Nanchang
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East China (华东) » Jiangxi (江西) » Nanchang (南昌)
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[edit] Overview
Nanchang, the capital city of Jiangxi Province, lies along the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
Nanchang has mild and humid weather with abundant rainfall. The city is crisscrossed by rivers, and dotted by hundreds of lakes of various sizes.
Nanchang has a forest coverage rate of 17.1%, and many species of wild plants and animals call this area home.
[edit] History
There had been several aboriginal housing estates in Nanchang as early as more than 6,000 years ago. Dating back to 1000 B.C, an ancient Nanchangnese community had formed from Qing Yunpu to Aixi Lake.
202 B.C, Liu Bang, the first emperor of Han Dynasty ordered Guan Ying, vassal of Ying Yin, to defend Nanchang. He then led his fellows and built up a city named Guan Cheng, with 6 gates near the Huang Cheng Temple, which started the process of Nanchang's establishment.
The name of Nanchang was firstly used in Western Han Dynasty, meaning 'to prosper the southern border'. The city of Nanchang had encountered prosperity and recession along with the change of names, such as 'Yu Zhang' in Han Dynasty, 'Hong Zhou' in Sui and Tang Dynasty, 'Long Xing' in Song Dynasty and last 'Nan Chang' in Ming Dynasty. It officially became a city in 1926 when Northern Expeditionary Army took up Nanchang.
Nanchang is both culturally and economically rich and has been the capital since the first dynasty. Ancient Nanchang had gained great reputation in terms of porcelain baking, lacquer, textile and bronze wear manufacturing and golden, silver ornaments creation etc. It was once the smelting, textile, shipping and commercial center of south Yangzi area. 'Hong Zhou Kiln' was one of the greatest kilns in Tang Dynasty. It was also once one of the 5biggest shipbuilding centers in South Song Dynasty.
The liberation of Nanchang on May, 22nd, 1949 brought the city more liveliness and enthusiasm. It became the birth place of PLA and got the name of 'Hero City', a place where the army flag was raising up. With the leadership of CCP and the government, people of Nanchang took up the revolutionary tradition and work hard, determined to build up a communistic modern city on the wasted land. Since the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee, Nanchang has made encouraging progress in its socialistic construction. Up to now, Nanchang has taken on an economy developed, science& technology advanced, culture progressed and transportation improved modern city.
Now the civic zone of Nanchang is very prosperous with 'Bayi' Square, which can contain 100,000 people, the 'August 1st' Uprising standing tall and upright. After reform and opening up to the outside world, Nanchang's tourism develops at a fast pace with many cultural heritage renewed. Around Nanchang, there is world cultural heritage Lu Shan, PoYang Lake conservation area for migrant birds, Scenic Spots and Historic Sites of Longhushan, Scenic Spots and Historic Sites of Jinggangshan, Scenic Spots and Historic Sites of Sanqingshan. A traveling system centered by Nanchang and stressed by scenic sites along Jingjiu Railway has been established.
[edit] Weather
Current Conditions (2010-08-01 11:00:00, local time)
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Nanchang |
Temp: 93°F (34°C) |
Nanchang Weather Forecast
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Nanchang has the humid subtropical monsoon climate. It experiences mild moist climate and ample sunshine every year. Long summer and winter, and short spring and fall are typical weather patterns in Nanchang.
Nanchang is known as one of the four "furnaces" in China because of its very hot summer and relatively cold winter.
The best time to visit Nanchang is spring and fall.
| Weather averages for Nanchang | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Avg high °C (°F) | 9 (48) | 11 (52) | 14 (57) | 21 (70) | 26 (79) | 30 (86) | 34 (93) | 33 (91) | 29 (84) | 24 (75) | 18 (64) | 12 (54) | |
| Avg low °C (°F) | 3 (37) | 5 (41) | 8 (46) | 15 (59) | 20 (68) | 23 (73) | 26 (79) | 26 (79) | 22 (72) | 17 (63) | 11 (52) | 5 (41) | |
| Rain cm (inches) | 6.81 (2.7) | 7.97 (3.1) | 12.99 (5.1) | 15.81 (6.2) | 17.77 (7) | 22.31 (8.8) | 10.5 (4.1) | 10.12 (4) | 5.03 (2) | 4.44 (1.7) | 5.94 (2.3) | 3.26 (1.3) | |
| Source: per MSN 2008 | |||||||||||||
[edit] Map
Click here to open Nanchang map.
[edit] Video
| Nanchang |
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[edit] Getting in & Getting out
Nanchang is a transportation hub.
[edit] By Air
Nanchang Changbei International Airport (KHN) (昌北机场) is situated 23 kms to the north of the city center. Nanchang-Jiujiang Expressway passes through the airport. The airport has many domestic flights to ther major cities of China such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Haikou.
[edit] By Train
Nanchang is served by its extensive railway network, and is one of the most important transport hubs in Southern China. The Beijing-Jiulong Railway and Shanghai-Kunming Railway meet at Nanchang.
The railway station can be reached by bus lines #9, #219 and #221.
[edit] By Bus
Three national highways converge.
[edit] By Ship
Nanchang has a great natural advantages in water transportation
[edit] Getting Around
Taxis & buses are the most popular ways of getting around, bus journeys being 1 Yuan per person however far.
However you will probably find that during peak times both are nearly impossible. At which point either walking or cycling are the only options (there is nowhere to rent bikes in Nanchang).
If visiting during the summer a bicycle is a good investment, at 110 Yuan from WalMart beside BaYi square. There are many cycle lanes covering the entire city, busy nearly all the time.
--from wikitravel.org
[edit] By Public Bus
[edit] By Tour Bus
[edit] By Metro
[edit] By Taxi & Rental Car
[edit] Attractions
- Tengwang Pavilion (滕王阁)
- Nanchang Bayi Square (南昌八一广场): The second largest public square in China, after Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
[edit] Hotels
[edit] Budget
[edit] Luxury
- Civil Aviation Grand Hotel
- Jin Feng Hotel
- Jinjiang Crown Hotel
- Ruidu Hotel
- Seven Star Commercial Hotel
- The Lake View Hotel Nanchang
- Gloria Plaza Hotel Nanchang
- Jiangxi Hotel
- Assorti International Hôtel, 4 star Thaïland style hotel and restaurant [1]
[edit] Restaurants
[edit] Video
| Nanchang |
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| Travel China Tours Nanchang Jiangxi |
[edit] Shopping
The main shopping streets in Nanchang are located along Zhongshan Road (中山路), Shengli Road (胜利路), Mingde Road (民德路), Xiangshan Road (象山路) and Bayi Blvd (八一大道). In addition, there are some old shopping districts, such as Wanshou Palace Street (万寿宫街), and the Insects, Fish, Bird and Flower Market (花鸟虫鱼市场).
[edit] Night Life & Entertainment
There seem to be two main areas for drinking. On the main walking street in the upscale apartment complex there are 3-4 bars and a few clubs, all of which are hopping on the weekends. Another area is found around fuzhou road, there is VV club, and CD 1925.
- Robot Head, not sure..... Interesting bar/club near the Bayi Lake with multiple floors and clubbing rooms
- CD 1925, Fuzhou Road. Interesting bar that has 4 different rooms laid out like a labyrinth. If you are drunk it makes for a terribly confusing night.
- Escape Bar, Bar Street (Near Mindaloo). Somewhat of an ex-pat bar but with a relaxed and unpretencious atmosphere
--from wikitravel.org
[edit] Sports & Recreation
[edit] Excursions & Day Trips
Day trips from Nanchang to other places in Jiangxi province include Lushan, Jinggangshan, Jingdezhen, etc.
There buses directly going to Lushan near the train station. The trip is about two and a half hours.
Another alternative is to take the train to Jiujiang station, and the take bus or taxi up to the park entrance of Lushan. Taxi costs about 80 RMB. Buses leaving Jiujiang to Lushan every 30-60 minutes from around 8am to 4pm from the intercity bus station. The trip from Jiujiang to Lushan takes about one hour.
[edit] Tips & Practical Info
- Visit Nanchang during spring and autumn seasons. Summer is very hot and winter is relatively cold in Nanchang.
- Many traditional Nanchang-style dishes have mostly become extinct. New Jiangxi-style dishes may be too spicy for the people from north.
- Some scheduled ships going to Nanchang are often subject to cancellation due to water conditions in the dry season. Pay special attention to the updates.
- Despite of recent adjustment of taxi fare in Nanchang, the cost of taking a taxi to anywhere inside the city should not be more than 10 yuan. Nanchang is not a large city.
