Xiuning County

Zhuangyuan Square at night.

Xiuning County (simplified Chinese: 休宁县; traditional Chinese: 休寧縣; pinyin: xiūníng xiàn) is a county in Anhui Province, People's Republic of China, under the jurisdiction of Huangshan City. It has a population of 270,000 and an area of 2,125 square kilometres (820 sq mi). The government of Xiuning County is located in Haiyang Town (海阳镇).

Xiuning County has jurisdiction over nine towns and twelve townships.

History and culture

Xiuning County is historically renowned for producing more zhuàngyuán (状元: the scholar with the highest score in the national Imperial examination), than any other place in China. Accordingly, the large public space in Haiyang Town is called Zhuangyuan Square (状元广场).

In 2009, the Xiuning County People's Government unveiled a monument commemorating the 1800th anniversary of Xiuning (208-2008).

Western attention

In 2003, the Peabody Essex Museum, in Salem, Massachusetts, completed a 200 million dollar renovation and expansion, designed by architect Moshe Safdie, moving a 200-year-old 16-room Chinese house from Xiuning County to the grounds of the Museum. While in China this house was home to many generations who made a living in traveling to Shanghai and running a pawn brokers business (as stated by the movie shown at the Peabody Essex Museum after exiting Yin Yu Tang House).

In early 2008, the BBC broadcast a series of 5 documentaries on the life of pupils at schools in China. Called "Chinese School", the three schools documented were all located in Xiuning County: Xiuning High School, the top school in the county; Haiyang Middle/High School; and Ping Min Elementary School. This series was shown on BBC 4 and was received with mixed reactions, most of which were positive.[1]

Transportation

Rail

Xiuning is served by the Anhui–Jiangxi Railway.

References

  1. ↑ "Chinese School opens its doors". HERO. 20 March 2008. Archived from the original on 19 April 2008.
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Coordinates: 29°41′N 118°6′E / 29.683°N 118.100°E / 29.683; 118.100

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