB 165.1 billion yuan, the GDP per capita RMB 35,498 yuan, the fiscal revenue RMB 34.4 billion yuan, the total amount of bank deposits RMB 188.5 billion yuan. Five county-level cities or districts are ranked among the "China's Top 100 Counties with Greatest Comprehensive Power". It boasts numbers of large-sized enterprises or groups, such as Chunlan Group Corp.

Taizhou was among the first few cities in Jiangsu to be recognized as having a famous cultural history. In 1990, Heheng village in Jiangyan county was awarded Global 500 Roll of Honor by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) because of its success in protecting the environment while increasing the grain yield and its wide use of marsh biogas ponds.

Sister cities

Taizhou has seven sister cities:

Transportation

The Nanjing-Jinjiang-Yancheng Highway passes through from south to north and National Highway 328 goes from west to east.

The routes to get to Taizhou includes:

Companies headquartered in Taizhou

  • Chunlan Group Corp
  • Linghai Motocyle Corp
  • Yangtze River Pharmaceutical Group

Tourism

Qintong Boat Festival is held in Qingming (around April 4–6) every year. During the festival boats from nearby villages and towns converge in Xique lake for a few days of rejoicing. Theatrical performances, dragon and lion dances, and other folk dances are staged right on board the boats.

    • Xique Lake, Jiangyan (喜鹊湖)

The lake located in Qingtong town, 15 km north of Jiangyan city. The water was composed of Nanhu (南湖), Xique (喜鹊湖), and Beihu (北湖). It is part of Qintong Swamp.

Biggest reserve outside of Dafeng.

    • Taizhou Park
    • Heheng Agricultural Tour, Shengao, Jiangyan
  • Museum
    • Navy Birthplace Museum
    • Hu Jintao Birthplace Museum, Jiangyan

Colleges and schools

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