Zhejiang
The province of Zhejiang rises from the East China Sea as a landscape dominated by mountains. Hills account for about 70% of its total area, creating a rugged terrain that separates valleys and plains. The highest peak in the region is Huangmaojian Peak, which reaches an altitude of over 1,900 meters in the southern part of the province. This mountainous geography has shaped settlement patterns for millennia, forcing communities into narrow coastal strips or river valleys.
Zhejiang possesses the longest coastline of any mainland Chinese province. Along this jagged shore lie more than three thousand islands, the largest number found within any single province in the country. Zhoushan Island stands out as the third largest island in mainland China after Hainan and Chongming. These islands form a complex archipelago that extends into the East China Sea, connecting to the Ryukyu Islands beyond. The Qiantang River cuts through the heart of the land, giving the province its name and carving deep valleys before emptying into Hangzhou Bay.
Valleys and plains exist primarily along the coastlines and major rivers. North Zhejiang features flat areas around Hangzhou, Jiaxing, and Huzhou where the Grand Canal terminates. Another relatively flat zone stretches along the Qu River near Quzhou and Jinhua. Most rivers carve through highlands with plenty of rapids and other topographical features associated with such steep terrain. Well-known lakes include the West Lake of Hangzhou and the South Lake of Jiaxing, both nestled within these varied landscapes.
The history of Zhejiang begins in the Neolithic period with cultures like Hemudu starting around 5500 BC. Kuahuqiao culture existed in the Hangzhou area between 6000 and 5000 BC, leaving behind early settlements that predate many known civilizations. This region remained outside the sphere of influence of Shang civilization during the second millennium BC, populated instead by peoples collectively known as Dongyue.
The kingdom of Yue emerged during the Spring and Autumn period, appearing in chronicles written around 528 BC. The Song of the Yue Boatman was transliterated into Chinese by authors from Hebei and Henan, revealing a language mutually unintelligible with northern dialects. King Goujian led Yue to recover from early reverses and fully annex the lands of its rival Wu. The Yue kings moved their capital center from Mount Kuaiji in present-day Shaoxing to Suzhou.
In 333 BC, Chu destroyed Yue directly. The Qin Empire annexed Yue's former lands in 222 BC, organizing them into a commandery named for Kuaiji but initially headquartered in Wu in Jiangsu. Under Later Han control returned to settlement below Mount Kuaiji while authority over Minyue hinterland remained nominal at best. Zhejiang became home to warlords Yan Baihu and Wang Lang prior to their defeat by Sun Ce and Sun Quan who established the Kingdom of Wu.
Hangzhou became the capital of the Song dynasty under the name Lin'an in 1127, renowned for its prosperity and beauty. It was suspected to have been the largest city in the world at that time. Marco Polo visited the city which he called Kinsay, claiming it was the finest and noblest city in the world. Northern Zhejiang and neighboring southern Jiangsu became synonymous with luxury and opulence in Chinese culture.
The kingdom Wuyue controlled all of what is now Zhejiang after Tang dynasty collapsed in 907. King Qian Liu selected Hangzhou as his kingdom's capital despite ruling for only a relatively short period. Zhejiang underwent long periods of financial and cultural prosperity continuing even after the kingdom fell. Many shrines known as Shrine of the Qian King or Temple to the Qian King remain today, with the most popularly visited example near West Lake in Hangzhou.
Greenware ceramics made from celadon returned to prominence particularly in Longquan during Southern Song and Yuan dynasties. These featured thick unctuous glaze of bluish-green tint over undecorated light-grey porcellaneous body delicately potted. Yuan Longquan celadons had thinner greener glaze on larger vessels with decoration derived from Middle Eastern ceramic and metalwares produced in large quantities for export trade to Southeast Asia, Middle East and Europe.
Zhejiang grew to become one of China's wealthiest provinces following reform and opening up in 1978. Its nominal GDP reached US$1.27 trillion as of 2024, ranking fourth among province-level administrative units nationally. The private sector has played an increasingly important role boosting regional economy since that pivotal year. Local governments typically adopt permissive business policies encouraging entrepreneurship.
The Zhejiang model prioritizes small businesses responsive to market whims alongside large public investments into infrastructure. This approach produces low-cost goods in bulk for both domestic consumption and export. Per capita disposable income of urbanites reached 55,574 yuan in 2018 showing annual real growth of 8.4%. Rural residents saw per capita disposable income stand at 27,302 yuan with real growth of 9.4%.
Zhejiang leads digital economy development in recent years through internet corporations such as Alibaba and NetEase. Ningbo, Wenzhou, Taizhou and Zhoushan serve as important commercial ports. The Hangzhou Bay Bridge between Haiyan County and Cixi is the longest bridge over continuous body of sea water in world. Economic heart moves from North Zhejiang centered on Hangzhou southeastward toward region centered on Wenzhou and Taizhou.
Most inhabitants of Zhejiang speak varieties of Wu dialect which are extremely diverse especially in southern regions where one valley may speak dialect completely unintelligible to next valley few kilometers away. Mandarin has been promoted as standard language since founding of People's Republic in 1949 but a Zhejiang accent remains detectable in almost everyone communicating in Mandarin. Home dialect continues as important part of everyday lives and cultural identities of most Zhejiang residents.
Yue opera originated in Shengzhou and is traditionally performed by actresses only in both male and female roles making it one of most prominent forms of Chinese opera. Other important traditions include Yongju of Ningbo, Shao opera of Shaoxing, Ouju of Wenzhou, Wuju of Jinhua, Taizhou Luantan of Taizhou and Zhuji Luantan of Zhuji. These regional variations reflect distinct local cultures fostered by mountainous geography.
Zhejiang cuisine divides into many traditions including Hangzhou, Shaoxing and Ningbo styles. Hangzhou-style emphasizes freshness and elegance while Shaoxing favors fermented flavors from famous rice wine culture. Ningbo specializes in seafood. Well-known dishes include West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy, Dongpo Pork, Longjing prawns, Beggar's Chicken and Song Sister Fish Soup.
The politics of Zhejiang follows dual party-government system like all other governing institutions in mainland China. Governor of Zhejiang serves as highest-ranking official in People's Government but remains subordinate to secretary of Zhejiang Provincial Committee of Chinese Communist Party. Several political figures who served as Zhejiang's top office have played key roles in various events in PRC history.
Tan Zhenlin served inaugural Party Secretary from 1949 to 1952 becoming leading voice against Mao's Cultural Revolution during February Countercurrent of 1967. Jiang Hua acted as chief justice on Special Court in case against Gang of Four in 1980. Three provincial Party Secretaries since 1990s went onto prominence at national level including CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping serving term 2002-2007, Zhang Dejiang serving 1998-2002, and Zhao Hongzhu serving 2007-2012.
Of fourteen Party Secretaries since 1949 none were native to province. Zhejiang was home to Chiang Kai-shek and many high-ranking officials in Kuomintang who fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing Civil War. The province is divided into eleven prefecture-level divisions including two sub-provincial cities with total population reaching 64.6 million.
Common questions
What is the highest peak in Zhejiang province and how high is it?
The highest peak in Zhejiang province is Huangmaojian Peak, which reaches an altitude of over 1,900 meters. This mountain stands in the southern part of the region within a landscape where hills account for about 70% of the total area.
When did the kingdom of Yue emerge and who led it to victory against Wu?
The kingdom of Yue emerged during the Spring and Autumn period with chronicles written around 528 BC documenting its appearance. King Goujian led Yue to recover from early reverses and fully annex the lands of its rival Wu before moving their capital center from Mount Kuaiji in present-day Shaoxing to Suzhou.
Which city became the capital of the Song dynasty under the name Lin'an in 1127?
Hangzhou became the capital of the Song dynasty under the name Lin'an in 1127 and was renowned for its prosperity and beauty. Marco Polo visited the city which he called Kinsay and claimed it was the finest and noblest city in the world at that time.
What are the per capita disposable incomes for urban and rural residents in Zhejiang as of 2018?
Per capita disposable income of urbanites reached 55,574 yuan in 2018 showing annual real growth of 8.4%. Rural residents saw per capita disposable income stand at 27,302 yuan with real growth of 9.4%.
How many islands does Zhejiang possess and what is the largest one named Zhoushan Island?
Zhejiang possesses more than three thousand islands along its coastline, the largest number found within any single province in China. Zhoushan Island stands out as the third largest island in mainland China after Hainan and Chongming.