Jinyun County (simplified Chinese: 缙云县; pinyin: Jìnyún Xiàn) is a county in south-central Zhejiang Province, China, under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Lishui.
Overview
Jinyun County was established in 696 AD (during the Tang Dynasty, in the first year of the Wansui Dengfeng era of Wu Zhou) and was named after the ancient Mount Jinyun within its territory. "Jinyun" is the title name of the Yellow Emperor, the legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation. The county covers an area of approximately 1,503.52 km² (1,494.24 km² per other sources) and had a resident population of 405,318 as of the 2020 census, and an estimated 411,000 as of the end of 2025.
Geography
Jinyun County is located in the hilly and mountainous region of south-central Zhejiang, in the northeastern part of Lishui. It lies between 28°25′–28°57′ N latitude and 119°52′–120°25′ E longitude. The county borders Xianju County to the east, Yongjia County to the southeast, Qingtian County to the south, Lishui City to the west, Wuyi County to the northwest, Pan'an County to the northeast, and Yongkang City to the north. The terrain slopes from east to west, with mountains and hills constituting approximately 80% of the total area. The county is situated at the convergence of Lishui, Wenzhou, Taizhou, and Jinhua cities.
Climate
Jinyun County has a subtropical monsoon climate (Central Asian subtropical monsoon climate zone), characterized by ample heat, abundant precipitation, warm and humid conditions, and four distinct seasons. Due to significant topographical variations, temperature differences are pronounced, exhibiting a "vertical climate" pattern.
Administrative Divisions
As of February 2025, Jinyun County administers 3 subdistricts, 7 towns, and 8 townships:
- Subdistricts: Wuyun Subdistrict, Xinbi Subdistrict, Xiandu Subdistrict
- Towns: Huzhen, Xinjian, Shuhong, Dayang, Dongfang, Dongdu, Dayuan
- Townships: Qili, Qianlu, Sanxi, Shuangxikou, Rongjiang, Huyuan, Fangxi, Shijian
The county government is located at No. 38 Huanglong Road, Wuyun Subdistrict.
History
The area of present-day Jinyun County was recorded as part of the domain of Yangzhou in the "Tribute of Yu." During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, it belonged to the states of Wu and Yue. The county was first established in 696 AD during the Tang Dynasty. After its establishment, it was under the jurisdiction of Kuozhou (later renamed Chuzhou). In May 1949, Jinyun was liberated and became part of the Lishui Special Administrative Region. In July 2000, Lishui Prefecture was abolished and a prefecture-level Lishui City was established, with Jinyun County remaining under its jurisdiction.
Economy
In 2025, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Jinyun County was 36.31 billion yuan, an increase of 7.0% over the previous year. The industrial structure was 4.0% primary industry, 42.5% secondary industry, and 53.5% tertiary industry. The per capita GDP was 88,551 yuan (approximately 12,397 USD). Key industries include manufacturing (particularly ferrous metal smelting, cultural/educational goods, and metal products), construction, and services.
Transportation
Jinyun County is served by several railway stations:
- Jinyun Railway Station – on the Jinhua–Wenzhou railway
- Jinyun West Railway Station – on the Jinhua–Wenzhou high-speed railway
- Huzhen Railway Station – on the Jinhua–Taizhou railway
Major highways include National Highway 330, the Jinliwen Expressway, and the Taijin Expressway.
Tourism and Culture
The Xiandu Scenic Area is a National Key Scenic Area and a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction within Jinyun County. It features 160 unusual peaks and 27 unique caves, including Dinghu Peak (the world's tallest stone pillar at 170.8 meters), Niweng Cave (with over 60 cliff inscriptions from the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties), and the Yellow Emperor Temple. The scenic area was listed as a National Cultural Heritage Protection Unit in 2001.
The Jinyun dialect belongs to the Jinqu subgroup of Southern Wu Chinese.
Notable Local Products
- Jinyun Partridge Duck – a small duck breed with a long history of raising in the area, registered as a geographical indication agricultural product in 2010.
- Jinyun Water Bamboo Shoot – a cultivated crop with records dating to the Yuan Dynasty, registered as a geographical indication agricultural product in 2019.
Honors
Jinyun County has received numerous recognitions, including being named a "China Natural Oxygen Bar" creation area (2019), a National Ecological Civilization Construction Demonstration Zone (2021), and consistently ranking among the "Top 100 Counties in National County Tourism Comprehensive Strength."
