Time Zone |
Europe/Vilnius |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+2 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+3 |
Time Zone |
Asia/Shanghai |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+8 |
Daylight Saving Time |
Daylight saving time is not observed in the current region. |
Visaginas is a city located in northeastern Lithuania, about 160 kilometers from the capital Vilnius. The city is known for its unique history and function, which was specially designed and built to serve the Ignalina nuclear power plant. Founded in 1975 as a Soviet-era nuclear industry city, Visaginas was originally named Sniečkus in honor of the Lithuanian Communist Party leader.
Visaginas is one of the most multicultural cities in Lithuania. Since it was originally built to house nuclear power plant employees and their families, it attracted professionals from all over the Soviet Union (especially Russia, Belarus and Ukraine). As a result, Russian is the most commonly spoken language in the area, ethnic Russians make up the majority of the population, and the cityscape and cultural atmosphere are significantly different from other Lithuanian cities.
Following the closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant in 2009, Visaginas' economy faced major challenges. The city began to seek a transformation, focusing on information technology, logistics and tourism. Currently, the city attracts tourists with its peaceful natural surroundings (adjacent to scenic areas such as Lake Druksey) and unique Soviet-era architecture. In the future, discussions about a new nuclear power plant or alternative energy projects will remain a central theme in the development of Visaginas.
Changle, Fujian, belonging to Fuzhou City, is located on the south bank of the Minjiang River and is a famous overseas Chinese hometown and "seaside Zulu". It has a long history and a deep cultural lineage, and Zheng He's seven expeditions to the West were all stationed at Taiping Harbor, leaving a maritime imprint. As an economic powerhouse in Fujian, Changle has a well-developed textile industry and enjoys the reputation of "China's Famous Warp-Knitting City", while the digital economy and airside economy are also booming. Nature and humanity are blended in Changle's territory, and the seaside scenery is exquisite. Monuments such as Xianying Palace and Nanyang Chen Ancestral Hall carry the memory of a thousand years, and Bingxin Literature Museum highlights the cultural heritage. Relying on the development of Fuzhou New Area, Changle is taking an open stance, integrating tradition and modernity, and creating a charming city with a waterfront that is pleasant to live and work in.