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Zhanjiang 湛江市 | |
|---|---|
 Zhanjiang Bay Bridge with Chikan's Skyline in the background | |
| Nickname: "Harbor City" (港城) | |
 | |
 Location of Zhanjiang City jurisdiction in Guangdong | |
  Zhanjiang Location in China | |
| Coordinates (Zhanjiang municipal government):21°16′12″N110°21′27″E / 21.2701°N 110.3575°E /21.2701; 110.3575 | |
| Country | People's Republic of China |
| Province | Guangdong |
| Municipal seat | Chikan District |
| Government | |
| • CCP Party Chief | Zheng Renhao (郑人豪)[1] |
| • Mayor | Jiang Jianjun (姜建军)[2] |
| Area | |
| 13,225 km2 (5,106 sq mi) | |
| • Urban | 1,720.3 km2 (664.2 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 1,720.3 km2 (664.2 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 21 m (69 ft) |
| Population (2020 census)[3] | |
| 6,981,236 | |
| • Density | 527.88/km2 (1,367.2/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 1,931,455 |
| • Urban density | 1,122.7/km2 (2,907.9/sq mi) |
| • Metro | 1,931,455 |
| • Metro density | 1,122.7/km2 (2,907.9/sq mi) |
| GDP[4] | |
| • Prefecture-level city | CN¥ 356 billion US$ 55.2 billion |
| • Per capita | CN¥ 50,814 US$ 7,876 |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (China Standard) |
| Postal code | 524000 |
| Area code | 759 |
| ISO 3166 code | CN-GD-08 |
| MajorNationalities | Han |
| County-level divisions | 9 |
| License Plate Prefix | 粤G |
| Local dialect | |
| Website | www.zhanjiang.gov.cn |
| Zhanjiang | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 "Zhanjiang", as written in Chinese | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chinese | 湛江 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jyutping | zaam3gong1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CantoneseYale | Jaamgōng | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hanyu Pinyin | Zhànjiāng | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Postal |
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| Literal meaning | Azure River | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Zhanjiang is a port city in southernChina, located on theLeizhou Peninsula inGuangdong province. The prefecture-level city administers the entire Leizhou Peninsula, which lies directly opposite toHaikou, the capital of theHainan province, across theQiongzhou Strait. It is the southernmostport on the coast of mainland China, serving as a centre of commerce and navigation for much of southwestern China. The city’s built-up urban centre consists of four districts:Chikan,Xiashan,Potou, andMazhang.
According to the 2020census, the city’s resident population was 6,981,236, down slightly from 6,994,832 in 2010[5]—the highest decade-census figure to that date. More recent estimates (2023) place the total resident population at about 7,078,400, an all-time high, while the urban population of the built-up centre is estimated at roughly 3,402,700 (2023), also an all-time high.
In 2007, the Chinese Cities Brand Value Report ranked Zhanjiang among China’s ten most livable cities.[6]
During theQin dynasty (221–206 BC), the area of modern Zhanjiang was part of the Xiang Shire administrative division. Under theHan dynasty (206 BC–220 AD),Xuwen County was established as the administrative seat for the entire Leizhou Peninsula. The port of Zhanjiang became one of the earliest departure points on theMaritime Silk Road, fostering trade and the growth of the urban center. During theSong dynasty (960–1270 AD), manyPutian (Hinghwa) colonists settled in the region, later forming the ethnolinguistic majority of the Leizhou Peninsula. Other significant groups included theBaiyue,Cantonese, Tanka, and foreign merchants.
In 1898, the region was a small fishing port when the French established control, forcing China tolease a 99-yearconcession known asGuangzhouwan (historically Kwangchowan or Kwangchow Wan). Much of the local population had fled, soCantonesepeasants from north of Leizhou were brought in to repopulate the area, makingYue Chinese the dominant local language. The French developed the port, calling itFort Bayard, intending it as a logistical center for their southern China concessions, including railway and mineral projects. However, the surrounding poverty and underdevelopment limited these efforts. The French held theenclave until 1943, when the Japanese occupied it duringWorld War II. After the war, the enclave was briefly returned to France before being formallyceded to China in 1946 byGeneral Charles de Gaulle.
After reclaiming the territory from the French, the Republic of China renamed the area Zhanjiang, a historical variant of Zhanchuan, which had been under the jurisdiction of Zhanchuan County. Following the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Zhanjiang grew in strategic and economic importance. By 1957, it developed into a major modern deep-water port, capable of handling ships up to 50,000 tons.
As part of Deng Xiaoping’s reform and opening-up policy in 1984, Zhanjiang was designated as anopen city, attracting foreign investment and promoting industrial growth. Key industries includedshipbuilding, engineering works, automobile manufacturing, electrical manufacturing, textiles, sugar refining, and chemical production.
In the early 1990s, a rail line connected Zhanjiang to Guangzhou, later extended to Hai'an at the southern tip of the Leizhou Peninsula. This line integrated with the Guangdong–Hainan Railway, allowing trains to be ferried across the Hainan Strait to Haikou city, further strengthening regional connectivity.
Zhanjiang's culture is distinct within Guangdong, heavily influenced by theLeizhou Peninsula. The local opera,Leizhou Opera (雷剧), is a unique art form with a history of over 300 years. The city is also a major base for China's South Sea Fleet, adding a significant naval element to its identity.
Zhanjiang is located on the eastern coast of the Leizhou Peninsula, southwest of Guangzhou, along an inlet of theSouth China Sea. The city’s linguistic landscape reflects its history. In Potou District and other areas, Yue Chinese is spoken, brought by Cantonese peasants who settled during the French period, while the original Min-speaking population largely fled. Leizhou Min remains the prestige language in Xiashan District, Mazhang District, Xuwen County, and Leizhou City, and Hakka is spoken in Lianjiang County.
Zhanjiang has ahumid subtropical climate (KöppenCwa), with short, mild, overcast winters and long, very hot, humid summers. From April to September, rainfall is the heaviest and most frequent. The summer and winter temperatures are moderated due to the influence of the nearby ocean.[7]
| Climate data for Zhanjiang, elevation 53 m (174 ft), (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1913–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 30.6 (87.1) | 33.6 (92.5) | 36.0 (96.8) | 38.8 (101.8) | 38.7 (101.7) | 38.0 (100.4) | 37.4 (99.3) | 38.1 (100.6) | 35.9 (96.6) | 35.3 (95.5) | 33.3 (91.9) | 31.6 (88.9) | 38.8 (101.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 19.7 (67.5) | 20.6 (69.1) | 23.3 (73.9) | 27.1 (80.8) | 30.7 (87.3) | 32.3 (90.1) | 32.4 (90.3) | 32.1 (89.8) | 31.1 (88.0) | 29.1 (84.4) | 25.9 (78.6) | 21.7 (71.1) | 27.2 (80.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 16.0 (60.8) | 17.2 (63.0) | 20.0 (68.0) | 23.8 (74.8) | 27.2 (81.0) | 28.8 (83.8) | 28.9 (84.0) | 28.4 (83.1) | 27.5 (81.5) | 25.3 (77.5) | 21.9 (71.4) | 17.7 (63.9) | 23.6 (74.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 13.6 (56.5) | 15.1 (59.2) | 18.0 (64.4) | 21.7 (71.1) | 24.7 (76.5) | 26.2 (79.2) | 26.3 (79.3) | 25.9 (78.6) | 24.8 (76.6) | 22.5 (72.5) | 19.1 (66.4) | 15.0 (59.0) | 21.1 (69.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 2.0 (35.6) | 3.7 (38.7) | 4.8 (40.6) | 10.1 (50.2) | 14.2 (57.6) | 18.6 (65.5) | 22.0 (71.6) | 21.4 (70.5) | 17.2 (63.0) | 11.3 (52.3) | 3.2 (37.8) | 3.6 (38.5) | 2.0 (35.6) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 32.9 (1.30) | 27.9 (1.10) | 49.6 (1.95) | 107.4 (4.23) | 212.8 (8.38) | 263.3 (10.37) | 248.5 (9.78) | 313.2 (12.33) | 238.0 (9.37) | 125.1 (4.93) | 41.6 (1.64) | 34.8 (1.37) | 1,695.1 (66.75) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.1 mm) | 6.7 | 8.7 | 10.4 | 11.6 | 14.4 | 15.2 | 15.4 | 17.3 | 14.7 | 7.5 | 5.6 | 5.8 | 133.3 |
| Averagerelative humidity (%) | 81 | 85 | 88 | 87 | 84 | 83 | 82 | 84 | 82 | 77 | 76 | 75 | 82 |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 106.6 | 83.1 | 79.3 | 118.1 | 182.4 | 194.6 | 224.9 | 202.7 | 191.1 | 205.1 | 173.2 | 138.1 | 1,899.2 |
| Percentagepossible sunshine | 31 | 26 | 21 | 31 | 45 | 49 | 55 | 51 | 52 | 57 | 52 | 41 | 43 |
| Source 1:China Meteorological Administration[8][9] all-time extreme temperature[10][11] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: The Yearbook of Indochina (1932-1933, 1939-1940)[12][13] | |||||||||||||
Zhanjiang has direct jurisdiction over nine county-level divisions:
| Administrative divisions of Zhanjiang | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division code[14] | English name | Chinese | Pinyin | Area in km2[15] | Population 2010[16] | Seat | Postal code | Divisions[17] | |||||
| Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Residential communities | Administrative villages | |||||||||
| 440800 | Zhanjiang City | 湛江市 | Zhànjiāng Shì | 13225.44 | 6,994,832 | Chikan District | 524000 | 37 | 82 | 2 | 298 | 1500 | |
| 440802 | Chikan District | 赤坎区 | Chìkǎn Qū | 70.85 | 303,824 | Nanqiao Subdistrict | 524000 | 8 | 25 | 32 | |||
| 440803 | Xiashan District | 霞山区 | Xiáshān Qū | 116.97 | 487,093 | Gongnong Subdistrict | 524000 | 12 | 49 | 32 | |||
| 440804 | Potou District | 坡头区 | Pōtóu Qū | 562.37 | 333,239 | Nandiao Subdistrict | 524000 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 58 | ||
| 440811 | Mazhang District | 麻章区 | Mázhāng Qū | 970.09 | 487,712 | Mazhang Town | 524000 | 3 | 4 | 13 | 100 | ||
| 440823 | Suixi County | 遂溪县 | Suìxī Xiàn | 2142.89 | 886,452 | Suicheng Town | 524300 | 15 | 25 | 229 | |||
| 440825 | Xuwen County | 徐闻县 | Xúwén Xiàn | 1954.37 | 698,474 | Wencheng Subdistrict | 524100 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 25 | 173 | |
| 440881 | Lianjiang | 廉江市 | Liánjiāng Shì | 2839.89 | 1,443,099 | Luozhou Subdistrict | 524400 | 3 | 18 | 47 | 336 | ||
| 440882 | Leizhou | 雷州市 | Léizhōu Shì | 3707.10 | 1,427,664 | Leicheng Subdistrict | 524200 | 3 | 18 | 53 | 418 | ||
| 440883 | Wuchuan | 吴川市 | Wúchuān Shì | 860.90 | 927,275 | Meilu Subdistrict | 524500 | 5 | 10 | 53 | 141 | ||
Zhanjiang serves as theheadquarters of theSouth Sea Fleet of thePeople's Liberation Army Navy. It is also serves as the home base of1st [zh] and2nd (formerly 164th) Marine Brigades of thePeople's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps.
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Zhanjiang is a major port city and trade center with a diversified industrial base that includes shipbuilding,textiles,petrochemicals, automobiles, chemicals, electrical appliances, and rice processing. Since the mid-2010s, the city has rapidly developed into a modern manufacturing and export hub. By 2022, the Zhongke (Guangdong) Refinery and Petrochemical Project processed 14.55 million tons of crude oil and produced 834,600 tons ofethylene, with an output value exceeding 100 billion yuan.
In 2024, investment in key projects topped 487 billion yuan, while industrial investment rose 56% year-on-year. Zhanjiang’s strategy now focuses on high-quality growth, expanding industries such as green steel, new energy, AI, marine equipment, and port logistics, alongside its vital role in the South China Sea oil and gas sector. By 2025, manufacturing is projected to contribute nearly 30% ofGDP, reflecting a shift from rapid expansion to sustainable, innovation-driven development.
The Port of Zhanjiang, historically known as Guangzhouwan, is one of China’s keymaritime gateways. Built in 1956, it was the first modern port designed and developed after the founding of the People’s Republic of China and today serves as the headquarters of the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s South Sea Fleet.
Recognized as one of China’s eight major ports, Zhanjiang handles an annual throughput exceeding 260 million tons. As a natural deep-water port, it has an average depth of around 15–20 meters and is protected by three outer islands that provide safe anchorage and shelter for large vessels. The port connects southern and western China to theglobal market, enabling trade with over 100 countries and supporting major industries in the region—particularly steel manufacturing and petrochemicals.
Zhanjiang has long been a hub of agricultural production, historically dominated bysugarcane, which reached over 10 million tons in 2007. The city also produces pineapples, bananas, papayas, seafood, farmed prawns, fish, and Akoya cultured pearls, reflecting a diverse and tropical-focused agricultural base.
By 2025, Zhanjiang’s agriculture had modernized and diversified, integratingeco-friendly farming, aquaculture, and high-techgreenhouses. New agricultural enterprises continue to expand, while collaboration with Taiwan and Guangdong supports advanced techniques in tropical fruit cultivation, fisheries, and ecological agriculture, strengthening both domestic supply and exports. The sector is increasingly tied to sustainable development and technological innovation, positioning Zhanjiang as a leading agricultural hub in southern China.
Zhanjiang’s industrial base has transitioned from rapid growth in the early 2000s to modern, high-valueclusters by 2025. While in 2007 its total industrial output reached about 112 billion yuan, with 714 major enterprises and 132 firms each generating over 100 million yuan in output, today the focus is on large-scale advanced manufacturing and green industries. The Zhanjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone, founded in 1984 and covering roughly 9.2 km², remains a key hub for automobile manufacturing, biotechnology, and software development.
By 2024, key projects in Zhanjiang achieved aggregated investment exceeding 487 billion yuan in the first seven months, and major clusters such as green petrochemicals, advanced materials, and new energy each approached or surpassed 100 billion yuan in annual output. The arrival of a new large-scale “Verbund” chemical site by BASF underscores the city’s shift to integrated, high-efficiency production, with full operation andsustainable design targeted for 2025.
In 2007, the total value of retail sales ofconsumer goods in Zhanjiang reached 38.216 billion yuan, marking a 19.5% increase over the previous year. Since then, the city has continued to develop its retail and lifestyle sectors, combining modern commerce with cultural heritage.
A notable example is the French-Style Street, constructed in 2014 with a theme of travel and leisure. The project preserved and renovated historic French-style buildings while fostering the city’s fashion, food, and cultural industries. The street is divided into five zones: shopping, dining, culture, specialty commerce, and public art installations/galleries. During its early years, thestreet attracted over 110,000 visitors during Christmas 2014, generating around 300 million yuan in spending. By 2025, this area, along with other modern retail hubs, continues to serve as a key destination for tourism and urban leisure, integrating e-commerce, cultural events, and experiential shopping to support Zhanjiang’s growing consumer economy.
By 2025, Zhanjiang has strengthened its role as a regional aviation hub.Zhanjiang Wuchuan International Airport, opened in 2022, features a 3,200‑meter runway and handles around 5 million passengers and 30,000 tons of cargo annually. A nearby city-terminal inMaoming improves access via shuttle connections, while ongoing infrastructure upgrades integrate the airport with expressways and rail networks.
Domestic flights connect Zhanjiang to major Chinese cities, and regional international routes link it to Northeast Asia. The expanded air network supports tourism, logistics, and trade, reinforcing Zhanjiang’s position in the modern coastal economic belt and its connectivity withHainan Island.
Zhanjiang is a key railway hub in southern China, served by five major railways: theLizhan Railway, Shenzhan Railway,Luozhan Railway,Yuehai Railway, and Hezhan Railway. These railways connect the city with major urban centers in Guangdong province, as well as other regions in southwestern China, supporting both passenger travel and freight transport.
The city has two main railway stations:
By 2025, the integration of these rail networks with local public transit and highways has enhanced intermodal connectivity, allowing passengers and cargo to move efficiently between the city, the port, and surrounding regions. High-speed services from Zhanjiang West Railway Station now reduce travel time toGuangzhou to under four hours, supporting regional economic integration, tourism, and trade. The railway network also plays a strategic role in linking Zhanjiang’s industrial and agricultural outputs to domestic and international markets.
Zhanjiang is a critical road hub in southern China, with an extensivehighway network connecting the city to major urban centers and neighboring provinces. Key routes include:
By 2025, Zhanjiang’s highway system is closely integrated with its rail and air networks, forming an intermodal transportation hub. This allows efficient movement of passengers and freight, reduces travel time, and strengthens Zhanjiang’s position as aregional trade and logistics center, particularly for Southwest China and Hainan Island.
By 2025, Zhanjiang has developed into a coastal tourism and cultural hub, combining natural scenery, historical heritage, and modern leisure experiences.
Zhanjiang emphasizes sustainable tourism, preserving natural areas while integrating modern resorts, cultural festivals, and local cuisine, making it a popular destination for both domestic and international travelers.
Zhanjiang’s French-style architecture, found in Chikan Old Street (Chikan District) and French-Style Street (Xiashan District), features arched windows, balconies, and tiled roofs. Restored for tourism, these areas combine shopping, dining, art, and cultural experiences, making them key attractions for both domestic and international visitors in 2025.
The 40,000-capacity Zhanjiang Olympic Main Stadium is the largest sports venue by capacity in Zhanjiang.
Zhanjiang has also developed as a hub for professional and recreational sports, with facilities supporting football, basketball, swimming, athletics, and water sports. Key venues include:
Annual events include marathons, regional football tournaments, and water sports competitions, while the city promotes youth programs and community fitness initiatives, supporting healthy lifestyles and regional sports development.
Zhanjiang offers a comprehensive education system from primary to higher education, emphasizingSTEM, vocational training, and international collaboration. Key institutions includeGuangdong Ocean University, specializing inmarine science and aquaculture, and Zhanjiang Normal University, focusing on teacher training and humanities. Vocational schools train students in engineering, IT, manufacturing, and healthcare, aligning with the city’s industrial and economic needs. By 2025, education in Zhanjiang supports industrial, technological, and maritime development, preparing skilled professionals for local and regional industries
As of 2025, Zhanjiang has an estimated population of around 7 million, with roughly 2 million living in the urban districts of Chikan, Xiashan, Potou, and Mazhang. The city is ethnically diverse, with Han Chinese forming the majority alongside smaller communities of Zhuang, Li, Miao, and other ethnic groups. The population is concentrated in urban areas, while rural communities remain engaged in agriculture, fisheries, and emerging industries. Zhanjiang continues to experience moderate urban growth, driven by industrial development, trade, and improved infrastructure.
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