# Nankai, Tianjin

Nankai District (Chinese: 南开区; pinyin: Nánkāi Qū) is a district of Tianjin, People's Republic of China. Nankai District borders the Hai River in the east and Chentangzhuang Railway in the west and south.
A number of important Tianjin landmarks lie in the district including the Tianjin Museum, Tianjin Radio and Television Tower, Tianjin Water Park, Tianjin Zoo and Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium. Nankai is also home to the city's most prestigious educational institutions including Tianjin University and Nankai University. The Tianjin New Technology Industrial Area, a 12 square km precinct, is also located in Nankai.

## History

Historically, northern parts of Nankai District were located inside the walled city of Tianjin. The Tianfei Palace or Palace of the Queen of Heaven of the Yuan Dynasty was built in north-eastern Nankai in the year 1326. In the Ming Dynasty, the heart of the city of Tianjin was set up in Nankai. Nankai became part of the military garrisons during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the city wall served as a major defense system against foreign invasion in the late 19th century.

## Administrative divisions

There are 12 subdistricts in the district:
| Name | Chinese (S) | Hanyu Pinyin | Population (2010) | Area (km$^2$) |
| Changhong Subdistrict | 长虹街道 | Chánghóng Jiēdào | 73,346 | 2.635 |
| Gulou Subdistrict | 鼓楼街道 | Gǔlóu Jiēdào | 28,788 | 2.117 |
| Xingnan Subdistrict | 兴南街道 | Xìngnán Jiēdào | 43,744 | 1.7 |
| Guangkai Subdistrict | 广开街道 | Guǎngkāi Jiēdào | 73,299 | 1.7 |
| Wanxing Subdistrict | 万兴街道 | Wànxìng Jiēdào | 140,684 | 3.54 |
| Xuefu Subdistrict | 学府街道 | Xuéfǔ Jiēdào | 103,319 | 4.7 |
| Xiangyang Road Subdistrict | 向阳路街道 | Xiàngyánglù Jiēdào | 145,263 | 3.887 |
| Jialing Avenue Subdistrict | 嘉陵道街道 | Jiālíngdào Jiēdào | 102,405 | 3.672 |
| Wangdingdi Subdistrict | 王顶堤街道 | Wángdǐngdī Jiēdào | 122,599 | 5.016 |
| Shuishanggongyuan Subdistrict | 水上公园街道 | Shuǐshànggōngyuán Jiēdào | 64,853 | 5.633 |
| Tiyuzhongxin Subdistrict | 体育中心街道 | Tǐyùzhōngxīn Jiēdào | 66,948 | 5.26 |
| Huayuan Subdistrict | 华苑街道 | Huáyuàn Jiēdào | 52,948 | 1.67 |

## Geography

Nankai District is located in the south-west corner of the urban Tianjin, bordered by Hongqiao District to the north, Hebei and Heping Districts to the north-east, Hexi District to the east and Xiqing District to the south-west. It occupies an area of 40.64 square kilometres (15.69 sq mi). The natural topography is characterised by higher elevation in the north of the district and a lower elevation in the south, with the average altitude being 3 metres.

## Demographics

Nankai District has been one of the fastest growing districts in Tianjin since the formation of the People's Republic of China. The population was 220,000 in 1949. In 2006, the population was 925,000 and the density was 19621/km$^2$ (50818/sq. mi.).
The rate of population growth has been negative since 1993 with the birth rate averaging 3.97% and death rate registering 4.56% in 2005.
The majority of people in Nankai District are Han Chinese. Small populations of ethnic minorities such as the Hui, Manchu and Mongol peoples also exist.

## Transportation
### Metro

Nankai is currently served by three metro lines operated by Tianjin Metro:
* Line 1 - Haiguangsi, Erweilu, Xi'nanjiao
* Line 2 - Bianxing, Jieyuanxidao, Xianyanglu, Changhonggongyuan, Guangkaisimalu, Xi'nanjiao , Gulou, Dongnanjiao
* Line 3 - Huayuan, Wangdingdi, Hongqinanlu, Zhoudengji'nianguan, Tianta

## Education

* Tianjin University
* Nankai University

## Parks

* Tianjin Zoo (天津动物园)
* Tianjin Water Park (天津水上公园)
* Changhong Park (长虹公园)