Zhanjiang (湛江)

1. Introduction

Zhanjiang City (Postal romanization: Tsankiang, Chankiang, Tsamkong; Cantonese Pinyin: zaam3gong1), abbreviated as Zhan and also known as Port City, formerly called Guangzhouwan (Kwangchouwan), is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China. It serves as a sub-central city in Guangdong Province, a central city in the Beibu Gulf and the western Guangdong urban cluster. Located on the Leizhou Peninsula at the southernmost tip of mainland China, at the convergence of Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces (regions), it borders Maoming City to the northeast, Yulin City and Beihai City of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the northwest, faces the South China Sea to the east, is separated from Hainan Island by the Qiongzhou Strait to the south, and adjoins the Beibu Gulf to the west. The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 67 Yuejin Road, Chikan District.

The ancient port of Xuwen in Zhanjiang City was the earliest departure port of the Maritime Silk Road during the Han Dynasty. The representative historical culture of Zhanjiang is Leizhou culture, with some areas also influenced by Gaoliang culture.

Zhanjiang was a French leased territory in 1899, officially opening as a trading port. As the mainland Chinese port with the shortest maritime routes to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Oceania, Zhanjiang is an important port city along China's southeastern coast and a national comprehensive transportation hub. It is one of China's first batch of coastal open cities and the location of the headquarters of the South Sea Fleet of the Chinese Navy.

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2. History

According to research and verification by experts, the Liyudun Shell Midden site in Jianghong Town, Suixi County, is a human settlement site from the Neolithic Age dating back 7,000 to 8,000 years. It is the earliest known place of human habitation on the Leizhou Peninsula. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the area now under the jurisdiction of Zhanjiang was part of the Baiyue territory. In the Qin Dynasty, it belonged to Xiang Commandery. In the sixth year of the Yuanding era of the Han Dynasty (111 BCE), the southern regions of Xuwen, Leizhou, and Suixi were part of Xuwen County under the Jiaozhi Commandery; the northern regions of Wuchuan and Lianjiang belonged to Gaoliang County and Hepu County under the Jiaozhi Commandery, respectively. Subsequently, the three southern counties successively fell under the jurisdiction of Jiaozhou, Yuzhou, Hezhou, Nanhezhou, and Donghezhou. In the eighth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty (634 CE), Donghezhou was renamed Leizhou, administering the three counties of the Leizhou Peninsula until the Qing Dynasty. The northern regions of Wuchuan and Lianjiang were successively under the jurisdiction of Guangzhou, Luozhou, and Huazhou, and by the Ming and Qing Dynasties, they were part of Gaozhou.

In November 1899, the French government and the Qing government signed the "Convention for the Lease of Guangzhou Bay between China and France," designating parts of the land and islands belonging to Suixi County of Leizhou Prefecture and Wuchuan County of Gaozhou Prefecture, as well as the Maxie Bay (now Zhanjiang Port) between the two counties, as a French concession. This area was collectively referred to as "Guangzhou Bay" and incorporated into French Indochina. The Guangzhou Bay Administrative Office was established under the jurisdiction of the Governor-General of French Indochina. In February 1943, during the Pacific War, the area was occupied by Japanese forces.

On October 19, 1945, the handover ceremony of Guangzhou Bay between China and France was held at the former French Consulate in Guangzhou Bay. After 47 years of French rule, Guangzhou Bay was officially returned to China. A city was established within the original boundaries and named "Zhanjiang City." On February 15, 1946, the Zhanjiang Municipal Government was established as a city under the jurisdiction of Guangdong Province.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Zhanjiang successively fell under the administration of the Western Guangdong Administrative Office, the Zhanjiang Commissioner's Office, and the Zhanjiang Regional Administrative Commissioner's Office. The Zhanjiang Regional administrative organs were located in Chikan, while the Zhanjiang Municipal administrative organs were situated in Xiashan. In November 1952, Donghai Island and Naozhou Island were separated to establish Donghai County, which was renamed Leidong County in December. Later, Nansan Island and Techeng Island were incorporated into Leidong County. In November 1958, Leidong County was abolished and merged into the suburban area of Zhanjiang City. In 1959, Potou District and Longtou District of Wuchuan County, as well as Mazhang District of Suixi County, were incorporated into the city's suburban area. In September 1983, Zhanjiang Region and Zhanjiang City were merged into Zhanjiang City, implementing a city-led county system. The Communist Party of China Zhanjiang Municipal Committee and the Zhanjiang Municipal People's Government are located in Chikan District. In September 1984, five districts and two townships were separated from the suburban area to establish the municipal district of Potou District. In 1994, the suburban area of Zhanjiang City was officially renamed Mazhang District.

3. Geography

3.1 Topography and Landforms

All five counties and four districts under Zhanjiang's jurisdiction face the ocean, with a total coastline of 2,023.6 kilometers, comprising 1,243.7 kilometers of mainland coastline and 779.9 kilometers of island coastline. The land is largely composed of peninsulas and islands, predominantly plains and tablelands. The terrain is generally higher along the central axis and lower on both sides, higher in the north and south and lower in the middle. The northern low-hill region consists mainly of low hills at elevations of 80-250 meters, featuring Zhanjiang's highest point, Shuangfengzhang (384 meters above sea level). The central area is a gently sloping peninsula tableland, surrounded by sea on three sides. The coastal areas are primarily alluvial coastal plains with numerous islands, including Donghai Island, Nansan Island, Naozhou Island, and Techeng Island. The soil in Zhanjiang is predominantly red soil, earning it the nickname "Red Land." Its distribution is roughly as follows: areas south of latitude 20°40′ N are lateritic red earth, accounting for over half of the total land area and serving as the city's primary soil type; areas north of latitude 20°40′ N are latosolic red earth; coastal areas consist of coastal sandy soil, coastal saline marsh soil, and coastal saline soil; the banks along the Jiuzhou River and Jianjiang River are covered by tidal sandy clay.

3.2 Climate

Most of Zhanjiang experiences a tropical monsoon climate, while the northern part falls under a subtropical monsoon climate. The rainy season is mainly concentrated from May to September. The climate is very similar to that of Taipei City. In winter, the average high temperature is about 19-20°C, and the average low is about 14°C. In summer, the average high temperature is about 32-34°C, and the average low is about 26°C.

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-------------------------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------| | Record high °C | 27.4 | 30.8 | 36 | 36.2 | 37.7 | 36.8 | 37.2 | 38.1 | 35.5 | 33.3 | 33.3 | 29.2 | 38.1 | | Record high °F | 81.3 | 87.4 | 96.8 | 97.2 | 99.9 | 98.2 | 99 | 100.6 | 95.9 | 91.9 | 91.9 | 84.6 | 100.6 | | Average high °C | 19.6 | 19.7 | 22.6 | 26.8 | 30.2 | 32 | 32.4 | 32.3 | 31.1 | 29 | 25.5 | 21.6 | 26.9 | | Average high °F | 67.3 | 67.5 | 72.7 | 80.2 | 86.4 | 89.6 | 90.3 | 90.1 | 88 | 84.2 | 77.9 | 70.9 | 80.4 | | Daily mean °C | 16.2 | 16.7 | 19.6 | 23.8 | 27 | 28.7 | 29.1 | 28.8 | 27.6 | 25.4 | 21.7 | 17.6 | 23.5 | | Daily mean °F | 61.2 | 62.1 | 67.3 | 74.8 | 80.6 | 83.7 | 84.4 | 83.8 | 81.7 | 77.7 | 71.1 | 63.7 | 74.3 |

• Average low °C | 13.8 | 14.7 | 17.5 | 21.7 | 24.6 | 26.3 | 26.6 | 26.2 | 25 | 22.7 | 18.7 | 14.7 | 21 | | Average low °F | 56.8 | 58.5 | 63.5 | 71.1 | 76.3 | 79.3 | 79.9 | 79.2 | 77 | 72.9 | 65.7 | 58.5 | 69.8 | | Record low °C | 5.2 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 11.5 | 15.2 | 18.6 | 22.7 | 21.5 | 17.2 | 13.6 | 6.2 | 3.6 | 3.6 | | Record low °F | 41.4 | 38.8 | 40.6 | 52.7 | 59.4 | 65.5 | 72.9 | 70.7 | 63 | 56.5 | 43.2 | 38.5 | 38.5 | | Avg. precipitation mm| 25.4 | 43.8 | 58 | 129.9 | 209.7 | 261.7 | 221.1 | 316.7 | 241.2 | 111.9 | 42.7 | 28.6 | 1690.7 | | Avg. precipitation in| 1.00 | 1.72 | 2.28 | 5.11 | 8.26 | 10.30 | 8.70 | 12.47 | 9.50 | 4.41 | 1.68 | 1.13 | 66.56 | | Avg. relative humidity (%) | 80 | 87 | 88 | 87 | 84 | 82 | 81 | 82 | 80 | 77 | 74 | 74 | 81 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Zhanjiang City currently administers 4 municipal districts and 2 counties, and oversees 3 county-level cities on behalf of the province.

• Municipal Districts: Chikan District, Xiashan District, Potou District, Mazhang District
• County-level Cities: Lianjiang City, Leizhou City, Wuchuan City
• Counties: Suixi County, Xuwen County

Additionally, Zhanjiang City has established the following economic management zones: Zhanjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone, Zhanjiang Fenyong High-Tech Industrial Development Zone.

| Division Code | Division Name | Hanyu Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|-------------------------|----------------|-------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 440800 | Zhanjiang City | Zhànjiāng Shì | 13,260.31 | 6,981,236 | Chikan District | 524000 | 37 | 82 | 2 | | 440802 | Chikan District | Chìkǎn Qū | 61.93 | 390,300 | Nanqiao Subdistrict | 524000 | 8 | | | | 440803 | Xiashan District | Xiáshān Qū | 113.51 | 677,642 | Dongxin Subdistrict | 524000 | 12 | | | | 440804 | Potou District | Pōtóu Qū | 564.99 | 337,723 | Nandiao Subdistrict | 524000 | 2 | 5 | | | 440811 | Mazhang District | Mázhāng Qū | 962.49 | 525,790 | Mazhang Town | 524000 | 3 | 4 | | | 440823 | Suixi County | Suìxī Xiàn | 2,131.63 | 824,608 | Suicheng Town | 524300 | | 15 | | | 440825 | Xuwen County | Xúwén Xiàn | 1,979.53 | 633,258 | Xucheng Subdistrict | 524100 | 1 | 12 | 2 | | 440881 | Lianjiang City | Liánjiāng Shì | 2,866.83 | 1,363,470 | Luozhou Subdistrict | 524400 | 3 | 18 | | | 440882 | Leizhou City | Léizhōu Shì | 3,709.33 | 1,321,091 | Leicheng Subdistrict | 524200 | 3 | 18 | | | 440883 | Wuchuan City | Wúchuān Shì | 870.08 | 907,354 | Meilu Subdistrict | 524500 | 5 | 10 | |

5. Economy

Since its opening as a port in 1899, Zhanjiang (formerly Guangzhouwan) has developed from a small frontier market town into a bustling port city, leveraging its exceptionally favorable geographical location. During the War of Resistance against Japan, Zhanjiang once became the only open coastal port in the country. Until the 1970s, Zhanjiang was the second-largest city in Guangdong province after the provincial capital, Guangzhou, boasting comprehensive infrastructure including a port, railways, and an airport.

After the reform and opening-up, on May 4, 1984, Zhanjiang was designated as one of China's first coastal open cities. While the Pearl River Delta region focused on attracting foreign investment to develop processing and manufacturing characterized by "three supplies and one compensation" from the 1980s to the early 1990s, Zhanjiang implemented the "Two Waters and One Livestock" (aquatic products, fruits, and animal husbandry) development strategy from 1985 to 1992, placing its development focus on agriculture. This move solidified Zhanjiang's status as a "major agricultural city in Guangdong" but caused it to miss the golden period for attracting investment and developing industry. In 1992, Zhanjiang proposed the "Four Major Principles": relying on the large port, developing large-scale industry, promoting large-scale circulation, and achieving large-scale development. Companies like Guangdong Hemisphere Group, restructured from the former Zhanjiang Household Electrical Appliance Company, and Sanxing Automobile Company, restructured from the former state-owned Zhanjiang Machinery Factory and known as the "Steed of Western Guangdong," flourished for a time, with their products selling well nationwide. The "9898" Zhanjiang major smuggling and bribery case dealt a heavy blow to Zhanjiang's economy, causing its economic output to drop from the forefront of the province to a mid-level position. In 2003, Zhanjiang again proposed "establishing the city through industry and prospering the city through the port," vigorously developing heavy and chemical industries, establishing an industrial park on Donghai Island, and positioning steel, petrochemicals, and papermaking as Zhanjiang's three leading industries.

5.1 Agriculture

Zhanjiang is a major agricultural city in Guangdong province, with its total output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery ranking second in the province. It is a nationally important sugarcane production base and the largest pineapple production base in China. The city's shrimp farming area exceeds 300,000 mu (approx. 20,000 hectares), with an annual output of over 60,000 tons, accounting for more than 60% of Guangdong province's total.

5.2 Industry

The three major industries of steel, petrochemicals, and papermaking are the pillars of Zhanjiang's industry. Their combined industrial output value exceeded 100 billion yuan in 2017. Among them, the steel industry is the leading sector. The Baosteel Zhanjiang Steel Base is the largest modern steel manufacturing base in South China. The petrochemical industry is the city's largest industry by scale, with Sinopec-Zhanjiang (Zhongke Refining and Chemical), CNOOC Zhanjiang Branch, and Dongxing Petroleum Company as the main players. The BASF (Guangdong) integrated site, built with an investment of $10 billion, will become one of Asia's important energy bases upon completion. The papermaking industry, centered on three major projects—Zhanjiang Chenming Pulp & Paper, Guanhao High-tech Paper, and China Paper—aims to build a world-class papermaking industry base.

5.3 Commerce

In 2007, the city's total retail sales of consumer goods reached 38.216 billion yuan.

In 2019, the city's total retail sales of consumer goods amounted to 183.950 billion yuan, an increase of 8.4%.

5.4 Finance

The overall scale of Zhanjiang's financial industry ranks first in the regions of Eastern, Western, and Northern Guangdong. The local city commercial bank, Guangdong Nanyue Bank, is Zhanjiang's largest financial institution. In 2020, its loan balance in Zhanjiang ranked first in the city, its deposit balance ranked third, and its tax payments accounted for over half of the total from all financial institutions in the city. The total assets of Zhanjiang Rural Commercial Bank, along with Leizhou, Suixi, Xuwen, Lianjiang, and Wuchuan Rural Commercial Banks, exceeded 100 billion yuan.

5.5 Foreign Trade

In 2007, the total value of foreign trade exports was $1.46 billion, an increase of 19.1%.

In 2019, the city's total import and export value was 41.38 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.7%.

6. Transportation

6.1 Highways

The early land transportation in Zhanjiang primarily consisted of ox-cart roads or ancient post roads. After France leased Guangzhouwan, in 1910, the ox-cart road between Xiying (now Xiashan) and Chikan was upgraded and expanded into a carriage road. In 1913, this carriage road was further expanded into a motor road. The Xichi Road (now Shenchuan Avenue) became the earliest highway in western Guangdong.

Currently, the main national highways passing through the jurisdiction are G207, G228, and G325. The expressways include the G15 Shenyang-Haikou Expressway, G75 Lanzhou-Haikou Expressway, S14 Shantou-Zhanjiang Expressway, and S42 Hualian Expressway.

6.2 Railway

A total of five railway lines pass through Zhanjiang City: the Lizhan Railway, Shenzhen-Zhanjiang Railway, Luoyang-Zhanjiang Railway, Hezhou-Zhanjiang Railway, and the Guangdong-Hainan Railway. There are two railway stations in Zhanjiang's urban area: Zhanjiang Railway Station and Zhanjiang West Station. Zhanjiang Railway Station serves the Lizhan, Luoyang-Zhanjiang, and Hezhou-Zhanjiang railways. Zhanjiang West Railway Station serves the Guangdong-Hainan Railway and the Jiangmen-Zhanjiang section of the Shenzhen-Zhanjiang High-Speed Railway.

6.3 Aviation

Zhanjiang Wuchuan Airport is currently the only civil airport in western Guangdong. It officially commenced operations on March 24, 2022, replacing the original Zhanjiang Airport.

6.4 Ports

The Zhanjiang Ferry to Potou, a vehicle ferry, continues to be used as a strategic reserve ferry after the opening of the Bay Bridge. Zhanjiang Port, opened in 1956, was the first modern deep-water port designed and constructed independently by the People's Republic of China after its founding. On December 24, 2008, it successfully achieved the goal of becoming a 100-million-ton port, handling a cargo throughput of 102.15 million tons. This made it the fifteenth 100-million-ton port in China and the only one in the southwestern coastal port cluster.

Ferries: Haian Town, Xuwen County - Haikou City, Hainan Province; Zhanjiang Ferry to/from Potou; Xuwen Haian Port; Guangdong-Hainan Railway North Port; Xuwen Haian New Port Terminal; Xuwen Port Terminal to Haikou.

6.5 Public Buses

There are approximately 200 bus stops and 58 bus routes within the urban area. The Zhanjiang Tong is a contactless smart IC card. A card swipe takes only 0.5 seconds, and its usage basically covers all urban bus routes that charge a single fare. On October 15, 2010, trial operations began for 10-seater minibuses.

The city has 252 intercity passenger transport routes and 121 administrative village passenger routes, achieving 100% coverage for township routes. Buses serve 1,025 administrative villages, with an administrative village passenger route coverage rate of 68%.

6.6 Taxis

In Zhanjiang City, the taxi starting fare is 7 yuan for the first 2 kilometers. Beyond 2 kilometers, the fare is 2.3 yuan per kilometer. After a journey reaches 15 kilometers, the meter automatically adds a 50% deadhead (return trip) fee. Between 11:00 PM and 5:30 AM daily, the per-kilometer fare beyond the initial 2 kilometers increases by 20%. The waiting fee (including traffic congestion) is 0.4 yuan per minute. Fees for toll bridges, roads, ferries, etc., are paid by the passenger (no additional fee is required for using road facilities already covered by the annual vehicle road/bridge toll). After the vehicle travels 2 kilometers, the meter increments every 218 meters. When the vehicle is stationary while waiting, the meter increments every 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

7. Education

7.1 Development Status

As of 2017, the city had a total of 1,967 kindergartens (745 public, 1,222 private), 780 primary schools, 227 regular junior high schools, 82 regular senior high schools, 66 various secondary vocational education schools, and 7 higher education institutions.

In May 2016, Zhanjiang City was awarded the title "Strong Education City of Guangdong Province" by the People's Government of Guangdong Province.

7.2 Higher Education Institutions

As of 2017, the city had a total of 7 higher education institutions.

List of Higher Education Institutions in Zhanjiang City | Name | Date of Establishment | Area | Predecessor | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Guangdong Ocean University | 1935 | 4892 mu | Guangdong Provincial Senior Fisheries Vocational School | | Guangdong Medical University | 1958 | 227 mu (Zhanjiang Campus) | Zhongshan Medical College Zhanjiang Branch | | Lingnan Normal University | 1904 | Nearly 1000 mu | | | School of Basic Education, Lingnan Normal University | 2009 | | Zhanjiang Education College | | Zhanjiang University of Science and Technology | 1999 | 1622 mu (New Campus) | | | Zhanjiang Preschool Education College | 1925 | 592 mu (Main Campus) | Lianjiang County Normal School | | Guangdong Vocational College of Arts and Sciences | 2012 | 1590 mu | |

7.3 Middle Schools

Zhanjiang City has middle schools such as Zhanjiang No.1 Middle School, Zhanjiang No.2 Middle School, Zhanjiang No.4 Middle School, Zhanjiang No.5 Middle School, Zhanjiang No.7 Middle School, Zhanjiang No.9 Middle School, Zhanjiang Agricultural Reclamation Experimental Middle School, and Zhanjiang Xiashan District Experimental Middle School.

7.4 Primary Schools

Zhanjiang City has primary schools such as Zhanjiang No.21 Primary School, Zhanjiang No.1 Primary School, Zhanjiang No.7 Primary School, Zhanjiang No.9 Primary School, Zhanjiang No.10 Primary School, Zhanjiang No.12 Primary School, Zhanjiang No.14 Primary School, Zhanjiang No.18 Primary School, Zhanjiang No.2 Primary School, Zhanjiang No.22 Primary School, Zhanjiang No.31 Primary School, the Primary School Department of Zhanjiang No.2 Middle School, the Primary School Department of Zhanjiang Experimental Middle School, the Primary School Department of Zhanjiang No.6 Middle School, the Primary School Department of Zhanjiang No.8 Middle School, the Primary School Department of Zhanjiang No.10 Middle School, the Primary School Department of Zhanjiang No.12 Middle School, the Primary School Department of Zhanjiang No.14 Middle School, the Primary School Department of Zhanjiang No.20 Middle School, the Primary School Department of Zhanjiang No.22 Middle School, and the Primary School Department of Zhanjiang No.24 Middle School.

8. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 6,981,236. Compared with the 6,994,832 people from the Sixth National Population Census, the total population decreased by 13,596 over the past ten years, a decline of 0.19%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.02%. Among them, the male population was 3,640,165, accounting for 52.14% of the total population; the female population was 3,341,071, accounting for 47.86% of the total population. The sex ratio of the total population (with females as 100) was 108.95. The population aged 0–14 was 1,820,622, accounting for 26.08% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 3,988,641, accounting for 57.13% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 1,171,973, accounting for 16.79% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 832,753, accounting for 11.93% of the total population. The urban population was 3,173,464, accounting for 45.46% of the total population; the rural population was 3,807,772, accounting for 54.54% of the total population.

At the end of 2021, Zhanjiang City had a permanent resident population of 7.0309 million, an increase of 50,200 from the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban permanent resident population was 3.2666 million, accounting for 46.46% of the permanent resident population (urbanization rate of permanent residents), an increase of 1.0 percentage points from the end of the previous year.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 6,936,010, accounting for 99.35%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 45,226, accounting for 0.65%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population decreased by 24,023, a decline of 0.35%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.15 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 10,427, a growth of 29.96%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.15 percentage points.

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9. Culture

Zhanjiang City has achieved remarkable progress in cultural development in recent years, driving the prosperity of the cultural industry and enhancing urban culture through a series of initiatives.

Zhanjiang City places great emphasis on the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage. The city boasts abundant intangible cultural heritage resources, including national, provincial, and municipal-level projects such as Leizhou Stone Dogs and Guangdong Lion Dance. To better preserve these cultural assets, Zhanjiang has formulated the "14th Five-Year Plan," outlining goals such as training inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, revitalizing traditional crafts, and creating historical and cultural trails. Additionally, Zhanjiang actively promotes the integration of intangible cultural heritage into scenic spots and communities. By organizing various folk cultural activities, such as lion dances and human dragon dances, the city has further strengthened residents' cultural identity.

Zhanjiang City vigorously promotes the integrated development of the cultural and tourism industries. Through the "culture + tourism" model, the city has explored new development pathways. For instance, in collaboration with the Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Zhanjiang has jointly developed national-level tourism brands such as China's "Mangrove City" and launched cultural tourism routes like the Guangzhou Bay Historical and Cultural Trail and the Leizhou Ancient Post Road Historical and Cultural Trail. At the same time, Zhanjiang has constructed multiple cultural centers, libraries, and other public cultural facilities to enhance the quality of public cultural services.

In terms of cultural activities, Zhanjiang City hosts a variety of vibrant events, such as the original musical The Lighthouse in the Depths of the Mangrove Forest and the Xiaolin Comic Reading Space in Chikan Ancient Commercial Port. These activities not only elevate the city's visibility and influence but also promote the cultural literacy of its residents. Furthermore, Zhanjiang disseminates cultural content through digital means, leveraging internet platforms to promote the city's culture, history, and art, attracting more tourists and online audiences.

In the development of the cultural industry, Zhanjiang City also focuses on innovation and brand building. By deepening reforms in the cultural system, the city stimulates the vitality of the cultural industry and promotes its integration with technology, finance, and other sectors. Simultaneously, Zhanjiang strengthens the construction of cultural brands, nurturing a group of cultural enterprises and products with local characteristics, thereby enhancing the visibility and influence of Zhanjiang's culture.

Zhanjiang City has made significant strides in cultural development. Through the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage, the integration of cultural and tourism industries, the organization of diverse cultural activities, and the use of digital means to disseminate cultural content, Zhanjiang is gradually shaping itself into a vibrant and charming cultural city.

10. Sister Cities

10.1 Domestic

• Chengdu City, Sichuan Province
• Kunming City, Yunnan Province
• Guiyang City, Guizhou Province
• Changsha City, Hunan Province
• Haikou City, Hainan Province
• Liupanshui City, Guizhou Province
• Ezhou City, Hubei Province
• Mudanjiang City, Heilongjiang Province
• Luohe City, Henan Province
• Yiyang City, Hunan Province
• Yongzhou City, Hunan Province
• Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang Province
• Fushun City, Liaoning Province
• Tongchuan City, Shaanxi Province
• Zunyi City, Guizhou Province
• Qujing City, Yunnan Province
• Hami Prefecture, Xinjiang
• Fangchenggang City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
• Dingxi City, Gansu Province
• Yingkou City, Liaoning Province

10.2 International

• Cairns, Australia — Representative Landmark: China-Australia Friendship Garden
• Serpukhov, Russia
• eThekwini (Durban), South Africa
• Atlantic City, United States
• Geraldton, Australia
• Kuching South City, Malaysia

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Chikan District

Lianjiang City

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Flame tree Bauhinia