Major Economic Indicators (2007)

Source: Zhangye Economic and Social Development Report 2007

Introduction

Zhangye is located in the southeast part of Gansu Province, in central Hexi Corridor. It covers an area of 42,400 sq km, ranking second after Jiuquan in Gansu. Population of the city amounted to 1.3 million by the end of 2007.

Zhangye has a dry continental climate. Average temperature of the city is 6 Celsius. Average annual precipitation is 127.5 mm, while average annual evaporation amounts to 2047.9 mm.

Zhangye is rich in natural resources. There are 26 rivers running through the city with average annual runoff of 2.7 cubic meters. Reserves of mineral resources such as coal, gypsum, clay, brick, copper, iron, zinc and tungsten rank first among all prefecture-level cities.

Transportation in Zhangye is very convenient. The State Highway 312 (Shanghai-Yining), the State Highway 227 (Xining-Zhangye), and the Lanzhou-Urumqi Railway, run through the city. In addition, the local government is currently expanding the Zhangye Airport, which is 24 km from the city's downtown.

Economic Features

Zhangye realized GDP of RMB 14.6 billion in 2007, representing a rise of 11.5% year on year. The city's GDP accounted for approximately 5.4% of Gansu's total and ranked ninth out of fourteen prefecture-level cities in Gansu province.

The agricultural sector, the smallest contributor to the city's economy, generated value-added output of RMB 4.4 billion in 2007, accounting for 30% of the city's GDP. Grain output of Zhangye totaled 930,000 tons in 2007, accounting for 11.3% of the province's total.  

In 2007, secondary industry (industry and construction) , the largest contributor to the city's economy, realized value-added industrial output of RMB 5.4 billion, accounting for 37% of the city's total.  

During 2007, value-added industrial output of industrial sector amounted to RMB 4.0 billion, while total value-added industrial output of the enterprises above designated size reached RMB 3.0 billion, accounting for 75.6% of industrial sector's total.  

Electricity, metallurgy and chemicals are pillar industries of the city. Currently, Zhangye has production capacity of 1 million kw electricity, 1 million tons agriculture products processing capacity, and 600,000 tons tungsten mining and metallurgy capacity.

The service sector generated value-added output of RMB 4.8 billion, accounting for 33% of the city's total GDP in 2007.  

In 2007, wholesale and retail generated value-added output of RMB 860 million, contributing 17.9% to the sector's total. Real estate realized value-added output of RMB 370 million while finance and insurance generated value-added output of RMB 220 million.

Tourism is also an important pillar of the service sector. During 2007, 925,000 tourists visited the city, up 7% year on year, while tourism income totaled RMB 333 million, representing a rise of 4% compared to the previous year.

In 2007, export value of Zhangye amounted to US$28 million, up 80% year on year. Agriculture and sideline products are major export goods of the city.

Cultural Highlights

Zhangye was an important commercial port on the ancient Silk Road and once had the status of present Shanghai. The city is granted the reputation of "lush southern-type fields in the desert".

The city is well known for its special products such as Chinese date, apple, pear, garlic, honey, wine and cashmere, a fiber obtained from the Cashmere goat. The Chinese date is also called the Red Date.

Zhangye is abundant in food sources, both grain and livestock. It is dubbed as "Gold Zhangye", the granary of the food-scarce.

Tourist Attractions

With the Heihe River flows through and sheltered by the Qilian Mountain and Longshou Mountain, Zhangye is an oasis in the desert. Zhangye is rich in historic sites and amazing natural sceneries.

The largest nirvana Buddha in China is well preserved in the Giant Buddha Temple. Simply a finger of the Buddha can provide one a sound sleep on it and his ear is big enough for eight people to sit side by side.

The Bell and Drum Tower, also called Zhenyuan Tower, is the biggest drum tower in the Hexi Corridor. The three-storey tower is a traditional Chinese architecture with splendid cornice and fine carving.

Other scenery sites include the Wooden Pagoda Temple, which is regarded as the symbol of Zhangye, the Relics of Heishui Kingdom and Mati Temple in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County.

Zhangye snacks are famous inside and outside of Gansu Province. The Saozi noodle (noodle with minced pork) is the most popular breakfast there.