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Why is Nanjing a major transportation hub in eastern China?
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Jiangsu
Qiling Pagoda, Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, China.
Nanjing serves as a vital transportation hub in eastern China due to its strategic position as the center of a comprehensive water, land, and air network. Its status is defined by several key factors:1
- Waterways: The city is situated on the Yangtze River, which serves as a major commercial artery connecting Nanjing to the Yangtze delta and central China. The city features specialized port facilities for coal, oil, and container trade.2
- Rail and Road Connectivity: The completion of the Yangtze rail and highway bridge in 1968 transformed Nanjing into a critical north-south and east-west communications junction. The city is connected by rail to Shanghai and other major cities, while an extensive network of expressways fans out to link Nanjing with Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces.12
- Aviation: Nanjing acts as the primary hub for international air traffic within the province, supported by the Nanjing Lukou International Airport, which provides regular service to domestic and international destinations.21