Zhejiang Province, China

Zhejiang Tour Guide - Jiande

Meaning of the name of "Jiande"
"Build Virtue"

Location
On the Xin'an River about 120 km (75 miles) southwest of Hangzhou

History
Jiande County has a number of bridges of architectural and historical interest, some of which are said to date back to the time of the Three Kingdoms period (220-265 AD).

After twenty years of construction one of the largest dams in China, the Xin'an River Dam, was completed near Jiande in 1977. It is 105 meters (344 feet) high, and when all of the planned turbines are built will generate 652,500 kilowatts of electricity. 300,000 people were displaced when the Xin'an River valley was flooded. The resulting reservoir, called Thousand Island Lake, is now a tourist attraction, and fish farmers raise fish species from northern China in the cool waters.

Language
Jiande natives speak a dialect of the Wu language , like the inhabitants of the rest of Zhejiang Province and Shanghai.

Culture
Some of the famous tourist sites in Jiande County include Lingxi Cave and Daci Cliff (a natural stone Buddha).

Food
Tea is a traditional product of Jiande County, due to the wet climate and hilly terrain. Honey is produced from the abundant wildflowers growing in the region by beekeepers who move their hives to wherever the flowers are blooming.

Local specialties include Yandongguang Acanthopanax Wine (a medicinal rice wine), Jiande Bao Tea , Yanzhou Pears , Yanzhou Sesame Cake , and Li Ye Lotus Seeds .

Folklore
The fishermen on the Xin'an River in Jiande County have a unique culture said to be handed down from the time of the founding of the Ming Dynasty in 1368 AD. Nine generals of one of the losing factions from the civil war of that time were exiled to this valley along with their families. Living as outcasts on their fishing boats, their descendants developed some unique traditions of which the most famous is a colourful wedding ceremony conducted onboard the moored vessels of the bride and groom's respective families.

Travel in Hangzhou:      West Lake      Linyin Temple      Pagoda of Six Harmonies

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