Ningxiang () is a county-level city and the second most populous county-level division in the province of Hunan, China; it is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Changsha. The city is bordered to the north by Heshan District of Yiyang and Taojiang County, to the west by Anhua County and Lianyuan City, to the south by Louxing District of Loudi, Xiangxiang City, Shaoshan City and Yuhu District of Xiangtan, to the east by Yuelu and Wangcheng Districts. Located in the central east of Hunan Province, Ningxiang covers with a registered population of 1,393,528 and a resident population of 1,218,400 (as of 2014). The city has 4 subdistricts, 21 towns and 4 townships under its jurisdiction, its administrative centre is at Yutan Subdistrict ()., , also see:
The most famous historic resident was Liu Shaoqi, who lived in Ningxiang from 1898 until 1920, before he went to Beijing as President.
The city is famous for its tourism as the home of attractions like He Shuheng's Former Residence, Xie Juezai's Former Residence, Liu Shaoqi's Former Residence, Baiyun Temple, Miyin Temple, and Puji Temple.
Archeology Ningxiang was a site of spectacular Shang archaeological findsCambridge History of Ancient China, 1999:209
In 2004, a Chinese team excavated ruins from the Western Zhou period (11th century-771BC) at Tanheli. The findings were of a city site that included two large yellow earth artificial building sites and two even larger sites that may have been palace dwellings. Remnants of moats were found both inside and outside the city. In the highlands outside the city were excavated seven small tombs for nobles and lords which contained many bronze culture implements as well as those made of jade. The site was listed in Beijing as one of the top ten archeological discoveries of 2004.
History Human habitation in Ningxiang dates back to ancient times. The earliest archaeological remains so far unearthed are the Four-goat Square Zun and Dahe Renmianwen Square Ding from Tanheli site at Huangcai Town, dating back to the late Shang dynasty (11th–10th century BC). In the Warring States (475–221 BC) period, Ningxiang was under the jurisdiction of Qianzhongjun () of Chu State (1115–223 BC).
After conquering all the states, Emperor Qin Shi Huang implemented the system of prefectures and counties in 221 BC. Ningxiang belonged to Changshajun ().
In the Han dynasty (202 BC–220 AD), Ningxiang was under the jurisdiction of Yiyang County and Xiangyin County.
In the Three Kingdoms period (220–280), king of Wu State (222–280), Sun Quan, seized Jingzhou, Ningxiang came under the jurisdiction of Wu State. In 257, the imperial court set up the Xinkang County, and Changqiao (now Hengshi) became the seat of the county administration.
In the Tang dynasty (618–907), the imperial court established a granary in today's Laoliangcang Town. Buddhism was introduced into Ningxiang some time in the 9th century. According to Wu Deng Hui Yuan (), in 806, the prime minister Pei Xiu submitted a written statement to the imperial court, which was approved to found the Miyin Temple at the foot of Mount Wei. His son, Pei Wende (), a former zhuangyuan, received ordination as a monk with the Dharma name of "Jinshan Fahai" (). The character of Fahai in the Legend of the White Snake is based on him. Liu Dui, the first jinshi in the history of Ningxiang, also known as "jinshi of Ningxiang for the first time" ().
In the 2nd year of Tiancheng Period (927) of the Later Tang dynasty (923–936), the King of Chu, Ma Yin, founded the Chu Kingdom (927–963). He set up three counties of Yiyang, Changsha and Xiangxiang in Ningxiang area. Xinkangyi () was renamed Yutan Town, when it has a pond like a jade.
In the Song dynasty (960–1279), Yi Fu, the first Ningxiang people won the title of "wenzhuangyuan" (), and he was appointed as the title of "Founding Man of Ningxiang" ().
In the early Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), Ningxiang came under the jurisdiction of Tanzhou (), and then under the jurisdiction of Tanzhoulu ().
In June of the 5th year of Hongwu Period (1372) of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Tanzhou was renamed as Changshafu (), and Ningxiang under its jurisdiction.
In the 4th year of Shunzhi Period (1647) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Gao Shijun () led his army to conquer Changsha and Ningxiang was incorporated into the territory of Qing Empire. Changshafu was set up, affiliated to Hu-Guang province and possessed 12 counties, including Ningxiang. In the late Qing dynasty, Zhu Yidian () joined the Taiping Army in Zhushi Bridge with his troops, he had fought many battles in Jiangxi, Zhejiang and Fujian, and was awarded the title of "Xiaotian Yiwang" () and "Fuchao Tianjun" ().
In 1922, Ningxiang belonged to Hunan province.
On June 18, 1944, Changsha was captured by the Imperial Japanese Army. The Imperial Japanese Army attacked Ningxiang from Yiyang and Qiaokou (), a battalion of 58th Division of 74th Army of the Chinese Nationalist Army held the Wei River bank, they blazed away at the enemy until the supplies were exhausted. They fought hand to hand with the enemy, but they were practically wiped out in the battle, known as the "Battle of Hill of Du Family" ().
On February 9, 1949, Jiang Yaxun () and Li Shiqiu () led the Huang-Tang Uprising () in both towns of Huangcai and Tangshi. They published the Letter to the People of Central Hunan () and the Open Letter to Cheng Qian (). On August 4, Ningxiang was captured by the 436th Regiment of 146th Division of 49th Army of the PLA 4th Field Army, which was led by Cui Rongtai () and Wang Qiao (). On August 27, the People's Government of Ningxiang County was set up.
After the establishment of the Communist State in October 1949, Ningxiang was under the jurisdiction of Yiyang Zhuanqu (). From 1952 to November 1962, Ningxiang belonged to Xiangtan Zhuanqu (), and then belonged to Yiyang Zhuanqu till June 1983, while the county was under jurisdiction of Changsha.
In 2017, Ningxiang was upgraded to a county-level city.
Administrative division According to the result on adjustment of township-level administrative divisions of Ningxiang county on November 19, 2015, also see: Fengmuqiao township and Xieleqiao town merged to Huitang town, Nantianping township merged to Batang town, and Zhuliangqiao township merged to Shuangjiangkou town. Ningxiang county has 4 townships, 21 towns and 4 subdistricts under its jurisdiction.
Name Chinese character Population (2005) Area (Km2) Note Qingshanqiao 49,000 71.8 Liushahe 69,000 140.57 Yutan Subdistrict 200,000 20 Daolin 56,000 135 Huaminglou 51,000 112.4 Donghutang 47,000 138 Xiaduopu 37,000 103.4 Xieleqiao 21,000 72.5 Shuangfupu 47,000 62.9 Meitanba 53,000 73.4 Batang 41,000 107 Huitang 23,000 43 Shuangjiangkou 38,000 89.5 Laoliangcang 63,000 121.8 Xiangzikou 42,000 105.8 Longtian 21,000 72.5 Hengshi 50,000 123 Huilongpu 37,000 71.8 Huangcai 62,000 220 Jinzhou 31,000 62.1 Dachengqiao 43,000 106.2 Zhuliangqiao Township 33,000 82.72 Jinghuapu Township 32,000 65.8 Nantianping Township 27,000 64 Zifu 38,000 87.4 Fengmuqiao Township 38,000 72.6 Yujia'ao Township 39,000 96.85 Shatian Township 34,000 74.22 Baimaqiao Subdistrict 50,000 22.8 Lijingpu Subdistrict 34,000 35 Chengjiao Subdistrict 50,000 22.8 Weishan Township 14,000 42.8
Geography Ningxiang County is located in the middle of Hunan province. The county has a total area of . The county is bordered by Wangcheng District, to the east, Xiangtan County, to the Southeast, Shaoshan, Xiangxiang, Lianyuan, and Loudi, to the south, Anhua County, to the west, Taojiang County and Yiyang, to the North.
Climate Ningxiang County is in the monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate zone and exhibits four distinct seasons. Spring and fall are warm, while winter is chilly with cold winds. Winter temperatures average around . Summers are very hot and dry with a July daily average of .
Rivers The Wei River flows through Ningxiang County and has seven major tributaries: Huangjuan River, Duan River, Mei River, Tiechong River, Yutang River, Chu River and Wu River.
The Jin River flows through Ningxiang County to Xiangtan, is one of the largest tributaries of the Xiang River.
Lakes and reservoirs The Huangcai Reservoir, also known as "Qingyang Lake", is a large reservoir located in the northwestern part of Ningxiang County. It is the largest body of water in Ningxiang County and the largest reservoir in Ningxiang County.
The Tianping Reservoir, also known as "Qingshan Lake", is a large reservoir located in the western part of Ningxiang County. It is the second largest body of water in Ningxiang County and the second largest reservoir in Ningxiang County.
Mountains
The highest natural elevation in Ningxiang County is 1071m at Wazizhai ().
Government
The current CPC Party Secretary of Ningxiang is Yu Xinfan and the current mayor is Fu Xuming. He Yinghui is the Chairmen of Ningxiang People's Congress, which is the equal of Head of Parliament. The Chairmen of CPPCC Ningxiang Committee is Deng Jieping.
Economy Ningxiang is one of the most developed counties in Hunan, it ranked the 18th in the Top100 of counties and county-level cities of China by comprehensive strength in 2020. It is one of the best developed manufacturing counties and county-level cities in the province, the manufacturing industry is its economic pillar. Ningxiang's economic engines are food and beverage, Advanced equipment manufacturing, new materials, modern services industry, machinery manufacture and clothing. For example, of 2015, the gross domestic product of Ningxiang County was CN¥100.22 billion (US$16.09 billion), Of this total, the value added of the manufacturing industry was CN¥61.31 billion (US$9.84 billion), shares 61.18 percent of its GDP.
Ningxiang County has a variety of industries, such as the Wangbuliao Clothing, Sundance Clothing, Tsingtao Brewery, , and Sany. The county's manufacturing products include paper, technological equipment, automobiles, food, clothing and other goods. The service sector of the county's economy includes things like banking, health care, construction, communications, education, tourism and government. Tourism comprises a large part of Ningxiang County's economy, with 20 million visitors spending ¥2 billion in 2014.
According to preliminary accounting of the statistical authority, the gross domestic product of Ningxiang City in 2017 was 122,445 million yuan (18,135 million US dollars), up by 10.3 percent over the previous year. Of this total, the value added of the primary industry was 12,382 million yuan (1,834 million US dollars), up by 3.9 percent, that of the secondary industry was 80,666 million yuan (11,947 million US dollars), up by 10.6 percent and that of the tertiary industry was 29,397 million yuan (4,354 million US dollars), up by 12.5 percent. The value added of the primary industry accounted for 10.11 percent of the GDP; that of the secondary industry accounted for 65.88 percent; and that of the tertiary industry accounted for 24.01 percent. The per capita GDP in 2017 was 96,118 yuan (14,236 US dollars).According to see hntj.gov (2018-04-02) or changsha.gov (2018-04-03)
Development zone The Ningxiang Economic and Technological Development Zone (NETZ) consists of parts of Chengjiao, Shuangjiangkou and Jinghuapu of Ningxiang County. It was created on 10 January 1998 and upgraded to an ETZ at state level on 11 November 2010. The main industries in the zone consists of Food and Drink, Advanced Material, advanced equipment manufacturing, health product and cosmetics. As of 2016, its builtup area covers , the total gross output of scale-sized industries hits 97.07 billion yuan (US$14.61 billion).
Demographics
Population As of 2012, the National Bureau of Statistics of China estimates the county's population now to be 1,368,117.
Language Mandarin is the official language. The local people speak both Changsha dialect and .
Religion