Taiyuan 401079 225997245 2008-07-16T11:13:42Z Vontrotta 4989995 {{Cleanup|date=July 2008}} {{Infobox Settlement <!--See Template:Infobox Settlement for additional fields that may be available--> <!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage--> <!-- Basic info ----------------> |name =Taiyuan |official_name = |other_name = |native_name = |nickname = Bingzhou(并州); Jinyang(晋阳); Dragon City(龙城) |settlement_type =[[Prefecture-level city]] |total_type = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows --> |motto = |translit_lang1=[[Chinese character|Chinese]] |translit_lang1_type=[[Chinese character|Chinese]] |translit_lang1_info=太原 |translit_lang1_type1=[[Pinyin]] |translit_lang1_info1=Tàiyuán <!-- images and maps -----------> |image_skyline = 太原市中心.jpg |imagesize = 220px |image_caption = Downtown Taiyuan |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_type = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = Taiyuan.gif |mapsize = 220pxShanxi |map_caption = Taiyuan in China |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map = <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map --> |pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> |pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_mapsize = <!-- Location ------------------> |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = [[People's Republic of China|China]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Province of China|Province]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Shanxi]] |subdivision_type2 = |subdivision_name2 = |seat_type = |seat = |parts_type = |parts_style = <!-- =list (for list), coll (for collapsed list), para (for paragraph format) Default is list if up to 5 items, coll if more than 5--> |parts = <!-- parts text, or header for parts list --> |p1 = |p2 = <!-- etc. up to p50: for separate parts to be listed--> <!-- Politics -----------------> |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title =Mayor |leader_name =[[Zhang Bingsheng]] (张兵生) |leader_title1 = <!-- for places with, say, both a mayor and a city manager --> |leader_name1 = |leader_title2 = |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = <!-- Settled --> |established_date = |established_title1 = <!-- Incorporated (town) --> |established_date1 = |established_title2 = <!-- Incorporated (city) --> |established_date2 = |established_title3 = |established_date3 = |founder = |named_for = <!-- Area ---------------------> |area_magnitude = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink --> |unit_pref = <!--Enter: Imperial, to display imperial before metric--> |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 =6956<!-- ALL fields with measurements are subject to automatic unit conversion--> |area_land_km2 = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on unit conversion--> |area_water_km2 = |area_total_dunam = <!--Used in Middle East articles only--> |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |area_blank1_title = |area_blank1_km2 = |area_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- Elevation --------------------------> |elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> tags--> |elevation_m = |elevation_ft = |elevation_max_m = |elevation_max_ft = |elevation_min_m = |elevation_min_ft = <!-- Population -----------------------> |population_as_of =2004 |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total =3413800 |population_density_km2 =auto <!--For automatic calculation, any density field may contain: auto --> |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = |population_blank1 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- General information ---------------> |timezone = [[China Standard Time|China Standard]] |utc_offset = +8 |timezone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = | coor_type = <!-- can be used to specify what the coordinates refer to --> |latd=37 |latm=52 |lats=10 |latNS=N |longd=112 |longm=33 |longs=37 |longEW=E <!-- Area/postal codes & others --------> |postal_code_type = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... --> |postal_code = |area_code =351 |blank_name =[[GDP]] |blank_info =[[Renminbi|¥]] 101.338 billion (2006) |blank1_name =GDP per capita |blank1_info =[[Renminbi|¥]] 27,994 (2006) |blank2_name =Major [[Nationalities of China|Nationalities]] |blank2_info =[[Han Chinese|Han]] |blank3_name =[[Political divisions of China#County level|County-level divisions]] |blank3_info =10 |blank4_name =[[Political divisions of China#Township level|Township-level divisions]] |blank4_info =83 |blank5_name = |blank5_info = |blank6_name = |blank6_info = |website = http://www.taiyuan.gov.cn |footnotes = }} '''Taiyuan''' ({{zh-cpw |c=太原 |p=Tàiyuán |w=T'ai-yüan}} lit. "Great Plains") is a [[prefecture-level city]] and the capital of [[Shanxi]] province<ref>http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shanxi/taiyuan/</ref>, [[China]]. The city has an elevation of about 800 meters and, in 2006, a population of nearly 3 million. <ref>http://chinalist.ru/facts/objyears.php?p_lang=1&p_param=1077&p_country=43&p_obj=1392</ref> ==Geography== Taiyuan is one of the great industrial cities of China and lies on the Fen or [[Yellow River]] in the north of its fertile upper basin. It commands the north-south route through [[Shanxi]], as well as important natural lines of communication through the mountains to [[Hebei]] province in the east and (via [[Fenyang]]) to northern [[Shanxi]] province in the west. The city had been deliberately [[flood]]ed several times: [[453 BC]], [[969]] AD, and was destroyed by war in [[1125]] AD. ==History== ===Pre-1911=== Taiyuan is an ancient capital, constructed by [[Zhaojianzi]] (趙簡子/赵简子) in ca. [[500 BC]], named [[Jinyang]] (晉陽/晋阳). It was renamed Taiyuan in the [[Qin Dynasty]]. Several Emperors came from this city, therefore the other name of the city is "Dragon City". The most famous emperor is [[Emperor Taizong of Tang|Li Shiming]] during [[Tang Dynasty]]. Many ancient Chinese poets were also from Taiyuan. In Tang Dynasty, Taiyuan was a secondary capital of China and a cultural center. The oldest existing building in the city is the Temple of Goddess (聖母殿/圣母殿) inside the [[Jin Ci]] Complex; it was originally built in [[1023]] AD and reconstructed in [[1102]] AD. The city was originally the site of Jinyang, a strategic center for the ancient state of [[Zhao (state)|Zhao]]. After the Qin conquest of Zhao in 221 BC, it became the seat of the commandery (district under the control of a commander) of Taiyuan, which continued during the [[Han dynasty]] (206 BC–AD 220) and after. In the Later Han period, it became capital of the province ([[Zhou (country subdivision)|zhou]]) of [[Bing]]. In the 6th century it was for a time a secondary capital of the [[Eastern Wei]] and [[Northern Qi]] states, growing into a large city and also becoming a center of [[Buddhism]]. A new city was built in [[562]] AD, which was later linked to the old city during the Tang Dynasty ([[733]] AD). From that time until the middle of the Tang dynasty (618–907), the construction of the cave temples at [[Tianlong Mountain]], southwest of the city, continued. The dynastic founder of the Tang began his conquest of the empire with Taiyuan as a base and using the support of its local [[aristocracy]]. It was periodically designated as the Tang's northern capital and grew into a heavily fortified military base. The old city was at Taiyuanzhen, a few miles east of the modern city. After the [[Song dynasty|Song]] conquest in 960, a new city was set up on the banks of the [[Fen River|Fen]] in 982. The city became a superior prefecture in 1059 and administrative capital of [[Hedong]] (northern [[Shanxi]]) in 1107. It retained this function, with various changes in its name and status, down to the end of the Mongol period (1368). At the beginning of the [[Ming dynasty]] (1368–1644), it was renamed Taiyuan Fu (府, ''fu'', meaning "chief town") and retained this name until 1912. During [[Ming Dynasty]], the city wall was reconstructed in [[1568]] AD. Under the Ming dynasty and in the [[Qing dynasty|Qing period]] (1644–1911), it was capital of Shanxi. Under the republic (established in 1911), its name was changed to ''Yangqu'', a name it retained until 1947. In 1900, during the [[Boxer Rebellion]], there was a massacre of seventy-seven unarmed Western missionaries, who were executed in front of the provincial governor. This incident became known as the [[Taiyuan Massacre]]. In 1907 the importance of Taiyuan was increased by the construction of a rail link to [[Shijiazhuang]], in Hebei, on the [[Beijing]] to [[Wuhan]] trunk line. Soon thereafter Taiyuan suffered a serious economic crisis. In the 19th century the merchants and local banks of Shanxi had been of national importance, but the rise of modern banks led to the rapid decline of this system — with disastrous effects upon Shanxi and its capital. ===1911-1949=== After 1911 Shanxi remained under a powerful warlord, [[Yen Hsi-shan]], who retained control from 1913 to 1948. Taiyuan consequently flourished as the center of his comparatively progressive province and experienced extensive industrial development. It was also linked by rail both to the far southwest of Shanxi and to [[Datong]] in the north. After the [[Second Sino-Japanese War|Japanese invasion in 1937]], Taiyuan's industries developed still further. In 1945 the Japanese army in Shanxi surrendered to [[Yen Hsi-shan]] and continued to fight for him until 1948. Eventually, the Chinese Communist armies captured Taiyuan, but only after a destructive battle. ===1949-present=== Since 1949 Taiyuan has developed a large industrial base with heavy industry (notably iron and steel) of prime importance; local coal production is considerable. Taiyuan is also an [[engineering]] center, produces [[cement]], and has a large [[chemical industry|chemical-industrial complex]]. It is also a center of education and research, particularly in [[technology]] and [[applied science]]. ==Economy== [[Image:Taiyuan 112.55998E 37.86930N.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Satellite image of Taiyuan]] The GDP per capita was 51.559 billion yuan in 2003<ref>http://www.taiyuan.gov.cn/tygovwww/english/tsty2.htm</ref>. In 2006, Taiyuan's nominal GDP was 101.338 billion yuan, a growth of 14.7% from the previous year. Taiyuan's primary, secondary, and tertiary industries were worth 2 billion yuan, 43.07 billion yuan, and 44.48 billion yuan respectively. There are several big companies in City of Taiyuan, such as Taiyuan Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) which is the biggest stainless steel producing plant in Asia. Also, the Shanxi Heavy Machinery Factory and Fenxi Machinery Factory are the major manufacturers for Chinese Army and Navy, which produce submarine missiles. Largest local bank is ICBC( [[Industrial and Commercial Bank of China]]) Taiyuan is the biggest coal mining center in China. ==Transportation== The [[Fen River]] flows across the city from north to south, dividing the city into two parts: Qiaoxi (West of the Bridge) and Qiaodong (East of the Bridge). As of 2007, there are five bridges across the Fen River within the city limit: the Shengli Bridge (1970), the Yifen Bridge (1990), the Yingze Bridge (1954), the Nanneihuan Bridge (1988), and the Changfeng Bridge(2001). About ten kilometers to the north of the Shengli Bridge, there is the Chaicun Bridge. Two more bridges are being planned: Beizhonghuan Bridge and Nanzhonghuan Bridge. The major airport is [[Taiyuan Wusu Airport]]. ==Sports== The city was home of the [[Chinese Football Association Jia League]]'s [[Shanxi Aosen Luhu]] club for the 2006 season. It is also the home of the [[Henan Dragons|Shanxi Zhongyu]] ([[Chinese Basketball Association]]) since 2006. In May 2008, the UCI World BMXRACING Championships were held in Taiwawn ==Food== Taiyuan's local specialties include: *'''Wheat-made Food''': Liang Fen (see [[Grass jelly]]), Mian Pi (面皮) *'''Noodles''': Dalu Mian, Dao Xiao Mian (刀削面, Knife-Cut Noodles), [[Lamian]], Mao Er Duo(猫耳朵, Cat Ear Noodle), Xi Hong Shi Chao Ji Dan Mian(西红柿炒鸡蛋面, Noodles with Tomato and Scrambled Eggs ) *'''Soup''': Tou Nao (头脑, "Brain" Soup), Yang Za Ge, Wan Zi Tang (丸子汤, meat ball soup) ==Tourism== [[Image:太原食品街.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A food street in Taiyuan]] Tourist attractions in and around Taiyuan include [http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shanxi/taiyuan/]: *[[Liu Xiang Lane]](ancient Chinese houses) *[[Chongshan Monastery]] *[[Jinci Templ]] </gallery> *[[Twin Pagoda Temple]] *[[Shuanglin Monastery]] *[[Longtan Park]] *[[Yinze Park]] Taiyuan is also known for its Liuxiang shopping district and the construction of parks and recreational areas on both sides of the Fen River that are praised by the UN Environmental Programme for their role in the improvement of the environmental condition of Taiyuan. Taiyuan's environmental improvement project is being copied in many other Chinese cities and urban areas around the world. ==Education== ===Major schools=== * [[Shanxi Experimental Secondary School]](山西省实验中学) * [[Jiefanglu Elementary School]] ===Colleges and universities=== * [[Shanxi Agricultural University]] (山西农业大学) * [[Shanxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine]] (山西中医学院) * [[Shanxi Medical University]] (山西医科大学) * [[Shanxi Teachers University]] also called Shanxi Normal University (山西师范大学) * [[Shanxi University]] (山西大学) * [[Shanxi University of Finance and Economics]] (山西财经大学) * [[Taiyuan Normal University]] (太原师范学院) * [[Taiyuan University of Science and Technology]] (太原科技大学) * [[Taiyuan University of Technology]] (太原理工大学) * [[North University of China]] (中北大学) ==Sister cities== Taiyuan is [[town twinning|twinned]] with: * {{flagicon|Germany}} - [[Chemnitz]] ([[Germany]]) * {{flagicon|Japan}} - [[Himeji, Hyōgo|Himeji]] ([[Hyōgo Prefecture|Hyōgo]], [[Japan]]) * {{flagicon|Australia}} - [[Launceston, Tasmania]], [[Australia]] * {{flagicon|United States}} - [[Nashville]] ([[Tennessee]], [[United States]]) * {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} - [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], [[United Kingdom]] ==See also== *[[Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center]] is one of China's few stations for rocket launch. ==References== <references/> ==External links== {{commons|Category:Taiyuan|Taiyuan}} {{chineseText}} *[http://www.taiyuan.gov.cn/tygovwww/english/index-eng.htm Taiyuan Government website] {{Shanxi}} {{Major cities of Greater China}} [[Category:Cities in Shanxi]] [[Category:Settlements established in the 1st millennium BC]] [[Category:Provincial capitals in China]] [[bg:Тайюан]] [[ca:Taiyuan]] [[de:Taiyuan]] [[es:Taiyuan]] [[fr:Taiyuan]] [[gl:Taiyuan - 太原]] [[ko:타이위안]] [[id:Taiyuan]] [[lt:Tajuanas]] [[nl:Taiyuan]] [[ja:太原市]] [[no:Taiyuan]] [[ug:Teyyüen Shehiri]] [[pl:Taiyuan]] [[pt:Taiyuan]] [[ro:Taiyuan]] [[ru:Тайюань]] [[fi:Taiyuan]] [[sv:Taiyuan]] [[th:ไท่หยวน]] [[vi:Thái Nguyên, Sơn Tây]] [[zh-yue:太原]] [[zh:太原市]]