Located about 15 minutes by train from Changzhou and an hour by bus from Nanjing, Zhenjiang, which literally means "Garrison of the River," is a small prefecture-level city located on the Grand Canal, currently known for its production of Xiangcu vinegar.

Also known as the former Chinese home of Pulitzer-prize winning author Pearl S. Buck, Zhenjiang's profile has dropped a bit since its heyday as Jiangsu's capital (1928-1949), but today is home to a rather busy domestic port, serving as a trade hub between Anhui, Jiangsu and Shanghai.

Its latest claim to fame is as 2009 host of the MIDI rock festival, usually held in Beijing.

History

Captured by Qin Shi Huang, the first Chinese emperor, in 221 BC, Zhenjiang rose to prominence during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), gaining fame for its production of fine silks, satins, and silverware for the emperors.

The city's importance and reputation grew during the development of the Grand Canal, as its strategic position resulted in its becoming a tax collection center for Yangtze River Delta  trade.

During the First Opium War (1839-42), and again during the Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864), Zhenjiang was stormed by the British navy. These violent disruptions sent the city into economic decline. Subsequent closures of both northern portion of the Grand Canal in the 1850s, and obstruction of the southern section during the early 20th century forced the city into even deeper economic disarray.

Today Zhenjiang focuses on its trade of grain, cotton, oils, and lumber, as well as serving as a center of food processing and paper pulp manufacturing. As of 2009, Zhenjian has become the new home of China's MIDI rock festival.

Climate

Zhenjiang experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures running well into the 30°C (90°F) between June and early September. Winters are damp, with temperatures occasionally dipping below freezing, easily making spring and fall the most pleasant times to visit.
 

Getting Around

The base rate for taxis is 7 RMB for the first three kilometers and then 1.6 RMB for the fourth kilometer. After 4 km, it will be 2.4 RMB per additional kilometer.

To and From Zhenjiang

Air

There is no airport in Zhenjiang. Tourists may fly to Nanjing Lukou International Airport or Changzhou Benniu Airport and then transfer buses to Zhenjiang. There are direct buses running between Zhenjiang (leaving from Tiegongshui Ticket Office at No.288 Zhongshan Dong Lu, Zhenjiang) and Nanjing Lukou International Airport.

Train

Nearly all the trains running along Shanghai-Nanjing Railway take a stopover at Zhenjiang. Besides, there are also direct trains from Zhenjiang to Shanghai, Tianjin and Wenzhou.

Bus

There are two freeways going through Zhenjiang. Shanghai-Nanjing Freeway can reach Guangtang Qiao in the south of Zhenjiang city while Yangzhou-Liyang Freeway connects Zhenjiang with Yangzhou closely via Runyang Yangzi River Bridge. Yangzhou-Liyang Freeway stretches further south and has a connection with Shanghai-Nanjing Freeway. National Highway 312 also passes through the city and lessens the traffic burden on Shanghai-Nanjing Freeway.

There are four bus stations within the city district, among which Zhenjiang Bus Center to the east of the railway station is the main one. Most of the long-distance buses leave from here. Some inter-civic and interprovincial buses are also available in Nanmen Bus Station.

Zhenjiang is the gateway to and from Yangzhou for the other cities along Shanghai-Nanjing line. There are buses to Yangzhou in front of the square of Zhenjiang Railway Station. Besides, inter-civic buses between Zhenjiang and Yangzhou are also in operation.