Zhengzhou
Zhengzhou (simplified Chinese: 郑州; traditional Chinese: 鄭州; pinyin: Zhèngzhōu) formerly called Zhengxian, is located 24 km south of the Huang He (Yellow River). It is the capital of Henan province in China. Population: 5.97 million.
History
Shang Dynasty established Aodu (隞都) (see also: History of China). The pre-historical city had been long lost even before the time of the First Emperor of China.
The name of Zhengzhou came from Sui Dynasty (581 AD) albeit it was located in Chenggao, another town. The government was moved to the contemporary city during Tang Dynasty.
Economy
The GDP per capita was ¥16028 (ca. US$1940) in 2003, ranked no. 117 among 659 Chinese cities.
Agriculture
Zhengzhou has a rural population of 3.97 million. Its main products include apple, paulownia, tobacco, maize, cotton, and wheat. In addition, Zhengzhou also produces Yellow River Carp, Zhengzhou watermelon, Xinzheng jujube, dried persimmon, Guangwu Megranate and Zhongmu Garlic, all of which are specialities that are rarely found outside the region.
Industry
Zhengzhou has been one of the major industrial cities in China since 1949. The city's staple industry is textiles. Others manufactured items include: tractors, locomotives, cigarettes, fertilizer, processed meats, agricultural machinery, and electrical equipment
Culture
- Martial arts: Shaolin Monastery (Shao4 Lin2 Shi4) (Buddhist Monastery)
- Chinese opera: Henan opera
Tourism
Zhengzhou is a dusty, flat industrial city set amid the farmland of central China. As the city has few scenic attractions, most travellers use Zhengzhou as a resting place or a transfer point on the way to nearby tourist spots such as the Shaolin Temple and the Longmen Grottoes of Luoyang.
Zhengzhou's most notable cultural institution is the Henan Provincial Museum, one of mainland China's important museums.
Transportation
Train
Zhengzhou is a major railroad center as it is located at the crossroad of the Long-hai railroad (east-west) and the Jing-guang railroad (north-south). Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport is located 37km southeast to the center of the city.
Zhengzhou is easy to reach from Beijing and from Shanghai by train. Further travelling to Xi'an is also recommended by train.
Taxi
Travelling within the city is easy by taxi. In 2005 the base rate is 7 yuan, which includes the first 3 kilometres. Every additional kilometre is either 1 or 1.2 yuan. Fares are generally somewhat higher during late evening and night.
Restaurants
Western Bars & Restaurants
As in most bigger Chinese cities Western restaurants are becoming increasingly popular. Most offer steaks and pasta. Local Western-style restaurants include:
- Cappuccino
- Mama Mia's (Crowne Plaza Hotel)
There are very few bars geared toward foreign patrons in Zhengzhou. Two well-frequented bars are C.D.'s Bar (formerly known as Hank's Round-Up) and the Whitehorse Bar, located inside the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
College and Universities
Public
- Henan Agricultural University (河南农业大学) (founded 1913)
- Zhengzhou University (郑州大学)
- Zhengzhou Institute of Technology (formerly Zhengzhou Grain College)
- Zhongyuan Institute of Technology (中原工学院)
- Zhengzhou University of Light Industry (郑州轻工业学院)
- Zhengzhou Institute of Aeronautical Industry Management (郑州航空工业管理学院)
- North China Institute of Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric Power (华北水利水电学院)
- Henan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (河南中医学院)
- Henan Textile University (河南纺织专科学校)
Private
- Huanghe S&T University (黄河科技学院)
Note: Institutions without full-time bachelor programs are not listed.
