Xinzheng
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Xinzheng | |
| — County-level city — | |
| Chinese transliteration(s) | |
| - Chinese | 新郑 |
|---|---|
| - Pinyin | Xīnzhèng |
  Xinzheng
|
|
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | China |
| Province | Henan |
| Prefecture | Zhengzhou |
| Area | |
| - Total | 15 km² (5.8 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| - Total | 600,000 |
| - Density | 40,000/km² (103,599.5/sq mi) |
| Time zone | China Standard (UTC+8) |
| Website: http://www.xinzheng.gov.cn/ | |
Xinzheng (Chinese: 新鄭; pinyin: Xīnzhèng) is a small county-level city of Zhengzhou in the south of Henan province of China. The city has a population of 600,000 people and covers an area of 15km.[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
Xinzheng is considered the birthplace of the Chinese nation. It was the seat of government for the Qin Dynasty, from about 221 B.C.E., which is considered the beginning of a unified China.[2] The word qin (秦), which is pronounced similar to "chin", is thought to be the basis for the word "China."[2]
It was also the birthplace of the famous Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi in 772 A.D.[3]
[edit] Education
Xinzheng also has one of the largest concentrations of foreign teachers in central China, thanks to Sias International University. The school has 14,000 students and about 90 foreign teachers.[citation needed] Along with SIAS University, the city is also home to another university: ShengDa.
[edit] Dragon
A giant dragon is being constructed by private investors near the city out of concrete and marble with a 29.9m tall head and a body that will eventually stretch 21km (13 miles) along the ridge line of Shizu Mountain.[4][5] The hollow body of the dragon is 9m high and 6m wide and will contain a light rail system along with facilities for sight seeing and leisure, such as shops, restaurants and luxury clubs.[5] The body of the dragon will be covered with 5.6 million scales made of white marble and gilded bronze to symbolically represent China's 56 ethnic groups.[6] The 21km length represents the wish for China's rapid growth in the 21st century.[7] The project is expected to be completed before October 1, 2009 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China[4][7]
[edit] References
- ^ XINZHENG INTRODUCTION. China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. Retrieved on March 28, 2007.
- ^ a b History of China. Chemistry Daily (2005). Retrieved on March 28, 2007.
- ^ Bai Juyi. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved on March 28, 2007.
- ^ a b Construction of giant dragon in C. China drives debate. Xinhua (March 27, 2007). Retrieved on March 28, 2007.
- ^ a b Dragon 'to rival Great Wall of China'. Ananova (March 27, 2007). Retrieved on March 28, 2007.
- ^ Obstacles for China's planned 13-mile dragon?. Associated Press (March 28, 2007). Retrieved on March 28, 2007.
- ^ a b Giant dragon to recline on Henan mountaintop. Shanghai Daily (March 27, 2007). Retrieved on March 28, 2007.
