| With an average yearly
temperature of 23 degrees celsius (73 degrees farenheit), this city is warm and lush.
Along with a lot of water, it has a lot of sun, making Zhanjiang's
surrounding beaches, and in particular beaches on nearby islands,
favorite tourist destinations. Its pristine coral reefs attract divers and
researchers. The shallow, expansive harbor
is home to more than 520 species of fish, 547 different kinds of
seashells and 28 varieties of shrimp! More than two-thirds of
China's cultivated sea pearls come from the waters around Zhanjiang.
Sugar cane, eucalyptus and salt are some of the region's major exports.
One of China's largest naval bases and shipping yards lies
outside Zhanjiang. People and Language
Over 1 million people
live in Zhanjiang, making it one of China's smaller cities, and
almost all speak Cantonese.
Cantonese is the primary language of all of Guangdong Province, although
most younger people speak Mandarin and a growing number speak English. Zhanjiang
is pronounced
jän-jyäng in Mandarin and called Tsamkong in Cantonese. Zhanjiang translates roughly into pure or
deep (zhan) and river (jiang).
The region,
originally settled by Miao, Li, and Yao tribes, continually attracted
migrating groups from the north; some (notably the Hakka) retain their
own languages.
History
Guangdong came under Chinese control during
the Ch'in dynasty (c.211
B.C.),
and was more firmly absorbed during the Han dynasty.The majority of
Chinese immigrants throughout the world originated in Guangdong, which
was also the site of most of China's early exchanges with foreigners. Zhanjiang
was a small fishing port when it was occupied by the French in 1898.
They arranged to lease it from China for 99 years, naming the village
Fort Bayard. In 1943, during World War II, the Japanese occupied
the area, taking control from the French. Two years later, during
the Communist Revolution, the Japanese relinquished Zhanjiang to
the Chinese. Its history is connected to the famed "Silk Road of the
Sea," which started from Guangzhou to the north and passed by Zhanjiang.
The city's long contact with the outside world has shaped the way of
life of the local inhabitants, their customs and traditions and has left
behind a wealth of historical records, relics and folk legends.
Cuisine and Culture
Zhanjiang
is famous for its pineapple, mango and red orange. Cantonese cuisine can
be characterized by the use of very mild and simple spices in
combination. Many authentic restaurants maintain live seafood
tanks. Zhanjiang, being an ocean city, has several restaurants
featuring tanks with large, colorful fish for eating. The freshest
seafood is odorless, and is best cooked by steaming. For instance, only
a small amount of soy sauce, ginger, and spring onion is added to a
steamed fish. The light seasoning is used only to bring out the natural
sweetness of the seafood. Delicious long noodles can be found in
most restaurants, as well as dim sum, the famous Cantonese style of
eating and serving a variety of traditionally prepared dishes.
Congee (or jook), a thick, rice based soup perfect for children and
adults both, is staple for many families in Guangdong. We know it
is a favorite with some kids adopted from Zhanjiang! (More information on
Cantonese Cuisineand
a Congee recipe you can
try!)
Things to Do Around Zhanjiang
Just walking, shopping, and eating in Zhanjiang is great
fun. The people are welcoming but also can be delicately reserved.
In the parks people are playing cards, mah jong, and chess. It's
not unusual to hear an impromptu informal opera singing session or spy
the elderly doing their tai chi exercises. Children are busy on
their bikes, frolicking in the water to keep cool, or playing games.
You can visit Lake Huguangyan, a volcanic, crater lake located about 12
miles from the city. On the banks around the lake are a 1000
year old Buddhist monastery, a botanical garden with a multitude of rare
and precious plants, and Zhanjiang Ocean University.
The Islands
A short drive or ferry ride from Zhanjiang are Donghai (East Sea)
Island and Nansandao (Three South Islands). These islands have
soft sand beaches, clear water, and remain surprisingly underdeveloped.
One visitor writes of a stay on Donghai, which has 28 miles of beaches:
"Under a cloudless sky
I walked alone in this unspoilt tropical paradise. Standing on black
volcanic rocks I looked out across the sea." There are
comfortable resorts on both islands.
Donghai
Island Resort.
Hainan Island,
its own province and a major tourist destination in China, is located at
the southern tip of Guangdong Province. Ferries leave for Hainan
from Zhanjiang several times a day.
Places to Stay
Hotels in Zhanjiang
recommended by parents who have adopted their children from Zhanjiang:
South China Sea Hotel
Crown Plaza Hotel
Zhanjiang Haibin Hotel
Getting to Zhanjiang
The Guangzhou-Zhanjiang expressway in Guangdong Province, soon to be
completed, will make it possible for visitors to travel by bus or car
from Guangzhou to Zhanjiang in four hours. Flights from Guangzhou
to Zhanjiang take less than an hour.
Teach in Zhanjiang
Teaching in Zhanjiang gives visitors an opportunity to stay four
months or longer in Zhanjiang and get to know the people and place.
Local universities and schools need English teachers, and one need not
have background in teaching to be eligible. Opportunities to teach
other languages, business, and other skills are also available.
Universities looking for English teachers include the
Zhanjiang Ocean University,
Guangdong
Medical College and
Zhanjiang Normal University. High school,
middle school, and elementary schools also hire English teachers.
These school are currently recruiting teachers. (Search the web or
English teaching boards for other ZJ teaching opportunities!):
Zhanjiang Middle School
On Donghai Island:
Experimental School for Kindergarten through Highschool Students.
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Keeping cool in the public fountain at Zhanjiang's
outdoor mall.
Shells brought in from Zhanjiang's harbor, for sale at the Seafood Market
Many modes of getting places--by foot, bike, motorbike, or car!
Sculpture and ship in the harbor.
Checking out toys for sale at a shop.
Local fisherman with fishing nets.
Beautiful park on Huguangyan lake, one of China's three "crater lakes" formed by volacanos.
Fun on the beach at Donghai Island
See a
Zhanjiang Photo Gallery of
Pictures Taken and Donated by families
who have visited Zhanjiang! Have
photos to share? Please donate them to our Album.
Street Scene. Photo by the Cowan
Family.
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