NAN-CH'UNG

Pinyin Nanchong, city in east-central Szechwan sheng (province), China. Nan-ch'ung is situated in the valley of the Chia-ling River, which is a northern tributary of the Yangtze River. Nan-ch'ung lies along the west bank of the Chia-ling, which provides easy water transport to Ch'ung-ch'ing (Chungking), some 95 miles (150 km) to the south. To the north, highways give access to southern Shensi province, while Nan-ch'ung also lies on the important east-west route of the Ch'eng-tu to Wan-hsien highway. Nan-ch'ung's name goes back to the early Sui (581618) period. From Sung times (9601279) it was the seat of the Shun-ch'ing superior prefecture, by which name it is still commonly known. The original Nan-ch'ung was some 12.5 miles (20 km) farther upstream; the present town dates from Ming times (13681644). Nan-ch'ung is not only an important communications hub but also the chief market for an extremely prosperous and productive agricultural plain. It is a major grain market (supplying rice to Ch'ung-ch'ing) and also markets sweet potatoes, cotton, hemp, tobacco, and other agricultural products. The city is notable as one of the largest centres of the silk industry in Szechwan, with silk factories and weaving, dyeing, and printing plants producing silks of high quality. Nan-ch'ung also has a handicraft industry specializing in lacquer goods. There is a small metalworking and light-engineering industry. Exploitation of major oil fields in the area, discovered in 1958, began in the 1960s, with production subsequently becoming large-scale. A petroleum refinery has been built at Nan-ch'ung. There are also major coal deposits at Shih-tzu-t'an, some 25 miles (40 km) south of Nan-ch'ung. Pop. (1990) 180,273.