Jingzhou () is a city in the Hubei province of the People's Republic of China, on the banks of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang). Population (minicipality): 6.3 million. Urban population: 1.56 million.

Geography

The municipality has an area of 14,067 km². The area is higher west and lower east; densely covered by a network of waterways, as well as lakes; with winding river course.

Jingzhou is located on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, in the Jianghan Plain . To its east is Wuhan, to its west are the Three Gorges, to its south is Hunan province and to its north is Jingmen city.

Administration

Jingzhou Municipality has juridiction over:

• the districts of Jingzhou and Shashi
• three counties: Jiangling, Gong'an , Jianli
• three cities: Songzi , Shishou and Honghu

History

Jingzhou has been a transportation hub and distribution center of commodities since ancient times. As early as 6,000 years ago human activities began in Jingzhou, creating the Daxi Culture.

The ancient city of Jingzhou is what is now Jiangling District of Jingzhou City. It is situated in the middle reaches of the Chang Jiang, a strategic place of military importance since ancient times.

Jingzhou was the capital of 20 kings over 411 years of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States of the Zhou Dynasty.

The city is said to have been built with earth by Guan Yu in the Three Kingdoms period. During the Southern and Northern Dynasties period, it was the capital of Qihedi , Liangyuandi , the Later Liang; in Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, it was the capital of the Nanping State.

Sights

Numerous sites have been preserved from the Chu State period, including the ruins of five Chu cities, 73 sites of the Chu Culture and more than 800 large ancient tombs, including those of 18 Chu kings.

There are also historical sites from the Three Kingdoms period, such as the Wulin Battlefield (Battle of Red Cliffs), Huarong Path and the place where Army Commander Zhou Yu was humiliated for three times.

The present city walls were rebuilt in 1646: about 9 m high, 10 m thick and 9.3 km in perimeter. The city walls, city gates, enemy broadcasting stations and battlements have been maintained well. On top of the majestic city gates, towers are built, but most have been damaged or rebuilt, only leaving the Chaozong Tower which was rebuilt in 1838 erecting on the Gongji Gate .

Well known is the Jinzhou museum . Many historical relics are displayed there, especially a more than 2,000-year-old male corpse in a good state of preservation. Also there is valuable silk and beautiful lacquer ware from the Warring States Period dating back 2,000 years.

Demographics

The following nationalities are represented: Han, Hui, Manchu, Tujia, Miao, Mongols.