Ningxiang was a site of spectacular Shang archaeological finds[5]
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.[6]
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 (黔中郡) of Chu State (1115–223 BC).[7]
After conquering all the states, Emperor Qin Shi Huang implemented the system of prefectures and counties in 221 BC. Ningxiang belonged to Changshajun (长沙郡).[7]
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.[7]
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 (《五灯会元》), 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 (裴文德), a former zhuangyuan, received ordination as a monk with the Dharma name of "Jinshan Fahai" (金山法海). 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" (破天荒进士).[7]
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 (新康驿) was renamed Yutan Town, when it has a pond like a jade.[7]
In the Song dynasty (960–1279), Yi Fu, the first Ningxiang people won the title of "wenzhuangyuan" (文状元), and he was appointed as the title of "Founding Man of Ningxiang" (宁乡开国男).[7]
In the early Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), Ningxiang came under the jurisdiction of Tanzhou (潭州), and then under the jurisdiction of Tanzhoulu (潭州路).[7]
In June of the 5th year of Hongwu Period (1372) of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Tanzhou was renamed as Changshafu (长沙府), and Ningxiang under its jurisdiction.[7]
In the 4th year of Shunzhi Period (1647) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Gao Shijun (高士浚) 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 (朱衣点) 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" (孝天义王) and "Fuchao Tianjun" (扶朝天军).[7]
On June 18, 1944, Changsha was captured by the Imperial Japanese Army. The Imperial Japanese Army attacked Ningxiang from Yiyang and Qiaokou (乔口), 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" (血战杜家山).[7]
On February 9, 1949, Jiang Yaxun (姜亚勋) and Li Shiqiu (李石秋) led the Huang-Tang Uprising (黄唐起义) in both towns of Huangcai and Tangshi. They published the Letter to the People of Central Hunan (告湘中人民书) and the Open Letter to Cheng Qian (致程潜的公开信). On August 4, Ningxiang was liberated by the 436th Regiment of 146th Division of 49th Army of the PLA 4th Field Army, which was led by Cui Rongtai (崔荣泰) and Wang Qiao (王侨). On August 27, the People's Government of Ningxiang County was set up.[7]
After the establishment of the Communist State in October 1949, Ningxiang was under the jurisdiction of Yiyang Zhuanqu (益阳专区; 'Yiyang Special Administrative Region'). From 1952 to November 1962, Ningxiang belonged to Xiangtan Zhuanqu (湘潭专区; 'Xiangtan Special Administrative Region'), and then belonged to Yiyang Zhuanqu till June 1983, while the county was under jurisdiction of Changsha.[7]
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 5 °C (41 °F). Summers are very hot and dry with a July daily average of 29 °C (84 °F).
Climate data for Ningxiang (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1981–2010)
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 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.
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.[13] 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 percentage of its GDP.[14]
Ningxiang County has a variety of industries, such as the Wangbuliao Clothing, Sundance Clothing, Tsingtao Brewery, Jiajia Food [zh], 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).[15]
Mandarin is the official language. The local people speak both Changsha dialect and Ningxiang dialect [zh].
Religion
The county government supports all religions. As of 2015, the majority of people in Ningxiang are atheists. Of those who are religious, most follow Chinese folk religion. Only 3% of Ningxiang people are Buddhists, 1% are Taoists, and 1% are Roman Catholics or Protestants.
Education
Jianfan Library of First High School of Ningxiang.
Ningxiang County has its own laws regulating education. The county government require young people to attend school. The age limits vary: six to fifteen. Every child in the county is guaranteed up to 9 years of education (Chinese: 九年义务教育). Filling classroom from kindergarten to the twelfth grade, they attend classes for an average of five hours a day, five days a week, until the beginning of the following summer.
Ningxiang County's students pass through several levels of schooling, and thus, several curricula, on their way to a high school diploma. They attend:
Elementary School. The Elementary School usually means grade 1 through 6. And grades 7, 8, and 9 make up what is called an "Elementary Middle School". Ningxiang County has more than 200 public schools and more than 100 public middle schools. Almost every elementary school provides instruction in these subjects: Chinese language (it includes reading, grammar, composition, and literature), English language, mathematics, science, history, geography, biology, ideological and political, computer, art, music, and physical education.
Secondary School. The Secondary School generally means grade 10-12. These grades are popularly called "High School". Secondary schools offer these subjects: Chinese language, English language, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, history, geography, political, computer, and physical education. Ningxiang County has 16 public high schools.
The Shaoshan Expressway passes north through Datunying Town and connects to S50 Changsha–Shaoshan–Loudi Expressway at Huaminglou Town.[17]
National Highway
The National Highway G319, commonly abbreviated as "G319", is a northwest-southeast highway passing through the city’s downtown, commercial, and industrial districts in the eastern part of the city.[17]
Provincial Highway
The Provincial Highway S206 passes through the northern Ningxiang's Jinghuapu Township and Meitanba Town.[17]
The Provincial Highway S208 runs north to south through the eastern Ningxiang's Lijingpu Subdistrict, Xiaduopu Town, Batang Town, Donghutang Town, and Datunying Town.[17]
The Provincial Highway S209 is a major northeast-southwest highway that runs through many of towns and subdistricts in Ningxiang, such as Yutan Subdistrict, Baimaqiao Subdistrict, Huilongpu Town, Dachengqiao Town, Shuangfupu Town, Hengshi Town, Laoliangcang Town, Liushahe Town, and Qingshanqiao Town.[17]
The Provincial Highway S311, runs southeast to northwest through southwestern Ningxiang, and is connected to Provincial Highway S209 at Qingshanqiao Town.[17]
^ abcdefghijklZhang Hong, ed. (2018). "Ningxiang" 《宁乡市》. 《中国分省系列地图册：湖南》 [Maps of Provinces in China: Hunan] (in Chinese). Xicheng District, Beijing: SinoMaps Press. pp. 34–35. ISBN978-7-5031-8949-4.
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