The largest city in Jiangxi, known as the "Southern Gate of Jiangxi" and a historic Hakka heartland with well-preserved Song dynasty city wall.
Ganzhou, the largest city in Jiangxi Province, sits at the confluence of the Zhang and Gong rivers where they merge to form the Gan River — the province's namesake. With a population of nearly 9 million, it is a city of profound historical and cultural significance.
The city's most remarkable heritage is its Song dynasty city wall, stretching over 3.6 kilometers along the riverbank. Built more than 900 years ago, it is one of the best-preserved Song dynasty walls in China, a testament to the sophistication of medieval Chinese urban defense architecture.
Ganzhou is also one of the world's most important centers of Hakka culture. Over 90% of its population is Hakka, and the surrounding countryside is dotted with traditional Hakka weiwu (enclosed houses) and tulou-style buildings. The Hakka Museum in Ganzhou documents the history of this remarkable migrant people.
The city holds a special place in modern Chinese history as the starting point of a significant military campaign in 1934. Ruijin, a county-level city within Ganzhou, served as an important administrative center from 1931 to 1934.
Ganzhou's history stretches back over 2,200 years. The city was first established as a county during the Han dynasty and grew steadily in importance due to its strategic location at the confluence of major rivers.
The Song dynasty (960-1279) was Ganzhou's golden age. The city wall, much of which still stands today, was constructed during this period. The Bajing Terrace and Yugu Terrace became celebrated landmarks, immortalized in poetry by some of China's greatest literary figures.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Ganzhou became a major center of Hakka settlement. Waves of Hakka migrants moved into the region from northern Fujian and eastern Guangdong, establishing new communities and bringing their distinctive culture and architecture.
In the 20th century, Ganzhou played a notable role in modern Chinese history. Ruijin, a city within Ganzhou's administrative area, served as an important regional administrative center from 1931 to 1934. In October 1934, a historic military campaign began from this region, an event that shaped the course of modern China.
Since the reform and opening-up period, Ganzhou has experienced rapid growth, leveraging its mineral wealth and agricultural resources to become a major economic center in southern Jiangxi.
Ganzhou's economy is built on three pillars: mining, manufacturing, and agriculture. The city sits on some of the world's richest deposits of tungsten and rare earth elements. Ganzhou produces approximately 60% of China's tungsten and is a leading global producer of heavy rare earth elements, essential for high-tech industries.
The manufacturing sector has grown rapidly, with industrial parks attracting investment in electronics assembly, auto parts, and machinery manufacturing. The city's strategic location as the "Southern Gate of Jiangxi" provides good transportation links to Guangdong, Fujian, and Hunan.
Agriculture is a major economic force, particularly the famous Gannan navel oranges. Ganzhou is China's largest navel orange producing region, with over 1 million mu (66,000 hectares) of orange groves. Other significant agricultural products include tea, rice, and tobacco.
Tourism is an emerging sector, centered on the ancient city wall, Hakka cultural sites, and historical heritage tourism in Ruijin. The city has invested in tourism infrastructure to attract both domestic and international visitors.
Discover the culinary treasures of Ganzhou, from traditional street food to imperial cuisine.
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