'Zhengzhou' (), formerly called 'Zhengxian' (traditional form: 'Chengchow') is a
prefecture-level city and the capital of
Henan province,
People's Republic of China. Located just north of the province's centre and south of the
Yellow River, it borders
Luoyang to the west,
Jiaozuo to the northwest,
Xinxiang to the northeast,
Kaifeng to the east,
Xuchang to the southeast, and
Pingdingshan to the southwest.
Administration
The
prefecture-level city of Zhengzhou administers 12
county-level divisions, including 6
districts, 5
county-level cities and 1
county.
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Zhongyuan District (中原区)
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Erqi District (二七区)
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Jinshui District (金水区)
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Guancheng Hui District (管城回族区)
★
Huiji District (惠济区)
★
Shangjie District (上街区)
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Xingyang City (荥阳市)
★
Gongyi City (巩义市)
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Dengfeng City (登封市)
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Xinmi City (新密市)
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Xinzheng City (新郑市)
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Zhongmou County (中牟县)
History
Zhengzhou, the square in front of the railway station
The
Shang Dynasty established Aodu (隞都) or Bodu (亳都) in Zhengzhou (''see also'':
History of China). The pre-historical city had been long lost even before the time of the
First Emperor of China.
The name of Zhengzhou came from
Sui Dynasty (AD
581), albeit it was located in Chenggao, another town. The government moved to the contemporary city during
Tang Dynasty.
Economy
GDP per capita was
¥23305 in 2005.
Agriculture
Zhengzhou has a rural population of 3.97 million. Its main products include
apples,
paulownia,
tobacco,
maize,
cotton, and
wheat. In addition, Zhengzhou also produces Yellow River
carp, Zhengzhou
watermelons, Xinzheng
jujube, [Xingyang] dried
persimmons,
Guangwu Megranate and Zhongmu
garlic, all of which are specialities that are rarely found outside the region.
Industry
Zhengzhou has been one of the major
industrial cities in China since
1949. The city's staple industry is
textiles.
Others
manufactured items include
tractors,
locomotives,
cigarettes,
fertilizer,
processed meats,
agricultural machinery, and
electrical equipment
Culture
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Martial arts:
Shaolin Monastery (shào lín sì) (
Buddhist Monastery)
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Chinese opera:
Henan opera (yù jù)
Tourism
Zhengzhou is a dusty, flat industrial city set amid the farmland of central China. While it is not a tourist city, it is a good example of a remarkable fast changing city in China without some of the tourism clutter. Note: Finding people to speak English can be a challenge sometimes so come prepared with some Chinese Language or the places you wish to go to written down for taxi drivers.
Zhengzhou's most notable cultural institution is the
Henan Museum (河南省博物院), one of China's most important museums. The provincial museum in particular requires at least a half day visit to do justice to the many impressive exhibits, which range from prehistoric times up through the Qing Dynasty. The current admission price is 20 yuan.
Zhengzhou has a zoo: 动物园 (Dong Wu Yuan) located on Hua Yuan Lu (花园路).
There are the remains of the Shang Dynasty Ruins in Zhengzhou's west side located around Shangcheng lu (商城路). Mostly this consists of a 5000 year old dirt wall which formed part of the old city's defenses. While it is a good walk, do not expect to find many other relics of this time, and additionally the city wall is cut in 3 places by new roads that have been built recently.
There is a large water, light, and music show on display in the New City Center during the weekend at 8.30 pm in Summer and 8.00 pm during the winter months. The show is about 25 minutes long and is free of charge. Get there before 8.00 for a seat and also the showtimes do change from 8.00 and 8.30 without warning.
Transport
Train
Zhengzhou is a major
railway junction between the
Long-hai railway (east-west) and the
Jingguang railway (north-south). Nearly all trains pass through Zhengzhou on route to Beijing, Shanghai and Xian. Train tickets can be booked and purchased up to 10 days in advance by calling the railway reservation number (68356666) and then visiting either the train station or a local booking office.
Zhengzhou is easy to reach from
Beijing and
Shanghai by train. Further travelling to
Xi'an is also recommended by train.
Taxi
The base
taxi fare starts at 6
yuan. Every additional kilometer (past the initial 2 kilometers included in the base fare) costs 1.5
yuan with rates starting at 8
yuan after 10pm. There are now a few newer taxis operating that have higher starting rates of up to 10
yuan (usually based from the airport).
Trolleybuses
Zhengzhou
trolleybuses operate in the city centre, with the main terminal at the railway station.
Bus System
The city has a well-developed public transportation system and you can get most places by bus for 1
yuan (or 2
yuan for some of the newer air-conditioned buses). Bus passes can be purchased to eliminate the hassle of always needing to carry exact change.
Air
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport is 37 km southeast of the city centre. An airport shuttle bus runs between the airport and the Civil Aviation Hotel 民航大酒店 (Mín Háng dà jiǔ diàn) on 金水路 (Jīnshuĭ Lù) in the heart of Zhengzhou. It costs 15
yuan per person to ride the shuttle in either direction. The Civil Aviation Hotel is located near other major hotels such as the Holiday Inn, Sofitel, and the Crown Plaza. A taxi from the airport will cost about 140
yuan, while a taxi to the airport will cost about 90
yuan. There will also be an extra 10
yuan toll fee for the taxi using the airport expressway.
Colleges and universities
Public
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Henan Agricultural University (河南农业大学)
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Zhengzhou University (郑州大学)
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Zhengzhou Institute of Technology (formerly Zhengzhou Grain College)
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Henan University of Finance and Economics （河南财经学院）
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Zhongyuan Institute of Technology (中原工学院)
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Zhengzhou University of Light Industry (郑州轻工业学院)
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Zhengzhou Institute of Aeronautical Industry Management (郑州航空工业管理学院)
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North China Institute of Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric Power (华北水利水电学院)
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Henan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (河南中医学院)
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Henan Textile University (河南纺织专科学校)
Private
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Huanghe S&T University (黄河科技学院)
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SIAS International University (郑州大学西亚斯国际学院)
Notable people
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Bai Juyi (772 – 846),
Tang Dynasty poet.
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Du Fu (712—770),
Tang Dynasty poet, born in
Gongyi (now in Zhengzhou).
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Wei Wei (1920—), a modern era writer.
Sister cities
International
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Richmond,
Virginia,
USA
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Jinju,
South Korea
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Samara,
Russia
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Cluj-Napoca,
Romania
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Irbid,
Jordan
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Joinville,
Brazil
Domestic
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Guangzhou,
Guangdong
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Yichun,
Heilongjiang
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Haikou,
Hainan
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Jinan,
Shandong (sister city)
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Wenzhou,
Zhejiang
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Qingdao,
Shandong
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Lianyungang,
Jiangsu
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Ningbo,
Zhejiang
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Wuxi,
Jiangsu
See also
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List of historical capitals of China
External links
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Official website of Zhengzhou (available in Chinese and English)
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Map of Zhengzhou
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A gallery of images of Zhengzhou
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