Zhejiang Province

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Introduction

Often called the “land of rivers and hills,” Zhejiang Province occupies a southeastern coastal position along the East China Sea, making it a key region in both geography and history. With more than 65 million people, Zhejiang combines fertile plains, rugged hills, and a long coastline, where commerce, culture, and maritime trade converge.

From historic cities such as Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Wenzhou to modern industrial centers, Zhejiang has long been a land where past and present intertwine. Its location along the coast has ensured its importance as a transport, economic, and cultural hub, shaping regional identity for centuries.

Geography and Key Cities

Zhejiang stretches from the coastal plains of the East China Sea to the mountainous interior, including the Tianmu Mountains and Mount Mogan. Numerous rivers, lakes, and canals crisscross the province, including the Qiantang River, famous for its tidal bore. The climate is humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers and mild, damp winters influenced by monsoons.

Hangzhou, the provincial capital, serves as a major transport, cultural, and industrial hub, connecting east–west and north–south railways, roads, and waterways. Ningbo is a historic port city with strong maritime and trading traditions, while Wenzhou is known for its entrepreneurial culture. Other key cities include Shaoxing, famous for canals and cultural heritage, and Jinhua, noted for regional cuisine and textile production.

Zhejiang has a long and varied history. The region was inhabited by various kingdoms during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, and later became integrated into Chinese dynasties such as the Tang and Song, serving as a hub for maritime trade and cultural exchange.

Throughout history, Zhejiang’s rivers and coast facilitated commerce, fishing, and artisanal industries, while inland areas preserved agricultural and craft traditions. In modern times, the province became a center for entrepreneurship, manufacturing, and export, while maintaining its rich cultural heritage.

Historical Background

Nature and Landmarks

Zhejiang combines rivers, hills, and coastline with historical and cultural landmarks. The West Lake in Hangzhou is a scenic and historic site, while the Thousand-Island Lake and Qiandao Lake provide natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Mount Tiantai and Mount Mogan host temples and forested trails, and coastal areas feature islands and beaches.

Historic towns such as Shaoxing and Wuzhen display canals, bridges, and traditional architecture, while ancient temples, pagodas, and cultural sites showcase centuries of history. Smaller hills, rivers, and coastal areas offer hiking, boating, and cultural exploration. These landscapes show Zhejiang’s dual nature: natural beauty and cultural heritage alongside bustling urban centers.

Culture and Cuisine

Zhejiang’s culture reflects its coastal location and history as a center of trade, art, and scholarship. Architecture ranges from Hangzhou’s West Lake pavilions to Shaoxing’s canal-side houses, Wuzhen’s water town structures, and Ningbo’s maritime heritage buildings, combining historical, religious, and urban elements. Festivals, music, and folk traditions thrive across the province, from Dragon Boat Festival and temple fairs to opera, embroidery, and bamboo craft in rural towns. Zhejiang has long been associated with literature, painting, and maritime culture, creating a rich tapestry blending hills, rivers, and urban centers.

Linguistically, Mandarin is widely spoken, but local dialects including Wu Chinese, Shaoxing dialect, and Ningbo dialect preserve centuries of regional identity. Traditional arts include paper-cutting, shadow puppetry, embroidery, painting, and local operas, often reflecting maritime, agricultural, and scholarly themes.

Zhejiang’s cuisine emphasizes seafood, rice, seasonal vegetables, and light, fresh flavors with subtle seasoning. Signature dishes include:

• Dongpo pork, a braised pork belly dish named after the poet Su Dongpo,

• West Lake fish in vinegar sauce, showcasing freshwater fish and balanced flavors,

• Beggar’s chicken, wrapped and slow-cooked for tender meat,

• Shaoxing wine chicken, combining local rice wine and poultry,

• Seafood stir-fries, highlighting coastal ingredients,

• Zhejiang-style bamboo shoots and vegetables, reflecting seasonal freshness,

• Sweet osmanthus cakes, traditional desserts tied to festivals.

Compared with northern or inland provinces, Zhejiang cuisine favors fresh seafood, light seasoning, and a balance of sweet and savory, reflecting its rivers, coastline, and centuries of cultural and trade exchange.

Economy and Modern Development

Zhejiang is a key economic center in eastern China. Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Wenzhou developed into industrial, transport, and trade hubs during the 20th century, with textiles, electronics, e-commerce, and shipping forming the backbone of the economy. Tourism, especially around West Lake, water towns, and coastal areas, contributes significantly to the provincial economy.

Historically, Zhejiang’s economy grew from maritime trade, handicrafts, and agriculture. Today, private enterprise, high-tech industries, port logistics, and digital innovation ensure continued growth and connectivity with domestic and international markets, balancing modernization with cultural heritage.

Zhejiang has produced influential figures across literature, politics, business, and the arts. Ancient scholars, poets, and officials contributed to Chinese intellectual and cultural traditions, particularly during the Song and Ming dynasties. The province also gave rise to painters, calligraphers, and maritime explorers, reflecting its history as a hub of scholarship and trade.

Zhejiang is equally renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit, arts, and maritime culture, making the province a beacon of cultural and economic vitality. In modern times, Zhejiang has contributed reformers, business leaders, scientists, and artists who continue to embody its historical and cultural legacy.

People and Notable Figures

Current Trends and Daily Life

Zhejiang daily life balances urban growth with traditional culture. In Hangzhou, commuters use subways, highways, and river transport, shop in malls and markets, and work in services, manufacturing, and e-commerce, while surrounding towns focus on farming, artisanal crafts, and fishing. Seasonal festivals, including Dragon Boat Festival, temple fairs, and traditional operas, remain integral to community life.

Migration shapes the province: many residents work in other provinces or abroad, sending remittances home, while younger generations increasingly pursue careers in technology, entrepreneurship, tourism, or cultural industries. Compared with inland provinces, Zhejiang feels both modern and traditional, with strong economic, cultural, and transport connectivity.

Practical Travel and Tips

• Best time to visit: Spring and autumn offer mild weather and scenic blooms, summer is hot and humid, and winter is mild along the coast,

• Getting there: Hangzhou is a major transport hub with high-speed rail, an international airport, and ports, making the province accessible from most Chinese cities,

• Highlights: West Lake, Wuzhen water town, Shaoxing ancient city, Mount Tiantai, Thousand-Island Lake,

• Local etiquette: Respect local customs, temple rituals, and river-town traditions,

• Insider tip: Try Dongpo pork or West Lake fish, explore water towns for crafts and canals, and visit Mount Tiantai for temples and hiking trails.

Climate

Plant and animal life

Agriculture

Manufacture

Zhejiang has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild, damp winters, strongly influenced by the East Asian monsoon. Rainfall is concentrated in spring and summer, often accompanied by typhoons along the coast. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for outdoor activities and travel. Compared with inland provinces, Zhejiang is wetter and milder in winter, with high humidity in summer. Coastal areas experience moderate sea breezes, while inland hills and valleys can be slightly cooler and drier.

Zhejiang’s varied landscapes—from mountain ranges like Tianmu and Yandang to coastal wetlands—support rich biodiversity. Forests contain bamboo, cypress, and tea plants, while wildlife includes sika deer, monkeys, otters, and diverse bird species. Coastal and estuarine areas host migratory birds and aquaculture species, while inland rivers and lakes provide habitats for freshwater fish. Compared with northern or western provinces, Zhejiang’s flora and fauna are strongly influenced by its coastal and subtropical environment, offering a mix of mountain, river, and marine ecosystems.

Zhejiang is a fertile province with rice, tea, mulberry for silk, and fruits such as oranges and peaches forming the backbone of agriculture. Aquaculture in rivers and along the coast supports fish, crab, and shellfish production. Specialty crops, including bamboo shoots and medicinal herbs, diversify the agricultural economy. Compared with northern provinces, Zhejiang emphasizes high-value, labor-intensive crops, benefiting from abundant rainfall, fertile soils, and favorable temperatures. Historically, trade networks and proximity to the coast facilitated the spread of agricultural techniques and market access, helping Zhejiang develop a prosperous agrarian base.

Zhejiang combines light manufacturing, electronics, textiles, machinery, and export-oriented industries. Cities such as Hangzhou, Ningbo, and Wenzhou host thriving industrial zones, with Ningbo serving as a major port and logistics hub. Tourism, especially around coastal areas, mountains, and historic towns, contributes significantly to the economy. Compared with inland provinces, Zhejiang’s economy is highly export-oriented and industrially diversified, balancing traditional industries with technology, services, and international trade. Over the centuries, its coastal location, trade routes, and merchant culture have fostered sustained economic growth and regional influence.