Located on the southern bank of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, in the heart of the Three Gorges Reservoir area in eastern Chongqing, Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County was established in AD 619 during the Tang Dynasty and was redesignated as an autonomous county with the approval of the State Council in 1983. Covering an area of 3,014 square kilometres, the county administers 31 townships and subdistricts. It has a registered population of 537,000, a permanent population of 389,600 and an urbanisation rate of 59.83%.
Rich Cultural Heritage
With a history spanning more than 3,000 years, Shizhu is home to historic sites including the Ba-Yan Ancient Salt Road, Xituo Ancient Town, one of China's first National Famous Historical and Cultural Towns, and the thousand-year-old Ginkgo Hall Buddhist Temple. Three local cultural traditions have been inscribed on the national intangible cultural heritage list: Shizhu Tujia Luo'er Tiao folk songs, the Tujia "Playing the Ox" dance, and the traditional construction techniques of Tujia stilted houses. Shizhu is also one of only four Tujia autonomous counties in China, the birthplace of the world-renowned folk song The Sun Comes Out Joyfully, the hometown of Qin Liangyu, the only female military hero officially recorded in China's dynastic histories, and a nationally designated first-class former revolutionary base area.
Strategic Location Advantage
Situated at the junction of the Wuling Mountains and the Yangtze River, Shizhu is an important transport hub linking southeastern and northeastern Chongqing. It serves as a key supporting point for coordinated development between Chongqing and Hubei, an important corridor connecting the Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration with central and eastern China, and a major gateway linking the Wuling Mountain towns of southeastern Chongqing with the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The county now benefits from a comprehensive external transport network comprising four expressways and one railway. It has also successfully secured two stations on the Chongqing-Yichang High-Speed Railway, accelerating its integration into China's high-speed rail network.
Abundant Natural Resources
Around 75% of the county lies at an elevation of between 800 and 1,900 metres above sea level, with forest coverage reaching 64%. The Dahuangshui tourism area enjoys an average summer temperature of just 20.6°C. Shizhu is among the first group of National Forest Healthy Living Base Counties and has been recognised as both a China Natural Oxygen Bar and a China Climate Livable County.
Health and Wellness Industry
Shizhu has developed a modern, high-efficiency mountain agriculture sector centred on its distinctive "Three Colours" industries: red chilli-based seasonings, yellow goldthread medicinal herbs and green water shield vegetables and fruits. It is recognised as the "Home of Goldthread in China", the "Home of Chilli in China" and the country's largest producer of water shield. The county is also expanding its green industrial economy by fostering four major industrial clusters: clean energy, equipment manufacturing, health and wellness consumer products, and new materials. It is accelerating the development of Chongqing's clean energy base and pump and valve manufacturing base. At the same time, it continues to strengthen its health and wellness tourism sector, with seven National AAAA Tourist Attractions and accolades including Best Summer Retreat and Wellness Tourism Destination in China and Most Beautiful Eco-Wellness Tourism Destination in China.
Publicity Department of the Shizhu County Committee of the CPC