Ningxiang

Ningxiang was a site of spectacular Shang archaeological finds In 2004, a Chinese team excavated ruins from the Western Zhou period (11th century-771BC) at Tanheli. The findings were of a city site that included two large yellow earth artificial building sites and two even larger sites that may have been palace dwellings. Remnants of moats were found both inside and outside the city. In the highlands outside the city were excavated seven small tombs for nobles and lords which contained many bronze culture implements as well as those made of jade. The site was listed in Beijing as one of the top ten archeological discoveries of 2004. , a Shang dynasty bronze ding vessel decorated with a human face, unearthed at Zhaizishan, Huangcai Town, Ningxiang County in 1959, and displayed at the Hunan Provincial Museum. , a zun vessel of the later Shang Dynasty discovered by Jiang Jingsu () and his other two brothers in April 1938 at Zhuanerlun hillside (), Huangcai town, Ningxiang County, and displayed at the National Museum of China. ==History==

Human habitation in Ningxiang dates back to ancient times. The earliest archaeological remains so far unearthed are the Four-goat Square Zun and Dahe Renmianwen Square Ding from Tanheli site at Huangcai Town, dating back to the late Shang dynasty (11th–10th century BC). In the Warring States (475–221 BC) period, Ningxiang was under the jurisdiction of Qianzhongjun () of Chu State (1115–223 BC). In 2017, Ningxiang was upgraded to a county-level city. == Administrative division ==

According to the result on adjustment of township-level administrative divisions of Ningxiang county on November 19, 2015, Fengmuqiao township and Xieleqiao town merged to Huitang town, Nantianping township merged to Batang town, and Zhuliangqiao township merged to Shuangjiangkou town. Ningxiang county has 4 townships, 21 towns and 4 subdistricts under its jurisdiction. ==Geography==

Ningxiang County is located in the middle of Hunan province. The county has a total area of . The county is bordered by Wangcheng District, to the east, Xiangtan County, to the Southeast, Shaoshan, Xiangxiang, Lianyuan, and Loudi, to the south, Anhua County, to the west, Taojiang County and Yiyang, to the North. Climate Ningxiang County is in the monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate zone and exhibits four distinct seasons. Spring and fall are warm, while winter is chilly with cold winds. Winter temperatures average around . Summers are very hot and dry with a July daily average of . Rivers The Wei River flows through Ningxiang County and has seven major tributaries: Huangjuan River, Duan River, Mei River, Tiechong River, Yutang River, Chu River and Wu River. The Jin River flows through Ningxiang County to Xiangtan, is one of the largest tributaries of the Xiang River. Lakes and reservoirs The Huangcai Reservoir, also known as "Qingyang Lake", is a large reservoir located in the northwestern part of Ningxiang County. It is the largest body of water in Ningxiang County and the largest reservoir in Ningxiang County. The Tianping Reservoir, also known as "Qingshan Lake", is a large reservoir located in the western part of Ningxiang County. It is the second largest body of water in Ningxiang County and the second largest reservoir in Ningxiang County. Mountains The highest natural elevation in Ningxiang County is 1071m at Wazizhai (). ==Government==

The current CPC Party Secretary of Ningxiang is Yu Xinfan and the current mayor is Fu Xuming. He Yinghui is the Chairmen of Ningxiang People's Congress, which is the equal of Head of Parliament. The Chairmen of CPPCC Ningxiang Committee is Deng Jieping. ==Economy==

Ningxiang is one of the most developed counties in Hunan, it ranked the 18th in the Top100 of counties and county-level cities of China by comprehensive strength in 2020. It is one of the best developed manufacturing counties and county-level cities in the province, the manufacturing industry is its economic pillar. Ningxiang's economic engines are food and beverage, Advanced equipment manufacturing, new materials, modern services industry, machinery manufacture and clothing. For example, of 2015, the gross domestic product of Ningxiang County was CN¥100.22 billion (US$16.09 billion), Of this total, the value added of the manufacturing industry was CN¥61.31 billion (US$9.84 billion), shares 61.18 percent of its GDP. Ningxiang County has a variety of industries, such as the Wangbuliao Clothing, Sundance Clothing, Tsingtao Brewery, , and Sany. The county's manufacturing products include paper, technological equipment, automobiles, food, clothing and other goods. The service sector of the county's economy includes things like banking, health care, construction, communications, education, tourism and government. Tourism comprises a large part of Ningxiang County's economy, with 20 million visitors spending ¥2 billion in 2014. According to preliminary accounting of the statistical authority, the gross domestic product of Ningxiang City in 2017 was 122,445 million yuan (18,135 million US dollars), up by 10.3 percent over the previous year. Of this total, the value added of the primary industry was 12,382 million yuan (1,834 million US dollars), up by 3.9 percent, that of the secondary industry was 80,666 million yuan (11,947 million US dollars), up by 10.6 percent and that of the tertiary industry was 29,397 million yuan (4,354 million US dollars), up by 12.5 percent. The value added of the primary industry accounted for 10.11 percent of the GDP; that of the secondary industry accounted for 65.88 percent; and that of the tertiary industry accounted for 24.01 percent. The per capita GDP in 2017 was 96,118 yuan (14,236 US dollars). Development zone The Ningxiang Economic and Technological Development Zone (NETZ) consists of parts of Chengjiao, Shuangjiangkou and Jinghuapu of Ningxiang County. It was created on 10 January 1998 and upgraded to an ETZ at state level on 11 November 2010. The main industries in the zone consists of Food and Drink, Advanced Material, advanced equipment manufacturing, health product and cosmetics. As of 2016, its builtup area covers , the total gross output of scale-sized industries hits 97.07 billion yuan (US$14.61 billion). ==Demographics==

Population As of 2012, the National Bureau of Statistics of the People's Republic of China estimates the county's population now to be 1,368,117. Language Mandarin is the official language. The local people speak both Changsha dialect and . Religion The county government supports all religions. As of 2015, the majority of people in Ningxiang are atheists. Of those who are religious, most follow Chinese folk religion. Only 3% of Ningxiang people are Buddhists, 1% are Taoists, and 1% are Roman Catholics or Protestants. ==Education==

Ningxiang County has its own laws regulating education. The county government require young people to attend school. The age limits vary: six to fifteen. Every child in the county is guaranteed up to 9 years of education (). Filling classroom from kindergarten to the twelfth grade, they attend classes for an average of five hours a day, five days a week, until the beginning of the following summer. Ningxiang County's students pass through several levels of schooling, and thus, several curricula, on their way to a high school diploma. They attend: • Elementary School. The Elementary School usually means grade 1 through 6. And grades 7, 8, and 9 make up what is called an "Elementary Middle School". Ningxiang County has more than 200 public schools and more than 100 public middle schools. Almost every elementary school provides instruction in these subjects: Chinese language (it includes reading, grammar, composition, and literature), English language, mathematics, science, history, geography, biology, ideological and political, computer, art, music, and physical education. • Secondary School. The Secondary School generally means grade 10-12. These grades are popularly called "High School". Secondary schools offer these subjects: Chinese language, English language, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, history, geography, political, computer, and physical education. Ningxiang County has 16 public high schools. ==Transportation==

Rail The Luoyang–Zhanjiang Railway, more commonly known as "Luzan Railway", from Luoyang City, Henan Province to Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, through Ningxiang. The Shanghai–Kunming high-speed railway passes through the southeastern Ningxiang's Datunying Town and Daolin Town. The Shimen–Changsha railway passes across the northeastern Ningxiang's Jinzhou Town and Chengjiao Subdistrict. Expressway The G5513 Changsha–Zhangjiajie Expressway runs west to east through Chengjiao Subdistrict and Jinzhou Town. The S71 Yiyang–Loudi–Hengyang Expressway, also popularly known as "Yilouheng Expressway", runs north-south through western Ningxiang, passing through the towns of Qingshanqiao, Liushahe, Laoliangcang, Hengshi, Yujia'ao to Yiyang connects to S50 Changsha–Shaoshan–Loudi Expressway at Fanjiang Town of Xiangxiang. The S50 Changsha–Shaoshan–Loudi Expressway, locally known as "Changshaolou Expressway", travels through the southern Ningxiang, leading eastwards to Yuelu District of Changsha and westwards to Louxing District of Loudi. The Shaoshan Expressway passes north through Datunying Town and connects to S50 Changsha–Shaoshan–Loudi Expressway at Huaminglou Town. National Highway The National Highway G319, commonly abbreviated as "G319", is a northwest-southeast highway passing through the city’s downtown, commercial, and industrial districts in the eastern part of the city. Provincial Highway The Provincial Highway S206 passes through the northern Ningxiang's Jinghuapu Township and Meitanba Town. The Provincial Highway S208 runs north to south through the eastern Ningxiang's Lijingpu Subdistrict, Xiaduopu Town, Batang Town, Donghutang Town, and Datunying Town. The Provincial Highway S209 is a major northeast-southwest highway that runs through many of towns and subdistricts in Ningxiang, such as Yutan Subdistrict, Baimaqiao Subdistrict, Huilongpu Town, Dachengqiao Town, Shuangfupu Town, Hengshi Town, Laoliangcang Town, Liushahe Town, and Qingshanqiao Town. The Provincial Highway S311, runs southeast to northwest through southwestern Ningxiang, and is connected to Provincial Highway S209 at Qingshanqiao Town. ==Culture==

Ningxiang has four famous characteristic cultures. They are: • Huaguxi(花鼓戏) • Weiguzixi(围鼓子戏) • GuanyindianExi(观音殿额戏) • Gushihui(故事会) ==Tourism==

Ningxiang County's most visited Buddhist temple is Miyin Temple, which was built in Tang dynasty (618–907) in Weishan Township, the county is also known for Puji Temple and Shangliu Temple in Qingshanqiao Town, and Baiyun Temple in Huilong Mountain. Huitang Hot Spring is a popular attraction. The Former Residence of Liu Shaoqi, Former Residence of Xie Juezai, and Former Residence of He Shuheng are well-known tourist spots. ==Notable people==

Ningxiang County is the birthplace of: • Gan Siqi - one of only 57 generals bestowed the honour of being a "founding general" of the People's Republic of China. • He Shuheng - a proletarian revolutionary in modern China. • Huang Yali - a pop singer who earned sixth place in the 2006 Super Girl contest. • Ray Huang - a historian and philosopher best known in his later years for the idea of macro-history. • Li Zehou - a scholar of philosophy and intellectual history who currently resides in the United States. • Liu Shaoqi - a former president of the People's Republic of China. His former residence is now a museum. • Liu Yuan - one of sons of Liu Shaoqi, a general and the political commissar of the People's Liberation Army General Logistics Department. • Lu Diping - a military general and politician. • Lu Li - a gymnast best known for her gold medal on the uneven bars in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. • Qi Xueqi - a famous Anti-Japanese commander of the Kuomintang (KMT). • Tang Sulan - a writer and politician. • Tao Zhiyue - a Kuomintang general during the Second Anti-Japanese War. • Tong Enzheng - an archaeologist, historian, designer, and science fiction author. • Xiang Zhejun - a jurist and prosecutor at International Military Tribunal for the Far East. • Xie Juezai - former Deputy Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. • Xie Fei - son of Xue Juezai, a world-recognized Chinese film director. • Ye Xiaowen - former director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs • Zhou Guangzhao - former President of Chinese Academy of Sciences. • Zhou Shuguang - a blogger and citizen journalist best known for traveling around China to document injustice done to citizens. ==Footnotes==