Ji’an

Ji’an, city, west-central Jiangxi sheng (province), southeastern China. Ji’an is situated on the west bank of the Gan River, at the head of navigation for small steamboats from Nanchang. The city is a highway centre located on the north-south route up the Gan valley at the point where it is joined by northeastern and western routes.

Ji’an’s history dates to the foundation there of Luling county, during the Qin dynasty (221–206 bc). In ad 590 this became the prefecture of Ji (Jizhou). The present name was first used under the Yuan (Mongol) dynasty, and from 1368 to 1911 Ji’an was a superior prefecture. Historically, Ji’an was an important centre of learning with many well-known academies. It produced many notable scholars, particularly during the Song and Ming dynasties. It is now an important local market and commercial centre, collecting agricultural and forest products from the surrounding areas and distributing manufactures obtained from Nanchang. Pop. (2003 est.) 215,865.