- Taiyuan
Infobox Settlement
name =Taiyuan
official_name =
other_name =
native_name =
nickname = Bingzhou(并州); Jinyang(晋阳); Dragon City(龙城)
settlement_type =Prefecture-level city
total_type =
motto =
translit_lang1=Chinese
translit_lang1_type=Chinese
translit_lang1_info=太原
translit_lang1_type1=Pinyin
translit_lang1_info1=Tàiyuán
imagesize = 220px
image_caption = Downtown Taiyuan
flag_size =
image_
seal_size =
image_shield =
shield_size =
image_blank_emblem =
blank_emblem_type =
blank_emblem_size =
mapsize = 220px
map_caption = Taiyuan in China
mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
image_dot_
dot_mapsize =
dot_map_caption =
dot_x = |dot_y =
pushpin_
pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =
pushpin_mapsize =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = China
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 =Shanxi
subdivision_type2 =
subdivision_name2 =
seat_type =
seat =
parts_type =
parts_style =
parts =
p1 =
p2 =
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =Mayor
leader_name =Zhang Bingsheng (张兵生)
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
leader_title2 =
leader_name2 =
leader_title3 =
leader_name3 =
leader_title4 =
leader_name4 =
established_title =
established_date =
established_title1 =
established_date1 =
established_title2 =
established_date2 =
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
founder =
named_for =
area_magnitude =
unit_pref =
area_footnotes =
area_total_km2 =6956
area_land_km2 =
area_water_km2 =
area_total_dunam =
area_total_sq_mi =
area_land_sq_mi =
area_water_sq_mi =
area_water_percent =
area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
area_blank1_title =
area_blank1_km2 =
area_blank1_sq_mi =
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m =
elevation_ft =
elevation_max_m =
elevation_max_ft =
elevation_min_m =
elevation_min_ft =
population_as_of =2004
population_footnotes =
population_note =
population_total =3413800
population_density_km2 =auto
population_density_sq_mi =
population_metro =
population_density_metro_km2 =
population_density_metro_sq_mi =
population_urban =
population_density_urban_km2 =
population_density_urban_sq_mi =
population_blank1_title =
population_blank1 =
population_density_blank1_km2 =
population_density_blank1_sq_mi =
timezone = China Standard
utc_offset = +8
timezone_DST =
utc_offset_DST =
coor_type =
latd=37 |latm=52 |lats=10 |latNS=N
longd=112 |longm=33 |longs=37 |longEW=E
postal_code_type =
postal_code =
area_code =351
blank_name =GDP
blank_info =¥ 101.338 billion (2006)
blank1_name =GDP per capita
blank1_info =¥ 27,994 (2006)
blank2_name =Major Nationalities
blank2_info =Han
blank3_name =County-level divisions
blank3_info =10
blank4_name =Township-level divisions
blank4_info =83
blank5_name =
blank5_info =
blank6_name =
blank6_info =
website = http://www.taiyuan.gov.cn
footnotes = Taiyuan (zh-cpw |c=太原 |p=Tàiyuán |w=T'ai-yüan; lit. "Great Plains") is aprefecture-level city and the capital ofShanxi province,China . [ [http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shanxi/taiyuan/ Taiyuan Travel Guide: City Map, History ] ] The city has an elevation of aproximately 800 meters. In 2006, the city had a population of nearly 3 million. [ [http://chinalist.ru/facts/objyears.php?p_lang=1&p_param=1077&p_country=43&p_obj=1392 Taiyuan. Population ] ]Geography
Taiyuan is one of the great industrial cities of China and lies on the
Fen River in the north of its fertile upper basin. It commands the north-south route throughShanxi , as well as important natural lines of communication through the mountains toHebei province in the east and (viaFenyang ) to northernShaanxi province in the west.The city had been deliberately
flood ed several times in453 BC ,969 AD, and was also destroyed by war in 1125 AD.History
Pre-1911
Taiyuan was an ancient capital, constructed by
Zhaojianzi (趙簡子/赵简子) in ca.500 BC , namedJinyang (晉陽/晋阳). It was renamed Taiyuan in theQin Dynasty . Several Emperors came from this city, the most famous emperor is Li Shimin duringTang Dynasty . Many ancient Chinese poets were also from Taiyuan. During the Tang Dynasty, Taiyuan was a secondary capital of China and a cultural center. The oldest existing building in the city is the Temple of Goddess (聖母殿/圣母殿) inside theJin Ci Complex; it was originally built in 1023 AD and reconstructed in 1102 AD.The city was originally the site of Jinyang, a strategic center for the ancient state of Zhao. After the Qin conquest of Zhao in 221 BC, it became the seat of the commandery (district under the control of a commander) of Taiyuan, which continued during the
Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 220) and after. In the Later Han period, it became the capital of the province (zhou) ofBing .For a time in the 6th century, the city was a secondary capital of
Eastern Wei andNorthern Qi states, growing into a fairly large city and also becoming a center ofBuddhism . A new city was built in562 AD, which was later linked to the old city during the Tang Dynasty in733 AD. From that time until the middle of the Tang dynasty (618–907), the construction of the cave temples atTianlong Mountain just southwest of the city, continued. The dynastic founder of the Tang began his conquest of the empire with Taiyuan as a base and using the support of its localaristocracy . It was periodically designated as the Tang's northern capital and grew into a heavily fortified military base.The old city was at Taiyuanzhen, a few miles east of the modern city. After the Song conquest in 960, a new city was set up on the banks of the
Fen River in 982. The city became a superior prefecture in 1059 and administrative capital ofHedong (northernShanxi ) in 1107. It retained this function, with various changes in its name and status, down to the end of the Mongol period (1368). At the beginning of theMing dynasty (1368–1644), it was renamed Taiyuan Fu (府, "fu", meaning "chief town") and retained this name until 1912. DuringMing Dynasty , the city wall was reconstructed in 1568 AD. Under the Ming dynasty and in the Qing period (1644–1911), it was capital of Shanxi. Under the republic (established in 1911), its name was changed to "Yangqu", a name it retained until 1947.In 1900, during the
Boxer Rebellion , seventy-seven unarmed Western missionaries were executed in front of the provincial governor. This incident became known as theTaiyuan Massacre .In 1907 the importance of Taiyuan was increased by the construction of a rail link to
Shijiazhuang , in Hebei, on theBeijing toWuhan trunk line. Soon thereafter Taiyuan suffered a serious economic crisis. In the 19th century the merchants and local banks of Shanxi had been of national importance, but the rise of modern banks led to the rapid decline of this system — with disastrous effects upon Shanxi and its capital.1911-1949
After 1911 Shanxi remained under control by a warlord,
Yen Hsi-shan , who retained control from 1913 to 1948. Taiyuan consequently flourished as the center of his comparatively progressive province and experienced extensive industrial development. It was also linked by rail both to the far southwest of Shanxi and toDatong in the north.After the Japanese invasion in 1937, Taiyuan's industries still developed further. In 1945 the Japanese army in Shanxi surrendered to
Yen Hsi-shan and continued to fight for him until 1948. Eventually, the Chinese Communist armies captured Taiyuan, but only after a battle.1949-present
Since 1949 Taiyuan has developed a large industrial base with heavy industry (notably iron and steel) of prime importance; local coal production is considerable. Taiyuan is also an
engineering center, as it producescement , and has a large chemical-industrial complex. It is also a center of education and research, particularly intechnology andapplied science .Economy
The GDP was 51.559 billion yuan in 2003. [ [http://www.taiyuan.gov.cn/tygovwww/english/tsty2.htm TaiyuanEnglish ] ] In 2006, Taiyuan's nominal GDP was 101.338 billion yuan, a growth of 14.7% from the previous year. Taiyuan's primary, secondary, and tertiary industries were worth 2 billion yuan, 43.07 billion yuan, and 44.48 billion yuan respectively. Taiyuan is the largest coal mining center in China. It also houses several large corporations in Taiyuan, such as the Taiyuan Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) which is the largest stainless steel producing plant in Asia. Also, the Shanxi Heavy Machinery Factory and Fenxi Machinery Factory are major manufacturers for the
People's Liberation Army and Navy, producing submarine missiles for them. The largest local bank of Taiyuan is ICBC(Industrial and Commercial Bank of China ).Residential Area
The most populated area in Taiyuan is Yinze District which is the downtown of Taiyuan City. Wanbailing and Xinhualing Districts are the other major residential districts. Apartments in high rises are the most common residence for the civics. Rare houses occupied by the government officials can be found along part of the Fen River and the suburbia except the northern area of the city for the high density of heavy industry in the north. The city's most expensive housing area currently is the part of Beida Avenue between Fen River and Wuyi Road for the CBD (Central Business District) of the metropolis is being built along the street. Taiyuan Metropolitan Area's most luxurious hotels and restaurants have been built along the avenue with some shopping malls and huge supermarkets surrounding. The City Revenue Agency, the City Procurator Fiscal, City Hall, and several telecommunication companies, such as China Telecome and China Mobile are located along the avenue. The housing price has reached 20000 RMB/m, roughly equal to $300/ft.
Transportation
The
Fen River flows across the city from north to south, dividing the city into two parts: Qiaoxi (West of the Bridge) and Qiaodong (East of the Bridge). As of 2007, there are five bridges across the Fen River within the city limit: the Shengli Bridge (1970), the Yifen Bridge (1990), the Yingze Bridge (1954), the Nanneihuan Bridge (1988), and the Changfeng Bridge(2001). About ten kilometers to the north of the Shengli Bridge, there is the Chaicun Bridge. Two more bridges are being planned: Beizhonghuan Bridge and Nanzhonghuan Bridge. The primary airport of the city isTaiyuan Wusu Airport .ports
The city was once the home of the
Chinese Football Association Jia League 'sShanxi Aosen Luhu club for the 2006 season. It is also the home of the Shanxi Zhongyu (Chinese Basketball Association ) since 2006.In May 2008, the UCI World BMXRACING Championships were held in Taiyuan.
Food
Taiyuan's local specialties include:
*Wheat-made Food: Liang Fen (see
Grass jelly ), Mian Pi (面皮)
*Noodles: Dalu Mian, Dao Xiao Mian (刀削面, Knife-Cut Noodles),Lamian , Mao Er Duo(猫耳朵, Cat Ear Noodle), Xi Hong Shi Chao Ji Dan Mian(西红柿炒鸡蛋面, Noodles with Tomato and Scrambled Eggs), Ti Mian (剔面, Scraped Noodles)
*Soup: Tou Nao (头脑, "Brain" Soup), Yang Za Ge, Wan Zi Tang (丸子汤, meat ball soup)
*Vinegar: Taiyuan is known for its vinegar, Lao Chen Cu (老陈醋, "Long-preserved Vinegar"). It has a very strong taste and is known worldwide.Tourism
Several tourist attractions in and around Taiyuan include the
Liu Xiang Lane , which contains ancient Chinese houses of important heritage, and several temples, such as theChongshan Monastery , theJinci Temple , theTwin Pagoda Temple , and theShaunglin Monastery Longtan Park andYinze Park are also popular tourist destinations. [ [http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shanxi/taiyuan/ Taiyuan Attractions] ]Taiyuan is also known for its Liuxiang shopping district and the construction of parks and recreational areas that are praised by the UN Environmental Programme for their role in the improvement of the environmental condition of Taiyuan. Taiyuan's environmental improvement project is being copied in many other Chinese cities and urban areas around the world.
Education
Major schools
*
Shanxi Experimental Secondary School (山西省实验中学)
*Jiefanglu Elementary School Colleges and universities
*
Shanxi Agricultural University (山西农业大学)
*Shanxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (山西中医学院)
*Shanxi Medical University (山西医科大学)
*Shanxi Teachers University also called Shanxi Normal University (山西师范大学)
*Shanxi University (山西大学)
*Shanxi University of Finance and Economics (山西财经大学)
*Taiyuan Normal University (太原师范学院)
*Taiyuan University of Science and Technology (太原科技大学)
*Taiyuan University of Technology (太原理工大学)ister cities
Taiyuan is twinned with:
* -Chemnitz (Germany )
* - Himeji (Hyōgo,Japan )
* -Launceston, Tasmania ,Australia
* -Nashville (Tennessee ,United States )
* -Newcastle upon Tyne ,United Kingdom ee also
*
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center is one of China's few stations for rocket launch.References
External links
* [http://www.taiyuan.gov.cn/tygovwww/english/index-eng.htm Taiyuan Government website]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.