Zhangjiakou (张家口)

1. Introduction

Zhangjiakou City (Postal Romanization: Changchiakow/Kalgan), abbreviated as Zhang; formerly known as Zhangyuan/Wanquan, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Hebei Province, People's Republic of China, located in the northwestern part of Hebei Province. The city borders Chengde City and Beijing to the east, Baoding City to the south, Datong City of Shanxi Province to the southwest, and Ulanqab City and Xilingol League of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to the west and north, respectively. Situated at the junction of Hebei, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia, its terrain is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast. The Yinshan Mountains traverse the central part of the city, dividing it into two regions: Bashang and Baxia. The eastern part is occupied by the Yanshan Mountains, and the southern part by the Taihang Mountains. The Sanggan River and Yang River flow across the city, converging into the Guanting Reservoir, with the downstream section known as the Yongding River. Zhangjiakou is one of the important cities on the Jingbao Railway, the terminus of the Jingzhang Expressway, a crucial transportation hub between Hebei and Inner Mongolia, and a vital corridor and distribution center for goods connecting Mongolia, northwestern China, and Beijing, as well as a military stronghold and land trade port. The famous Dajingmen is a major pass of the Great Wall. The People's Government of the city is located at No. 10 Changcheng West Street, Qiaodong District.

Zhangjiakou has been a military stronghold since ancient times, known as the "Shield of the Divine Capital" and a strategically contested area, commonly referred to as the "North Gate" of Beijing. Since the Yuan Dynasty, camel caravans have frequented the area, and during the mid-Qing Dynasty, trade routes extended to Kyakhta on the Sino-Russian border. Historically, Zhangjiakou was the starting point of the "Zhangku Avenue" leading to Kulun (also known as the northern "Grassland Silk Road"). As a commercial hub for Han-Mongol trade in northern China, it served as a transportation and logistics distribution center for Hebei, Beijing, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia, earning the title "Land Trade Port." After China's reform and opening-up, with the development of an open economy, Zhangjiakou has become an important link connecting the Central Plains and the northern frontier, as well as bridging the eastern Beijing-Tianjin economic zone, the Bohai Rim economic zone, and the resource-producing regions of central and western China.

On July 31, 2015, at the 128th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session held in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, the IOC decided that Beijing and Zhangjiakou would jointly host the 24th Winter Olympic Games in 2022.

2. Origin of the Name

Zhangjiakou is also known as the Mountain City Beyond the Great Wall and the Martial City. It is renowned worldwide as Zhangyuan.

Until the mid-20th century, Zhangjiakou was known internationally to the Western world as "Kalgan." This name is derived from the Mongolian name for Zhangjiakou, "Khaalgan," which means "gate (on the Great Wall)" (originally "Chuulalt Khaalga," written in Manchu as ᡳᠮᡳᠶᠠᠩᡤᠠᠵᠠᠰᡝ Imiyangga Jase).

The birthplace of Zhangjiakou is located in the area of Baozi Li in present-day Qiaoxi District. The development of this area serves as a historical witness to the gradual prosperity of Zhangjiakou, and the origin of the city's name is closely related to it. Baozi Li, also known as Xia Bao, is a frontier fortress built along the Great Wall. During the Ming Dynasty, it belonged to the Xuanfu Garrison, one of the Nine Frontier Garrisons, and was part of the Wanquan Right Guard territory. In the fourth year of the Xuande era (1429 AD), Commander Zhang Wen rebuilt a fortress on the site and named it Zhangjiabao. Zhangjiabao stood ten meters high, with a perimeter of approximately four li and thirteen steps, featuring gates on the east and south sides: the east gate was called "Yongzhen Gate," and the south gate was called "Chengen Gate." In the eighth year of the Jiajing era (1529 AD), Zhang Zhen, the garrison commander of Zhangjiabao, opened a small gate in the northern wall called "Xiaobei Gate," which served as a border trading post. Because this gate was constructed by Zhang Zhen, it also became known as "Zhangjiakou."

3. History

3.1 Ancient Times

Around 2500 BC, conflicts arose between the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi) and the Yan Emperor (Yandi) over tribal supremacy, culminating in a major battle in the Banquan area (present-day Huailai). The Yan Emperor was defeated, an event historically known as the Battle of Banquan. Shortly after this battle, the combined forces of the Yellow Emperor's Youxiong clan and the Yan Emperor's Shennong clan engaged in a large-scale war against the Jiuli tribe led by Chi You in Zhuolu (present-day Zhuolu County, Hebei Province), known as the Battle of Zhuolu.

During the Spring and Autumn period, the northern area was inhabited by the Xiongnu and Donghu peoples, while the southern parts belonged to the states of Yan and Dai. In 475 BC, Dai was conquered by Zhao Xiangzi, a senior official of the Jin state. After killing the King of Dai, Zhao Xiangzi annexed the Dai territory and enfeoffed it to his nephew, Zhao Zhou, who became known as Lord Daicheng. Around 300 BC, King Wuling of Zhao established Dai Commandery in the western part of Zhangjiakou, with its administrative seat in the area of present-day Daiwangcheng, Yuxian County. In the 29th year of King Zhao of Yan's reign (283 BC), Shanggu Commandery was established in the eastern part of Zhangjiakou, with its seat at Juyang (the site of present-day Dagu City, Huailai).

In 228 BC, the Qin general Wang Jian defeated the Zhao army, captured Handan, and brought about the fall of the Zhao state. Prince Jia of Zhao fled to Dai (northeast of present-day Yuxian County) and proclaimed himself King of Dai. King Jia of Dai allied with King Xi of Yan to resist the Qin forces. The Yan-Dai coalition army, led by Crown Prince Dan of Yan, was defeated at the Yi River. In 222 BC, the Qin general Wang Ben attacked Liaodong, captured King Xi of Yan, leading to the fall of Yan. Wang Ben then turned his forces to attack Dai Commandery, captured King Jia of Dai, resulting in the complete destruction of Zhao. During the Qin dynasty, the southern area was reorganized into Dai Commandery and Shanggu Commandery. In the Han dynasty, most of the region fell under the jurisdiction of the Youzhou Inspectorate, with smaller parts controlled by the Wuhuan, Xiongnu, and Xianbei peoples.

3.2 Medieval Period

During the Taihe era (477–499 AD) of the Northern Wei dynasty, six garrison towns, including Yuyi (around present-day Chicheng and Guyuan), Huaihuang (around present-day Zhangbei), and Rouxuan (around present-day Shangyi), were established to prevent Rouran invasions and protect the safety of the Northern Wei capital, Pingcheng. In the fourth year of the Zhengguang era (523 AD), after the highest-ranking official Yu Jing of Huaihuang Town (present-day Zhangbei) refused to distribute grain to relieve a famine, the local populace killed him and initiated a rebellion. The uprising spread across the six garrison towns, with various ethnic groups in the Guanzhong, Longyou, and Hebei regions rising in response, pushing Northern Wei rule to the brink of collapse. Local strongmen in the border garrisons seized the opportunity to expand their power, with Erzhu Rong becoming the most powerful among them. In the first month of the first year of Emperor Fei of Western Wei's reign (552 AD), Tumen launched an attack against the Rouran, decisively defeating the Rouran army north of Huaihuang Town, which led to the suicide of the Rouran khagan, Anagui.

During the Sui dynasty, the eastern part belonged to Zhuo Commandery, and the western part to Yanmen Commandery. In the Tang dynasty, the north was under Turkic control and part of the Sanggan Chief Commandery, while the south mostly belonged to Gui Prefecture and Xin Prefecture of Hebei Circuit, with a smaller part belonging to Yu Prefecture of Hebei Circuit.

In the first year of the Tianfu era of the Later Jin dynasty (936 AD) during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, Shi Jingtang, the founding emperor of Later Jin, ceded the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, including Xin (present-day Zhuolu, Hebei), Gui (originally part of Huailai, Hebei, now submerged under the Guanting Reservoir), Wu (present-day Xuanhua, Hebei), and Yu (present-day Yuxian County, Hebei), to the Liao dynasty. This act opened the door for subsequent Song dynasties and posed a threat to the regions north of the Yangtze River. During the Northern Song dynasty, the area was entirely under the Liao dynasty's Xijing Circuit, divided into the prefectures of Wu, Yu, Fengsheng, Guihua, Ru, and Gui. In the tenth month of the fourth year of the Tianlu era (951 AD), Liao Emperor Shizong, Yelü Ruan, was killed by his subordinate Yelü Chage while stationed at Huoshendian (west of present-day Xuanhua) to assist the Northern Han in attacking the Later Zhou, an event known as the Huoshendian Rebellion. During the reign of Empress Dowager Xiao and Emperor Shengzong (Yelü Longxu) of the Liao dynasty, three gardens—Upper, Middle, and Lower—were built in the Zhangjiakou area, giving present-day Xiahuayuan its name. During the Southern Song dynasty, the area was entirely under the Jin dynasty's Xijing Circuit.

Battle of Wild Fox Ridge (1211) During the Song and Yuan transition period, in August 1211, a decisive battle erupted between the Mongols and the Jin dynasty at Wild Fox Ridge (northwest of present-day Wanquan, Zhangjiakou). Another battle occurred in Huailai in 1213, accelerating the Jin dynasty's decline. In 1251, Kublai Khan, brother of the Great Khan Möngke of the Mongol Empire, established the Jinlianchuan Administrative Headquarters in Jinlianchuan (within present-day Guyuan), recruiting a large number of Han Chinese advisors, including the key figure Liu Bingzhong, to plan his strategies. During the Yuan dynasty, the area belonged to Xuande Prefecture of Shangdu Circuit under the Zhongshu Sheng, with the northwestern part belonging to Xinghe Circuit (administered from present-day Zhangbei). In the 11th year of the Dade era (1307 AD) under Emperor Wuzong of Yuan, Haisan, grandson of Kublai Khan (Emperor Shizu of Yuan), established the Middle Capital of Yuan (in present-day Mantouying Township, Zhangbei County), which became as renowned as the Great Capital of Yuan (present-day Beijing) and the Upper Capital of Yuan (east of present-day Zhenglan Banner, Inner Mongolia).

During the Ming dynasty, except for the Yuxian area which belonged to Datong Prefecture of Shanxi, the rest of the region was under the Capital Region (administered from Shuntian Prefecture, present-day Beijing). It was divided into Yanqing Subprefecture, Bao'an Subprefecture, Yun Subprefecture, Yu Prefecture, and the twelve guards and stations of the Wanquan Regional Military Commission. In the fourth year of the Xuande era (1429 AD), Zhangjiakou Fort was built, belonging to Xuanfu Garrison Town of the Capital Region. In the 14th year of the Zhengtong era (1449 AD), Esen, the Grand Preceptor of the Mongol Oirat tribe, launched a large-scale invasion against the Ming. The eunuch Wang Zhen (a native of Yuxian County), disregarding opposition from court officials, persuaded Emperor Yingzong, Zhu Qizhen, to lead a personal expedition. In July, Zhu Qizhen led an army of 500,000 and a hundred civil and military officials out through the Juyong Pass. Due to hasty preparations, the army ran short of supplies en route, morale was unstable, and rumors spread of defeats ahead. Wang Zhen panicked and ordered the army to withdraw from Datong. Initially intending to take the emperor to Yuzhou via the Zijing Pass (northwest of present-day Yixian County, Hebei), Wang Zhen hastily changed the route. After marching forty li, fearing his hometown's crops would be damaged by the passing army, he urgently ordered the troops to turn towards Xuanfu (present-day Xuanhua, Hebei). On August 14th, they reached Tumu Fort (southeast of present-day Huailai County, Hebei), only 20 li from Huailai city. Citing that the supply wagons had not arrived, Wang Zhen ordered the army to camp there. Tumu Fort was situated on high ground with no springs or water; a river fifteen li to the south was occupied by the Oirat army. The Oirat later feigned a truce and launched a surprise attack. The Ming army, forced to fight hastily, was utterly defeated. Emperor Yingzong was captured, and Wang Zhen was killed by the imperial guard general Fan Zhong.

3.3 Modern Era

During the Qing dynasty, the area corresponding to present-day Zhangjiakou had its northern part belonging to the Three Koubei Subprefectures (Duolunnuo'er, Dushikou, and Zhangjiakou), with the majority under Zhangjiakou Subprefecture, and the southern part under Xuanhua Prefecture (administered from present-day Xuanhua).

In the 10th year of the Xianfeng era (1860), under the Sino-Russian Treaty of Peking, Zhangjiakou, along with Kulun (Urga) and Kashgar, was opened as a treaty port. In the 26th year of the Guangxu era (1900), incidents involving the killing of Christians occurred in the Catholic diocese of central Inner Mongolia. Apart from over 5,000 believers who took refuge in the Xiwanzizi Cathedral in Chongli, the vast majority (over 3,200 people) were killed. In August of the first year of the Xuantong era (1909), the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway, designed under the direction of Zhan Tianyou, was completed and opened for traffic in November. The Jingzhang Railway was China's first railway to be surveyed, designed, constructed, and operated without using foreign capital or personnel.

In 1912, under the Republic of China, Zhangjiakou belonged to Wanquan County, Xuanhua Prefecture. In the second year of the Republic (1913), it was part of Xinghe Circuit and Koubei Circuit of Zhili Province. The following year, the area under the jurisdiction of the Chahar Military Governor's Office was designated as the Chahar Special Administrative Region. The Chahar Military Governor's Office was provisionally located in Zhangjiakou, Wanquan County; remnants of this period still exist today.

In the ninth year of the Republic (1920), the United States established a consulate in Zhangjiakou (closed in 1927), with Samuel Sokobin serving as consul.

Republican Era: Zhangyuan City as the Capital of Chahar Province A map of Chahar Province from the 1936 Pocket Atlas of China published by the Yashengdai Academic Society. In the 17th year of the Republic (1928), the Nationalist Government established Chahar Province, with Wanquan County coming under its jurisdiction and Zhangjiakou, Wanquan County, serving as the provincial capital. The Chahar Special Administrative Region Military Governor's Office was changed to the Chahar Provincial Government.

During the National Revolution in October 1927, Yan Xishan attacked the Fengtian Clique, leading to the Battle of Xiahuayuan. He occupied Zhangjiakou but later retreated to Yanmen, Yuxian, and Jingxing under a Fengtian counteroffensive.

On October 13, 1925, the First Congress of the Inner Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party was held in Zhangjiakou. Approximately over 100 delegates from various leagues, tribes, and banners of Inner Mongolia attended the congress, with some Mongolian youth present as observers. Attendees included Oktyabrsky, the Comintern representative to Inner Mongolia; Li Liejun (Executive Committee member of the Kuomintang Central Committee), representing the Chinese Kuomintang; Wang Zhongyi (Organization Committee member of the CCP Zhangjiakou Prefectural Committee) and Jiang Hao (Propaganda Committee member of the CCP Zhangjiakou Prefectural Committee), representing the Chinese Communist Party; Zhang Zhijiang (Chahar Military Governor), representing Feng Yuxiang's National Army; and Danbadorji (Chairman of the Central Committee of the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party), representing the Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party.

In November of the same year, Li Dazhao, an early leader of the CCP, presided over the founding congress of the Worker-Peasant-Soldier Alliance in Zhangjiakou. Over 200 delegates from Rehe, Chahar, and Suiyuan attended. The congress elected Li Dazhao, Han Linfu, Zhao Shiyan, Li Yuzhi, Wang Zhongqing, Chen Jinghu, and Zheng Pilie as executive committee members of the alliance, with Li Dazhao as secretary and Han Linfu and Zhao Shiyan as deputy secretaries.

After the Battle of the Great Wall in the 22nd year of the Republic (1933), Japanese forces crossed the Great Wall, infiltrated North China, and occupied parts of Chahar in the spring of that year. On May 26th, Chinese generals including Feng Yuxiang, Ji Hongchang, and Fang Zhenwu organized the Chahar People's Anti-Japanese Allied Army in Chahar, with a force of about 100,000 men, and Feng Yuxiang served as commander-in-chief. On June 22nd, the Allied Army began attacking Japanese forces in Chahar and Rehe. On July 12th, under the command of Ji Hongchang, the Allied Army captured the important town of Duolun and expelled all Japanese forces from Chahar. This was the first recovery of lost territory by Chinese forces since the Mukden Incident. Subsequently, Japanese and Manchukuo forces counterattacked Duolun.

In early the 28th year of the Republic (1939), when the Mengjiang United Autonomous Government was established, the capital was moved to Zhangjiakou, which was redesignated as Zhangjiakou Special City directly under Mengjiang. On August 11, 1945, the Eighth Route Army's Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region prepared to attack Zhangjiakou Special City. On the 20th, the main forces of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region began the assault. By the 23rd, the battle was concluded. Later, this event was referred to by the People's Republic of China as the "First Liberation of Zhangjiakou."On December 21, 1947 (the 36th year of the Republic of China), the North China 2nd Corps, together with part of the Northeast Field Army, launched an attack on Xinbao'an. On December 22, the People's Liberation Army captured Xinbao'an and occupied the entire territory of Huailai County. At this time, the Nationalist forces stationed in Zhangjiakou were in a desperate situation and began to break out. However, the People's Liberation Army had already occupied all high ground in the surrounding areas and had constructed strong fortifications. The Nationalist forces' breakout was blocked. On December 24, the People's Liberation Army occupied Zhangjiakou.

3.4 Modern Era

In December 1952, the administrative division of Chahar Province was abolished. The Channan Special District and Chabei Special District were merged and renamed Zhangjiakou Special District, which was placed under Hebei Province. Zhangjiakou City became a provincially administered city of Hebei Province and served as the administrative seat of the special district. In 1955, Xuanhua City was incorporated. In May 1958, Zhangjiakou City was transferred to Zhangjiakou Special District. In May 1959, Zhangjiakou Special District was abolished, and the counties under its jurisdiction were transferred to Zhangjiakou City. In May 1961, Zhangjiakou Special District was reestablished, with Zhangjiakou City and its subordinate counties placed under its jurisdiction. In December 1967, Zhangjiakou Special District was renamed Zhangjiakou Prefecture, which governed Zhangjiakou City, with the counties remaining unchanged. In September 1981, the Beijing Military Region of the People's Liberation Army conducted a large-scale military exercise in Zhangjiakou, known as the North China Exercise. In 1983, Xuanhua County was incorporated. In November 1983, Zhangjiakou City was redesignated as a provincially administered city of Hebei Province. On July 1, 1993, Zhangjiakou Prefecture and Zhangjiakou City were merged and renamed Zhangjiakou City. On May 9, 1995, the State Council of the People's Republic of China officially approved the opening up of Zhangjiakou City (i.e., the implementation of reform and opening-up policies began in Zhangjiakou), which was relatively late compared to other cities.

On November 5, 2013, Zhangjiakou City and Beijing jointly applied to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, named the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The application was successful at the end of July 2015.

In January 2016, the State Council approved adjustments to some administrative divisions of Zhangjiakou City. Xuanhua County and Xuanhua District were abolished, and a new Xuanhua District was established, with the administrative areas of the former Xuanhua County and Xuanhua District serving as the new district's administrative area. The government seat is located at the former site of the People's Government of Xuanhua District. Wanquan County and Chongli County were abolished, and Wanquan District and Chongli District were established, with their jurisdictional areas and government seats remaining unchanged.

4. Geography

Zhangjiakou City is located in the transitional zone between the North China Plain and the Inner Mongolia Plateau, specifically in the intermountain basin of northwestern Hebei. It is bordered by the Bashang Plateau to the north and the Yanghe River Valley to the south, with terrain sloping from high in the northwest to low in the southeast. Spanning from 113°50' to 116°30' east longitude and 39°30' to 42°10' north latitude, its maximum north-south distance is nearly 300 kilometers, and its maximum east-west distance is about 228 kilometers. The city is divided into two natural geographic regions—the northern Bashang and the southern Baxia—by the watershed of the Damaqun Mountains. It experiences a temperate monsoon climate, with an average annual precipitation of 406 millimeters and an average annual temperature of 10.3°C.

Located at the border of Yu County and Zhuolu County, the Xiaowutai Mountain has an average elevation of 2,000 meters. Its main peak, Dongtai, is the highest at 2,882 meters, making it the tallest peak in Hebei Province.

The main urban area lies along both banks of the Qingshui River, surrounded by mountains to the east, west, and north, with only a small plain to the south. The Great Wall winds over the northern mountains, and the average elevation of the urban area is 725 meters. Due to the terrain, the main urban area is distributed in a long, narrow shape from north to south, which is visible within the city.

Due to climatic conditions, the mountains surrounding the urban area once had very little vegetation. However, through years of concerted efforts by the citizens, several forest parks and numerous scenic spots have been established, creating a pleasant landscape.

Meteorological Data of Zhangjiakou City (1971–2000)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------| | Record high °C (°F) | 9.7 (49.5) | 18.2 (64.8) | 22.6 (72.7) | 31.5 (88.7) | 36.8 (98.2) | 37.7 (99.9) | 39.2 (102.6) | 36.0 (96.8) | 33.5 (92.3) | 27.7 (81.9) | 20.4 (68.7) | 14.0 (57.2) | 39.2 (102.6) | | Average high °C (°F) | -2.2 (28.0) | 1.5 (34.7) | 8.4 (47.1) | 17.9 (64.2) | 24.8 (76.6) | 28.5 (83.3) | 29.4 (84.9) | 27.7 (81.9) | 23.2 (73.8) | 16.3 (61.3) | 6.6 (43.9) | -0.4 (51.3) | 15.1 (59.3) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | -8.3 (17.1) | -5.0 (23.0) | 2.0 (35.6) | 10.9 (51.6) | 17.8 (64.0) | 22.1 (71.8) | 23.7 (74.7) | 22.0 (71.6) | 16.6 (61.9) | 9.6 (49.3) | 0.5 (32.9) | -6.2 (20.8) | 8.8 (47.9) | | Average low °C (°F) | -12.9 (8.8) | -10.0 (14.0) | -3.6 (25.5) | 4.6 (40.3) | 11.2 (52.2) | 16.0 (60.8) | 18.7 (65.7) | 17.2 (63.0) | 11.2 (52.2) | 4.3 (39.7) | -4.0 (24.8) | -10.5 (13.1) | 3.5 (38.4) | | Record low °C (°F) | -24.6 (-12.3) | -21.9 (-7.4) | -16.5 (2.3) | -7.7 (18.1) | -1.3 (29.7) | 5.1 (41.2) | 12.5 (54.5) | 7.2 (45.0) | 1.1 (34.0) | -9.1 (15.6) | -17.5 (0.5) | -22.2 (-8.0) | -24.6 (-12.3) | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 2.0 (0.08) | 4.1 (0.16) | 9.1 (0.35) | 14.0 (0.55) | 33.1 (1.30) | 60.6 (2.39) | 109.9 (4.33) | 100.5 (3.96) | 45.0 (1.77) | 16.9 (0.67) | 6.3 (0.25) | 2.1 (0.08) | 403.6 (15.9) | | Average precipitation days (≥0.1 mm) | 1.7 | 2.5 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 7.6 | 10.2 | 13.4 | 12.8 | 9.1 | 4.3 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 75.3 |

6. Administrative Divisions

Zhangjiakou City currently administers 6 municipal districts and 10 counties. The Municipal People's Government is located at the Municipal Government Building, No. 10 Changcheng West Street, formerly known as the Tongtai Building.

• Municipal Districts: Qiaoxi District, Qiaodong District, Xuanhua District, Xiahuayuan District, Wanquan District, Chongli District
• Counties: Zhangbei County, Kangbao County, Guyuan County, Shangyi County, Yu County, Yangyuan County, Huai'an County, Huailai County, Zhuolu County, Chicheng County

Additionally, Zhangjiakou City has established the following 3 administrative management areas: the national-level Zhangjiakou Economic and Technological Development Zone, Saibei Management Area, and Chabei Management Area.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (sq km) | Permanent Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Of Which: Ethnic Townships | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 130700 | Zhangjiakou City | Zhangjiakou Shi | 36,796.53 | 4,118,908 | Qiaodong District | 075000 | 23 | 99 | 110 | 2 | | 130702 | Qiaodong District | Qiaodong Qu | 42.72 | 422,753 | Hongqilou Subdistrict | 075000 | 7 | 3 | 1 | | | 130703 | Qiaoxi District | Qiaoxi Qu | 210.19 | 393,227 | Xinhua Street Subdistrict | 075000 | 7 | 4 | | | | 130705 | Xuanhua District | Xuanhua Qu | 2,013.65 | 542,358 | Jianguo Street Subdistrict | 075200 | 7 | 7 | 7 | | | 130706 | Xiahuayuan District | Xiahuayuan Qu | 31.05 | 64,216 | Chengzhen Subdistrict | 075300 | 2 | | 4 | | | 130708 | Wanquan District | Wanquan Qu | 1,159.41 | 216,795 | Kongjiazhuang Town | 076200 | | 4 | 7 | | | 130709 | Chongli District | Chongli Qu | 2,323.02 | 105,501 | Xiwanzi Town | 076300 | | 2 | 8 | | | 130722 | Zhangbei County | Zhangbei Xian | 4,218.87 | 325,795 | Zhangbei Town | 076400 | | 8 | 12 | | | 130723 | Kangbao County | Kangbao Xian | 3,365.67 | 138,205 | Kangbao Town | 076600 | | 7 | 8 | | | 130724 | Guyuan County | Guyuan Xian | 3,589.24 | 167,587 | Pingdingbao Town | 076500 | | 4 | 10 | 1 | | 130725 | Shangyi County | Shangyi Xian | 2,600.98 | 104,247 | Nanhaoqian Town | 076700 | | 7 | 7 | | | 130726 | Yu County | Yu Xian | 3,197.75 | 411,824 | Yuzhou Town | 075700 | | 11 | 11 | | | 130727 | Yangyuan County | Yangyuan Xian | 1,839.06 | 205,773 | Xicheng Town | 075600 | | 5 | 9 | | | 130728 | Huai'an County | Huai'an Xian | 1,697.69 | 179,949 | Chaigoubao Town | 076100 | | 4 | 7 | | | 130730 | Huailai County | Huailai Xian | 1,782.32 | 348,746 | Shacheng Town | 075400 | | 11 | 6 | 1 | | 130731 | Zhuolu County | Zhuolu Xian | 2,802.14 | 294,013 | Zhuolu Town | 075600 | | 13 | 4 | | | 130732 | Chicheng County | Chicheng Xian | 5,272.78 | 197,919 | Chicheng Town | 075500 | | 9 | 9 | |

7. Economy

• Agriculture: Produces crops such as corn, sorghum, millet, wheat, naked oats, sunflowers, rapeseed, broad beans, peas, kidney beans, mung beans, tubers (including potatoes), and various vegetables.
• Industry: Primarily consists of light textiles, machinery, metallurgy, electric power, food processing, and chemical industries. The fur, leather, and wool/linen textile industries are relatively well-developed, earning the region the nickname "Leather Capital," with products known as "Kou Gao" and "Kou Pi."

7.1 Overview

In 2020, the added value of the private economy in Zhangjiakou reached 87.84 billion yuan, an increase of 3.8% over the previous year; it accounted for 54.9% of the city's GDP, up by 0.4 percentage points from the previous year. In 2020, Zhangjiakou added 57,518 new jobs, with 16,964 unemployed individuals re-employed, resulting in a registered urban unemployment rate of 3.44%. In 2020, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Zhangjiakou rose by 1.9% cumulatively, 0.2 percentage points lower than the provincial average and 0.6 percentage points lower than the national average. Among the eight major categories of goods and services surveyed, prices increased in five categories and decreased in three. Prices for food, tobacco, and alcohol; household goods and services; education, culture, and entertainment; healthcare; and other goods and services increased by 7.8%, 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.6%, and 2.8%, respectively, compared to the previous year. Prices for clothing, housing, and transportation and communication decreased by 0.5%, 1.4%, and 2.6%, respectively, compared to the previous year. In 2020, the added value of the tertiary industry in Zhangjiakou accounted for 56.3% of the total, contributing 66.3% to economic growth and driving growth by 2.4 percentage points. The added value of high-tech industries increased by 9.2% over the previous year, accounting for 39.7% of the industrial sector above designated size. The added value of the six high-energy-consuming industries decreased by 8.2%, down by 2.3 percentage points from the previous year. The added value of the equipment manufacturing industry increased by 7.1% over the previous year, while the wind power generation industry grew by 3.0%, and the solar power generation industry grew by 14.9%. In 2020, the total fiscal revenue of Zhangjiakou reached 32.53 billion yuan, a decrease of 2.3% from the previous year. General public budget revenue amounted to 17.55 billion yuan, an increase of 4.1%. General public budget expenditure was 64.61 billion yuan, an increase of 5.0%. Among these, education expenditure was 8.78 billion yuan, up by 3.5%; science and technology expenditure was 370 million yuan, up by 55.5%; social security and employment expenditure was 8.71 billion yuan, up by 6.9%; health expenditure was 6.23 billion yuan, up by 19.1%; and expenditure on agriculture, forestry, and water affairs was 14.18 billion yuan, up by 9.4%. In 2020, Zhangjiakou's GDP reached 160.01 billion yuan, an increase of 3.6% over the previous year. Among this, the added value of the primary industry was 26.77 billion yuan, up by 3.6% from the previous year; the added value of the secondary industry was 43.09 billion yuan, up by 2.2% from the previous year; and the added value of the tertiary industry was 90.14 billion yuan, up by 4.3% from the previous year. The ratio of the three industries adjusted from 15.7:28.2:56.1 in 2019 to 16.7:26.9:56.4. In 2020, fixed asset investment in Zhangjiakou increased by 2.6% year-on-year, with growth rates 10.7, 8.8, and 5 percentage points higher than those in the first quarter, first half, and first three quarters of the year, respectively. Among this, investment in construction projects decreased by 2.3%, while real estate development investment increased by 16.3%. The main factors driving the growth of fixed asset investment in Zhangjiakou were: first, the significant contribution of new energy investment. Influenced by favorable policies for wind and solar power grid integration, wind energy investment increased by 50.4% year-on-year, driving new energy investment to grow by 44.5% year-on-year. Second, industrial investment grew rapidly. Investment in the production and supply of electric power and heat increased by 52.4%, driving industrial investment in Zhangjiakou to grow by 27.8%. Third, investment in the ice and snow industry saw substantial growth. Investment in the ice and snow industry in Zhangjiakou increased by 110.8% year-on-year. Fourth, the number of newly started projects increased. Zhangjiakou initiated 621 new construction projects, an increase of 87 projects year-on-year, with completed investment growing by 5.6% year-on-year.

8. Transportation

Zhangjiakou Ningyuan Airport is located 9 kilometers south of the main urban area and serves as a domestic regional airport.

Within Zhangjiakou, there are several railway lines, including the Beijing–Baotou Railway (with the Beijing–Zhangjiakou section being a part of it), the Fengtai–Shacheng Railway, the Shacheng–Weizhou Railway, and the Datong–Qinhuangdao Railway. Additionally, the Xuanhua–Pangjiabao Railway and the Xuanhua–Yanjiaping Railway connect to mining areas. The Zhangjiakou–Jining Railway opened on April 28, 2011, and was later merged with the Zhangjiakou–Tangshan Caofeidian Railway to form the Tangshan–Hohhot Railway. The Beijing–Zhangjiakou Intercity Railway, originally scheduled to commence construction around August 2009, experienced multiple delays before starting in the first half of 2016. It was completed on December 30, 2019, alongside the Hohhot–Zhangjiakou Passenger Dedicated Line (connecting Zhangjiakou to Hohhot in Inner Mongolia, which, together with the Beijing–Zhangjiakou Intercity Railway and the Hohhot–Baotou section of the Jining–Baotou Railway Second Double-Track Line, forms the Beijing–Baotou Passenger Dedicated Line) and the Datong–Zhangjiakou Passenger Dedicated Line (connecting Zhangjiakou to Datong in Shanxi). Recent plans also include the Zhangjiakou–Zhungeer Railway (planned) and the Taiyuan–Xilin Gol Railway (under construction). The total operational railway mileage currently exceeds 580 kilometers.

In terms of highways, several national and provincial roads traverse the city, including National Highways 109, 110, 112, and 207; the G6 Beijing–Zhangjiakou Expressway; the S32 Xuanhua–Datong Expressway; the G6 Dandong–Lhasa Expressway (part of the National Trunk Highway System from Dandong to Lhasa); the G6 Beijing–Lhasa Expressway; the Beijing–Huailai Expressway; the Zhangjiakou–Shijiazhuang Expressway; and 19 provincial highways. The Zhangjiakou–Chengde Expressway (operational from the connecting section to the Chongli North toll station, with the Chongli North to Chengde section under construction) and the Zhangjiakou–Zhuozhou Expressway (fully opened on December 31, 2013) are also part of the network. By mid-2007, the total highway mileage in the city reached 19,500 kilometers, ranking first in Hebei Province.

The urban area currently has 30 public transportation routes and has opened multiple long-distance passenger transport lines to destinations within Hebei Province, other provinces, and various counties within the city. In September 2023, Zhangjiakou was selected as a national demonstration city for public transportation metropolis construction.

9. Education

9.1 Higher Education Institutions

• Hebei University of Architecture
• Hebei North University
• Zhangjiakou University
• Zhangjiakou Vocational and Technical College
• Xuanhua Science and Technology Vocational College

9.2 Secondary Schools

• Zhangjiakou No. 1 Middle School
• Zhangjiakou No. 2 Middle School
• Zhangjiakou No. 3 Middle School
• Zhangjiakou No. 4 Middle School
• Zhangjiakou No. 5 Middle School
• Zhangjiakou No. 6 Middle School
• Zhangjiakou No. 7 Middle School
• Zhangjiakou No. 8 Middle School
• Zhangjiakou No. 9 Middle School
• Zhangjiakou No. 10 Middle School
• Zhangjiakou No. 12 Middle School
• Zhangjiakou No. 19 Middle School
• Zhangjiakou No. 20 Middle School
• Zhangjiakou No. 21 Middle School
• Zhangjiakou No. 1 Vocational Middle School
• Zhangjiakou Chuangxin International Middle School (Private)
• Zhangjiakou Dongfang Middle School
• Zhangjiakou Lizhengbo High School

9.3 Primary Schools

• Zhangjiakou Baofeng Street Primary School
• Zhangjiakou Shuyuan Lane Primary School (Luncai Academy)
• Zhangjiakou Xiadongying Primary School
• Zhangjiakou Weihua Primary School
• Zhangjiakou Wuyi Road Primary School
• Zhangjiakou Mengguying Primary School
• Zhangjiakou Baoshan Street Primary School
• Zhangjiakou Railway Xiejie Primary School
• Zhangjiakou Qiaodong District Laoyazhuang Town Gaomiao Primary School
• Zhangjiakou Limin Primary School
• Zhangjiakou Nancaiyuan Primary School
• Zhangjiakou Beixincun Primary School
• Zhangjiakou Yifu Primary School
• Zhangjiakou Dajingmen Primary School
• Zhangjiakou Nanxiaoqu Primary School
• Zhangjiakou Dongfeng Primary School

10. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 4,118,908. Compared with the 4,345,485 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a decrease of 226,577 people over the ten-year period, a decline of 5.21%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.53%. Among them, the male population was 2,080,437, accounting for 50.51% of the total population; the female population was 2,038,471, accounting for 49.49% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 102.06. The population aged 0–14 was 626,893, accounting for 15.22% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 2,460,012, accounting for 59.72% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 1,032,003, accounting for 25.06% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 726,615, accounting for 17.64% of the total population. The urban population was 2,722,683, accounting for 66.1% of the total population; the rural population was 1,396,225, accounting for 33.9% of the total population.

10.1 Ethnic Groups

Zhangjiakou has historically been an important area for the intermingling, trade, and long-term integration of northern ethnic minorities and the Han Chinese. The ethnic composition is predominantly Han Chinese, with 26 other ethnic minorities including Hui, Manchu, Mongolian, Tibetan, Korean, Bai, Uyghur, Yi, Li, Zhuang, Dong, Bouyei, Gaoshan, Tujia, Miao, Kazakh, Daur, Russian, Yao, Hani, Dai, She, Lahu, Xibe, and Ewenki. The total population of ethnic minorities exceeds 70,000, with the Hui and Manchu populations each exceeding 10,000. Ethnic minorities are distributed across urban areas and counties, characterized by a broad dispersion with small, concentrated communities. The city currently has 2 ethnic townships and 91 ethnic villages.

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han Chinese population is 4,056,064, accounting for 98.47%; the total population of ethnic minorities is 62,844, accounting for 1.53%. Compared with the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the Han Chinese population decreased by 225,611, a decline of 5.27%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.06 percentage points; the total population of ethnic minorities decreased by 966, a decline of 1.51%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.06 percentage points.

11. Religion

The city currently has five major religions: Catholicism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Taoism. There are over 120,000 religious adherents, accounting for approximately 2.5% of the city's total population, with Catholicism (over 60,000 adherents) and Islam (nearly 40,000 adherents) having the largest followings. There are currently over 200 religious personnel. The city has six religious organizations: the Catholic Patriotic Association, the Catholic Church Administrative Commission, the Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee of the Protestant Churches, the Protestant Church Administrative Commission, the Islamic Association, and the Buddhist Association Preparatory Group. A total of 173 religious activity sites have been opened, including 123 Catholic sites, 11 Christian sites, 34 Islamic sites, 3 Buddhist sites, and 2 Taoist sites. Notable religious sites (including historical remains) include the Our Lady of Consolation Monastery in Yangjiaping, the Joseph General Seminary, the Catholic Xuanhua Diocese, the Catholic Xiwanzi Diocese, and the Xinhua Street Mosque. The Our Lady of Consolation Monastery in Yangjiaping was the first monastery in Asia established by the Trappists, the most rigorous monastic order within Catholicism, in the Taihang Mountain area near Zhangjiakou in 1883. It was dissolved in 1947.

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5. 长远规划

张家口市是京津冀城市群中的一个重要组成部分。2004年2月2日，国务院批准了《张家口市城市总体规划（2000－2020年）》 未来的张家口市域内规划期末，本市城镇等级规模结构分为四级，首级市域中心城市为张家口市区（桥东区、桥西区）；第二级为5个中小城市，即沙城（怀来县）、张北、蔚州（今蔚县）3个中等城市，涿鹿、阳原2个小城市；第三级为柴沟堡、西湾子等7个县城，第四级为84个建制镇。

依据城市现状布局及未来城市空间趋势，主城区划分为7个片区：

市中心划分为城北片区、红旗楼片区、南站片区、铁路南片区。

宣化城区划分为古城片区、新城片区。

下花园城区分为下花园片区。

城市主中心位于市中心区的纬二路和纬三路一带，形成行政办公，文化娱乐，金融贸易为主的新区中心。两个次中心分别位于宣化城区和下花园城区，形成金融贸易、文化娱乐中心。

市中心区将沿清水河两岸富有变化的建筑、景观结点和沿河绿带相串联，形成既有整体感，又有节奏感的城市滨河景观风貌。沿八角台向北经赐儿山、水母宫、东太平山、西太平山，构成自然景观风貌，与沿河休闲轴遥相呼应。

城区北端的大境门是扼守京都的北大门，在这里，以大境门为主体，借助山势河流，开辟广场，增设绿地，无疑是“跨越雄关”的一大胜景。

主城区将选择合适地段结合张家口的山川风貌、地域文化及社会经济特征设置城市八景，即：

跨越雄关、时代牧歌、鱼水情深、华夏之尊、沃野莜香、故里情怀、北国逢春、城河浸月。

随着城市规划的日益扩大，张家口、宣化两地逐步趋于一体，形成“片”状布局，下花园为相对独立片区。

到2020年城市人口为110.4万人，到2050年将达到180万人左右。21世纪中叶，张家口将成为物资环境和生态环境高度协调，景观优美，各类基础设施和服务设施完善，富于文明的现代化城市。

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The "Little North Gate" of Zhangjiabao

Qiaodong District

Xuanhua District

The Han population accounts for 98.47%; the various ethnic minority populations account for 1.53%.

Sophora japonica

Dahlia