Zhangshu

China

Also known as: Chang-shu, Qingjiang, Zhangshuzhen

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History

Zhangshu, city, north-central Jiangxi sheng (province), southeastern China. It lies along the Gan River some 47 miles (75 km) southwest of Nanchang, the provincial capital.

A county named Qingjiang was first set up in the area in 938 ce during the Nan (Southern) Tang dynasty in the Ten Kingdoms (Shiguo) period. The county seat remained there for centuries, moving to Zhangshuzhen, the present city site, only in 1950. The county was dissolved in 1988 to set up a county-level city, which was renamed Zhangshu.

Present-day Zhangshu is situated on the rail route from Hangzhou in Zhejiang province to Zhuzhou in Hunan province. Expressways north to Nanchang and south to Guangdong province also pass through the city area. Industries producing pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machinery, and wine have been developed locally. The surrounding area produces much timber and grain, and tungsten is mined. Pop. (2002 est.) 127,961.