Huaibei (淮北)

1. Introduction

Huaibei City, historically known as Xiangcheng, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Anhui Province, People's Republic of China, located in the northeastern part of Anhui Province. The city borders Suzhou City to the north and east, Bengbu City to the south, Bozhou City and Shangqiu City to the west, and its northeastern exclave, Yuanyuan Town, adjoins Xuzhou City in Jiangsu Province. Situated at the junction of the four provinces of Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, and Anhui, Huaibei lies on the northeastern edge of the Huaibei Plain, within the flood-prone area of the Yellow River, featuring flat terrain. Tributaries of the Huai River, such as the Sui River, Tuo River, Hui River, Xie River, and Xinbian River, flow through the city. The city covers a total area of 2,741 square kilometers, with a population of 2.179 million. Huaibei is a nationally important energy city, having risen to prominence in modern times due to coal production and gained fame for producing Kouzijiao liquor. It is often referred to as the "Coal City" and "Liquor Town." The People's Government of Huaibei City is located at No. 208 Renmin Road, Xiangshan District.

On November 15, 2017, Huaibei City was selected as one of the fifth batch of National Civilized Cities. On December 28, 2017, Huaibei became the 13th prefecture-level city in Anhui Province to be connected to the high-speed rail network, providing direct access to major cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Nanjing.

In 2019, the State Council officially included Huaibei in the Yangtze River Delta integration planning area.

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2. History

Before the Shang Dynasty, the area served as a tribal settlement. According to legend, Xiang Tu, the eleventh-generation ancestor of Shang Tang of the Shang Dynasty, built a city south of present-day Xiangshan Mountain, giving rise to the names Xiangshan and Xiangcheng. The Book of Songs records, "Xiang Tu was mighty, and his influence extended overseas." During the Spring and Autumn Period, Duke Gong of the State of Song established his capital here. In the Warring States period, Xiangcheng belonged to the State of Chu. In the 33rd year of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's reign (224 BCE), Xiang County was established under Sishui Commandery and served as its administrative seat. In the fourth year of Emperor Gaozu of Han's reign (203 BCE), Sishui Commandery was renamed Pei Commandery, with Xiangcheng remaining as its seat.

During the Wei period of the Three Kingdoms, Emperor Wen of Wei divided Pei Commandery to establish Runyin Commandery, and Xiang County was placed under its jurisdiction. In the ninth year of the Sui Dynasty's Kaihuang era (589 CE), Xiangcheng became part of Fuli County under Pengcheng Commandery. Until the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xiangcheng no longer held county-level or higher administrative status.

In June 1949, the area was divided between Su County and Xiao County. On July 1, 1950, the western part of Su County was separated to establish Suxi County, which was renamed Suixi County later that year, under the Su County Administrative District Office of the Northern Anhui People's Administrative Office. In February 1953, the area was divided between Suixi County and Xiao County. In May 1958, the Huaibei Coal Mine Preparatory Office was established, and by April 1960, Suixi City was established as a provincial-level city. In April 1971, Suixi City was renamed Huaibei City. In February 1977, Suixi County, originally part of the Su County region, was placed under the jurisdiction of Huaibei City. In 1981, Duanyuan Town was separated from Longcheng Town in Xiao County and incorporated into Huaibei City. To this day, the city administers Xiangshan District, Duji District, Lieshan District, and Suixi County.

3. Geography

3.1 Topography

The terrain is predominantly plains and hills, with hills located in the eastern and northern parts. The Sui River flows through the entire area.

3.2 Climate

Temperate monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 14.5°C and annual precipitation of 892.8 mm. The four seasons are distinct. | Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|--------|--------|--------|-------|-------|-------|-------|--------| | Record high °C | 18 | 25.4 | 28.6 | 34.1 | 36.9 | 40.4 | 39.6 | 38 | 36.9 | 34.4 | 27.7 | 21.4 | 40.4 | | Record high °F | 64.4 | 77.7 | 83.5 | 93.4 | 98.4 | 104.7 | 103.3 | 100.4 | 98.4 | 93.9 | 81.9 | 70.5 | 104.7 | | Average high °C | 6 | 9 | 14.1 | 21.3 | 26.6 | 30.8 | 31.6 | 30.8 | 27.2 | 22.2 | 14.9 | 8.2 | 20.2 | | Average high °F | 42.8 | 48.2 | 57.4 | 70.3 | 79.9 | 87.4 | 88.9 | 87.4 | 81 | 72 | 58.8 | 46.8 | 68.4 | | Daily mean °C | 1.4 | 4.1 | 9 | 15.8 | 21.2 | 25.6 | 27.4 | 26.6 | 22.4 | 16.8 | 9.6 | 3.5 | 15.3 | | Daily mean °F | 34.5 | 39.4 | 48.2 | 60.4 | 70.2 | 78.1 | 81.3 | 79.9 | 72.3 | 62.2 | 49.3 | 38.3 | 59.5 | | Average low °C | −2.0 | 0.4 | 4.7 | 11 | 16.4 | 21.1 | 24 | 23.4 | 18.5 | 12.5 | 5.6 | −0.1 | 11.3 | | Average low °F | 28.4 | 32.7 | 40.5 | 51.8 | 61.5 | 70 | 75.2 | 74.1 | 65.3 | 54.5 | 42.1 | 31.8 | 52.3 | | Record low °C | −12.0 | −14.0 | −7.3 | 0.1 | 6.2 | 13.3 | 17.1 | 13.9 | 9.1 | 0.3 | −7.2 | −14.0 | −14.0 | | Record low °F | 10.4 | 6.8 | 18.9 | 32.2 | 43.2 | 55.9 | 62.8 | 57 | 48.4 | 32.5 | 19 | 6.8 | 6.8 | | Average precipitation mm | 16.4 | 19.7 | 33.5 | 36.2 | 78.2 | 102.7 | 243.8 | 153.2 | 68.8 | 45 | 29.6 | 14.9 | 842 | | Average precipitation inches | 0.65 | 0.78 | 1.32 | 1.43 | 3.08 | 4.04 | 9.6 | 6.03 | 2.71 | 1.77 | 1.17 | 0.59 | 33.17 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 66 | 63 | 63 | 63 | 66 | 67 | 79 | 81 | 74 | 68 | 67 | 66 | 69 |

3.3 Resources

• Coal production ranks fifth in China, making it the largest coal production and washing/processing base in East China.
• Specialties include Kouzi liquor (a China Geographical Indication product) and coal.

4. Administrative Divisions

Huaibei City currently administers 3 municipal districts and 1 county.

• Municipal Districts: Duji District, Xiangshan District, Lieshan District
• County: Suixi County | Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | |-------------------|-------------------|------------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------| | 340600 | Huaibei City | Huáiběi Shì | 2,741.39 | 1,970,265 | Xiangshan District | 235000 | 15 | 18 | | 340602 | Duji District | Dùjí Qū | 233.17 | 239,692 | Gaoyue Subdistrict | 235000 | 2 | 3 | | 340603 | Xiangshan District| Xiāngshān Qū | 141.72 | 548,934 | Xiangnan Subdistrict| 235000 | 8 | 1 | | 340604 | Lieshan District | Lièshān Qū | 384.88 | 249,237 | Yangzhuang Subdistrict | 235000 | 5 | 3 | | 340621 | Suixi County | Suīxī Xiàn | 1,981.62 | 932,402 | Suixi Town | 235100 | | 11 |

5. Economy

• The brewing industry has a long history.
• The industrial sector is supported by pillars such as coal, electricity, textiles, brewing, and building materials.
• Suburban agricultural products include wheat, legumes, cotton, peanuts, etc.
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP): 79.9 billion yuan (2017).
• Gross National Product (GNP) per capita: 36,427 yuan (2017).

6. Transportation

• The Qingfu Line and Fujia Line traverse the entire city.
• In terms of high-speed rail, the Huaixiao Connecting Line has been opened for operation, linking to the Xulan High-Speed Railway and connecting to the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway.
• National Highway 237 passes through the area.

7. Education

• Higher Education Institutions: Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei Vocational and Technical College, Anhui Mining Vocational and Technical College, Huaibei Coal and Electricity Technician College, etc.
• Secondary Schools: Huaibei Normal School, Huaibei Art School, Huaibei Health School, Huaibei Industrial School, Huaibei Second Senior Vocational High School, Secondary Department of Huaibei Vocational and Technical College, Huaibei Coal and Electricity Technician College, Suixi County Vocational Education Center, Lieshan District Vocational Education Center, Duji District Vocational Education Center, Huaibei Xiyuan Middle School, Huaibei No. 2 Middle School, etc.
• Anhui Provincial Exemplary High Schools: Huaibei No. 1 High School, Huaibei Experimental High School, Huaibei No. 12 High School, Affiliated Experimental High School of Huaibei Normal University, Suixi High School, Suixi No. 2 High School, Linhuan High School, Sunyuan High School.

8. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 1,970,265. Compared with the 2,114,276 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a decrease of 144,011 people over the ten years, a decline of 6.81%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.7%. Among them, the male population was 986,388, accounting for 50.06% of the total population; the female population was 983,877, accounting for 49.94% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 100.26. The population aged 0–14 was 403,247, accounting for 20.47% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 1,242,624, accounting for 63.07% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 324,394, accounting for 16.46% of the total population, among which the population aged 65 and above was 264,889, accounting for 13.44% of the total population. The urban population was 1,264,102, accounting for 64.16% of the total population; the rural population was 706,163, accounting for 35.84% of the total population.

8.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 1,964,917, accounting for 99.73%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 5,348, accounting for 0.27%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population decreased by 146,303, a decline of 6.93%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.13 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 2,292, a growth of 75%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.13 percentage points.

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9. Culture

9.1 Scenic Spots and Historical Sites

• Sites such as the Tomb of Gong Ji of Zhou and Song, the place where Xue Guangde transmitted poetry, the former residence of Liu Zhenjian, the book collection site of Huan Tan from the Eastern Han Dynasty, and the Lotus Flower Villa.
• Xiangshan Mountain, home to the Xiangshan National Forest Park.
• At the southern foot of Xiangshan Mountain and within Beishanyu Valley lies Xiantong Temple, commonly known as Xiangshan Temple. Surrounding it are attractions like the Zoumintai Platform, Shenshuiya Cliff, the Drinking Horse Pool of King Xiang of Song, the Fishing Platform, and the Chuyuntai Platform. Inside the temple, there is an inscription by Emperor Qianlong that reads "Benefiting Our Southern Li."
• Shuangduiji Town within the territory is the site where the Huang Wei Corps was completely annihilated during the Shuangduiji Campaign of the Huaihai Campaign. A martyrs' cemetery and a memorial tower have been erected there.
• Longji Mountain Natural Scenic Area (with its highest peak at 363 meters above sea level, the highest elevation in Huaibei, traditionally believed to be the place where Zhang Guolao, one of the Eight Immortals, ascended to immortality.)

9.2 Cultural Relics Protection Units

9.2.1 National Level

• Liuzi Canal Wharf Site
• Former Site of the General Front Committee of the Huaihai Campaign in Linhuan (Linhuan Wenchang Palace)
• Linhuan Ancient City Wall Site
• Shishanzi Site
• Ancient City Han Tomb
• Suixi Baishan Village Ancient Canal Course

9.2.2 Provincial Level

• Tomb of Gong Ji
• Xiantong Temple
• Han Kan Site and Water Buffalo Tomb
• Former Site of the General Front Committee of the Huaihai Campaign in Xiaolizhuang
• Huajia Lake Site
• Xuji Xu Clan Ancestral Hall
• Former Site of Zhaoji Second-Level Pumping Station
• Suixi Old Street Ancient Architectural Complex
• Ancient Fermentation Pits of Kouzi Liquor and Chinese-Western Architectural Complex
• Songtuan Qinglong Temple
• Xiangshan Mixia Cave Stone Carvings

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Xiangshan District

Suixi County

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Ginkgo, Chinese Scholar Tree

Plum blossom, Chinese rose