Major Economic indicators (2007)

　　Source: Enshi Economic and Social Development Report 2007

Introduction

Enshi Autonomous Prefecture is situated in the southwestern part of Hubei Province, on the south bank of the Yangtze River. It borders Chongqing to the northwest and Hunan to the south. Enshi City is the capital of the prefecture.

The prefecture covers an area of 24,111 sq km, accounting for 12.9% of Hubei Province's total. It has a population of 3.5 million. The Miao and the Tujia ethnic groups comprise nearly one half and one third of the prefecture's total population, respectively. The prefecture enjoys a subtropical mountain climate, and has a humid, moderate temperature all year round.

Enshi is famed as the "capital of selenium" in China. The selenium reserves exceed 2.5 billion tons, ranking first in the world. It is also rich in wild animals, wild plants, Chinese medicinal herbs and mineral resources. Forests cover over 65% of the prefecture's land area. Over 2,000 kinds of medicinal herbs are found in this region, including Banqiao and Yao angelica, which only exist in the region.

Enshi's transportation mainly relies on the highways. The Enshi-Lichuan Highway, the Laifeng-Hefeng Highway, the Jiaoyuan-Xuan'en Highway and the Lichuan-Wanxian Highway run through the prefecture, linking Enshi with cities in Hubei and Sichuan.

Economic Features

In 2007, Enshi's GDP exceeded RMB 21.0 billion, representing a growth of 6.3% from a year earlier. However, its economy lags far behind that of other cities in Hubei Province. Its GDP accounted for 2.3% of Hubei’s total and ranked the second last among the 13 prefectures and prefecture-level cities in the province.

Tertiary industry, the largest contributor to the economy, generated value-added output of RMB 8.1 billion in 2007, comprising 38.7% of Enshi's GDP. Primary industry generated value-added output of RMB 7.9 billion, making up 37.7% of the prefecture's GDP, while secondary industry realized value-added output of RMB 5.0 billion, accounting for 23.6% of the prefecture's GDP.

Agriculture and animal husbandry are the two pillars of the prefecture's primary industry. In 2007, value-added output from agriculture fell 1.2% to RMB 4.8 billion, accounting for 60.8% of primary industry's total, while that from animal husbandry rose 10.7% to RMB 2.9 billion, comprising 36.7% of the primary sector's total.

There were 254 industrial enterprises with designated size or above in Enshi in 2007, which gained value-added output of RMB 3.2 billion, rising 6.3% from 2006. Heavy industrial and light industrial enterprises with designated size or above reached RMB 2.0 billion and RMB 1.2 billion in value-added output in 2007, making up 62.5% and 37.5% of the prefecture's total.

Enshi hosts industries like agricultural products processing, raw chemicals and chemical products, construction materials, food and beverages and textiles. The prefecture lacks large competitive companies, such as listed firms, in its pillar industries.

Wholesaling and retailing are the pillars of the prefecture's service sector. The consumer market is still small in Enshi. Sales of consumer goods topped RMB 7.6 billion in 2007, composing 1.9% of Hubei's total. However, sales of consumer goods witnessed a growth of 20.3% over the previous year, the third fastest growth in the province, following Xianning and Huanggang.

In 2007, the prefecture's foreign trade value exceeded US$41.0 million, soaring 12.8% year on year. The export value was US$40.5 million, up 13.5% year on year, while the import value stood at US$0.5 million, down 26.1% year on year. Agricultural products, such as vegetables, edible oil and tea, are the major export products from Enshi. Their export value totaled US$23.2 million, taking up 56.6% of the prefecture's total.

In 2007, the utilized FDI in the prefecture hit US$8.4 million. Investments from large multinational companies, such as Fortune 500 enterprises, are absent.

Cultural Highlights

Enshi's history stretches back to the Spring-and-Autumn Period (770BC-476BC), when it belonged to Bazi Kingdom. The current territory of Enshi took into shape in 1925, as the Exi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture was set up. In 1935, it was changed into Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture.

The prefecture is a multi-cultural prefecture that is home to many ethnic minority groups, including the Miao and the Tujia. The ethnic groups live together and retain their cultural legacy and life practices. Varied eating habits, ceremonies, costumes and folk legends make Enshia colorful prefecture.

Tourist Attractions

Covered by vast forests, Enshi is famous for beautiful scenery and diverse folk customs. Qingjiang Chuangtan, Yumu Village, Dashujing Village and Tenglong Cave are the most recommendable scenic spots. The gate of the Yumu Village, located in Lichuan, was built on a cliff. Dashujing Village, also located in Lichuan, is home to a building complex comprising the ancestral temple and manor of the Li Family. Travelers will experience different customs and fork arts in these two villages.

Tujia-style and Miao-style local cuisines are very popular in Enshi. Travelers should try salty meat, dried potato slices and He Za (mashed beans, peanuts and meat), which are very delicious and nutritious.

Source: China Knowledge