Jiujiang (九江)

1. Introduction

Jiujiang City, abbreviated as Xun, historically known as Chaisang, Xunyang, and Jiangzhou, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China. Located in the northern part of Jiangxi Province, it is known as the "Northern Gateway of Jiangxi." The city borders Shangrao City to the southeast, Nanchang City and Yichun City to the south, Yueyang City of Hunan Province to the southwest, Xianning City and Huangshi City of Hubei Province to the northwest, and faces Huanggang City of Hubei Province and Anqing City of Anhui Province across the Yangtze River to the north. To the northeast, it reaches Chizhou City of Anhui Province. Situated at the junction of Jiangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Hunan provinces, Jiujiang lies on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, guarding the mouth of Poyang Lake. The Mufu Mountains stretch across the northwest, the Jiuling Mountains traverse the southwest, and Mount Lushan stands prominently in the central area. The eastern part is the Poyang Lake Plain. The Gan River flows into Poyang Lake in the east, while the Xiu River runs from west to east through the central region, with the Zhelin Reservoir built in its middle reaches. The municipal government is located at No. 166, Balihu Avenue.

Jiujiang City is one of the regional central cities in Jiangxi Province, a dual-core city in the Nanchang-Jiujiang integration, a sub-central city of the Poyang Lake City Cluster, a member city of the Middle Yangtze River City Cluster, a pivotal city in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and a regional modern central city for Jiangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Hunan provinces.

2. History

According to the Jin Taikang Diji (Records of the Taikang Era of Jin), Jiujiang's name originates from "Liu Xin's belief that the nine waters of the Han River (namely, the Gan, Po, Yu, Xiu, Gan, Xu, Shu, Nan, and Peng rivers) flowed into Pengli Marsh."

The Qin Dynasty established Jiujiang Commandery, with its seat at Shouchun (present-day Shou County, Anhui). Its jurisdiction included the area of today's Jiujiang City, though no county was established there at the time. This marks the first appearance of the name "Jiujiang." However, the territory of this commandery was soon greatly reduced and was renamed Huainan Commandery by the Three Kingdoms period.

In the sixth year of Emperor Gaozu of Han (201 BC), Chaisang County was established here. Emperor Wen of Han established Xunyang County (the county seat was north of the river, with the ancient Yangtze River roughly along the line of today's Taibai Lake and Longgan Lake). This was the beginning of county establishment in this area.

During the Three Kingdoms period, the area belonged to Eastern Wu. Chaisang was under Wuchang Commandery, and Xunyang was under Lujiang Commandery.

In the first year of the Yongxing era of the Western Jin Dynasty (304 AD), Xunyang County from Lujiang and Chaisang County from Wuchang were separated to establish Xunyang Commandery. It was initially governed from Xunyang County, but during the Xiankang era, the seat was moved to Chaisang County, under the jurisdiction of Jiangzhou. In the third year of the Yongjia era (309 AD), the seat of Xunyang County moved south, and the area north of the river was transferred to Qichun. The old city of Xunyang north of the river was renamed "Xunshui City." During the Xianhe era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Wen Qiao moved the seat of Jiangzhou to Xunyang. From then on, "Xunyang south of the river became prominent, while Xunyang north of the river faded further, and later the Han-era Xunyang County was abolished and merged into Chaisang County. Thereafter, the city of Xunyang Commandery was always referred to as Xunyang City."

During the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties, Runan County was created from part of Chaisang County, and Yuning Commandery was separately established from part of Yuzhang Commandery, belonging to Gao Zhou. Xunyang Commandery was transferred to Xijiang Zhou. In the fourth year of the Tianjia era of the Chen Dynasty, Gao Zhou was abolished, and soon after, Xijiang Zhou was also dissolved. Xunyang and Yuning commanderies returned to the jurisdiction of Jiangzhou.

In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (589 AD), the commanderies were abolished and Jiangzhou was established. Chaisang and Runan counties were abolished, and Xunyang County was re-established. In the nineteenth year (599 AD), Xunyang County was renamed Pengli County. In the second year of the Daye era (606 AD), Pengli County was renamed Pengcheng County, which was soon abolished and became Pencheng County. In the third year, Jiangzhou was changed to Jiujiang Commandery.

In the fourth year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (621 AD), the name Jiangzhou was restored. Early in the Zhenguan era, it belonged to Jiangnan Dao. In the twenty-first year of the Kaiyuan era, it was under Jiangnanxi Dao. In the first year of the Tianbao era (742 AD), Jiangzhou was renamed Xunyang Commandery. In the first year of the Qianyuan era (758 AD), it reverted to Jiangzhou. Xunyang and Chucheng counties were created from Pencheng but were later merged into Xunyang County. During the Southern Tang, Xunyang was renamed Dehua, and Jiangzhou was abolished.

The Song Dynasty re-established Jiangzhou. In the seventh year of the Taiping Xingguo era (982 AD), Xingzi and Duchang counties from Jiangzhou and Jianchang County from Hongzhou were separated to establish Nankang Jun. In the fourth year of the Tianxi era, both Jiangzhou and Nankang Jun belonged to Jiangnandong Lu. In the first year of the Shaoxing era, Jiangzhou was under Jiangnanxi Lu, while Nankang Jun was under Jiangnandong Lu. During the Yuan Dynasty, it was Jiangzhou Lu and Nankang Lu, under the Jiangxi Branch Secretariat. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Chen Youliang declared himself emperor and made Jiangzhou his capital.

During the Ming Dynasty, Jiangzhou Lu and Nankang Lu were changed to Jiujiang Prefecture and Nankang Prefecture. From then on, the name "Jiujiang" became essentially fixed. The Qing Dynasty followed the Ming system.

In September 1853, the Western Expeditionary Army of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom captured Jiujiang. It was garrisoned by troops under the command of Jian Dian Lin Qirong, who set up strict defenses, forming a strategic triangle with Xiaochikou on the opposite bank and Hukou 50 li to the east, supporting each other. In April 1858, the Xiang Army forces under Li Xubin breached Jiujiang and massacred nearly 20,000 soldiers and civilians in the city. Li Xubin's superior, Huguang Governor-General Guan Wen, stated in a memorial to the Xianfeng Emperor: "Our brave soldiers charged into the city; the rebels [the city's soldiers and civilians] had nowhere to flee. Their cries and screams were unbearably tragic. From mao to wu [5 am to 11 am], they were completely exterminated... Corpses piled up, and the flowing water turned bloody red."

In 1861, Jiujiang was opened as a treaty port according to the Treaty of Tientsin and the Convention of Peking. The British concession in Jiujiang was established on a narrow strip of land between the Yangtze River and Gantang Lake west of the city, covering 150 mu (reclaimed by China in 1927). Soon after opening, as the only port of call in Jiangxi for Jardine Matheson and Butterfield & Swire steamships, Jiujiang rapidly replaced Zhangshu Town and Wucheng Town to become the trade hub for the entire province of Jiangxi. It developed into one of China's most famous "Four Great Rice Markets" and "Four Great Tea Markets." By the late 19th century, Guling at the mountaintop of Lushan Mountain developed into a famous summer resort, attracting many Chinese and foreigners to escape the heat each summer. During the Republic of China period, it was even dubbed China's "Summer Capital."

In 1912, the prefecture system was abolished, and counties reported directly to the province. In 1914, Xunyang Dao was established. Dehua County was renamed Jiujiang County due to sharing the same name as Dehua County in Fujian. In 1917, Jiujiang City was established, but in 1936, it was changed back to Jiujiang County. In the same year, the area north of the river (the present-day Huangmei Xiaxiang area) was transferred to Huangmei County.

On July 26, 1938, Japanese forces occupied Jiujiang and implemented colonial rule. Jiujiang was recovered on September 5, 1945.

On May 7, 1949, Jiujiang was liberated. On July 19, the Jiujiang Administrative Commissioner's Office was established. In the same year, the urban area of Jiujiang County was separated to establish the county-level Jiujiang City.

On March 28, 1980, Jiujiang City was separated from Jiujiang Prefecture and elevated to a province-administered city. On May 20 of the same year, the city established three districts: Lushan District, Xunyang District, and Suburban District. On July 27, 1983, the prefecture and city were merged.

In December 1989, Ruichang County was abolished and established as the county-level Ruichang City.

In September 2010, the county-level Gongqingcheng City was established. The former Chashan Subdistrict Office, Ganlu Town, and Jinhu Township of De'an County; Jiangyi Town of Yongxiu County and Pingtang Village and Yanfang Village of Yanfang Town; and Sujiadang Township and Zequan Township of Xingzi County were placed under the jurisdiction of Gongqingcheng City.

In May 2015, the municipal government relocated from No. 66 Changhong Avenue, Xunyang District to No. 166 Balihu Avenue.

In May 2016, Lushan District was renamed Lianxi District. Xingzi County was abolished and the county-level Lushan City was established.

In August 2017, Jiujiang County was abolished and Chaisang District was established.

On March 28, 2022, Jiujiang City was designated as a National Historical and Cultural City.

3. Geography

Jiujiang is the northern gateway of Jiangxi Province.

To the north, it is bordered by Anhui and Hubei across the Yangtze River and the Mufu Mountains. To the west, it adjoins Hunan with the remaining ranges of the Luoxiao Mountains.

The western and eastern parts are mountainous. The Zhelin Reservoir, located within Yongxiu and Wuning counties, is the largest reservoir in Jiangxi. The central area consists of the Poyang Lake Plain and the Poyang Lake region. Between Jiujiang city proper and Poyang Lake lies Mount Lushan.

Jiujiang City Meteorological Data (1981–2010)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |--------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------| | Record high °C (°F)| 21.3 (70.3) | 29.1 (84.4) | 31.8 (89.2) | 34.1 (93.4) | 37.0 (98.6) | 38.6 (101.5) | 40.9 (105.6) | 40.9 (106.6) | 38.9 (102.0) | 35.6 (96.1) | 29.7 (85.5) | 22.8 (73.0) | 40.9 (105.6) | | Average high °C (°F) | 7.9 (46.2) | 10.4 (50.7) | 14.8 (58.6) | 21.4 (70.5) | 26.8 (80.2) | 29.7 (85.5) | 33.5 (92.3) | 32.7 (90.9) | 28.3 (82.9) | 23.0 (73.4) | 16.8 (62.2) | 10.9 (51.6) | 21.3 (70.4) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | 4.8 (40.6) | 7.0 (44.6) | 11.0 (51.8) | 17.3 (63.1) | 22.6 (72.7) | 25.9 (78.6) | 29.6 (85.3) | 28.7 (83.7) | 24.6 (76.3) | 19.2 (66.6) | 13.0 (55.4) | 7.2 (45.0) | 17.6 (63.6) | | Average low °C (°F) | 2.5 (36.5) | 4.5 (40.1) | 8.2 (46.8) | 14.1 (57.4) | 19.3 (66.7) | 23.0 (73.4) | 26.5 (79.7) | 25.8 (78.4) | 21.8 (71.2) | 16.3 (61.3) | 10.1 (50.2) | 4.5 (40.1) | 14.7 (58.5) | | Record low °C (°F)| -4.2 (24.4) | -5.3 (22.5) | -1.0 (30.2) | 3.6 (38.5) | 10.0 (50.0) | 14.5 (58.1) | 19.8 (67.6) | 17.8 (64.0) | 14.3 (57.7) | 5.6 (42.1) | -0.7 (30.7) | -6.7 (19.9) | -6.7 (19.9) | | Average precipitation mm (inches)| 72.1 (2.84) | 90.6 (3.57) | 141.3 (5.56) | 176.0 (6.93) | 184.6 (7.27) | 223.0 (8.78) | 156.8 (6.17) | 125.6 (4.94) | 72.8 (2.87) | 83.9 (3.30) | 75.0 (2.95) | 44.3 (1.74) | 1,446 (56.92) | | Average relative humidity (%)| 75 | 75 | 76 | 75 | 74 | 78 | 73 | 76 | 76 | 73 | 73 | 71 | 75 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Jiujiang City currently administers 3 municipal districts and 7 counties, and oversees 3 county-level cities on behalf of the province.

• Municipal Districts: Xunyang District, Lianxi District, Chaisang District
• County-level Cities: Ruichang City, Gongqingcheng City, Lushan City
• Counties: Wuning County, Xiushui County, Yongxiu County, Dean County, Duchang County, Hukou County, Pengze County

Additionally, Jiujiang City has established the following county-level administrative units: the National-level Jiujiang Economic and Technological Development Zone and the National-level Lushan Scenic Area.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 360400 | Jiujiang City | Jiujiang Shi | 19,076.72 | 4,600,276 | Xunyang District | 332000 | 18 | 101 | 78 | | 360402 | Lianxi District | Lianxi Qu | 395.57 | 418,339 | Shili Subdistrict | 332900 | 3 | 5 | 2 | | 360403 | Xunyang District | Xunyang Qu | 49.03 | 433,122 | Gantang Subdistrict | 332000 | 8 | | | | 360404 | Chaisang District | Chaisang Qu | 916.56 | 312,807 | Shahe Subdistrict | 332100 | 3 | 5 | 4 | | 360423 | Wuning County | Wuning Xian | 3,503.71 | 322,161 | Yuning Subdistrict | 332300 | 1 | 8 | 11 | | 360424 | Xiushui County | Xiushui Xian | 4,502.46 | 710,620 | Yining Town | 332400 | | 19 | 17 | | 360425 | Yongxiu County | Yongxiu Xian | 1,942.81 | 316,365 | Tubu Town | 330300 | | 11 | 4 | | 360426 | Dean County | Dean Xian | 858.12 | 167,090 | Puting Town | 330400 | | 5 | 8 | | 360428 | Duchang County | Duchang Xian | 2,226.61 | 577,684 | Duchang Town | 332600 | | 12 | 12 | | 360429 | Hukou County | Hukou Xian | 673.66 | 227,462 | Shuangzhong Town | 332500 | | 7 | 5 | | 360430 | Pengze County | Pengze Xian | 1,532.36 | 284,757 | Longcheng Town | 332700 | | 10 | 3 | | 360481 | Ruichang City | Ruichang Shi | 1,419.31 | 403,655 | Pancheng Subdistrict| 332200 | 2 | 8 | 8 | | 360482 | Gongqingcheng City | Gongqingcheng Shi | 287.19 | 194,689 | Chashan Subdistrict | 332000 | 1 | 2 | 3 | | 360483 | Lushan City | Lushan Shi | 769.34 | 231,525 | Nankang Town | 332800 | | 9 | 1 |

5. Economy

Shipping, oil refining, tourism, and fertilizer production are the main economic industries of Jiujiang City. In 2021, the city achieved a gross domestic product (GDP) of 373.568 billion yuan and a general public budget revenue of 29.223 billion yuan.

6. Transportation

Jiujiang Bus Station is currently the largest bus station in the Jiujiang area, offering long-distance routes to some provinces and cities across the country, as well as routes to cities and counties within the province. It is located south of Jiujiang Railway Station.

6.1 Railway

Beijing–Kowloon Railway, Wuhan–Jiujiang Railway, Quzhou–Jiujiang Railway, Tongling–Jiujiang Railway, Hefei–Jiujiang Railway, Nanchang–Jiujiang Intercity Railway, Wuhan–Jiujiang Passenger Dedicated Line, Hefei–Anqing–Jiujiang Passenger Dedicated Line

6.1.1 New Rail Transit

Lushan Station to Fuchuan Yundi in Lushan Scenic Area

6.2 Highway

G45 Daqing–Guangzhou Expressway (Wuji Expressway), G56 Hangzhou–Ruili Expressway (Jiujing Expressway, Jiurui Expressway), G70 Fuzhou–Yinchuan Expressway (Changjiu Expressway), S20 Penghu Expressway, S30 Yongwu Expressway, National Highway 105, National Highway 316, National Highway 351

6.3 Waterway

Jiujiang Port on the Yangtze River

6.4 Aviation

Jiujiang Lushan Airport

6.5 Public Transportation

Jiujiang Public Transportation Group Company

7. Education

• Jiujiang University
• Jiujiang Vocational and Technical College (Archived page, stored at the Internet Archive)
• Jiujiang Vocational University
• Jiangxi Vocational College of Finance and Economics
• Jiujiang Radio and Television University
• Nanchang University (Poyang Lake Campus)
• Nanchang University Gongqing College
• Nanchang Institute of Technology (Gongqingcheng Campus)
• Jiangxi Fenglin Vocational College of Foreign Economics and Trade
• Jiujiang Institute of Technology

8. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's resident population is 4,600,276. Compared with the 4,728,778 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a decrease of 128,502 people over the past ten years, a decline of 2.72%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.28%. Among them, the male population is 2,355,145, accounting for 51.2% of the total population; the female population is 2,245,131, accounting for 48.8% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) is 104.9. The population aged 0–14 is 964,298, accounting for 20.96% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 is 2,823,062, accounting for 61.37% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above is 812,916, accounting for 17.67% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above is 580,674, accounting for 12.62% of the total population. The urban population is 2,814,240, accounting for 61.18% of the total population; the rural population is 1,786,036, accounting for 38.82% of the total population.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's resident population, the Han ethnic group population is 4,581,491, accounting for 99.59%; the population of various ethnic minorities is 18,785, accounting for 0.41%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population decreased by 136,681, a decline of 2.9%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.18 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 8,179, a growth of 77.12%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.18 percentage points.

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The point where the nine rivers of the lake region flow into Pengli Marsh

Xunyang District

Xiushui County

The Han population accounts for 99.59%; ethnic minorities account for 0.41% of the population.

Camphor tree

Lotus flower