Kaihua, China
Region: Zhejiang
Geographic Coordinates: 23.371500, 104.244000
Temperature Range: -40.0°C to 40.0°C (-40°F to 104°F)
Climate: Seasonal.
Population: 481505
Language: Mandarin
Kaihua is a county-level city located in the eastern part of Zhejiang Province, China. It is situated between Hangzhou and Wenzhou and covers an area of 1, 916 square kilometers with a population of over 400, 000 people. The city has a rich history dating back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) and was formerly known as Wu County before being renamed Kaihua during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The city is famous for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, With many scenic spots such as Xianju National Park, Longyou Grottoes, Huzhou Nanxun Ancient Town and Qiandao Lake.
These attractions offer visitors unique experiences such as exploring karst landforms in Xianju National Park or admiring traditional Chinese architecture in Huzhou Nanxun Ancient Town. Kaihua’s economy relies heavily on agriculture with rice being the main crop grown in the region along with tea plantations covering much of its hilly terrain. Other major industries include textiles, Machinery, And electronics. The city has a well-developed transportation system that connects it to major cities such as Hangzhou and Wenzhou.
The city also hosts various cultural festivals throughout the year including the famous Kaihua Tea Festival held every April where visitors can learn about tea culture and taste different types of tea produced in the region. Other festivals include Dragon Boat Festival in June, Mid-Autumn Festival in September, And Spring Festival celebrated either January or February. In recent years Kaihua has made significant progress towards environmental protection by reducing pollution levels while promoting sustainable development leading to recognition for their efforts by being awarded various titles such as National Ecological County or National Forest City.
Overall Kaihua offers visitors an unforgettable experience blending natural beauty with rich cultural heritage alongside modern development while enjoying delicious cuisine served by hospitable locals who embrace their traditions while embracing change making it no wonder why so many people choose to visit this charming destination each year!
- 1. Kaihua Temple – a Buddhist temple with beautiful architecture and serene surroundings.
- 2. Qingyuan Mountain – a scenic mountain range with hiking trails and stunning views.
- 3. Xianju National Park – a natural park with waterfalls, caves, and rock formations.
- 4. Wuxing Street – a pedestrian street lined with shops selling local specialties such as dried bamboo shoots and tea leaves.
- 5. Yucun Village – a traditional village known for its ancient architecture, cultural heritage, and picturesque scenery.
These are just some of the many attractions that Kaihua has to offer for tourists who want to experience its rich history and natural beauty.
- Agriculture: Kaihua is known for its agricultural products such as tea, bamboo shoots, oranges, and rice.
- Manufacturing: The city has a strong manufacturing sector that produces products like electronic components, machinery parts, textiles, and garments.
- Tourism: Kaihua has several scenic spots such as the Bamboo Sea Scenic Area and Xianju National Park that attract tourists from all over China.
- Mining: There are several mines in Kaihua that produce minerals like iron ore and copper.
- Construction: With the rapid development of the city’s infrastructure, construction companies have been thriving in recent years.
- E-commerce: Online shopping platforms like Taobao have become increasingly popular in Kaihua due to their convenience and accessibility.
- Service industry: Restaurants, hotels, transportation services are also important sources of employment and revenue for the local economy.
- Kaihua County was established during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and has a history of over 1,300 years.
- During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Kaihua was an important center for porcelain production.
- In 1935, Mao Zedong led his troops through Kaihua during the Long March.
- The famous Chinese poet and painter Wen Zhengming (1470–1559) was born in Kaihua.
- The revolutionary leader Ye Ting (1896-1946) was also born in Kaihua.
- During World War II, Japanese forces occupied Kaihua from 1942 to 1945.
- In recent years, Kaihua has become known for its scenic beauty and eco-tourism attractions such as Qingliang Peak Scenic Area and Xianju National Forest Park.
- Kaihua Ancient City Wall is a well-preserved structure from the Ming Dynasty, offering insight into the region’s history.
- Kaihua Confucian Temple has been an important center for education and culture for centuries, built to honor Confucius.
- Guanyin Mountain Scenic Area in eastern Kaihua boasts breathtaking views of mountain ranges, rivers and valleys.
- Wuxing Cave National Forest Park spans over 30 square kilometers with beautiful waterfalls, caves, forests and wildlife.
- Jiangnan Tianchi Scenic Area in western Kaihua features a large lake surrounded by mountains.
- Xinyue Art Museum showcases contemporary Chinese art from local and international artists.
- Dongsheng Art Center hosts exhibitions by local artists as well as workshops on traditional Chinese arts like calligraphy and painting.
- Shangli Ancient Town outside of Kaihua County has rich history dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
- Zhuge Bagua Village (Zhuge Bagua Miao) is a village with traditional buildings where you can learn about Taoism philosophy through founder Zhuge Liang’s teachings – known for his famous book The Art of War.
- Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area – Tiantai Mountain National Forest Park covers more than 82 square kilometers with beautiful natural scenery including waterfalls, streams, lakes and forests boasting more than 2000 types of plants growing there!
- The Kaihua Tea Culture Festival is an annual event held in April that aims to promote the tea culture of Kaihua. Visitors can enjoy different types of teas, witness traditional tea ceremonies, and learn about the history and production process of local teas.
- The Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (usually in June). It features exciting dragon boat races on the river, along with traditional food and performances.
- The Lantern Festival marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations and falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month (usually in February or March). Visitors can enjoy beautiful lantern displays, lion dances, and other cultural performances.
- The Kaihua International Folk Song Festival brings together musicians from different parts of China as well as other countries to perform traditional folk songs and promote cultural exchange.
- Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month (usually in September or October), Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for families to gather together to celebrate harvest season with mooncakes, lanterns, and other festivities.
- Similar to China’s national Spring Festival Gala broadcasted by CCTV every year during Chinese New Year’s Eve, Kaihua has its own version featuring local performers showcasing their talents across various art forms such as singing and dancing.
- Kaihua Roast Duck – a dish made from duck meat that is roasted until crispy and served with pancakes, scallions, and hoisin sauce.
- Braised Pork Belly – a savory dish made from fatty pork belly that is braised in soy sauce, sugar, and spices.
- Spicy Fish Head Soup – a spicy soup made with fish head, vegetables, chili peppers, and Sichuan peppercorns.
- Shaoxing Wine Chicken – a traditional dish made by marinating chicken in Shaoxing wine before cooking it with ginger and scallions.
- Huiji Snacks Restaurant – known for its delicious snacks such as deep-fried tofu balls stuffed with meat filling (jian doufu), pan-fried dumplings (guotie), and steamed buns (baozi).
- Lianyunshan Tea House – offers traditional Chinese tea ceremonies along with light snacks like dumplings or mooncakes.
- Xiangyanglou Restaurant – serves authentic Zhejiang cuisine such as sweet-and-sour pork ribs (tangcu paigu) or stir-fried shrimps with longjing tea leaves (longjing xia ren).
- Kaihua National Forest Park – a vast park with hiking trails, camping sites, and scenic views of the mountains.
- Xianju National Forest Park – a beautiful park with waterfalls, lakes, and hiking trails.
- Shangyang Ancient Street – an old street with traditional architecture and local food vendors.
- Kaihua Hot Springs – natural hot springs that offer relaxation and health benefits.
- Sanqing Mountain Scenic Area – a mountainous area with temples, waterfalls, and stunning views of the landscape.
- Hengshan Scenic Area – another mountainous area with hiking trails, temples, and panoramic views.
- Qiandao Lake – a large lake surrounded by forests and hills that offers boating, fishing, swimming, and other water activities.
- Xianju Rock Climbing Base – a popular spot for rock climbing enthusiasts with various difficulty levels for beginners to experts.
