The southern half of Jiangxi is hilly and mountainous, with ranges and valleys interspersed; notable mountains and mountain ranges includeMount Lu, theJinggang Mountains andMount Sanqing. The northern half is comparatively lower in altitude. TheGan River flows through the province.
Jiangxi is centered on theGan River valley, which historically provided the main north–south transport route of south China. The corridor along the Gan River is one of the few easily traveled routes through the otherwise mountainous and rugged terrain of the south-eastern mountains. This open corridor was the primary route for trade and communication between theNorth China Plain and theYangtze River valley in the north and the territory of modernGuangdong province in the south. As a result, Jiangxi has been strategically important throughout much of China's history.[citation needed]
Jiangxi was outside the sphere of influence of early Chinese civilization during theShang dynasty (16th to 11th centuries BC). It is likely that peoples collectively known as theBaiyue inhabited the region. During theSpring and Autumn period, the northern part of modern Jiangxi formed the western frontier of the state ofWu. After Wu was conquered by thestate of Yue (a power based in modern northernZhejiang) in 473 BC, the state ofChu (based in modernHubei) took over northern Jiangxi and there may have been some Yue influence in the south. Chu subjugated Yue in 333 BC. In 223 BC, whenQin conquered Chu, a majority of the Jiangxi area was recorded to be put under Jiujiang Commandery situated inShouchun (壽春).[7] However the commandery was ineffective and ended shortly when Qin falls.
Yuzhang Commandery (豫章, Gan: Ì-zong) was established in Jiangxi at the beginning of theHan dynasty, possibly before the death ofXiang Yu in 202 BC, and it was also the first commandery set up by Chinese dynasty in Jiangxi. It was named after the Yuzhang River (豫章江, Gan: Ì-zong Kong), the original name of Gan River. "Gan" has become the abbreviation of the province. In 201, eight counties were added to the original seven of Qin,[citation needed] and three more were established in later years. Throughout most of the Han dynasty the commandery's eighteen counties covered most of the modern province of Jiangxi. The county seats of Nanchang, Gan, Yudu, Luling among others were located at the sites of modern major cities. Other counties, however, have been moved or abolished in later centuries.[citation needed]
During theSui dynasty, there were sevencommanderies and twenty-four counties in Jiangxi. During theTang dynasty, another commandery and fourteen counties were added. Commanderies were then abolished, becomingzhou (henceforth translated as "prefectures" rather than "provinces").[citation needed]
Circuits were established during theTang dynasty as a new top-level administrative division. At first Jiangxi was part of theJiangnan Circuit (lit. "Circuit south of the Yangtze"). In 733, this circuit was divided into western and eastern halves. Jiangxi was found in the western half, which was calledJiangnanxi Circuit (lit. "Western circuits south of the Yangtze"). This is the source of the modern name "Jiangxi".[citation needed]
During theSong dynasty, Jiangnanxi Circuit was reestablished with nine prefectures and four army districts (with sixty-eight districts).[citation needed]
During theYuan dynasty, the circuit was divided into thirteen different circuits, and Jiangxi Province was established for the first time. This province also included the majority of modernGuangdong. Jiangxi acquired (more or less) its modern borders during theMing dynasty afterGuangdong was separated out. There has been little change to the borders of Jiangxi since.[citation needed]
After the fall of the Qing dynasty, Jiangxi became one of the earliest bases for theCommunists and many peasants were recruited to join the growing people's revolution. TheNanchang Uprising took place in Jiangxi on 1 August 1927, during theChinese Civil War. Later the Communist leadership hid in the mountains of southern and western Jiangxi, hiding from the Kuomintang's attempts to eradicate them. In 1931, theChinese Soviet Republic's government was established inRuijin, which is sometimes called the "Former Red Capital" (红色故都, Gan: Fūng-set Kū-tu), or just the "Red Capital". In 1935, after complete encirclement by the Nationalist forces, the Communists broke through and began theLong March toYan'an.[citation needed]
From 1930 to 1934, the National Government carried out five military campaigns against the Jiangxi Soviet area. Its brutal two-party battles and cleansing (including the internal cleansing of the Red Army and the cleaning of the post-war government) caused a large number of deaths or escapes, causing the population of Jiangxi to drop by 40%, until only 13.8 million people were left in 1936.[8]
In 1936, after the opening of theYuehan Railway in Hunan, Jiangxi lost its important position regarding north–south traffic. In 1937, the east-west Zhegan Railway was opened to traffic, which changed the original traffic patterns in Jiangxi to a large extent. The Jiujiang Port (九江港) began to decline in importance.[citation needed]
Following theDoolittle Raid duringWorld War II, most of the B-25 American crews that came down in China eventually made it to safety with the help of Chinese civilians and soldiers. The Chinese people who helped them, however, paid dearly for sheltering the Americans. TheImperial Japanese Army began theZhejiang-Jiangxi Campaign to intimidate the Chinese from helping downed American airmen. The Japanese killed an estimated 250,000 civilians of China while searching for Doolittle's men.[9]
Jiangxi came under the full control of the CCP upon the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. The Republican provincial government was evacuated toTaichung inTaiwan Province before dissolving itself that same year.[10]
TheGan River dominates the province, flowing through the entire length of the province from south to north. It entersLake Poyang in the north, the largest freshwater lake of China; that lake in turn empties into theYangtze River, which forms part of the northern border of Jiangxi. Importantreservoirs include theZhelin Reservoir in the northwest of the province on theXiushui River, and theWan'an Reservoir [zh] in the upper section of the Gan.[citation needed]
Jiangxi has ahumid subtropical climate (Cfa under theKöppen climate classification), with short, cool, damp winters, and very hot, humid summers. Average temperatures are about 3 to 9 °C (37 to 48 °F) in January and 27 to 30 °C (81 to 86 °F) in July. Annual precipitation is 1,200 to 1,900 millimetres (47 to 75 in), much of it falling in the heavy rains occurring in late spring and summer.[citation needed]
Nanchang, the provincial capital and the most densely populated city, is one of the largest Chinesemetropolises. Nanchang is the hub ofJiangxi civilization throughout its history, which plays a leading role in the commercial, intellectual and industrial and political fields.[11]Ganzhou is the largest subdivision of Jiangxi.
^abNew district established after census:Xinjian (Xinjian County). The new district not included in the urban area & district area count of the pre-expanded city.
^abNew district established after census:Chaisang (Jiujiang County). The new district not included in the urban area & district area count of the pre-expanded city.
^abNew districts established after census:Nankang (Nankang CLC),Ganxian (Ganxian County). These new districts not included in the urban area & district area count of the pre-expanded city.
^abNew district established after census:Dongxiang (Dongxiang County). The new district not included in the urban area & district area count of the pre-expanded city.
^abNew district established after census:Guangfeng (Guangfeng County). The new district not included in the urban area & district area count of the pre-expanded city.
^abNew district established after census:Yujiang (Yujiang County). The new district not included in the urban area & district area count of the pre-expanded city.
^Gongqingcheng CLC was established by splitting from parts ofDe'an County after census.
^Xingzi County is currently known as Lushan CLC after census.
Most populous cities in Jiangxi
Source:China Urban Construction Statistical Yearbook 2018 Urban Population and Urban Temporary Population[17]
The politics of Jiangxi is structured in a dual party-government system like all other governing institutions inmainland China.
TheGovernor of Jiangxi is the highest-ranking official in the People's Government of Jiangxi. However, in the province's dual party-government governing system, the Governor has less power than the JiangxiChinese Communist Party ProvincialCommittee Secretary, colloquially termed the "Jiangxi CCP Party Chief".[citation needed]
It is located in extreme proximity to some of the richest provinces of China (Guangdong,Zhejiang,Fujian), which are sometimes blamed for taking away talent and capital from Jiangxi.[21]
Jiangxi has the lowest wages and third lowest property prices in all of China.[21][needs update] As of 2016 Jiangxi's nominal GDP was CNY 1.84 trillion or US$276.48 billion, and a per capita of CNY 40,400 or US$6,082.[22][needs update]
Historical GDP of Jiangxi Province for 1978 –present (SNA2008)[22] (purchasing power parity of Chinese Yuan, asInt'l. dollar based on IMF WEO October 2017[23])
year
GDP
GDP per capita (GDPpc) based on mid-year population
Nanchang National Export Expressing Zone is located in Nanchang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, it was approved by the State Council on May 8, 2006, and passed the national acceptance inspection on Sep 7th, 2007. It has a planning area of 1 km2 (0.39 sq mi) and now has built 0.31 km2 (0.12 sq mi). It enjoys simple and convenient customs clearances, and special preferential policies both for Nanchang National Export Expressing Zone and NCHDZ.[24]
Nanchang National High-tech Industrial Development Zone
Nanchang National High-tech Industrial Development Zone (NCHDZ for short hereafter) is the only national grade high-tech zoned in Jiangxi, it was established in Mar. 1991. The zone covers an area of 231 km2 (89 sq mi), in which 32 km2 (12 sq mi) have been completed. NCHDZ possesses unique nature condition and sound industry foundation of accepting electronics industry. NCHDZ has brought 25% industrial added value and 50% industrial benefit and tax to Nanchang city by using only 0.4% land area.[25]
Nanchang Economic and Technological Development Zone[26]
The population of Jiangxi according2020 Chinese census is 45.18 million.[30] 99.73% of that isHan Chinese, predominantlyGan andHakka.Ganzhou, Jiangxi's largest city, has an especially large number of Hakka. Ethnic minorities include theShe people.
Jiangxi andHenan both have the most unbalanced gender ratios of all Chinese provinces. Based on a 2009British Medical Journal study, the ratio is over 140 boys for every 100 girls in the 1–4 age group.[31][needs update]
In 2019 the most-common surname in Jiangxi wasLiú (刘), the only province where this was the case. Overall Liu is the fourth-most common surname in the country.[42]
Near the northern port city ofJiujiang lies the well-known resort area ofMount Lu. Also near the city is theDonglin Temple, an importantBuddhist temple in china.
Near the small city ofYingtan is the resort area ofLonghushan, which purports to be the birthplace ofTaoism and hence has great symbolic value to Taoists. The region has many temples, cave complexes, mountains and villages.
Kuling located on the top ofMount Lu is a summer resort developed by European in the 19th century. There were 3000 European living inKuling,Lushan andJiujiang in summer time in 1920s.
In 2007, Jiangxi (specifically theZhelin Reservoir, located inJiujiang) was the filming location for the fifteenth series of the American TV showSurvivor.
The mountainous terrain and large forest coverage of Jiangxi has made it historically one of the more wild places of central China.South China tigers have been seen as recently as fifteen or twenty years ago and projects are underway to document evidence of existing tigers, if there are any. Several mountain areas along the northern border with Hunan and Hubei are potential sites for "wilderness" preserves specifically for protecting or even reintroducing tigers.
Other wildlife, though not plentiful, are more numerous in Jiangxi than in many other developed areas of China. Numerous species of birds are common, especially around the marshes of Lake Poyang in the north. Though protected, mammals such asmuntjac, wild boar, civet cats, andpangolins, are still common enough that they'll even occasionally be seen in markets for sale as game meat, or possibly even in a forest.
And people not bounded to, nor practicing any, institutional or diffuse religion.
^The data was collected by the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) of 2009 and by the Chinese Spiritual Life Survey (CSLS) of 2007, reported and assembled by Xiuhua Wang (2015)[43] in order to confront the proportion of people identifying with two similar social structures: ① Christian churches, and ② the traditional Chinese religion of the lineage (i. e. people believing and worshipping ancestral deities often organised intolineage "churches" andancestral shrines). Data for other religions with a significant presence in China (deity cults, Buddhism, Taoism, folk religious sects, Islam, et al.) was not reported by Wang.
^Jiangxi's total permanent population at the end of 2023 is 45.1501 million, and at the end of 2024 it is 45.0201 million2024年(江西)全省常住人口总体稳定 (Press release) (in Chinese). Jiangxi.gov. 17 February 2025. Retrieved26 February 2025. Based on this, the mid-year population of Jiangxi in 2024 is 45.0851 million. Jiangxi's GDP in 2024 is CN¥ 3,420.25 billion, or US$480.26 billion (average annual exchange rate in 2024 is 1 US dollar to RMB 7.1217)(江西)2024年全省经济持续向好 (Press release) (in Chinese). jiangxi.gov. 18 January 2025. Retrieved26 February 2025.. Based on this, Jiangxi's GDP per capita in 2024 based on the mid-year population is CN¥75,862 (US$10,652).
^Liangzhe, Lin.中華民國江西省政府撤退來台之文物簡介 [A Brief Introduction to Cultural Relics from the Jiangxi Provincial Government of the Republic of China Repatriated to Taiwan](PDF).Da Dun: Cultural Bimonthly (in Chinese). pp. 53–54. Retrieved11 August 2025.
^"www.china.com.cn". China.com.cn. 26 November 2008. Retrieved24 December 2012.
^Census Office of the State Council of the People's Republic of China; Population and Employment Statistics Division of the National Bureau of Statistics of the People's Republic of China (2012).中国2010人口普查分乡、镇、街道资料 (1 ed.). Beijing:China Statistics Print.ISBN978-7-5037-6660-2.
^abc中国2010年人口普查分县资料. Compiled by国务院人口普查办公室 [Department of Population Census of the State Council],国家统计局人口和社会科技统计司编 [Department of Population and Social Science and Statistics, National Bureau of Statistics]. Beijing:China Statistics Print. 2012.ISBN978-7-5037-6659-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
^Purchasing power parity (PPP) for Chinese yuan is estimate according toIMFWEO (October 2017) data; Exchange rate of CN¥ to US$ is according to State Administration of Foreign Exchange, published onChina Statistical Yearbook.
^"九江综合保税区".Jiujiang Free Trade Zone Website. Archived fromthe original on 20 July 2021. Retrieved20 July 2021.
^"九江国家级经济技术开发区".Jiujiang National Economical and Technological Development Zone Website. Archived fromthe original on 22 July 2021. Retrieved20 July 2021.
^"九江共青城国家高新技术产业开发区".Jiujiang Gongqingcheng National High-tech Industrial Development Zone. Archived fromthe original on 20 July 2021. Retrieved20 July 2021.
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