Heshan, Guangdong

For other uses, see Heshan (disambiguation).
Heshan
鹤山市
County-level city

Location of Heshan City (pink) in Jiangmen City (yellow), Guangdong province, and the PRC
Heshan

Location of the city centre in Guangdong

Coordinates: 22°46′N 112°57′E / 22.767°N 112.950°E / 22.767; 112.950Coordinates: 22°46′N 112°57′E / 22.767°N 112.950°E / 22.767; 112.950
Country People's Republic of China
Province Guangdong
Prefecture-level city Jiangmen
County seat Shaping
Area
  Total 1,108.3 km2 (427.9 sq mi)
Population (2010)
  Total 492,814
  Density 440/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Time zone China Standard (UTC+8)
Postal code 529700
Area code(s) 0750
Heshan, Guangdong
Chinese 鹤山
Hanyu Pinyin Hèshān
Postal Hokshan

Heshan (Chinese: 鹤山) is a county-level city of Jiangmen City in the southern part of Guangdong Province, China with a total land area of 1,108.3 square kilometres (427.9 sq mi) and a population of 360,000. If migrants this figure rises to around 550,000 persons residing within the city's borders. There are approximately 360,000 people of Heshan origin or descent living in other parts of the world.

Situated about 60 kilometres (37 mi) south west of the provincial capital, Guangzhou, Heshan occupies a strategic location on the Pearl River Delta, commanding the northern gateway to Jiangmen's five prefectures. Along the opposite bank of the same river, lie the two municipalities of Nanhai and Shunde. Heshan is around one hour from Hong Kong and Macau by road. The city's harbour can accommodate vessels of up to 3,000 long tons (3,050 t). Ships ply from here to Hong Kong directly.

History

Heshan was decreed as a prefecture in 1732 during the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor in the Qing dynasty. In 1993, its administrative status was changed to a county-level city. Its name, which means 'Mount Crane', was given to it because of a mountain within its boundary that closely resembles the shape of that bird.

Administrative divisions

Heshan Municipality administers ten towns:

Industry

Heshan is located at the center of one of China's largest furniture producing areas, with approximately 10% of the worlds furniture produced on its outskirts.

Culture

Heshan is the birthplace of the Southern dance style known as the Hok San lion dance.

Notable individuals

Heshan is the birthplace of NBA player Yi Jianlian.

Singaporean community leader and businessman, Yam Kok Yuen (任國源), was born in Ha Lok Village (下六村) in Heshan. He was a founding member of the Malayan Chinese Association in Singapore and was Chairman of the Nanyang Hok San Association and Siew Heng Association in the 1950s. His grandson, Alex Yam, is a current Member of Parliament in Singapore.

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