Ningxiang

Ningxiang () is a county-level city and the 2nd most populous county-level division in the Province of Hunan, China; it is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Changsha. The city is bordered to the north by Heshan District of Yiyang and Taojiang County, to the west by Anhua County and Lianyuan City, to the south by Louxing District of Loudi, Xiangxiang City, Shaoshan City and Yuhu District of Xiangtan, to the east by Yuelu and Wangcheng Districts. Located in the central east of Hunan Province, Ningxiang covers with a registered population of 1,393,528 and a resident population of 1,218,400 (as of 2014). The city has 4 subdistricts, 21 towns and 4 townships under its jurisdiction, its administrative centre is at Yutan Subdistrict ()., , also see:

The most famous historic resident was Liu Shaoqi, who lived in Ningxiang from 1898 until 1920, before he went to Beijing as President.

The city is famous for its tourism as the home of attractions like He Shuheng's Former Residence, Xie Juezai's Former Residence, Liu Shaoqi's Former Residence, Baiyun Temple, Miyin Temple, and Puji Temple.

Archeology

Ningxiang was a site of spectacular Shang archaeological finds

In 2004, a Chinese team excavated ruins from the Western Zhou period (11th century-771BC) at Tanheli. The findings were of a city site that included two large yellow earth artificial building sites and two even larger sites that may have been palace dwellings. Remnants of moats were found both inside and outside the city. In the highlands outside the city were excavated seven small tombs for nobles and lords which contained many bronze culture implements as well as those made of jade. The site was listed in Beijing as one of the top ten archeological discoveries of 2004.

History

Human habitation in Ningxiang dates back to ancient times. The earliest archaeological remains so far unearthed are the Four-goat Square Zun and Dahe Renmianwen Square Ding from Tanheli site at Huangcai Town, dating back to the late Shang dynasty (11th–10th century BC).
In the Warring States (475–221 BC) period, Ningxiang was under the jurisdiction of Qianzhongjun () of Chu State (1115–223 BC).

After conquering all the states, Emperor Qin Shi Huang implemented the system of prefectures and counties in 221 BC. Ningxiang belonged to Changshajun ().

In the Han dynasty (202 BC–220 AD), Ningxiang was under the jurisdiction of Yiyang County and Xiangyin County.

In the Three Kingdoms period (220–280), king of Wu State (222–280), Sun Quan, seized Jingzhou, Ningxiang came under the jurisdiction of Wu State. In 257, the imperial court set up the Xinkang County, and Changqiao (now Hengshi) became the seat of the county administration.

In the Tang dynasty (618–907), the imperial court established a granary in today's Laoliangcang Town. Buddhism was introduced into Ningxiang some time in the 9th century. According to ''Wu Deng Hui Yuan'' (), in 806, the prime minister Pei Xiu submitted a written statement to the imperial court, which was approved to found the Miyin Temple at the foot of Mount Wei. His son, Pei Wende (), a former zhuangyuan, received ordination as a monk with the Dharma name of "Jinshan Fahai" (). The character of Fahai in the ''Legend of the White Snake'' is based on him. Liu Dui, the first jinshi in the history of Ningxiang, also known as "jinshi of Ningxiang for the first time" ().

In the 2nd year of Tiancheng Period (927) of the Later Tang dynasty (923–936), the King of Chu, Ma Yin, founded the Chu Kingdom (927–963). He set up three counties of Yiyang, Changsha and Xiangxiang in Ningxiang area. Xinkangyi () was renamed Yutan Town, when it has a pond like a jade.

In the Song dynasty (960–1279), Yi Fu, the first Ningxiang people won the title of "wenzhuangyuan" (), and he was appointed as the title of "Founding Man of Ningxiang" ().

In the early Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), Ningxiang came under the jurisdiction of Tanzhou (), and then under the jurisdiction of Tanzhoulu ().

In June of the 5th year of Hongwu Period (1372) of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Tanzhou was renamed as Changshafu (), and Ningxiang under its jurisdiction.

In the 4th year of Shunzhi Period (1647) of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Gao Shijun () led his army to conquer Changsha and Ningxiang was incorporated into the territory of Qing Empire. Changshafu was set up, affiliated to Hu-Guang province and possessed 12 counties, including Ningxiang. In the late Qing dynasty, Zhu Yidian () joined the Taiping Army in Zhushi Bridge with his troops, he had fought many battles in Jiangxi, Zhejiang and Fujian, and was awarded the title of "Xiaotian Yiwang" () and "Fuchao Tianjun" ().

In 1922, Ningxiang belonged to Hunan province.

On June 18, 1944, Changsha was captured by the Imperial Japanese Army. The Imperial Japanese Army attacked Ningxiang from Yiyang and Qiaokou (), a battalion of 58th Division of 74th Army of the Chinese Nationalist Army held the Wei River bank, they blazed away at the enemy until the supplies were exhausted. They fought hand to hand with the enemy, but they were practically wiped out in the battle, known as the "Battle of Hill of Du Family" ().

On February 9, 1949, Jiang Yaxun () and Li Shiqiu () led the Huang-Tang Uprising () in both towns of Huangcai and Tangshi. They published the ''Letter to the People of Central Hunan'' () and the ''Open Letter to Cheng Qian'' (). On August 4, Ningxiang was liberated by the 436th Regiment of 146th Division of 49th Army of the PLA 4th Field Army, which was led by Cui Rongtai () and Wang Qiao (). On August 27, the People's Government of Ningxiang County was set up.

After the establishment of the Communist State in October 1949, Ningxiang was under the jurisdiction of Yiyang ''Zhuanqu'' (). From 1952 to November 1962, Ningxiang belonged to ''Xiangtan Zhuanqu'' (), and then belonged to Yiyang ''Zhuanqu'' till June 1983, while the county was under jurisdiction of Changsha.

In 2017, Ningxiang was upgraded to a county-level city.

Administrative division

According to the result on adjustment of township-level administrative divisions of Ningxiang county on November 19, 2015, Fengmuqiao township and Xieleqiao town merged to Huitang town, Nantianping township merged to Batang town, Zhuliangqiao township merged to Shuangjiangkou town, Ningxiang county has 4 townships, 21 towns and 4 subdistricts under its jurisdiction.

Geography

Ningxiang County is located in the middle of Hunan province. The county has a total area of . The county is bordered by Wangcheng District, to the east, Xiangtan County, to the Southeast, Shaoshan, Xiangxiang, Lianyuan, and Loudi, to the south, Anhua County, to the west, Taojiang County and Yiyang, to the North.

Climate

Ningxiang County is in the monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate zone and exhibits four distinct seasons. Spring and fall are warm, while winter is chilly with cold winds. Winter temperatures average around . Summers are very hot and dry with a July daily average of .

Rivers

The Wei River flows through Ningxiang County and has seven major tributaries: Huangjuan River, Duan River, Mei River, Tiechong River, Yutang River, Chu River

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