Zhumadian

City overview

Zhumadian, located in south-central Henan Province, is a key node city in the Central Plains Economic Zone. As a fifth-tier megacity, it relies on agriculture and food processing as pillar industries. With the Beijing-Guangzhou railway and high-speed rail passing through, it enjoys convenient transportation. Rich in historical heritage such as the hometown of Liang-Zhu legend and Double Ninth Festival culture, it offers low living costs and an authentic Central Plains experience for international students.

Basic information

Geography and climate

Detailed introduction

Zhumadian is located in south-central Henan Province, in the upper reaches of the Huaihe River. Covering an area of 14,974 km² with a permanent population of 6.71 million, it is a typical agricultural and populous city. Historically named after a Ming Dynasty post station, it is a place where Central Plains culture and Chu culture blend. The economy is based on agriculture—grain, oilseeds, and livestock production rank among the top in the province—while also developing food processing, equipment manufacturing, and biomedicine industries, with several provincial industrial parks. In education, Zhumadian has institutions like Huanghuai University and cooperates with universities in nearby Zhengzhou and Wuhan. Culturally, it is one of the birthplaces of the Liang-Zhu legend and an important inheritance site of the Double Ninth Festival, featuring scenic spots such as Chaya Mountain and Nanhai Zen Temple. The pace of life is relaxed, costs are low, and locals are warm-hearted, making it ideal for international students to immerse themselves in daily life in central China. Although a fifth-tier city, it has complete infrastructure—hospitals, shopping malls, parks, etc. Public transport mainly includes buses and taxis, and the high-speed rail station connects to major cities nationwide. In recent years, Zhumadian has been promoting internationalization: some universities offer English-taught programs and have international student service centers to support overseas learners.