A Brief Introduction to Zhenjiang

Zhenjiang, in the plain of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, lies on the southern bank of the Yangtze River in the southwest of Jiangsu Province. The Yangtze River rolls turbulently north of Zhenjiang, and the undulating hills stand in the east, west and south respectively. The magnificence of the Yangtze River and the elegance of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal jointly create the "golden cross waterway". A "W-shaped" landform is formed by Ningzhen Mountain and Maoshan Mountain. Zhenjiang, boasting graceful landscapes and myriad talents, is the birthplace of Wu culture and a state-level historical and cultural city. Zhenjiang, with charming natural sceneries, perfectly integrates the "magnificence of the Yangtze River" with the "urban mountains and forests". As a land full of nature’s treasures, this city used to be an immensely prosperous city in history. As a place gathering talents, the city is well-known for its great officials and scholars from generation to generation. Zhenjiang is the most beautiful place where the Yangtze River intersects the Grand Canal.

春Spring

Spring (March, April and May)
average temperature 6℃ - 14℃
夏Summer

Summer (June, July and August)
average temperature 21℃ - 29℃
秋Autumn

Autumn (September, October and November)
average temperature 19℃ - 27℃
冬Winter

Winter (December, January and February)
average temperature 2℃ - 11℃

General information

Alternative names:: Yi, Zhufang, Guyang, Dantu, Wujin, Jingkou, Jinling, South Xuzhou, Yanling and Runzhou

Climate:: North subtropical monsoon climate

Zhenjiang’s city tree and city flower:: Magnolia grandiflora and azalea

Geographic location:: Zhenjiang lies in the southwest of Jiangsu Province, and on the south bank of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, 31°37′ - 32°19′ N and 118°58′ - 119° 58′ E. Nanjing, Changzhou, and Yangzhou are located west, south, and north of Zhenjiang respectively. Zhenjiang is a member city of Nanjing Metropolitan Circle, an important part of the Yangtze River Urban Agglomeration, as well as an important transport hub in East China. It is also a state-level historical and cultural city, an important port city, the vinegar capital of China, and a candidate city for the Culture City of East Asia 2023.

Population:: 3.211 million

Area:: 3,840 square kilometers

Language:: Mandarin, Jianghuai dialect

City history:: Zhenjiang is one of the famous historical and cultural cities in China. It belonged to the ancient Yangzhou region during the Xia and Shang Dynasties. Zhenjiang was a fief for Marquis Yi in the Western Zhou Dynasty, hence the name Yi. It belonged to the Wu State and the Yue State in the Spring and Autumn Period and was called Zhufang. It belonged to the Chu State in the Warring States Period and was named Guyang.
In the 37th year of the reign of Qing Shi Huang (210 BC), Dantu County was established under Kuaiji Prefecture. This administrative system of the Qin Dynasty was adopted by the Western Han Dynasty and the Eastern Han Dynasty.
In the 14th year of Jian'an in the Eastern Han Dynasty (209 AD), Sun Quan built Tieweng City (literally iron enceinte) in Jingkouli (also known as Xuling) to keep control over the Yangtze River. Therefore, Zhenjiang was also known as Tieweng, Jingcheng, Jingkou, Xuling and Jingjiang.
In the third year of Jiahe's reign of the Wu Kingdom (234 AD), Dantu was renamed Wujin. In the third year of Taikang in the Western Jin Dynasty (282 AD), it was also called Dantu County, which was under Piling Prefecture. In the fifth year of Yongjia (311 AD), Jinling Prefecture was established in Dantu, so Zhenjiang was also called Jinling. In the second year of Yongchu in the Southern Song Dynasty (421 AD), South Xuzhou was established in Jingkou.
In the Sui Dynasty, Dantu was renamed Yanling County and South Xuzhou was renamed Runzhou.
In the third year of Zhenghe in the Northern Song Dynasty (1113), Zhenjiang Prefecture was established which was originally called Zhenjiang and this name went through the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.
In the 17th year of the Republic of China (1928), Zhenjiang Prefecture was changed to Zhenjiang County.
In April 1949, Zhenjiang County was divided into Zhenjiang City and Dantu County, under Zhenjiang Special Administrative Office of Southern Jiangsu.
Since March 1983, Zhenjiang City has been directly under the provincial government, and the four counties, namely Dantu, Danyang, Yangzhong and Jurong, have been under the jurisdiction of Zhenjiang City.

Festivals and Customs

Ringing the Bell for Blessing on New Year's Eve at the Jinshan Temple

Time: December 31 - January 1 of the next year (09:00 pm – 0:00 am)
Location: Zhenjiang Jinshan Park
Activities: The traditional custom of ringing the bell at Jinshan Temple on New Year's Eve to usher in the New Year originated from the Tang Dynasty. Since ancient times, this tradition has lasted more than 1,000 years. On the New Year's Eve, more than 10,000 domestic and overseas tourists attend the grand bell-ringing ceremony every year. Visitors take a night tour of Jinshan Mountain, watch folk art performances, and attend the tourist commodity exhibition. They also strike the bell one by one, pray for a safe and sound new year, and taste vegetarian food at the Foyin Restaurant.
Maoshan Mountain Xiangqi Temple Fair

Time: It usually lasts nearly 3 months from the 24th day of the 12th lunar month when people offer sacrifices to the Kitchen God to the "return day of Damao Jun" on the 18th day of the third lunar month of the next year.
Location: Jurong Maoshan Mountain
Activities: Mountain-climbing, pilgrimage, folk art performances, local snacks, watching the Three Strange Things of the Maoshan Mountain, etc.
Soy Sauce and Vinegar Culture Festival

Time: January and February
Location: Hengshun Vinegar Factory
Activities: The Soy Sauce and Vinegar Culture Festival invites Zhenjiang people to the Activities “You Buy Soy Sauce and I Give You a Pot (Good Fortune)”. Thousands of barrels of “Baishan Soy Sauce” make “Hengshun Flavor” spread in Jiangsu Province and people share with each other the flavor of the “Capital of Vinegar”. Therefore, the Spring Festival folk customs thrive through inheritance from generation to generation.
Huangming Cultural Tourism Festival

Time: April
Location: Chui Mountain
Activities: The Huangming Festival started in the Qin and Han Dynasties, rose in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and even in modern times. It has become one of the grandest mountain-climbing folk events in the Yangtze River Delta. People climb to the top of the Baoen Tower to enjoy spring outings and pray for peace.
Zhenjiang Plum and Cherry Blossom Festival

Time: Mid-April
Location: Zhenjiang Plum and Cherry Blossom Park
Activities: Visitors appreciate the beauty of plum and cherry blossoms, and plant plum and cherry trees. Art exchanges between Chinese and Japanese artists, art shows, potted landscape displays as well as cuisine and cooking skills exchanges.
Jiaoshan Osmanthus Festival

Time: September and October
Location: Zhenjiang Jiaoshan Park
Activities: Jiaoshan Osmanthus Park covers an area of more than 80 mu (5.3 hectares) and grows 15 varieties of osmanthus with more than 6,000 plants. People can enjoy calligraphy, painting, and seal cutting exhibitions, watch flower arrangement performances, learn about knowledge of osmanthus, participate in lantern riddles, and taste a series of osmanthus food.
China Zhenjiang Jinshan Culture and Arts and International Tourism Festival

Time: October and November
Location: Scenic spots of Zhenjiang
Activities: Zhenjiang City’s superior cultural and artistic tourism resources are integrated to boost consumption in cultural and artistic tourism. The city’s culture and arts, fascinating landscapes as well as best cuisine are displayed comprehensively to enhance its popularity, reputation and influence.

Transportation

Nearby airports
High-speed Rail
Urban public transport
Tourist buses
Taxi

Nearby airports: *Nanjing Lukou International Airport
Narita International Airport → Nanjing Lukou International Airport (about 3.5 hours) → take high-speed rail to Zhenjiang (about 1.5 hours)
Kansai International Airport → Nanjing Lukou International Airport (about 3 hours and 15 minutes) → take high-speed rail to Zhenjiang (about 1.5 hours)
New Chitose Airport → Nanjing Lukou International Airport (about 3.5 hours) → take high-speed rail to Zhenjiang (about 1.5 hours)
Naha Airport → Nanjing Lukou International Airport (about 2 hours) → take high-speed railway to Zhenjiang (about 1.5 hours)

*Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Narita International Airport → Shanghai Pudong International Airport (about 3 hours and 25 minutes) → take high-speed rail to Zhenjiang (about 2.5 hours)
Haneda International Airport → Shanghai Pudong International Airport (about 3 hours and 15 minutes) → take high-speed rail to Zhenjiang (about 2.5 hours)
Kansai International Airport → Shanghai Pudong International Airport (about 2 hours and 35 minutes) → take high-speed rail to Zhenjiang (about 2.5 hours)
Fukuoka Airport → Shanghai Pudong International Airport (about 2 hours) → take high-speed rail to Zhenjiang (about 2.5 hours)
New Chitose Airport → Shanghai Pudong International Airport (about 4 hours) → take high-speed rail to Zhenjiang (about 2.5 hours)
Naha Airport → Shanghai Pudong International Airport (about 2 hours and 15 minutes) → take the high-speed rail to Zhenjiang (about 2.5 hours)

High-speed Rail

Zhenjiang has built a full-fledge high-speed rail network, closely connected with the Yangtze River Delta region. It has a total of eight high-speed rail stations and railway stations, namely Zhenjiang South Station, Danyang North Station, Jurong West Station, Danyang Station, Dagang South Station, Zhenjiang Station, Dantu Station and Baohuashan Station.

Station	Address
Zhenjiang South Station	Zhanqian North Road, Dantu District, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province
Danyang North Station	Zhanqian Avenue, Qian’ai Town, Danyang Development Zone, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province
Jurong West Station	Near Xinchang Village, Guozhuang Town, Jurong City, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province
Danyang Station	No. 53, Chezhan Road, Danyang City, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province
Dagang South Station	Jinrun Avenue, Jingkou District, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province
Zhenjiang Station	No. 73, Zhongshan West Road, Runzhou District, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province
Dantu Station	Near Guyang East Avenue, Dantu District, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province
Baohuashan Station	National Highway 312, Jurong City, Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province

Urban public transport: Zhenjiang has a fully-developed public transport system, and a smart public transport system. Passengers scan their faces to pay the bus fare. “Cultural Public Transport Lines with Zhenjiang Characteristics” have been built by the concept of “each line having a characteristic and culture”.

Tourist buses: Two lines of tourist buses are available in the urban area. They are free so that visitors can enjoy sightseeing in Zhenjiang.
No. 606 Bus (Zhenjiang-Qianhua Ancient Village Tour Route) passes through Zhenjiang Nanmen Passenger Transport Station, Zhenjiang Railway Station, Baohua Mountain (Qianhua Ancient Village) and other stops.
The Zhenjiang-Yangzhou Tourist Line passes through Jiaoshan Scenic Area, Ganlu Temple, Dashikou, Zhenjiang Railway Station, and other locations. It even goes as far as to Yangzhou.

Taxi: The taxi fare for petrol-powered cars starts at RMB 10 for up to 3 kilometers; the taxi fare for new energy-powered cars starts at RMB 11 for up to 3 kilometers.