Changzhi, Shanxi Province, China

🇨🇳 Changzhi is a prefecture-level city in the south-east of Shanxi Province, China, bordering the provinces of Hebei and Henan to the north-east and east, respectively. Historically, the city was one of the 36 administrative areas extant under the reign of the first emperor of a unified China.

Nowadays, Changzhi is a transportation centre in Shanxi. Transportations is facilitated by: four controlled-access highways, (Taiyuan-Changzhi, Changzhi-Jincheng, Changzhi-Linfen, and Changzhi-Handan); two railways, (Taiyuan–Jiaozuo Railway and Handan–Changzhi Railway ); three national highways, China National Highway 207, 208 and 309; and Changzhi Wangcun Airport (ITAT Code: CIH, ICAO Code: ZBCZ). Internal transportation also includes a bus and taxi network.

The city is a rising commercial and industrial centre in the south-eastern area of Shanxi. In 2011, its GDP ranked 1st out of 11 prefecture-level cities in the province. According to the latest census, The built-up (or metro) area is made of Luzhou and Shangdang Districts. The other 2 urban districts Tunliu and Lucheng are not conurbated yet.

History In ancient times the area around Changzhi (Including Jincheng) was known as Shangdang. Changzhi was the site of the Shangdang Campaign, the first battle between the Kuomintang and the People's Liberation Army after the end of World War II. The campaign began in August 1945 and lasted until October. It began when the local Shanxi warlord, Yan Xishan, attempted to retake the region from Communist forces. Yan's forces were eventually defeated by an army led by Liu Bocheng, who was later named one of China's Ten Great Marshals. Liu's political commissar was Deng Xiaoping, who later became China's "paramount leader". The campaign ended with the complete destruction of Yan's army (Jingsui army, 晋绥军), most of which joined the Communists after surrendering. Following the Shangdang Campaign, the Communists remained in control of the region until they won the civil war in 1949.

Geography Changzhi is located in south-eastern Shanxi province, along the southern section of the Taihang Mountains. The majority of the city's area is mountainous, and much of the remaining geography is hilly in nature. The average elevation in the city is approximately 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level, with prominent peaks including Liyu Mountain (历峪山; Lìyù Shān) and Shigao Mountain (石膏山; Shígāo Shān), reaching 2,012 metres (6,601 ft) and 2,541 metres (8,337 ft) above sea level, respectively.

Administrative divisions The area under the control of People's Government of Changzhi City is divided into 12 county-level administration zone. They are 4 districts Luzhou, Lucheng, Shangdang, and Tunliu; and 8 counties Xiangyuan County, Pingshun County, Licheng County, Huguan County, Zhangzi County, Wuxiang County, Qin County, and Qinyuan County.

Expressways Portions of three National Highways run through Changzhi: China National Highway 207, China National Highway 208, and China National Highway 309. National Highways 207 and 208 run along a north-south axis, while National Highway 309 runs along a west-east axis.

Other major expressways which run through Changzhi include the Changzhi-Handan Expressway and expressways which link the city to Handan, Jincheng, and Taiyuan. The Changzhi-Linfen Expressway  also runs through the city.

Railway • Taiyuan–Jiaozuo Railway • Handan–Changzhi Railway.

Airport • Changzhi Wangcun Airport.