Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
🗺️

Jiaxing

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Jiaxing is a prefecture-level city located in the northern part of Zhejiang province, China. It occupies a strategic position along the Grand Canal of China. The city is surrounded by several major regions and cities. To the northeast, it borders the metropolis of Shanghai. To the southwest, it lies near Hangzhou. It also shares borders with Huzhou to the west and the Jiangsu province to the north.

Zhejiang Jiaxing - Jiashan IMG 8563 Humin commune Shiyanli area - Hukun Expw G-60
Zhejiang Jiaxing - Jiashan IMG 8563 Humin commune Shiyanli area - Hukun Expw G-60

Archaeological evidence shows that the area has been inhabited for millennia. Jiaxing is the birthplace of the Majiabang Culture from the Neolithic Age. Approximately 7,000 years ago, the ancestors of modern residents lived here. They maintained a diverse economy based on farming and animal husbandry. They also relied on fishing and hunting to survive.

Du Halde - Description de la Chine - Villes de Kia hing fou - Hou tcheou fou
Du Halde - Description de la Chine - Villes de Kia hing fou - Hou tcheou fou

The history of the city involves many administrative changes and name shifts. During the Spring and Autumn period, the area was known as Zuili, or "Drunken Plums." In 210 BC, the Qin ruler Qin Shi Huang changed the name to Youquan. A significant change occurred in 231 when wild rice was discovered in the region. This discovery was seen as an auspicious sign by Sun Quan of the Kingdom of Wu. He subsequently renamed the area Hexing District. This event is why the city's abbreviation is "He."

子城正门
子城正门

Jiaxing has undergone various administrative reorganizations over the centuries. In 938, during the Later Jin period, Xiu Prefecture was established. By the Song dynasty in 1117, it was known as Jiahe District. During the early 1900s, the Xiushui and Jiaxing areas were combined into Jiahe County. This was reversed in 1914, and the name reverted to Jiaxing County. A major political milestone occurred in 1921. The Chinese Communist Party was founded at South Lake in Jiaxing.

月河
月河

Today, Jiaxing is a significant economic hub in East China. Industry is the primary driver of its economy. In 2015, industry contributed 47% to the city's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The city is famously called the "hometown of silk." It is a major producer of textiles and woolens. Additionally, Jiaxing is one of the world's largest exporters of leather goods. The city also supports mechanical, chemical, and electronic industries.

Shiing-Shen Chern
Shiing-Shen Chern

Energy production is another vital sector for the region. Jiaxing serves as an important energy base for East China. The Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant is located in Haiyan County. This was the first self-designed nuclear power station in China. The Fangjiashan Nuclear Power Plant is also under construction in the same county. To support high-tech growth, the Jiaxing Export Processing Zone was established in 2003. This zone covers 2.98 square kilometers and focuses on IT and electronics.

子城正门
子城正门

Tourism is a major part of local life and culture. South Lake is a popular destination for educational tours. Within the city, the Zicheng, or "citadel," served as a fortified nucleus for two millennia. While much of the old wall is gone, the main gate was rebuilt in 1990. Visitors can explore restored neighborhoods like Meiwan Street and Yuehe Street. Yuehe Street, meaning "Moon River Street," features artisan workshops and food stores. It was named a provincial night cultural and tourist area in 2022.

月河
月河

The city is also known for its unique canal towns. Wuzhen and Xitang are two townships within the Jiaxing city limits. These towns feature preserved houses situated along small canals. They are popular locations for filming movies and television shows. The local language is the Jiaxing dialect. This is a Northern Wu dialect in the Sujiahu grouping. It is a sister dialect to both Shanghainese and the Suzhou dialect.

月河
月河
591 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (5)
File:Du Halde - Description de la Chine - Villes de Kia hing fou - Hou tcheou fou.jpg
Du Halde - Description de la Chine -...
File:子城正门.jpg
子城正门.jpg
File:月河.jpg
月河.jpg
File:Zhejiang Jiaxing - Jiashan IMG 8563 Humin commune Shiyanli area - Hukun Expw G-60.jpg
Zhejiang Jiaxing - Jiashan IMG 8563 Humin...
File:Shiing-Shen Chern.jpg
Shiing-Shen Chern.jpg
More to explore

🔬 Go deeper

More advanced topics to explore

🪜 Step back

Simpler topics to build understanding

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.