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Jiujiang

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Jiujiang is a major prefecture-level city in the People's Republic of China.

Jiujiang Skyview
Jiujiang Skyview

It is located in the northwest of Jiangxi Province. The city sits on the southern shores of the Yangtze River. This location is very important for trade and travel. Jiujiang borders Poyang Lake, which is the largest freshwater lake in China. To the south, a mountain range rises above the city.

JJmtains
JJmtains

The city is the second-largest prefecture-level city in Jiangxi. It is also the fourth largest port on the Yangtze River.

The city's history is very long and has many layers. In ancient times, people believed nine rivers converged near this location. During the Spring and Autumn period, Jiujiang bordered the states of Wu and Chu. The city has held many different names over the centuries. It was known as Jiangzhou during the Liang dynasty. In the Sui dynasty, it was called Jiujiang. The Ming dynasty also used the name Jiujiang, which the city still uses today.

KIU-KIANG
KIU-KIANG

Many famous Chinese figures lived or worked here. The philosopher Tao Yuanming lived at the base of Mount Lu. The famous poet Li Bai was exiled to Jiujiang in 757. The Confucian philosopher Zhu Xi practiced at the White Deer Grotto Academy.

During the 1800s, Jiujiang became a center for international trade. Following the Second Opium War, the Treaty of Tientsin changed the city. In 1861, British official Harry Parkes selected a site for a concession. A concession is a special area controlled by a foreign power. This area was a narrow strip of land between the Yangtze River and Gantang Lake. It covered an area of about 150 acres.

Jiujiang Concession Museum
Jiujiang Concession Museum

After becoming an open treaty port in 1862, the city exported large amounts of rice. It also became one of three major centers for the tea trade in China.

Foreign influence brought new institutions to the city during the late 19th century. In 1866, Virgil C. Hart established the first Methodist church and a Western hospital. This hospital became the oldest continuous operating hospital in Jiangxi Province. In 1896, two women, Mary Stone and Ida Kahn, arrived in Jiujiang. They were the first two native Chinese women educated in Western medicine. They graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School. They helped build the Elizabeth Skelton Danforth Hospital. Their work in nursing education eventually helped found Jiujiang University.

The early 20th century saw the rise of Kuling as a unique destination. Kuling is a resort located on top of Mount Lu. It became a summer resort for international residents due to its climate and landscape.

At its peak, over 4,000 people from America and Europe lived in this small town during the summer. However, the city also faced periods of great struggle. During the Taiping Rebellion, the city was a stronghold for five years. It was devastated until only one street remained intact. Later, during the 1938 Wuhan campaign, Japanese forces occupied the city.

Today, Jiujiang is a modern industrial and economic hub. The city's economy is supported by three development zones. These include the Jiujiang Free Trade Zone and the National Economical and Technological Development Zone. Manufacturing is the backbone of the city's industry. It includes sectors like automobiles, machinery, shipbuilding, and textiles. In 2021, the city's GDP was 373.528 billion yuan. This makes Jiujiang the 70th largest city in China by GDP. The city is well-connected by the Yangtze River Bridge and several major rail systems.

The population of Jiujiang is large and diverse. As of the 2024 census, the total population is approximately 4.5 million people. About 2.2 million of these residents live in the urban area. Most of the population is Han Chinese, making up 99.8 percent. However, there are at least 25 different ethnic minorities in the area. These include the Hui, Miao, Zhuang, Tujia, and She. The local Jiujiang dialect is a variety of Lower Yangtze Mandarin. It is closely related to the Wu languages.

Nanshan Park
Nanshan Park

This mix of history, nature, and industry makes Jiujiang a significant part of Jiangxi Province.

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🖼️ Images & Media (12)
File:JJmtains.jpg
JJmtains.jpg
File:KIU-KIANG.jpg
KIU-KIANG.jpg
File:Former Site of Abbey.jpg
Former Site of Abbey.jpg
File:Former Site of Japanese Consulate.jpg
Former Site of Japanese Consulate.jpg
File:Old Catholic School.jpg
Old Catholic School.jpg
File:Former Site of Mobil Firm.jpg
Former Site of Mobil Firm.jpg
File:Jiujiang Concession Museum.jpg
Jiujiang Concession Museum.jpg
File:Kuling Poster in 1920 s.png
Kuling Poster in 1920 s.png
File:Jiujiang Skyview.jpg
Jiujiang Skyview.jpg
File:Txu-oclc-10552568-nh50-10.jpg
Txu-oclc-10552568-nh50-10.jpg
File:Jiujiang Vocational College of Finance and Economics.JPG
Jiujiang Vocational College of Finance...
File:Nanshan Park.JPG
Nanshan Park.JPG
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