Dongyang, China
Region: Zhejiang
Geographic Coordinates: 29.278500, 120.228000
Temperature Range: -30.0°C to 40.0°C (-22°F to 104°F)
Climate: Dongyang has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons and frequent rainfall throughout the year. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are cold and dry.
Population: 804398
Language: Mandarin
Dongyang is a city located in the northeast of Zhejiang province, China, And is known for its cultural heritage and natural scenery. The population of the city is over 1 million people, With most being Han Chinese. The history of Dongyang dates back over 5, 000 years to the Neolithic Age. During the Tang Dynasty, Dongyang was a significant trading center due to its location on the Grand Canal. The city also played an important role in Chinese history during both Ming and Qing Dynasties.
One famous attraction in Dongyang is Yunhe Rice Terraces that were built more than 1, 300 years ago by farmers for cultivating rice crops. Today they are still used for farming purposes and have become a popular tourist destination. Hengdian World Studios is another popular attraction that covers an area of over 330 hectares and has been used as a filming location for many famous movies and TV shows such as Hero, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Kung Fu Panda among others.
Dongyang also boasts several historical sites such as Shouning Temple dating back to the Tang Dynasty; Xiezhou Ancient Town from Song Dynasty; Yiwu Ancient Town featuring well-preserved ancient buildings from different dynasties including Ming & Qing dynasty. In addition to cultural heritage sites, Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and cycling at scenic spots such as Qianxi Longquan Mountain Scenic Area. Dongyang’s traditional handicrafts like woodcarving have been listed in National Intangible Cultural Heritage List since 2006. It has a long history of producing high-quality wood carvings exported worldwide.
Dongyang offers visitors interested in Chinese culture something unique with its rich cultural heritage sites combined with stunning natural scenery while providing opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking or cycling along with traditional handicrafts making it an ideal destination.
- Yiwu International Trade City: This is the largest wholesale market in the world and attracts thousands of tourists every year.
- Hengdian World Studios: It is a movie set complex with replicas of famous Chinese palaces, temples, and other historical buildings.
- Yiwu Futian Wetland Park: A beautiful park with lakes, gardens, and walking trails.
- Wuzhou Mountain Scenic Area: A scenic mountain range with hiking trails and stunning views.
- Shenxianju Scenic Area: This area has beautiful waterfalls, caves, and rock formations that attract many tourists.
- Dongyang Ancient City Wall: The ancient city wall is a well-preserved structure that dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
- Shuanglong Cave Scenic Area: It is a large cave system with underground rivers and waterfalls that offer breathtaking views to visitors.
- Qiaobo Ice & Snow World: An indoor ice skating rink that offers fun activities for families during winter months.
- China Woodcarving Museum: The museum showcases traditional woodcarving techniques from around China.
- Tongxiang Wuzhen Water Town：A picturesque town built on canals which offers visitors an insight into traditional Chinese life.
- Textile industry: Dongyang is known for producing fabrics, clothing, and accessories.
- Furniture industry: The city produces high-quality wooden furniture.
- Toy industry: Dongyang has a thriving toy manufacturing sector that produces toys made from wood and other materials.
- Electronic products: Several companies in Dongyang manufacture electronic products such as LED lights, mobile phone components, and computer peripherals.
- Food processing: The food processing sector includes the production of canned fruits and vegetables, pickles, sauces, and snacks.
- Chemicals: There are several chemical factories that produce chemicals used in various industries such as textiles and electronics.
- Machinery manufacturing: Many machinery manufacturing companies produce equipment for various industries such as agriculture machinery or construction machinery.
- Tourism industry: Dongyang’s tourism industry is booming with many scenic spots like Yiwu International Trade City attracting visitors from all over China to buy wholesale goods at low prices or just enjoy their vacation time there.
- The Battle of Dongyang: This was a major battle fought between the forces of the Southern Song Dynasty and the Jin Dynasty in 1161. The battle ended in a victory for the Southern Song Dynasty.
- Xu Wei: Xu Wei was a famous Ming dynasty painter, poet, and dramatist who was born in Dongyang.
- Huang Gongwang: Huang Gongwang was another famous painter from Dongyang who lived during the Yuan dynasty.
- The Taiping Rebellion: During this rebellion (1850-1864), Dongyang served as an important base for Taiping rebels who were fighting against the Qing dynasty.
- The Communist Revolution: During this period (1927-1949), many Communist guerrillas operated in and around Dongyang as they fought against Nationalist forces.
- Zhang Aiping: Zhang Aiping was a prominent general in the People’s Liberation Army during the Chinese Civil War and later served as China’s Minister of Defense from 1982 to 1988. He was born in Dongyang.
- Wang Guowei: Wang Guowei was a famous scholar, writer, and literary critic who lived during late Qing dynasty and early Republican era China. He also hailed from Dongyang.
Overall, these events and individuals have had a significant impact on both Chinese history and culture, helping to shape not only Dongyang but also China as a whole over time.
- Yiwu International Trade City is a massive wholesale market with over 75,000 vendors selling everything from clothing to electronics.
- Hengdian World Studios is the largest film and television production studio in China, featuring replicas of famous landmarks from around the world.
- Dongyang Woodcarving Museum is dedicated to the traditional art of woodcarving that has been practiced in Dongyang for centuries.
- Shuanglong Cave Scenic Area is a natural wonder featuring underground rivers and spectacular rock formations.
- Qiaobo Ice & Snow World is an indoor ice skating rink and snow park that is open year-round.
- Puji Temple is a historic Buddhist temple dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
- Jinhua Ancient City Wall is a well-preserved section of the ancient city wall that once surrounded Jinhua, which is now part of Dongyang.
- Xizhou Park is a beautiful public park with scenic lakes, gardens, and walking paths.
- Yiwu Xiuhu Lake Scenic Area another picturesque park with boating facilities and scenic views of Xiuhu Lake.
- Shimen Mountain National Forest Park located just outside Dongyang, this national forest park offers hiking trails, waterfalls, and stunning mountain scenery.
- Dongyang Woodcarving Festival celebrates the traditional art of woodcarving practiced in Dongyang for centuries. It features exhibitions, workshops, and demonstrations by local artisans.
- Dongyang International Kite Festival showcases the art of kite-flying with colorful displays and competitions every April.
- Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, is celebrated in early April to honor ancestors by cleaning their graves and offering food and incense.
- Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month (usually September or October). It’s a time for family reunions and enjoying mooncakes.
- Chinese New Year is China’s most important holiday celebrated with fireworks, dragon dances, and family gatherings to welcome the new year according to the lunar calendar.
- Lantern Festival marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations held on the 15th day of the first lunar month (usually February or March). It features lantern displays and riddle games.
- Dragon Boat Festival honors Qu Yuan, a poet who drowned himself in a river as a protest against corruption on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (usually June). The festival features dragon boat races and eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings).
- Dongyang Braised Chicken – a famous dish made with chicken, soy sauce, sugar, and other spices.
- Shangyuan Rice Cake – a traditional dessert made with glutinous rice flour and sweet fillings like red bean paste or sesame paste.
- Xiangji Fried Rice Cake – a savory snack made with rice flour and various ingredients like pork, mushrooms, and scallions.
- Zhuge Fish Head Soup – a spicy soup made with fish head, Sichuan peppercorns, chili peppers, and other seasonings.
- Yulongshan Restaurant – a popular restaurant serving traditional Dongyang cuisine like braised chicken and fried rice cake.
- Xiaoxian Noodle House – a local noodle shop known for its handmade noodles served in flavorful broths or stir-fried dishes.
- Wuyi Tea House – a tea house that offers various types of tea from the Wuyi Mountains region along with snacks like steamed buns and dumplings.
- Taoyuanju Restaurant – another well-known restaurant serving Dongyang specialties such as braised pork belly and stir-fried bamboo shoots.
- Dongyang Forest Park is a spacious park that offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and a lake for boating.
- Yiwu Zoo is a popular destination for families with various animal exhibits and activities.
- Dongyang Ancient City Wall Park is an historic park featuring the ancient city wall of Dongyang.
- Qiaobei Scenic Area is a natural area with scenic views, hiking trails, and waterfalls.
- Shangtianhu Scenic Area is another natural area with beautiful scenery and outdoor activities such as fishing and boating.
- Jinhua Bay Wetland Park is an ecological park with wetlands, bird watching opportunities, and educational exhibits.
- Yiwu International Trade City is the world’s largest wholesale market for small commodities where visitors can shop for souvenirs or everyday items.
- Dongyang Hot Spring Resort- A luxury resort that offers hot spring baths along with other recreational activities like golfing, swimming etc.
- Dongyang Grand Canyon- A scenic spot that is famous for its steep cliffs, waterfalls, caves etc.
- Yiwu Xiuhu Lake- A picturesque lake surrounded by lush greenery where visitors can enjoy boating or simply relax in its serene environment.
