Zhenyuan

Author: Li Chenghuai, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: March 1, 2005
Features: Protecting and developing urban historical and cultural heritage is a significant issue that concerns the world today. China stands tall in the world with its brilliant and unique history, and historical and cultural cities are treasures of the Chinese nation. Since 1982, the government has successively named several batches of nationally protected historical and cultural cities. Protecting historical and cultural heritage is not just about historical and cultural cities; every city has its own historical and cultural heritage, and it does not mean that a city is not modern. Therefore, all cities, especially historical and cultural cities, should strive to develop cultural, economic, and tourism industries that align with their own characteristics in the process of protection, in order to carry forward the legacy and maintain eternal vitality. The "Historical and Cultural Cities of China" series, organized and edited by the Research Center for National Historical and Cultural Cities, will undoubtedly play a beneficial role in better promoting, protecting, and developing these cities.
Zhenyuan County is located at the eastern edge of Guizhou Province and belongs to the subtropical humid climate zone. The average annual temperature is 16.4°C, and the annual precipitation is 1,093.3 millimeters. The climate is mild with distinct seasons. The county covers an area of 1,878 square kilometers and has a population of nearly 240,000. The county seat covers an area of about 6 square kilometers, with a permanent resident population of nearly 50,000. It is a historic and civilized ancient city with abundant resources and a favorable environment, and it is one of the counties under the jurisdiction of the National Reform and Opening-up Experimental Zone of Qiandongnan Prefecture.
Zhenyuan County is rich in natural resources. The county has 106 rivers of various sizes, with a theoretical hydropower potential of 105.5 thousand kilowatts and a developable installed capacity of 53 thousand kilowatts. Mineral resources have been explored and identified, including 24 deposits and 54 mineral points of different grades. The forest coverage rate has been increasing year by year, with fertile land and a wide distribution of fruit varieties, creating conditions for the development and processing of green industries. Animal husbandry has largely achieved.
Zhenyuan County has convenient transportation and communication. The electrified railway and highway from Hunan to Guizhou pass through the county, spanning over 90 kilometers within its territory. National Highway 320 and multiple provincial, county, and township roads crisscross the area. In recent years, with the goal of establishing the county as a city, infrastructure and urban construction have accelerated, providing convenience for transportation, investment in factories, and tourism. The power industry has developed rapidly, with 18 small and medium-sized hydropower stations and 3 110-kilovolt national grid substations, as well as 2 220-kilovolt national grid substations, with installed capacities of 22.6 thousand kilowatts and 36 thousand kilovolt-amperes, respectively. The annual electricity generation is 60 million kilowatt-hours, basically achieving electrification for industrial production. Leveraging its power advantages and convenient transportation and communication, Zhenyuan County has preliminarily established 480 industrial enterprises with an output value of nearly 350 million yuan, with the main pillar industries being power, metallurgy, and brewing.
Zhenyuan—China's historical and cultural city—blends the cultural essence of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. The national-level scenic area of the Wuyang River and the key cultural relic protection unit of the Qinglong Cave Ancient Building Complex attract numerous domestic and international tourists for sightseeing and research. The county has more than 200 historical and cultural relics open to the public for tourism; over 300 natural scenic spots; and 3 ethnic and folk cultural attractions. Zhenyuan's tourism resources, with their unique mountain landscapes, beautiful wild scenery, profound historical and cultural heritage, and distinctive ethnic customs of the Dong and Miao peoples, hold great scientific research and aesthetic value.
"The Historical and Cultural Cities of China: Zhenyuan" is divided into nine parts: "Zhenyuan, a Famous Town," "Ancient City Scenery," "Scenic Spots along the Wuyang River," "The Charm of Tie Xi," "The Secret Realm of Gao Guo," "Famous Scholars of Zhenyuan," "Ethnic Customs," "Local Delicacies," "Contemporary Construction," and "Tourism Services." The book collects nearly 200 new photographs reflecting the urban landscape of Zhenyuan, making it a comprehensive and systematic encyclopedia-style album introducing the city.