Zhangye (张掖)

1. Introduction

Zhangye City, historically known as Ganzhou, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Gansu Province, People's Republic of China. It is located in the northwest of Gansu Province, in the middle section of the Hexi Corridor. The city borders Wuwei City and Jinchang City to the east, Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province to the south, Jiujuan City, Jiayuguan City, and Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Qinghai Province to the west, and Alxa League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to the north. It lies between the Corridor South Mountains and the Corridor North Mountains, with the Hexi Corridor in between. The Heihe River and its tributary, the Shandan River, flow through the area. The city covers a total area of 36,552 square kilometers with a population of 1.2198 million. The municipal government is located in Ganzhou District. Zhangye is a nationally renowned historical and cultural city, one of the four prefectures of the Hexi region during the Han Dynasty, and derives its name from the phrase "Extending the nation's arm to secure the western regions."

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2. History

Zhangye boasts a long and rich history and culture. In ancient times, it was the location of the Liuxu State (where the Heishui River, today's Heihe River, flowed). According to the "Records of the Grand Historian: Annals of the Five Emperors" by Sima Qian of the Western Han Dynasty, "Emperor Zhuanxu... traveled west as far as Liusha (Shifting Sands)." "Liusha" was located in Juyan County of Zhangye (as recorded in the "Book of Han: Treatise on Geography"). During the Western Han period, the general Huo Qubing achieved a major victory over the Xiongnu here, and it later became a crucial town on the ancient Silk Road. In the sixth year of the Yuanding era of Emperor Wu of Han (111 BC), Zhangye Commandery was established, with the meaning "to extend the arm of the state to connect with the Western Regions." In the first year of the Shijianguo era (9 AD), Wang Mang overthrew the Han and established the Xin dynasty, ordering the renaming of commanderies and counties. Zhangye Commandery was renamed Sheping Commandery, and Lüde County was renamed Guanshi. In the third year of the Jianwu era (27 AD), Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, ordered all commanderies and counties to revert to their old names. Zhangye Commandery and its counties resumed their original names. In the first year of the Jiankang era (144 AD), from the previous September, Zhangye, Wuwei, Longxi, Hanyang, Beidi, and Wudu experienced 180 earthquakes, causing mountains and valleys to split, destroying city walls, and resulting in casualties among the people. In the sixth month of the first year of the Xingping era of Emperor Xian (194 AD), Xile and Shandan were separated from Zhangye Commandery to establish Xi Commandery.

During the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, Juqu Nancheng and Juqu Mengxun supported Duan Ye in establishing the Northern Liang, with its capital at Jiankang (present-day Luotuocheng in Gaotai County). He implemented measures such as developing agriculture, greatly promoting Confucianism, expanding cultural exchanges with various states of the Western Regions, inheriting and promoting Han culture, spreading Buddhism, translating Buddhist scriptures, excavating cave temples, and combining local music and dance with Qiuci music to create a new music called "Qin-Han Ji." These actions led to an unprecedented flourishing of Zhangye's culture, making it a center of Buddhism in northern China and also a mediator for diplomatic missions and trade between the Chinese heartland and the Western Regions. During the Northern Wei Dynasty (386–535 AD), "Qin-Han Ji" was introduced to the Central Plains, where it was called "Xiliang Music" and became the "state music" of the Northern Dynasties' court. Zhangye's Buddhist music was introduced to the Central Plains, where it was called "Xiliangzhou Bei," becoming the ritual music of Northern Dynasties Buddhist temples. In the third year of the Feidi era of Western Wei during the Northern and Southern Dynasties (554 AD), Zhangye was renamed Ganzhou due to the sweet springs within its territory.

In the early Tang Dynasty, agricultural production was vigorously developed: "military farms were established and opened, utilizing all advantages of water and land; rice harvests were abundant, with one piece of silk fetching dozens of hu; military grain was stored for decades." The international trade status of the Hexi Corridor reached an unprecedented peak, and Zhangye became an important venue for China's foreign trade. Economic prosperity promoted cultural flourishing. The famous monk Xuanzang passed through Zhangye on his journey to India (Tianzhu) to obtain Buddhist scriptures. The poet Chen Zi'ang, on an imperial inspection mission to Zhangye, wrote "Memorial to Empress Wu." Poets such as Wang Wei, Gao Shi, Cen Shen, and Ma Yunqi left famous poems during their stays in Ganzhou. After the Ganzhou music "Brahman Buddhist Tune" was introduced to the imperial court, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang adapted it into the "Song of Rainbow and Feather Garments." After Ganzhou frontier songs flowed into the Central Plains, they became major pieces in the imperial music academy, with widely circulated song titles and tune names such as "Ganzhou Po," "Ganzhou Zi," "Eight Beats of Ganzhou," and "Ganzhou Qu." In the late Tang Dynasty, Zhangye maintained close relations with the Central Plains and the Western Regions, engaging in mutual trade and developing commerce; monks traveled back and forth, leading to further exchange of Buddhist culture. In the sixth year of the Tiansheng era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1028 AD), the Tangut leader Li Yuanhao established the Western Xia, which governed present-day Zhangye. During the Yuan Dynasty, Zhangye was the capital of Gansu Province. In the Ming Dynasty, Zhangye was the seat of the Shaanxi Regional Military Commission and the Gansu Garrison. In the Qing Dynasty, Zhangye was the seat of Ganzhou Prefecture and the garrison for Gansu's military command.

In the 16th year of the Republic of China (1927), Zhangye County was established. In 1949, Zhangye Prefecture was established, with its seat in Zhangye County, but it was abolished in 1950. In 1955, Zhangye Prefecture was re-established, with its seat in Jiuquan County. In 1956, Jingtai and Yongdeng counties were transferred to Dingxi Prefecture; the Ejin Autonomous Banner was transferred to the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. In 1958, Zhangye County was abolished and Zhangye City was established; Jinta and Jiuquan counties were abolished and merged to establish Jiuquan City; Yumen County was abolished and merged into Yumen City. These three cities were administered by Zhangye Prefecture on its behalf, with the prefectural seat in Zhangye City. In 1961, Jiuquan and Yumen cities, along with Dunhuang, Anxi, Subei, and Aksai counties, were transferred to Jiuquan Prefecture; Wuwei, Yongchang, Minqin, and Tianzhu counties were transferred to Wuwei Prefecture; Zhangye City was abolished, and Zhangye, Linze, and Minle counties were re-established. In 1985, Zhangye County was changed to Zhangye City (county-level). In December 1986, the State Council of China announced Zhangye as one of the second batch of 38 National Famous Historical and Cultural Cities. In March 2002, Zhangye Prefecture and the county-level Zhangye City were abolished, and the prefecture-level Zhangye City was established; the former county-level Zhangye City was changed to Ganzhou District.

3. Geography

Zhangye borders Wuwei City and Jinchang City to the east, Jiujuan City and Jiayuguan City to the west, the Qilian Mountains to the south, and the Heli and Longshou Mountains to the north, where it shares a boundary with the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Its total area is 39,436.53 square kilometers, accounting for 8.67% of Gansu Province's total area. The region features diverse natural landscapes including deserts, Gobi, grasslands, and primeval forests.

Zhangye City experiences two climate types: a cold temperate arid climate and a Qilian Mountain alpine semi-arid to semi-humid climate. It is characterized by short, hot summers and long, severely cold winters, with aridity, scarce rainfall, and uneven precipitation distribution. The average annual precipitation ranges from 112.3 to 354.0 mm. There is a significant diurnal temperature variation, and the area is rich in wind and solar energy resources. The average annual temperature ranges from 4.1 to 8.3°C, with a mean of 6.6°C. July is the hottest month at 20.4°C, while January is the coldest at -9.1°C. The annual temperature range is 26–32°C. The average maximum temperature is 14.3°C, and the average minimum temperature is 0.3°C.

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Annual | |----------------------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|------------| | Record high °C | 17.9 | 21.5 | 27.2 | 32.6 | 34.1 | 38.1 | 38.2 | 38.6 | 34.5 | 30.3 | 24 | 19.6 | 38.6 | | Record high °F | 64.2 | 70.7 | 81.0 | 90.7 | 93.4 | 100.6 | 100.8 | 101.5 | 94.1 | 86.5 | 75.2 | 67.3 | 101.5 | | Avg high °C | 0.1 | 3.6 | 10.0 | 17.9 | 23.5 | 27.2 | 29.3 | 28.2 | 23.2 | 16.3 | 8.0 | 1.7 | 15.7 | | Avg high °F | 32.2 | 38.5 | 50.0 | 64.2 | 74.3 | 81.0 | 84.7 | 82.8 | 73.8 | 61.3 | 46.4 | 35.1 | 60.4 | | Daily mean °C | −9.2 | −5.2 | 2.0 | 9.9 | 15.8 | 19.5 | 21.5 | 20.3 | 14.6 | 6.9 | −1.0 | −7.4 | 7.3 | | Daily mean °F | 15.4 | 22.6 | 35.6 | 49.8 | 60.4 | 67.1 | 70.7 | 68.5 | 58.3 | 44.4 | 30.2 | 18.7 | 45.1 | | Avg low °C | −16.2 | −12.2 | −4.8 | 2.2 | 7.8 | 11.6 | 14.2 | 13.3 | 7.8 | 0.1 | −6.9 | −13.7 | 0.3 | | Avg low °F | 2.8 | 10.0 | 23.4 | 36.0 | 46.0 | 52.9 | 57.6 | 55.9 | 46.0 | 32.2 | 19.6 | 7.3 | 32.5 | | Record low °C | −28.7 | −27.1 | −21.2 | −10.5 | −4.5 | 1.3 | 5.8 | 4.4 | −3.2 | −12.7 | −26.3 | −28.2 | −28.7 | | Record low °F | (−19.7) | (−16.8) | (−6.2) | 13.1 | 23.9 | 34.3 | 42.4 | 39.9 | 26.2 | 9.1 | (−15.3) | (−18.8) | (−19.7) | | Avg precipitation mm | 1.4 | 1.2 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 11.7 | 24.1 | 29.6 | 29.2 | 16.6 | 4.6 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 130.4 | | Avg precipitation in | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.15 | 0.19 | 0.46 | 0.95 | 1.17 | 1.15 | 0.65 | 0.18 | 0.08 | 0.06 | 5.15 | | Avg precipitation days | 2.4 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 4.4 | 7.4 | 9.4 | 8.3 | 5.4 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 51.6 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Zhangye City administers 1 district, 4 counties, and 1 autonomous county.

District: Ganzhou District Counties: Linze County, Gaotai County, Shandan County, Minle County Autonomous County: Sunan Yugur Autonomous County

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Ethnic Townships | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 620700 | Zhangye City | Zhāngyè Shì | 36,551.74 | 1,131,016 | Ganzhou District | 734000 | 5 | 48 | 12 | 4 | | 620702 | Ganzhou District | Gānzhōu Qū | 3,660.98 | 519,096 | Nanjie Subdistrict | 734000 | 5 | 13 | 5 | 1 | | 620721 | Sunan Yugur Autonomous County | Sùnán Yùgùzú Zìzhìxiàn | 20,174.70 | 27,762 | Hongwansi Town | 734400 | | 3 | 5 | 3 | | 620722 | Minle County | Mínlè Xiàn | 2,233.21 | 192,476 | Hongshui Town | 734500 | | 10 | | | | 620723 | Linze County | Línzé Xiàn | 2,729.75 | 115,946 | Shahe Town | 734200 | | 7 | | | | 620724 | Gaotai County | Gāotái Xiàn | 4,346.62 | 125,705 | Chengguan Town | 734300 | | 9 | | | | 620725 | Shandan County | Shāndān Xiàn | 3,406.48 | 150,031 | Qingquan Town | 734100 | | 6 | 2 | |

5. Economy

In 2011, the annual gross domestic product reached 25.66 billion yuan, an increase of 13.2% over the previous year. Specifically, the value added of the primary industry was 7.2 billion yuan, up by 5.9%; the value added of the secondary industry was 9.6 billion yuan, up by 19.7%; and the value added of the tertiary industry was 8.86 billion yuan, up by 12.6%.

6. Transportation

• Railway: Zhangye Station on the Lanzhou–Xinjiang Railway, Zhangye West Station on the Lanzhou–Xinjiang Railway Second Double-Track Line
• Highways: G30 Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressway, National Highway 312, National Highway 227
• Aviation: Zhangye Ganzhou Airport

6.1 Urban Transportation

Taxi: Starting fare: ¥5 for the first 2 kilometers; beyond the initial distance, the fare is ¥1.4 per kilometer for vehicles with an engine displacement below 1.8L (e.g., Antelope, Weizhi), and ¥1.6 per kilometer for vehicles with an engine displacement of 1.8L or above (e.g., Santana, Hyundai). For distances exceeding 6 kilometers, the fare adjusts to ¥2.1 per kilometer for vehicles below 1.8L and ¥2.4 per kilometer for vehicles 1.8L or above. A nighttime surcharge of ¥0.5 per kilometer applies for vehicles below 1.8L, and ¥0.2 per kilometer for vehicles 1.8L or above. Waiting fee: ¥0.5 for every 5 minutes.

Tram: The S1 line construction began in 2021 but was halted in the same year as the groundbreaking ceremony.

7. Education

7.1 Secondary Education

• Zhangye Middle School
• Zhangye No. 1 Middle School
• Zhangye No. 2 Middle School
• Zhangye No. 3 Middle School
• Zhangye No. 4 Middle School
• Zhangye No. 5 Middle School
• Zhangye No. 6 Middle School
• Zhangye No. 7 Middle School
• Zhangye Dacheng Middle School
• Zhangye Ganzhou Middle School
• Zhangye Experimental Middle School
• Zhangye Jinlu Middle School
• Zhangye Yucai Middle School

7.2 Higher Education

• Hexi University
• Peili Vocational College

8. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's resident population was 1,131,016. Compared with the 1,199,515 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a decrease of 68,499 people over the past ten years, a decline of 5.71%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.59%. Among them, the male population was 570,451, accounting for 50.44% of the total population; the female population was 560,565, accounting for 49.56% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 101.76. The population aged 0–14 was 190,071, accounting for 16.81% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 738,095, accounting for 65.26% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 202,850, accounting for 17.94% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 148,707, accounting for 13.15% of the total population. The urban population was 580,117, accounting for 51.29% of the total population; the rural population was 550,899, accounting for 48.71% of the total population.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 1,100,251, accounting for 97.28%; the total population of ethnic minorities was 30,765, accounting for 2.72%. Among them, the Yugur ethnic group population was 9,514, accounting for 0.84%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population decreased by 72,685, a decline of 6.2%, with its proportion in the total population decreasing by 0.5 percentage points; the total population of ethnic minorities increased by 4,186, a growth of 15.75%, with its proportion in the total population increasing by 0.5 percentage points. Among them, the Yugur ethnic group population decreased by 723, a decline of 7.06%, with its proportion in the total population decreasing by 0.01 percentage points. There are 26 ethnic groups, including Han, Hui, Yugur, Tibetan, and others.

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9. Culture

As a significant city in the northwest of Gansu Province, Zhangye boasts a profound historical and cultural heritage along with abundant cultural resources. In recent years, Zhangye has achieved remarkable progress in cultural development, promoting cultural prosperity through a series of cultural activities and projects.

Zhangye is a key node city along the "Belt and Road" initiative, rich in historical and cultural resources. The city has developed historical and cultural scenic areas, such as the Heishui Kingdom Ruins, Shanxi Guild Hall, and the Military Governor's Mansion, centered around the grandeur of the Han and Tang dynasties, the relics of the Yuan and Xia periods, and the culture of the Ming and Qing dynasties. This approach has achieved a win-win situation for both cultural relic preservation and development. Additionally, Zhangye has preserved ancient folk cultures, such as Ganzhou Ancient Music, Taiping Cart Dance, and Qin Opera. These traditional art forms showcase the lifestyle and spiritual outlook of the local people.

In the protection of intangible cultural heritage, Zhangye has also made active efforts. For example, the "Hexi Baojuan" chanting training and exchange activity was successfully held at the Linze County Cultural Center, sparking interest in traditional culture. At the same time, Zhangye has enhanced the cultural literacy and skill levels of inheritors by organizing exhibitions and skill training sessions for the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage project "Zhangye Paper-Cutting."

In recent years, Zhangye has vigorously promoted international cultural exchanges, frequently organizing high-quality artistic performances and cultural activities abroad. These activities have reached multiple countries and regions, such as Thailand, South Korea, and France. They have not only enriched the cultural lives of local residents but also showcased Zhangye's cultural characteristics to the world, enhancing its international visibility and influence.

In cultural tourism, Zhangye has demonstrated the beautiful prospects of rural revitalization through a series of activities, such as "Earth's Joyful Songs · Seasonal Rural Gatherings" and "Our Chinese Dream · Culture Enters Every Home," attracting a large number of tourists. Additionally, Zhangye has further promoted the development of cultural tourism by hosting events like the Silk Road Global Tourism Festival and the International Wind Music Art Week.

Zhangye also emphasizes the implementation of cultural惠民 projects, meeting the public's demand for cultural life through activities such as artistic performances, intangible cultural heritage entering schools, and traditional opera entering rural areas. For example, the "Hundred Cities, Hundred Events" public cultural brand activity integrates excellent cultural resources from across the province and the country, fostering interaction and exchange in cultural tourism.

Zhangye's cultural development is reflected not only in its rich historical and cultural heritage and diverse folk cultures but also in the promotion of cultural industry prosperity through a series of cultural activities and international exchange projects. In the future, Zhangye will continue to leverage its unique cultural advantages to further enhance the city's cultural品位 and international influence.

10. Sister Cities

• Yan'an City
• Maoming City
• Sanmenxia City
• Fushun City
• Shuangyashan City
• Hancheng City
• Jiuquan City
• Jiayuguan City
• Yumen City
• Alxa League
• Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang
• Kranj City, Slovenia

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Drawing from the meaning of "Extending the nation's reach to secure the Western Regions."

Ganzhou District

Ganzhou District

Yugur
Hui
Tibetan
Mongolian

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