Nanchang

( travelchinaguide.com, Wikipedia, chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2011-08-23

Location: As the capital city of Jiangxi province located in south central China, Nanchang literally means “a prosperous south part of China”. Nanchang is located 130 km south of the Yangtze River and is situated on the right bank of the Gan River just below its confluence with the Jin River and some 40 km southwest of its discharge into Poyang Lake.

Physical Features: Nanchang is a beautiful city with the Gan River, the mother river of local people, traversing through the whole city. Water is her soul or in other words water carries all her beauty. Lakes and rivers in or around Nanchang bring a special kind of charm to the city. Nanchang is honored as “a green pearl in the southern part of China” thanks to its clear water, fresh air and great inner city virescence.

Climate Features: Nanchang has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are short and cool with occasional frosts; snow is not unheard of but heavy falls are otherwise rare. Summer is long and humid, with amongst the highest temperatures in China. Rain is greatest from March to June, and least in fall and early winter. Monthly averages in the city range from 5.3 ℃ (41.5 ℉) in January to 29.2 ℃ (84.6 ℉) in July, with an annual mean of 17.6 ℃ (63.7 ℉).

Memorial Hall of August 1 Nanchang Uprising

Demographics: Nanchang has a population of 3,934,445 people and a metropolitan area consisting of 4,990,184 people. 37 ethnic groups were counted amongst its prefecture divisions.

Brief History:

With a history of over 2,200 years, the city has abundant and significant historical heritage.

Long and splendid history endows Nanchang with many cultural relics, among which the Tengwang Pavilion is the most famous. It is no exaggeration to say that Tengwang Pavilion is the pride of all the locals in Nanchang. Many men of letters left their handwritings here which tremendously enhance its classical charm.

Porcelain plate painting of Nanchang

Scenic spots:

The over 1000-year-old Tengwang Pavilion and the praised 'Essay on Tengwang Pavilion' ensure the fame of Nanchang.

Poyang Lake, the largest fresh water lake in China, it is also called "the Migrator Birds Paradise".

It is also home to the Star of Nanchang, which was the world's tallest Ferris wheel from 2006-2008.

The Jiangxi Provincial Museum and Bada Shanren Exhibition Hall.

Tengwang Pavilion

Travel Tips:

Nanchang has extensive railway infrastructure which connects to many important cities in other provinces. The Beijing-Jiulong Railway and Shanghai-Kunming Railway (formerly Zhe-Gan Railway, literally Zhejiang-Jiangxi Railway) both meet at Nanchang making Nanchang one of the most important transport hubs in Southern China. In addition, it is the only provincial capital located on the Jingjiu Railway. It is also the home to the Nanchang Bureau of Railways, which operates the majority of the railway network in the provinces of Jiangxi and Fujian.

Nanchang Changbei International Airport (KHN) built in 1996 is the main international airport. It is situated in Lehua Town, 26 kilometres north of the CDB area. Changbei International Airport is the only one in Jiangxi province which has an international air route. The airport is connected to major mainland cities such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Haikou, Shanghai and Beijing.

The road transport infrastructure in Nanchang is extensive. A number of national highways cross through the city. They are the National roads No.105 from Beijing to Zhuhai, No.320 from Shanghai to Kunming, and No.316 from Fuzhou to Lanzhou. The major transport companies that operate in Nanchang are the Chang'an Transport Company Limited, the Nanchang Long-distance Bus Station, and the Xufang Bus Station.

Nanchang is situated on the Gan River, the Fu River, Elephant Lake, Qingshan Lake, and Aixi Lake. Hence the water routes for Nanchang critically important for the economy, trade and shipping. Nanchang Port is the biggest port on the Gan River. Passengers can take Nanchang Port and travel by boat to the Jinggang Shan and Tengwang Pavilion. There are passenger ships that also visit Poyang Lake, Stone Bell Hill, Poyang Lake Bird Protection Area, Dagu Hill and other attractions.