Gangu County

Gangu County is a county in the southeast of Gansu province, China. It is under the administration of Tianshui City and is the most populous county in Gansu. Its postal code is 741200, and in 1999 its population was 570,318 people.

It was established by Duke Wu of Qin in 688 BC as Ji County (冀县), this has led it to be called the 'oldest Chinese county. Gangu was a stop on the Silk Road, as a tea and horse market, and as a stopover for traders. It remains a regional trading centre.

Between 1958 and 1962, Gangu and Wushan County were merged.

Culture
Gangu is known for its pepper variety, sold in China as Gangu pepper. Local culture includes Wushu martial arts and the sculpturing of animal ornaments on traditional Chinese roofs.

Administrative divisions
Gangu County is divided to 13 towns and 2 townships.
 * Towns
 * Townships
 * Xiejiawan Township(谢家湾乡)
 * Baijiawan Township (白家湾乡)

Famous residents

 * Jiang Wei (202-264), general
 * Yang Fu (Han dynasty), politician
 * Shi Yanjue, president of the Buddhist Association of China