Haidong (海东)

1. Introduction

Haidong City is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Qinghai Province, People's Republic of China, located in the eastern part of Qinghai Province. The city borders Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to the north, Xining City and Hainan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to the northwest, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to the southwest, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province to the southeast, Lanzhou City of Gansu Province to the east, and Wuwei City of Gansu Province to the northeast. Situated in the eastern part of the Qilian Mountains, at the transition zone between the Loess Plateau and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the northern part of the city is dominated by the Daban Mountains, the northwestern part by the Riyue Mountains, and the central part by the Laji Mountains. The terrain is characterized by undulating mountains and crisscrossing ravines. The Yellow River flows through the southern part of the city, the Huangshui River traverses the central area, and the Datong River runs through the northern region. The city covers a total area of 12,982 square kilometers, with a total population of 1.355 million. The municipal people's government is located at No. 10 Haidong Avenue, Ledu District.

nix

2. History

In the second year of the Yuanshou era of Emperor Wu of Han (121 BCE), General Huo Qubing defeated the Xiongnu in the Hexi region and advanced into the Huangshui River valley. He established the Lingju Stockade in the area of present-day Yongdeng County, Gansu Province, to defend against Qiang invasions. In the sixth year of the Yuanding era (111 BCE), Emperor Wu of Han dispatched generals Li Xi and Langzhong Ling Xu Ziwei to lead troops against the Hehuang Qiang. They established the Protectorate of the Qiang and built Xiping Pavilion (present-day Xining City), beginning the administration of the Huangzhong region. In the first year of the Shenjue era of Emperor Xuan (61 BCE), General Zhao Chongguo was ordered to defeat the Xianling Qiang in the Zhushui River valley, pacify the Qiang along the Yellow River, withdraw troops for garrison farming, and establish one commandery and three counties in the area of present-day Haidong City. This involved moving the seat of Jincheng Commandery to Yunwu County (present-day Xiachuankou in Minhe County), which governed counties including An Yi (seat in present-day Ping'an District), Po Qiang (seat in present-day Ledu District), and Yunwu (seat in present-day Minhe County), all under Jincheng Commandery. This area was formally incorporated into the Han dynasty's commandery-county system. An Yi County served as the seat of the Han Protector of the Qiang for an extended period. In the 18th year of Emperor Xian's reign (213 CE), the western part of Jincheng Commandery was separated to establish Xiping Commandery (seat in present-day Xining City), and the Hehuang counties were transferred to Xiping Commandery.

During the Three Kingdoms period, the Cao Wei state established Bai Tu County in the Zhongchuan and Guanting area. During the Jin dynasty, Emperor Hui established Jinxing Commandery at Yunwu. The area was subsequently ruled by successive regimes including Former Liang, Former Qin, Later Liang, Southern Liang, Western Qin, and Northern Liang. The Northern Wei dynasty abolished Jinxing, Zuonan, Bai Tu, and Yunwu counties, establishing Jincheng County at Longzhi City (present-day Gu Bu), which was renamed Longzhi County during the Western Wei dynasty. In the areas of present-day Hualong and Xunhua counties, the Northern Wei established two counties, Shi Cheng (seat in present-day Qunke) and Guang Wei (seat in present-day Gandu), under Taobe Commandery, which was subordinate to Shan Prefecture (seat in present-day Ledu District).

In the fifth year of the Daye era of the Sui dynasty (609 CE), Emperor Yang of Sui personally led an expedition against the Tuyuhun. In April, he crossed the Yellow River at Linjin Pass (present-day Guanting in Minhe), passed through Gu Shan, and reached Xiping Commandery, where he deployed troops and conducted military exercises. In May, he held a grand hunt at Bayan Mountain (present-day Mayin Mountain of the Laji Mountains), and "ordered the Yu Ministry to survey an area of 200 li around Bayan Mountain and erect markers." In the first year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang dynasty (627 CE), the country's administrative divisions were organized into ten circuits, with the Longyou Circuit governing parts of present-day Gansu, Qinghai, and Xinjiang. The circuit established the Longyou Military Commissioner and the Hexi Military Commissioner. The Longyou Military Commissioner, based in Shan Prefecture, commanded 75,000 troops and 10,600 horses; the Hexi Military Commissioner, based in Liang Prefecture, commanded 73,000 troops and 8,800 horses. Ledu served successively as the seat of Xiping Commandery, Shan Prefecture, and the Longyou Circuit, becoming a political center and military stronghold in Longyou and even the broader northwest region.

In the fourth year of the Shaosheng era of the Northern Song dynasty (1097 CE), Song forces occupied the Hehuang region, renaming Miaochuan City to Huangzhou and Kuozhou to Ningsai City. In the third year of the Chongning era (1104 CE), Shan Prefecture was renamed Xining Prefecture. In the first year of the Xuanhe era (1119 CE), Huangzhou was renamed Lezhou. After the fall of the Northern Song, the Jin and Western Xia dynasties controlled the Hehuang region for about a century. In the spring of 1227, the Mongols advanced into Tao, He, and Xining prefectures. In 1253, the Mongols established the "Pacification Commissioner and Military Governor's Office for Tibetan and Other Areas" in Hezhou to govern Tibetan tribes in Gansu and Qinghai. In the second year of the Zhongtong era of the Yuan dynasty (1261 CE), Lezhou and Kuozhou were abolished and placed under Xining Prefecture. In the 18th year of the Zhiyuan era (1281 CE), the Gansu Branch Secretariat (seat in Ganzhou, present-day Zhangye) was established, governing Xining Prefecture. In the 28th year of the Zhiyuan era (1291 CE), an order was issued to "grant the vacant lands of Gansu to Muslims such as Xisai Chi and Hassan for cultivation," leading to the entry of Hui people into Qinghai, with some settling in the Haidong region.

In the fifth month of the first year of the Hongwu era of the Ming dynasty (1368 CE), the local official Qi Gonggexingji of the Yuan Gansu Administrative Office submitted to the Ming dynasty and was appointed Deputy Battalion Commander, tasked with defending Nianbo. In the fourth year of Hongwu (1371 CE), Yuan Gansu Branch Secretariat Right Cheng Duoerzhishijie, Xining Prefecture Tongzhi Li Nange, and a group of Yuan officials surrendered to the Ming, ending Yuan rule in Qinghai. In the sixth year of Hongwu (1373 CE), Xining Prefecture was renamed Xining Guard, governing six battalion commands. Present-day Haidong City contained two battalion commands: Nianbo (Ledu) and Gu Shan (Minhe).

In the third year of the Yongzheng era of the Qing dynasty (1725 CE), Xining Guard was changed to Xining Prefecture, and Xining County was newly established. Present-day Haidong City was then under the jurisdiction of Xining County and Nianbo County of Xining Prefecture. In the ninth year of the Qianlong era (1744 CE), the "Bayan Rongge Pacification Office" was established (in present-day Hualong County), subordinate to Xining Prefecture. In the 27th year of Qianlong (1762 CE), the Hezhou Tongzhi was moved to Xunhua, and the Xunhua Office was established. During the Ming and Qing periods, the Ming established the Tusi (native chieftain) system in Qinghai, which became a formal local political institution. The Qing dynasty continued this system, which lasted until the 20th year of the Republic of China (1931 CE) before being completely abolished.

In the second year of the Republic of China (1913 CE), the Xunhua Office was changed to Xunhua County, and the Bayan Rongge Pacification Office was changed to Huarong County (later renamed Bayan County, then changed to Hualong County). In the 18th year of the Republic of China (1929 CE), Qinghai was formally established as a province. Nianbo County was renamed Ledu County, Minhe County was separated and established, and Huzhu County was added. On October 19, 1978, Ping'an County was separated from Huangzhong County, and the Haidong Prefecture was established, governing Minhe, Ledu, Huangzhong, Huangyuan, and Ping'an counties, as well as the Huzhu Tu Autonomous County, Hualong Hui Autonomous County, and Xunhua Salar Autonomous County. In 1986, Minhe County was renamed Minhe Hui and Tu Autonomous County. In December 1999, Huangzhong and Huangyuan counties were transferred to the jurisdiction of Xining City. In February 2013, Haidong Prefecture was abolished and established as a prefecture-level city, with the Haidong municipal government moving from Ping'an County (present-day Ping'an District) to the newly established Ledu District. On February 16, 2015, the State Council approved the conversion of Ping'an County into a district.

3. Geography

Haidong City is located in the northeastern part of Qinghai Province, with a total area of 13,200 square kilometers. To the east, it borders Wuwei, Lanzhou, Linxia, and Gannan in Gansu Province, while its other three sides are adjacent to Haibei and Huangnan within the same province. Situated on the southern foothills of the Daban Mountains, a branch of the Qilian Mountains, and the eastern slopes of the Riyue Mountains, an extension of the Kunlun Mountain range, Haidong lies in a transitional and interlocking zone between the Loess Plateau and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Its elevation ranges between 1,650 and 2,835 meters. The terrain within the city is characterized by undulating mountains and crisscrossing valleys.

The climate in Haidong City is a semi-arid continental type. Its fundamental features include: high altitude and cold conditions, aridity, long sunshine duration, intense solar radiation, significant diurnal temperature variation, minor seasonal temperature differences, substantial climatic variation across geographical areas, pronounced vertical climatic changes, decreasing temperatures with rising elevation, and increasing precipitation with higher altitude. The northern regions and mountainous areas above 3,000 meters are relatively cold, while the Yellow River and Huangshui River valley areas at elevations of 1,700–2,500 meters are comparatively warmer. The annual average temperature ranges from approximately 3.2°C to 8.6°C, with the highest temperatures between 25.1°C and 33.5°C and the lowest between -18.8°C and -25.1°C. The average annual rainfall is 319.2–531.9 millimeters, predominantly concentrated between July and September. The relative humidity generally ranges from 57% to 63.66%, with evaporation rates between 1,275.6 and 1,861 millimeters. Wind speeds average 1.9–2.5 meters per second, with maximum wind forces reaching level 8, most frequently occurring in late winter and early spring. The annual average sunshine duration is 2,708–3,636 hours. The frost-free period is approximately 90 days, and the crop growing season lasts about 196–250 days.

Average Meteorological Data for Ping'an District, Haidong City (1981–2010)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ---| | Avg high °C (°F) | 2.4 (36.3) | 6.1 (43.0) | 11.0 (51.8) | 17.0 (62.6) | 20.9 (69.6) | 24.0 (75.2) | 26.0 (78.8) | 24.8 (76.6) | 20.2 (68.4) | 14.9 (58.8) | 9.4 (48.9) | 4.1 (39.4) | 15.1 (59.1) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | -6.2 (20.8) | -2.3 (27.9) | 3.2 (37.8) | 9.2 (48.6) | 13.4 (56.1) | 16.7 (62.1) | 18.7 (65.7) | 17.8 (64.0) | 13.5 (56.3) | 7.5 (45.5) | 0.9 (33.6) | -4.6 (23.7) | 7.3 (45.2) | | Avg low °C (°F) | -12.3 (9.9) | -8.6 (16.5) | -2.7 (27.1) | 2.7 (36.9) | 7.1 (44.8) | 10.7 (51.3) | 13.0 (55.4) | 12.4 (54.3) | 8.8 (47.8) | 2.3 (36.1) | -5.0 (23.0) | -10.5 (13.1) | 1.5 (34.7) | | Avg precipitation mm (inches) | 1.3 (0.05) | 1.4 (0.06) | 5.6 (0.22) | 15.8 (0.62) | 43.9 (1.73) | 52.1 (2.05) | 72.1 (2.84) | 70.2 (2.76) | 53.4 (2.10) | 19.5 (0.77) | 2.5 (0.10) | 0.7 (0.03) | 338.5 (13.33) | | Avg relative humidity (%) | 45 | 44 | 45 | 44 | 51 | 58 | 63 | 64 | 68 | 63 | 52 | 48 | 54 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Haidong City administers 2 municipal districts and 4 autonomous counties.

• Municipal Districts: Ledu District, Ping'an District
• Autonomous Counties: Minhe Hui and Tu Autonomous County, Huzhu Tu Autonomous County, Hualong Hui Autonomous County, Xunhua Salar Autonomous County

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Towns | Townships | Including: Ethnic Townships | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 630200 | Haidong City | Hǎidōng Shì | 12,982.42 | 1,358,471 | Ledu District | 810700 | 35 | 59 | 19 | | 630202 | Ledu District | Lèdū Qū | 2,480.52 | 240,949 | Nianbo Town | 810700 | 7 | 12 | 3 | | 630203 | Ping'an District | Píng’ān Qū | 734.59 | 117,883 | Ping'an Town | 810600 | 3 | 5 | 5 | | 630222 | Minhe Hui and Tu Autonomous County | Mínhé Huízú Tǔzú Zìzhìxiàn | 1,897.32 | 326,964 | Chuankou Town | 810800 | 8 | 14 | 1 | | 630223 | Huzhu Tu Autonomous County | Hùzhù Tǔzú Zìzhìxiàn | 3,348.00 | 337,941 | Weiyuan Town | 810500 | 8 | 11 | 2 | | 630224 | Hualong Hui Autonomous County | Huàlóng Huízú Zìzhìxiàn | 2,706.77 | 200,474 | Bayan Town | 810900 | 6 | 11 | 4 | | 630225 | Xunhua Salar Autonomous County | Xúnhuà Sālāzú Zìzhìxiàn | 1,815.21 | 134,260 | Jishi Town | 811100 | 3 | 6 | 4 |

nix

nix

5. Education

• Qinghai Higher Vocational and Technical College

6. Population

By the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 1.355 million, a decrease of 2,900 from the end of the previous year. Among them, the urban permanent resident population was 576,300, an increase of 6,700, accounting for 42.53% of the permanent resident population (the urbanization rate of permanent residents), an increase of 0.58 percentage points from the end of the previous year.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 1,358,471. Compared with the 1,396,845 people from the Sixth National Population Census, the total number decreased by 38,374 over the ten years, a decrease of 2.75%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.28%. Among them, the male population was 691,990, accounting for 50.94% of the total population; the female population was 666,481, accounting for 49.06% of the total population. The sex ratio of the total population (with females as 100) was 103.83. The population aged 0-14 was 309,407, accounting for 22.78% of the total population; the population aged 15-59 was 856,391, accounting for 63.04% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 192,673, accounting for 14.18% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 137,830, accounting for 10.15% of the total population. The population living in urban areas was 548,858, accounting for 40.4% of the total population; the population living in rural areas was 809,613, accounting for 59.6% of the total population.

6.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the permanent resident population, the Han population was 718,390, accounting for 52.88%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 640,081, accounting for 47.12%. Among them: Tibetan population was 127,988, accounting for 9.42%; Hui population was 297,542, accounting for 21.9%; Tu population was 102,646, accounting for 7.56%; Salar population was 100,628, accounting for 7.41%; Mongolian population was 6,545, accounting for 0.48%; other ethnic minorities population was 4,732, accounting for 0.35%. Compared with the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the Han population decreased by 59,914, a decrease of 7.7%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 2.84 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 21,540, an increase of 3.48%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 2.84 percentage points. Among them, the Hui population increased by 23,870, an increase of 8.72%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 2.31 percentage points; the Tibetan population decreased by 4,393, a decrease of 3.32%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.06 percentage points; the Tu population decreased by 12,362, a decrease of 10.75%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.68 percentage points; the Salar population increased by 10,887, an increase of 12.13%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.98 percentage points.

Ethnic Composition of Haidong City (November 2020)

| Ethnic Group | Han | Hui | Tibetan | Tu | Salar | Mongolian | Tujia | Dongxiang | Manchu | Bonan | Other Ethnic Groups | |------------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|------------|---------------|-----------|---------------|------------|-----------|-------------------------| | Population | 718,390 | 297,542 | 127,988 | 102,646 | 100,628 | 6,545 | 2,124 | 1,388 | 388 | 183 | 649 | | % of Total Population | 52.88 | 21.90 | 9.42 | 7.56 | 7.41 | 0.48 | 0.16 | 0.10 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.05 | | % of Minority Population | - | 46.49 | 20.00 | 16.04 | 15.72 | 1.02 | 0.33 | 0.22 | 0.06 | 0.03 | 0.10 |

nix

nix

nix

nix

nix

nix

nix

Ledu District

Huzhu Tu Autonomous County

nix

nix

nix