Meizhou

Meizhou (Chinese: 梅州, Hakka Chinese: Mòichû) is a prefecture-level city in eastern Guangdong province, China. It has an area of 15,864.51 km2 (6,125.32 sq mi), and a population of 3,873,239 as of the 2020 census. It comprises Meijiang District, Meixian District, Xingning City and five counties. Its built-up or metro area made up of two urban districts was home to 992,351 inhabitants.[3] Neolithic age stone tools and pottery have been discovered in dozens of places in the Meixian district of Meizhou. Ancient kiln sites from the Western Zhou dynasty and bells from the Warring States period were also found. Before the Qin dynasty, Meizhou was under Nanyue rule. After Qin unified the Nanyue, Meizhou was belonged to Nanhai Commandery. The original name of Meizhou was Chengxiang (程乡), established under the prefecture of Jingzhou during the Southern Han (917–971). The name was changed to Meizhou at the 10th century and Jiaying Prefecture at the 15th century. After 1912, it was changed back to Meizhou, the name comes from the Mei River and the Chinese name for the plum blossom (梅; méi).[4] After several subsequent shifts of jurisdiction, it became Meizhou City in 1988. Meizhou is now a noted historical and cultural city.[5]