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Zunyi

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Zunyi is a major prefecture-level city located in northern Guizhou province, China.

Txu-oclc-10552568-ng48-4
Txu-oclc-10552568-ng48-4

It serves as a vital economic and commercial hub for the northern region of the province. The city sits in a unique geographical transition zone. It marks the boundary where the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau meets the Sichuan Basin and the hilly country of Hunan. To the south lies the provincial capital, Guiyang. To the north is the large city of Chongqing. The city also shares a border with Sichuan province to the northwest.

The climate in Zunyi is classified as a humid subtropical climate, known as Köppen Cfa. This climate is influenced by a monsoon pattern and the local elevation. The year is divided into four distinct seasons. Winters are generally mild, while summers are hot and very humid. Precipitation is a major feature of the local weather. About 60% of the annual rainfall occurs between May and August. In fact, the city experiences precipitation on approximately 176 days every year. Interestingly, the summer months are the sunniest, even though winter is the cloudiest time. The city receives only 1,028 hours of bright sunshine annually.

KircheZunyi001
KircheZunyi001

The administrative structure of Zunyi is quite large. It includes 14 county-level administration areas. The metro area is composed of three urban districts: Huichuan, Honghuagang, and Bozhou. According to the 2020 census, the metro area had a population of 2,360,549 people. The entire prefecture has a much larger population of 6,606,675. This represents an increase of 479,593 people compared to the 2010 census. The annual growth rate for the population has been about 0.76%. The population is fairly balanced between genders. The 2020 census recorded 3,341,799 males and 3,264,786 females.

Zunyi has a deep and complex history spanning many eras. During the Paleolithic period, the area was inhabited by the Tongzi people. Later, the region served as the center of the Yelang kingdom. The area first came under Chinese rule during the Han dynasty. In the 7th century, the Tang dynasty placed the area under the Bo Prefecture. This region was later conquered by the Nanzhao Kingdom. Eventually, the area became the autonomous Chiefdom of Bozhou in AD 876. For more than seven centuries, the Yang family held power in Zunyi.

海龙屯 新王宫遗址
海龙屯 新王宫遗址

Conflict and change shaped the city's borders over time. In 1589, Bozhou rebelled against the Ming dynasty. This resistance lasted for more than ten years. It ended in 1600 with the destruction of the rebellion. The Hailongtun fortress was the site of the last rebel holdout.

海龙屯 新王宫遗址
海龙屯 新王宫遗址

Following this, Zunyi Prefecture was established. The modern city of Zunyi became the prefectural seat. This status continued through the Qing dynasty. In 1914, the city was redesignated as a county following the Xinhai Revolution. Later, during the First Five-Year Plan, it was redesignated as a city and saw significant growth.

A defining moment in modern history occurred in Zunyi in 1935. This was the site of the Zunyi Conference. This meeting took place during the Long March. At this conference, Mao Zedong was elected to a dominant leadership position within the Chinese Communist Party.

ZunyiMeeting
ZunyiMeeting

Today, visitors can study this era at the Zunyi Conference Memorial Museum. The museum is located in the Honghuagang District. It consists of several different sites related to the historical meeting.

KircheZunyi001
KircheZunyi001

Zunyi is also a center for culture, education, and industry. It is often called the "home of culture" for Guizhou province. The city hosts several important institutions of higher learning. These include the Zunyi Medical College and the Zunyi Normal College. The medical college was originally the Dalian Medical College, founded in 1947. In 1969, the State Council approved its move to Zunyi. Economically, the city is very productive. In 2019, Zunyi's GDP reached CN¥348.3 billion, which is about US$53 billion. The region is also famous for its agriculture. Farmers grow many chili peppers and red sorghum. These crops are used to make baijiu, a type of liquor. The famous Maotai liquor is produced in the town of Maotai.

ZunyiMeeting
ZunyiMeeting
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