Ganzhou 赣州

About Ganzhou

Its surviving wall sections and the boat-supported bridge at Jianchun Gate show two different responses to that river setting: defence and everyday crossing. Bajing Terrace adds an elevated view near the confluence. Together, these features explain why the city’s Song-period heritage remains visible in the shape of its streets and waterfront.

Ganzhou's administrative history began in 214 BCE, when Nanye County (南壄县) was established under Jiujiang Commandery, the first administrative unit in the Gannan region. In 282 CE, the area became Nankang Commandery (南康郡), seated at Yudu (雩都); the seat moved in 349 CE to Ganxian (赣县), between the Zhang and Gong rivers, in what is now Zhanggong District. The commandery was renamed Qianzhou (虔州) in 589 CE, and in 1153 CE Qianzhou was renamed Ganzhou, the name still used today.

The city lies in hilly and mountainous terrain that covers about 80.98 percent of the prefecture, with ranges including the Wuyi Mountains (武夷山) to the east and the Jiulian Mountains (九连山) to the south, and several basins in the interior. The Zhang River (章江) and Gong River (贡江) join within the city to form the Gan River (赣江), which is also fed by tributaries such as the Xiang, Lian and Meijiang rivers.

Ganzhou is recognised as a National Historical and Cultural City (国家历史文化名城), a China Excellent Tourism City (中国优秀旅游城市) and a National Forest City (国家森林城市). It is also one of the main settlement areas of the Hakka people, known as the 'cradle of the Hakka' (客家摇篮).

What to look for

• The old city wall and gate setting beside the rivers.
• The floating bridge’s connected wooden boats near Jianchun Gate.

Location & getting there

Getting to Ganzhou

For the old-city riverfront, arrange transport to Jianchun Gate or Bajing Park in Zhanggong District. Ganzhou’s railway stations are outside this historic waterfront, so choose the final city transfer for the gate where you will start.