Haining
Haining is a county-level city administered by Jiaxing in northeastern Zhejiang Province, China, located on the north bank of the Qiantang River at the southern tip of the Yangtze River Delta, about 60 kilometers from Hangzhou and 100 kilometers from Shanghai. Covering an area of 700.5 square kilometers, it had a population of 1,076,199 as of the 2020 census and is renowned for its dominant leather industry—home to China's largest production base—as well as traditional sectors like silk, warp knitting, and home textiles, alongside its spectacular Qiantang River tidal bore, a world-famous natural phenomenon that draws tourists to sites like Yanguan Ancient Town.[1][2][3][2] Historically, Haining has prehistoric roots dating back around 6,000 years and was named Haining Prefecture in 1329 during the Yuan dynasty for its role in managing sea floods; it has long been part of the broader ancient cultures of the Yangtze Delta. The city administers four subdistricts and eight towns, plus three provincial economic development zones, and serves as a pilot for China's "Made in China 2025" initiative, focusing on advanced manufacturing in areas such as new energy, electronic information, high-end equipment, semiconductors, big health, and artificial intelligence.[4][4][2][2] Culturally, Haining boasts a rich heritage, including over 1,000 years of Xiashi lantern craftsmanship, unique manual embroidery, and the UNESCO-recognized Chinese shadow puppetry tradition exemplified in Haining, with historic sites like Chang'an Ancient Town preserving its water-town architecture. It is the birthplace of prominent figures such as the modernist poet Xu Zhimo and the influential wuxia novelist Jin Yong (Louis Cha), as well as scholar Wang Guowei, contributing to its legacy as a center of literary and artistic excellence.[2][2][4][2][2] Recognized as a national civilized city, national garden city, and one of China's top tourism destinations, Haining blends economic vitality with scenic attractions like Juanhu Lake Wetland Park and Dongshan Forest Park, emphasizing sustainable development amid its fertile "land of fish and rice."[2][2][1]Geography
Location and Topography
Haining is situated in the northeastern part of Zhejiang Province, China, within the Yangtze River Delta region, at coordinates 30°32′N 120°41′E. The city lies approximately 61.5 km southwest of Hangzhou, the provincial capital, and 125 km southwest of Shanghai.[1][5] This strategic position places Haining at the intersection of major transportation networks and economic hubs in eastern China. The total land area of Haining spans 863 square kilometers, encompassing a mix of urban and rural land uses. Construction land, indicative of urban development, covers urban, industrial, mining, and transportation areas totaling approximately 100 square kilometers, while farmland and other rural areas account for roughly 184 square kilometers of cultivated land, with additional portions dedicated to woodland, grassland, water bodies, and unused land.[6] This breakdown reflects the city's transition from predominantly agricultural to increasingly industrialized landscapes, though rural areas remain vital for traditional activities. Topographically, Haining consists of flat alluvial plains shaped by sediment deposits from the Qiantang River, with elevations averaging 5 meters above sea level and rarely exceeding 10 meters.[7] The terrain features extensive riverine and wetland landscapes, fostering fertile soils suitable for agriculture. Hydrologically, Haining's location along the Qiantang River estuary enhances its identity as a "water-bred city," historically renowned as a land of fish and rice due to the river's nutrient-rich waters supporting aquaculture and paddy fields.[8]Administrative Divisions
Haining is a county-level city administered by Jiaxing Prefecture in Zhejiang Province, China, having been upgraded from Haining County in November 1986 with approval from the State Council.[9] This status positions Haining as an important sub-prefectural unit within Zhejiang's administrative framework, facilitating local governance, urban planning, and economic coordination under Jiaxing's oversight. No significant boundary adjustments have occurred since the early 2010s, maintaining its territorial integrity at 863 square kilometers (as of 2024).[10] As of 2024, Haining comprises 4 subdistricts and 8 towns, reflecting its blend of urban cores and rural peripheries. The subdistricts are Xiashi Subdistrict, Haizhou Subdistrict, Haichang Subdistrict, and Maqiao Subdistrict, which form the central urban areas. The towns include Xucun Town, Chang'an Town, Zhouwangmiao Town, Dingqiao Town, Xieqiao Town, Huangwan Town, Yanguan Town, and Yuanhua Town, encompassing agricultural and industrial zones along the Qiantang River and Hangzhou Bay.[11][12] Population distribution highlights the concentration in industrial and urban subdistricts and towns. According to the 2020 national census, Haining's total permanent resident population was 1,076,199, with over 70% urbanized. By 2023 estimates, this grew to 1,106,800 permanent residents, driven by migration and economic opportunities, though detailed divisional breakdowns remain aligned with 2020 patterns.[13] The following table summarizes the 2020 census resident populations for key divisions, illustrating urban-rural variances (data for all 12 units; totals may include minor adjustments for collectives):| Division | Type | Resident Population (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Xucun Town | Town | 214,091 |
| Chang'an Town | Town | 168,603 |
| Huangwan Town | Town | 140,710 |
| Haizhou Subdistrict | Subdistrict | 123,226 |
| Haichang Subdistrict | Subdistrict | 114,821 |
| Xiashi Subdistrict | Subdistrict | 110,640 |
| Yuanhua Town | Town | 109,689 |
| Zhouwangmiao Town | Town | 107,746 |
| Dingqiao Town | Town | 103,378 |
| Xieqiao Town | Town | 101,185 |
| Maqiao Subdistrict | Subdistrict | 100,360 |
| Yanguan Town | Town | 87,841 |
| Total | - | 1,076,199 |