Ma'anshan (simplified Chinese: 马鞍山; traditional Chinese: 馬鞍山; pinyin: Mǎ'ānshān), also written as Maanshan, is a prefecture-level city in eastern Anhui province, People's Republic of China. An industrial city lying on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, Ma'anshan borders Chaohu to the northwest, Wuhu to the southwest, and Nanjing to the east.

Administration

The prefecture-level city of Ma'anshan administers 4 county-level divisions, including 3 districts and 1 county.

Yushan District (雨山区)

Huashan District (嘎嘎区)

Jinjiazhuang District (金家庄区)

Dangtu County (当涂县)

These are further divided into 44 township-level divisions, including 17 towns, 14 townships and 13 subdistricts.

Legend of Horse Saddle Mountain

Rather than be captured, a defeated general killed himself at Ma'anshan after ensuring that his beloved horse would be ferried across the river to safety. Upon seeing his master die, the grief-stricken horse leaped into the river and drowned. As a tribute, the boatman buried the horse's saddle on a nearby hill, thus giving Ma'anshan its name.

History

The south bank of the Yangtze River from Ma'anshan upstream for 240 km, has long been a mining area. The coming of a railroad and the opening of the Huai-nan coalfield in the 1930s made it possible for the Japanese to open an iron and steel works in 1938. Although destroyed at the end of the Second World War, the industries were restored to production in 1953, and Ma'anshan grew rapidly under the Communists' first and second Five-Year Plans. Ma'anshan also has sulfur and limestone mines, and chemical and cement factories. In 1954, Ma'anshan was elevated to town level and in Oct. 12, 1956, Ma'anshan City was declared to be founded.

Geography and climate

Surrounded by low hills (Ma'anshan means "horse saddle mountain"), it is not as polluted as other major Chinese steelmaking cities. Caishi is a famous ancient battlefield lying to the southwest of the city. Caishi Rock is regarded as the best of three rocks that project over the Yangtze River. Taibai pavilion is one of four famous pavilions along the Yangtze river. Caishi scenic area is a national tourism spot, with a combination of natural and man-made scenery.

Ma'anshan railway station

Economy

The main industry is the steel industry (MaGang) which employs much of the workforce of Ma'anshan. At present (2005) major expansions of the steel plant are underway to increase production drastically. With the advanced manufacturing infrastructure and fast transportation link, Ma'anshan has received much investment in many industries. Ma'anshan city has an annual manufacture investment ranking No.1 in Anhui Province and her GDP ranks No.4 in Anhui Province after Hefei, Anqing and Wuhu. Ma'anshan's population ranks No.16 in the province and has a GDP per capita of ¥ 29,704 which is No.1 in Anhui Province and near the average of Yangtze Delta.

Culture

There is a memorial to the famous Chinese poet, Li Bai (a.k.a. Li Po c.700-762), just west of Ma'anshan. Li Bai is said to have drowned at Ma'anshan after attempting to embrace a reflection of the moon.

China's first poetry festival was to be held in Ma'anshan from October 25-30 2005. The theme of the festival, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, the Chinese Writers Association, and the Anhui provincial government, is "Poetic China, Harmonious China."

Education

Anhui University of Technology

Social Welfare Institute

Address: Ma'anshan Social Welfare Institute, Ge Yang Road, Ma'anshan City, Anhui Province, China

Address in Chinese:

Sister city

Hamilton, Canada

Ma'anshan is twinned with Hamilton in Canada.