The Heart of China’s Coastal Innovation
Zhejiang Province, located on China’s southeastern coast, is one of the nation’s most prosperous and entrepreneurial regions. Known for its beautiful landscapes, dynamic economy, and cultural legacy, Zhejiang represents modern China’s spirit of innovation and harmony between tradition and progress.
🏛️ Formation & Historical Background
The name “Zhejiang” (浙江) comes from the ancient name of the Qiantang River, which flows through the province. With a history spanning over 2,500 years, Zhejiang has been a cradle of Chinese commerce, literature, and maritime exploration.
Key Historical Timeline:
| Period | Major Event |
|---|---|
| 500 BCE | Part of the ancient Yue Kingdom |
| 222 BCE | Incorporated into the Qin Empire |
| Tang–Song Dynasties | Becomes a hub of poetry, trade, and porcelain |
| 13th century | Hangzhou serves as the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty |
| Ming–Qing Dynasties | Center of silk, tea, and maritime trade |
| 1978–Present | Rapid modernization under China’s reform and opening-up policies |
Zhejiang is often called “the cradle of private enterprise” and symbolizes China’s economic transformation.
🧭 Basic Provincial Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Zhejiang Province (浙江省) |
| Provincial Capital | Hangzhou |
| Largest Cities | Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Jinhua, Shaoxing |
| Governor (2025) | Wang Hao |
| Area | ~105,000 sq km |
| Population (2025 est.) | ~65 million |
| Major Rivers | Qiantang River, Ou River |
| Climate | Subtropical monsoon; humid and mild |
| Time Zone | China Standard Time (UTC +8) |
| Dial Code | +86 (057x prefixes) |
| Top-Level Domain | .cn |
| Provincial Motto | “Prosperity through Innovation and Harmony” |
⚖️ Government and Administration
| Position | Current Officeholder (as of 2025) |
|---|---|
| Party Secretary | Yi Lianhong |
| Governor | Wang Hao |
| Legislature | Zhejiang Provincial People’s Congress |
| Judiciary | Zhejiang High People’s Court |
| Administrative Divisions | 11 prefecture-level cities, 90+ counties and districts |
Zhejiang’s leadership promotes digital economy, clean governance, and environmental excellence.
🗺️ Administrative Structure
| Level | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Provincial Capital | Hangzhou | World-famous for West Lake and technology industry |
| Major Cities (11) | Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Jinhua, Shaoxing, Taizhou, Jiaxing, Huzhou, Lishui, Zhoushan, Quzhou | Ningbo is one of China’s largest seaports |
Zhejiang has 11 prefecture-level cities, further divided into districts, county-level cities, and counties.
- Hangzhou (杭州市) – Provincial Capital
- Districts: Shangcheng (上城区), Xiacheng (下城区), Jianggan (江干区), Gongshu (拱墅区), Xihu (西湖区), Binjiang (滨江区), Yuhang (余杭区), Linping (临平区), Fuyang (富阳区), Lin’an (临安区)
- Counties: Tonglu (桐庐县), Chun’an (淳安县), Jiande (建德市)
- Ningbo (宁波市)
- Districts: Haishu (海曙区), Jiangbei (江北区), Zhenhai (镇海区), Beilun (北仑区), Yinzhou (鄞州区), Fenghua (奉化区)
- County-level Cities: Cixi (慈溪市), Yuyao (余姚市)
- County: Ninghai (宁海县), Xiangshan (象山县)
- Wenzhou (温州市)
- Districts: Lucheng (鹿城区), Longwan (龙湾区), Ouhai (瓯海区), Dongtou (洞头区)
- County-level Cities: Ruian (瑞安市), Yueqing (乐清市), Yongjia (永嘉县), Pingyang (平阳县), Cangnan (苍南县), Wencheng (文成县), Taishun (泰顺县)
- Shaoxing (绍兴市)
- Districts: Yuecheng (越城区), Keqiao (柯桥区), Shangyu (上虞区)
- County-level Cities: Zhuji (诸暨市), Shengzhou (嵊州市)
- County: Xinchang (新昌县)
- Jiaxing (嘉兴市)
- Districts: Nanhu (南湖区), Xiuzhou (秀洲区)
- County-level Cities: Haining (海宁市), Pinghu (平湖市), Tongxiang (桐乡市)
- Counties: Jiashan (嘉善县), Haiyan (海盐县)
- Huzhou (湖州市)
- Districts: Wuxing (吴兴区), Nanxun (南浔区)
- Counties: Deqing (德清县), Changxing (长兴县), Anji (安吉县)
- Jinhua (金华市)
- Districts: Wucheng (婺城区), Jindong (金东区)
- County-level Cities: Lanxi (兰溪市), Dongyang (东阳市), Yiwu (义乌市), Yongkang (永康市)
- Counties: Wuyi (武义县), Pujiang (浦江县), Pan’an (磐安县)
- Quzhou (衢州市)
- Districts: Kecheng (柯城区), Qujiang (衢江区)
- County-level Cities: Jiangshan (江山市)
- Counties: Changshan (常山县), Kaihua (开化县), Longyou (龙游县)
- Zhoushan (舟山市)
- Districts: Dinghai (定海区), Putuo (普陀区)
- Counties: Daishan (岱山县), Shengsi (嵊泗县)
- Taizhou (台州市)
- Districts: Jiaojiang (椒江区), Huangyan (黄岩区), Luqiao (路桥区)
- County-level Cities: Linhai (临海市), Wenling (温岭市), Yuhuan (玉环市)
- Counties: Tiantai (天台县), Sanmen (三门县), Xianju (仙居县)
- Lishui (丽水市)
- Districts: Liandu (莲都区)
- County-level Cities: Longquan (龙泉市)
- Counties: Qingtian (青田县), Jinyun (缙云县), Suichang (遂昌县), Songyang (松阳县), Yunhe (云和县), Qingyuan (庆元县), Jingning She Autonomous County (景宁畲族自治县)
Summary:
| Level | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Prefecture-level Cities | 11 |
| County-level Divisions | 90+ |
| Township-level Divisions | 1,400+ |
🌐 Geography & Environment
Location: Eastern China, along the East China Sea
Borders: Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, Fujian provinces
Terrain: Coastal plains, rivers, mountains, and islands
Climate: Mild, humid subtropical
Natural Resources: Hydropower, fisheries, silk, and tea
Zhejiang’s landscape features mountains, islands, and fertile river valleys, earning it the title “Heaven on Earth.”
🏘️ Local Government Structure
Local focuses include:
High-tech manufacturing and global trade
Ecological civilization and pollution control
Smart city development in Hangzhou
Urban-rural integration and cultural preservation
🧩 Leadership & Development Focus
Key development priorities:
Digital economy: E-commerce and fintech led by Alibaba
Green industry: Renewable energy and eco-manufacturing
Cultural tourism: West Lake, ancient water towns, and tea villages
Marine economy: Port development and ocean trade
Zhejiang leads in China’s innovation-driven growth model.
🛡️ Law Enforcement & Safety
| Department | Function |
|---|---|
| Zhejiang Public Security Bureau | Provincial policing and social safety |
| Maritime Safety Administration | Oversees port and coastal operations |
| Emergency Response Department | Disaster and environmental response |
Zhejiang maintains strong cybersecurity and maritime management systems.
🕊️ Religion, Language & Culture
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Religions | Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity |
| Official Language | Mandarin |
| Local Dialects | Wu Chinese (Shanghainese family) |
| Ethnic Groups | Predominantly Han; small She minority |
| Cultural Identity | Known for arts, calligraphy, tea, and business acumen |
Zhejiang culture combines poetic beauty and commercial pragmatism — a balance between art and enterprise.
📈 Economy & Key Sectors
| Sector | Description |
|---|---|
| GDP (2025 est.) | ~ $1.7 trillion USD |
| Main Industries | E-commerce, manufacturing, shipping, textiles, tourism |
| Top Companies | Alibaba Group, Geely Auto, Hikvision, Supor |
| Major Partners | Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, Europe, USA |
| Key Economic Zones | Hangzhou Hi-Tech Zone, Ningbo Free Trade Port, Wenzhou Industrial Belt |
Zhejiang is China’s private economy powerhouse, home to millions of small and medium enterprises.
🎓 Education & Healthcare
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Literacy Rate | ~99% |
| Top Universities | Zhejiang University, Ningbo University |
| Education Focus | Technology, business, innovation |
| Healthcare | Advanced hospitals and digital health networks |
| Life Expectancy | ~82 years |
Zhejiang’s education and healthcare reflect world-class modernization and research excellence.
✈️ Transport & Infrastructure
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Airports | Hangzhou Xiaoshan, Ningbo Lishe, Wenzhou Longwan |
| Ports | Ningbo-Zhoushan Port (world’s busiest by cargo tonnage) |
| High-Speed Railways | Hangzhou–Shanghai, Hangzhou–Ningbo, Wenzhou–Fuzhou |
| Highways | G15, G60, G92 Expressways |
| Energy Projects | Offshore wind farms and smart grids |
Zhejiang is one of China’s most connected provinces with integrated sea–land–air logistics.
🏞️ Tourism & Attractions
Top Destinations:
West Lake (Hangzhou): UNESCO World Heritage Site of poetic beauty
Wuzhen & Xitang: Ancient water towns with stone bridges and canals
Putuo Mountain: One of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains
Thousand Island Lake (Qiandao): Scenic lake with crystal waters
Ningbo Port City: Mix of ancient temples and modern commerce
Moganshan: Bamboo forests and mountain retreats
Zhejiang’s tourism blends nature, culture, and modern hospitality.
🌍 Global Role & Relations
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Strategic Role | Leading center for trade, innovation, and entrepreneurship |
| Global Partnerships | Sister cities with regions in the US, Japan, and Europe |
| Cultural Diplomacy | Promotes Chinese innovation and hospitality |
| Economic Cooperation | Belt and Road maritime trade connections |
Zhejiang represents China’s new face of sustainable innovation and global outreach.
📝 Summary
Zhejiang Province is a living symbol of China’s reform and creativity. From the poetic beauty of West Lake to the global headquarters of Alibaba, Zhejiang harmonizes culture and commerce — ancient values with modern vision — embodying the best of China’s future.
📢 News & Articles
“Hangzhou: The City of Digital Dreams and West Lake Charm”
“Ningbo Port: The Global Gateway of Zhejiang”
“From Silk to Silicon: The Story of Zhejiang’s Economic Rise”
🎯 Our Mission
This profile is part of the AFP Global Knowledge Hub, providing verified educational insights on all provinces — connecting global readers with China’s heritage, innovation, and sustainable development.
📬 Contact Us
For verified updates or collaboration regarding Zhejiang Province:
📧 shababalsharif@gmail.com
🌐 https://shababalsharif.com