Jiangxi, also Kiangsi or Chiang-hsi, province, southeastern China. It includes cultivated alluvial lowland in the north along the Yangtze and Gan rivers and around a large lake, the Poyang Hu and a surrounding border of low hills on the east, west, and south. bounded by the provinces of Hupeh and Anhwei on the north, Chekiang and Fukien on the east, Kwangtung on the south, Hunan on the west. The provincial capital is Nan-ch'ang.

Kiangsi was ruled by various dynasties from as early as 770 BC. Kiangsi enjoyed prosperity during the Six Dynasties period (AD 220-589), when immigrants from North China brought northern arts, culture, and administrative skills to the province. Under the T'ang dynasty (618-907) the opening of the Grand Canal set Kiangsi on the main trade route between North and South China. The Ch'ing dynasty (1644-1911/12) settled a period of protracted warfare in Kiangsi.

Rice is the main lowland crop, with tea important in upland areas. Major resources are coal, mined in the western hills, and kaolin clays, mined here since ancient times for the manufacture of porcelain. Leading cities are Nanchang (the capital), Ji’an, Ganzhou, Pingxiang, and Jiujiang.

Major industrial towns are Nanchang, Xinyu, Ganzhou, Qingjiang, Shangrao, and Jingdezhen.

Area 164,800 sq km (63,630 sq mi); population 41,400,000.

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