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Profiles of China Provinces, Cities and Industrial Parks



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Content provided by :  China Knowledge
   
12 Sept 2011
Zhangjiajie ( Hunan ) City Information

Major Economic Indicators (2010)

Land Area (km2) 9,563
Population (million) 1.7
GDP (RMB billion) 24.25
GDP Composition
Primary Industry 12.9%
Secondary Industry
(Industry & Contruction)		 24.8%
Tertiary Industry (Service) 62.3%
GDP Per Capita (RMB) 14,263
Unemployment Rate 2.6%
Fixed Asset Investment (RMB billion) 14.36
Utilized FDI (USD million) 36.35
Total Import & Export (USD million) 27.96
Export (USD million) 27.54
Import (USD million) 0.42
Sales of Consumer Goods (RMB billion) 8.3
Source Source: Zhangjiajie Economic and Social Development Report 2010

   

 
Introduction
 

Zhangjiajie is situated in the northwestern part of Hunan Province. It is famous for its wonderful limestone caves, strange-shaped peaks and stones and splendid scenery. The name “Zhangjiajie,” which means "Zhang family homeland", was adopted in 1994, after Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. It was called Dayong before 1994. The name change was made to reflect the preeminence of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, a popular tourist attraction.

Zhangjiajie covers an area of 9,563 sq km, 76% of which is mountainous. It has a population of 1.7 million. Minority ethnic groups, such as the Tujia, the Bai and the Miao, constitute 72.5% of the city's population. Zhangjiajie has a subtropical humid monsoon climate. Plentiful mountains and thick trees contribute to the favorable climate, making the region warm in winter and cool in summer.

Transportation in Zhangjiajie is very convenient. Highways running through the city extend in all directions, making it easily accessible. The Changsha-Zhangjiajie Expressway connects the city with Changsha, the provincial capital of Hunan. Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport, located 40 km from Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, operates daily flights to Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Nanjing, Changsha and Chengdu.
 
Economic Features
 
In 2010, the GDP of Zhangjiajie surpassed RMB 24.25 billion, representing a strong growth of 14.5% from the previous year. It is the smallest economy among 14 prefecture and prefecture-level cities in the province.

The service sector, the largest contributor to Zhangjiajie's economy, achieved value-added output of RMB 15.12 billion in 2010, contributing 62.3% of the city's GDP. The value-added output from primary industry and secondary industry grew 4.1% and 19.9% to RMB 3.12 billion and RMB 6 billion, comprising 12.9% and 24.8% of the city's GDP, respectively.

Value-added industrial output by enterprises with designated size or above in the city surged 23.1% year on year to RMB4.19 billion in 2010. Heavy industrial and light industrial enterprises with designated size or above rose 20.4% and 27.6% to RMB 2.6 billion and RMB 1.59 billion, constituting 62% and 38% of the city's total, respectively.

Coal mining is a pillar of the city's industrial sector. In 2009, value-added industrial output from this industry amounted to RMB 136 million, accounting for 5% of the city's total. Other pillar industries in the city include electricity production and supply, agricultural products processing, metallurgy and food and beverages etc.

Splendid scenery and plentiful tourist attractions make the city a top tourist destination in Hunan. In 2010 alone, nearly 24.05 million tourists visited the city, which brought tourism income of RMB 12.53 billion.

In 2010, foreign trade in Zhangjiajie hit US$27.96 million, with a sharp rise of 18% from the previous year. Export value reached US$27.54 million, increasing by 52.1%, while import value stood at US$0.42 million. Major export destination include the U.S., Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Russia.

In 2010, there are three foreign-funded enterprises were approved. The utilized FDI in the city was US$36.35 million, representing an increase of 20.1% over a year earlier.
 
Cultural Highlights
 

Zhangjiajie boosts a long history and diverse cultures. As early as in 221BC, Qin State established Cigu County in the region. Beginning in AD264, during the Three Kingdoms Period, the territory was controlled by Tianmen Shire for over 1,000 years. In AD1369, during the Ming Dynasty, Dayong was founded. In 1988, Dayong became a prefecture-level city. Its name changed into Zhangjiajie in 1994.

The city is a multi-cultural area, where many ethnic minority groups are living. Han Culture and Tuji Culture are dominant in Zhangjiajie.
 
Tourist Attraction
 

Zhangjiajie boosts diverse natural scenic spots, such as hidden valleys, the strange-shaped peaks and cloud seas. The most featured scenic spots are located in the northern part of the city. Wuling Scenic Area is the most popular scenic area in the city. It contains three parks, namely Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxiyu Nature Reserve and Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is China's first national park. It boasts many charming scenic spots, among which the Golden Whip Stream and the Yellow Stone Stronghold (Huang Shi Zai) are highly recommended.

Zhangjiajie offers a large variety of Tujia-flavored local snacks that feature a spicy and sour taste and extensive usage of preserved vegetables and meat. The most famous one is "San Xia Guo", a kind of hot pot, which uses diverse mushrooms, preserved meat and wild vegetables.

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