Shaoguan (韶关)

1. Introduction

Shaoguan City (official transliteration: Shaoguan; traditional foreign names: Shiuchow, Shaokwan; Cantonese foreign name: Siu Kwan), abbreviated as Shao, historically known as Shaozhou, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China. It is located in the northern part of Guangdong Province, at the junction of Guangdong, Hunan, and Jiangxi provinces. The city borders Qingyuan City to the west, Guangzhou City and Huizhou City to the south, Heyuan City to the southeast, Ganzhou City of Jiangxi Province to the northeast, and Chenzhou City of Hunan Province to the northwest. The municipal government is located at No. 75 Fengdu North Road, Zhenjiang District.

Shaoguan is a famous historical and cultural city in Guangdong Province. It is also a planned regional central city in northern Guangdong and the core city of the Shaoguan metropolitan area. It is one of the national transportation hub cities. Shaoguan has a history of over two thousand years. During the Anti-Japanese War, it once served as the temporary provincial capital of Guangdong. Situated in northern Guangdong, it connects externally to Hunan and Jiangxi and internally links to the Pearl River Delta. Since ancient times, it has been a vital transportation hub in southern China, often referred to as the "Northern Gateway of Guangdong." It is the most important land passage and gateway between North China, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and the coastal areas of South China, as well as a commodity distribution center in the border region of Guangdong, Hunan, and Jiangxi. Moreover, it is one of the main settlement areas for the Hakka people. Shaoguan boasts abundant land resources, forest resources, and mineral resources. It holds titles such as "Hakka Homeland," "South China Biological Gene Bank," "Famous Prefecture of Lingnan," "Zinc Capital of China," "Hometown of Non-ferrous Metals," and National Garden City.

2. Historical Names

2.1 Shao

In the ninth year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (589 AD), "Shaozhou" was established, named after the "Shao Stone" located north of the prefecture (Shao refers to perfect, exquisite music). Until the end of the Qing Dynasty, despite some brief changes, the name Shaozhou was consistently used.

2.2 Guan

In the twenty-sixth year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1547 AD), a customs checkpoint was set up by the Wushui River on the west bank, named "Yuxianqiao Guan." In the ninth year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1670 AD), the "Taiping Guan" from Nanxiong was relocated to the east bank of Shaozhou, and a "Land Guan" was added outside the north gate, collectively known as the "Three Customs."

Shaozhou served as a crucial north-south transportation hub, with water and land customs checkpoints established on the eastern, western, and southern sides of the city. As a result, merchants began referring to it as "Shaoguan." Gradually, the name "Shaoguan" replaced "Shaozhou."

3. History

As early as the prehistoric period 129,000 years ago, the Maba people were already laboring, living, and multiplying on this land. The Shixia Culture from the Neolithic Age indicates that the people here had already stepped over the threshold of civilization.

3.1 Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties

During the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties (1271 AD - 1840 AD), the Dayuling Road was constructed and widened, promoting commercial prosperity in the Shaoguan region. By the Ming and Qing periods, merchants from various places gathered in Shaozhou, and numerous commercial guild halls were established. At that time, Shaozhou City and Nanxiong Prefecture became transfer and distribution centers for the north-south flow of goods. Consequently, the Ming and Qing courts established customs checkpoints in Shaoguan to levy taxes, making Shaozhou a nationally renowned tax checkpoint. Later, Shaoguan derived its name from this.

3.2 The Northern Expedition Period

In May 1922 (the 11th year of the Republic of China) and September 1924 (the 13th year of the Republic of China), Sun Yat-sen launched and commanded armed Northern Expeditions on two separate occasions, with Shaoguan serving as the forward base and headquarters both times.

3.2.1 The First Northern Expedition

On December 4, 1921 (the 10th year of the Republic of China), Sun Yat-sen established the Northern Expedition headquarters in Guilin, Guangxi, assembling approximately 30,000 troops from Guangdong, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Jiangxi, preparing to advance from Guangxi into Hunan for the Northern Expedition. Due to obstruction by Chen Jiongming, Sun Yat-sen decided to change the route and launch the expedition from Shaoguan.

On May 6, 1922 (the 11th year of the Republic of China), Sun Yat-sen led part of the Northern Expedition forces to Shaoguan and set up the headquarters at the Shaozhou Garrison Office. In August, Sun Yat-sen issued the general attack order from the headquarters and personally commanded the troops, dividing them into three routes to attack Jiangxi, carrying out the First Northern Expedition.

3.2.2 The Second Northern Expedition

In September 1924, Sun Yat-sen set up the field headquarters of the Generalissimo's Government in a two-story building at Shaoguan Railway Station (now Shaoguan East Station). In February 1925, the forces divided into two routes to advance into southern Hunan and southern Jiangxi, carrying out the Second Northern Expedition.

3.3 The War of Resistance Against Japan Period

On October 21, 1938, Shaoguan became the provisional provincial capital of Guangdong. The military and civilians united to resist Japan. Among the battles, the Northern Guangdong Campaign fought in the northern Guangdong region was the largest in scale and most intense in combat within Guangdong Province during the War of Resistance Against Japan.

3.4 Mid-20th Century to Present

In 1950, the Beijiang Provisional Administrative Region Committee was renamed the Beijiang Special District. After 1952, it was successively reorganized into the Northern Guangdong Administrative Region, Shaoguan Special District, and Shaoguan Prefecture.

In 1966, the seat of Qujiang County was moved to its current location, Maba Town.

In 1975, Shaoguan City was upgraded to a prefecture-level city, administering Qujiang County.

In 1982, the "82.5" Beijiang Great Flood severely affected Shaoguan.

In 1983, Shaoguan Prefecture was abolished, and its subordinate counties were merged into Shaoguan City. Starting in 1984, it administered 3 districts, 9 counties, and 3 autonomous counties. From 1988, it administered 3 districts and 8 counties. Since May 2004, it has administered 3 districts and 7 counties (county-level cities).

In the first half of 2008, Shaoguan City experienced three localized severe flood disasters: "4·21", "6·13", and "6·25". All 10 counties (county-level cities, districts) were affected to varying degrees. Among them, Lechang experienced a once-in-50-years flood, Shaoguan urban area a once-in-20-years flood, and the daily rainfall in Xinfeng County town broke historical records.

4. Geography

Shaoguan borders Chenzhou City of Hunan Province to the west and north, Ganzhou City of Jiangxi Province to the northeast, Heyuan City of Guangdong Province to the east, Guangzhou City and Huizhou City to the south, and Qingyuan City to the west.

4.1 Topography

4.1.1 Mountains

Located on the southern foothills of the Nanling Mountains, Shaoguan is predominantly mountainous and hilly, with many valleys formed by water erosion. The mountain ranges primarily run east-west. From north to south, the main ranges are: the Weiling, Dayuling, Yaoshan, Huashishan, and Qingyunshan mountains. Between these mountain systems are distributed several river valley basins, mainly including the Nanxiong Basin, Lechang Basin, Shaoguan Basin, and Wengyuan Basin. The city's highest point is Shikengkong at 1,902 meters, which is also the highest point in Guangdong Province. The mountains north of Shaoguan's urban area are primarily composed of red rock. The rock layers contain many paleontological fossils. This landform is named the Danxia landform after Danxia Mountain in Renhua County within Shaoguan City.

4.1.2 Rivers

The rivers in Shaoguan mainly belong to the Beijiang River basin of the Pearl River system. The Beijiang River takes the Zhenjiang River as its main stream, with major tributaries including the Wujiang, Mojiang, Jinjiang, Wengjiang, and Nanshui rivers. The Zhenjiang and Wujiang rivers converge in Shaoguan's urban area to form the Beijiang River, which flows for 144 kilometers within the city's territory.

4.2 Climate

The climate is a humid subtropical monsoon climate, warm and humid. The annual average temperature is around 20°C. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature around 10°C, while July is the hottest, averaging around 30°C. Annual precipitation ranges from 1,400 to 1,900 mm, with heavy rainfall in spring and summer, and less in autumn and winter. The average frost-free period is 310 days. Snowfall only occurs in the mountainous areas in the north.

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |------------------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|--------|--------|--------|--------|-------|-------|-------|--------| | Record high °C | 26.7 | 30.5 | 32.6 | 33.7 | 35.9 | 38.5 | 40.4 | 40.3 | 38.3 | 36.6 | 34 | 28.5 | 40.4 | | Record high °F | 80.1 | 86.9 | 90.7 | 92.7 | 96.6 | 101.3 | 104.7 | 104.5 | 100.9 | 97.9 | 93.2 | 83.3 | 104.7 | | Average high °C | 15.1 | 16.4 | 19.2 | 24.6 | 28.9 | 31.6 | 34 | 33.9 | 31.5 | 28 | 22.7 | 17.8 | 25.3 | | Average high °F | 59.2 | 61.5 | 66.6 | 76.3 | 84 | 88.9 | 93.2 | 93 | 88.7 | 82.4 | 72.9 | 64 | 77.6 | | Daily mean °C | 10.3 | 12.3 | 15.3 | 20.7 | 24.6 | 27.3 | 29 | 28.7 | 26.4 | 22.5 | 17 | 11.9 | 20.5 | | Daily mean °F | 50.5 | 54.1 | 59.5 | 69.3 | 76.3 | 81.1 | 84.2 | 83.7 | 79.5 | 72.5 | 62.6 | 53.4 | 68.9 | | Average low °C | 7.2 | 9.4 | 12.5 | 17.8 | 21.5 | 24.4 | 25.6 | 25.2 | 22.9 | 18.5 | 13 | 7.9 | 17.2 | | Average low °F | 45 | 48.9 | 54.5 | 64 | 70.7 | 75.9 | 78.1 | 77.4 | 73.2 | 65.3 | 55.4 | 46.2 | 62.9 | | Record low °C | −2.5 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 6.2 | 12.7 | 16.6 | 21.3 | 20.8 | 15.1 | 6.3 | 2.5 | −4.3 | −4.3 | | Record low °F | 27.5 | 32.2 | 33.6 | 43.2 | 54.9 | 61.9 | 70.3 | 69.4 | 59.2 | 43.3 | 36.5 | 24.3 | 24.3 | | Average precipitation mm | 69.3 | 106 | 177.9 | 221.1 | 248.9 | 249.6 | 159.4 | 129.1 | 100.8 | 43.8 | 51.9 | 41.7 | 1599.5 | | Average precipitation inches | 2.73 | 4.17 | 7 | 8.7 | 9.8 | 9.83 | 6.28 | 5.08 | 3.97 | 1.72 | 2.04 | 1.64 | 62.96 | |Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 11.4 | 14.8 | 19.1 | 18.8 | 19.3 | 17.1 | 13.6 | 14.7 | 10.1 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 6.8 | 160.4 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 75 | 79 | 82 | 82 | 80 | 80 | 75 | 77 | 76 | 71 | 72 | 72 | 77 | | Mean monthly sunshine hours | 89.7 | 67.5 | 57.6 | 75.5 | 113.9 | 150.5 | 226.6 | 206.7 | 177.6 | 164 | 147 | 140.8 | 1617.4 | | Percent possible sunshine | 27 | 21 | 16 | 20 | 28 | 37 | 54 | 51 | 48 | 46 | 45 | 43 | 36 |

4.3 VegetationShaoguan City is a nationally key forest region in China, serving as Guangdong's timber forest, water source forest, and a major bamboo production base. It is acclaimed as the biological gene bank of South China and the ecological shield of the Pearl River Delta, preserving the most intact oasis at the same latitude on Earth. The city's forested area spans 1.2792 million hectares, with a forest stock volume of 104.8788 million cubic meters and a forest coverage rate of 74.52%. All three primary indicators reflecting forest resource conditions rank among the top in Guangdong Province.

4.4 Resources

4.4.1 Minerals

Shaoguan City boasts a relatively comprehensive range of mineral resources, with most having substantial reserves and widespread distribution. Compared nationally and provincially, 162 types of minerals have been discovered nationwide, 117 in Guangdong Province, and 88 in Shaoguan City. In terms of proven reserves, there are 148 types nationwide, 85 in Guangdong Province, and 55 in Shaoguan City. Several minerals in Shaoguan rank first nationally, such as lead, silver, and zinc. Sixteen minerals, including lead, zinc, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, bismuth, antimony, mercury, uranium, arsenic, coal, rare metals, rare earths, fluorite, limestone, and dolomite, hold significant positions within Guangdong Province.

4.4.1.1 Main Characteristics

First, there are many small-scale deposits but few large and medium-sized ones. Second, resources vary between abundance and depletion. Third, there are many associated and paragenetic ores, but few single-mineral deposits.

4.4.1.2 Types of Minerals

Shaoguan City features a diverse array of mineral resources, with discovered categories including ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, precious metals, rare earth and dispersed element minerals, radioactive minerals, metallurgical auxiliary materials, fuel minerals, chemical raw material non-metallic minerals, construction material minerals, groundwater, and geothermal water—totaling 12 major categories and 88 types.

4.4.1.3 Distribution

Mineral resources in Shaoguan City are abundant and distributed across all 10 counties (cities, districts) under its jurisdiction. The main mineral resource reserves are as follows: coal (ore volume) 130 million tons; iron (ore volume) 36 million tons; lead (metal content) 1.52 million tons; zinc (metal content) 3.19 million tons; tungsten (metal content) 181,000 tons; antimony (metal content) 69,000 tons; molybdenum (metal content) 62,000 tons. The city has a total of 227 licensed mines, including 5 tungsten mines, 4 iron mines, 11 lead-zinc mines, 2 molybdenum mines, 2 antimony mines, 3 mineral water sources, 10 geothermal water sources, and 190 mines for stone, ceramic clay, and clay. The mining industry employs approximately 10,600 people, with an annual ore output of 14.14 million tons, including 3.5 million tons of metal ore. The industrial output value is about 2.392 billion yuan, with tax revenue of 355 million yuan. The Fankou Lead-Zinc Mine is the largest lead-zinc production base in China.

5. Administrative Divisions

Shaoguan City currently administers 3 municipal districts, 4 counties, 1 autonomous county, and manages 2 county-level cities on behalf of the province.

• Municipal Districts: Wujiang District, Zhenjiang District, Qujiang District
• County-level Cities: Lechang City, Nanxiong City
• Counties: Shixing County, Renhua County, Wengyuan County, Xinfeng County
• Autonomous County: Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Ethnic Townships | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 440200 | Shaoguan City | Sháoguān Shì | 18,412.53 | 2,855,131 | Zhenjiang District | 512000 | 10 | 94 | 1 | | 440203 | Wujiang District | Wǔjiāng Qū | 677.78 | 373,686 | Xinhua Subdistrict | 512000 | 2 | 5 | | | 440204 | Zhenjiang District | Zhēnjiāng Qū | 572.11 | 364,319 | Donghe Subdistrict | 512000 | 3 | 5 | | | 440205 | Qujiang District | Qǔjiāng Qū | 1,620.77 | 290,455 | Maba Town | 512100 | 1 | 9 | | | 440222 | Shixing County | Shǐxīng Xiàn | 2,131.91 | 198,060 | Taiping Town | 512500 | | 9 | 1 | | 440224 | Renhua County | Rénhuà Xiàn | 2,223.22 | 186,009 | Danxia Subdistrict | 512300 | 1 | 10 | | | 440229 | Wengyuan County | Wēngyuán Xiàn | 2,174.87 | 322,482 | Longxian Town | 512600 | | 8 | | | 440232 | Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County | Rǔyuán Yáozú Zìzhìxiàn | 2,299.01 | 187,276 | Rucheng Town | 512700 | | 9 | | | 440233 | Xinfeng County | Xīnfēng Xiàn | 1,967.39 | 195,430 | Fengcheng Subdistrict | 511100 | 1 | 6 | | | 440281 | Lechang City | Lèchāng Shì | 2,419.28 | 383,498 | Lecheng Subdistrict | 512200 | 1 | 16 | | | 440282 | Nanxiong City | Nánxióng Shì | 2,326.18 | 353,916 | Xiongzhou Subdistrict | 512400 | 1 | 17 | |

6. Economy

In 2022, Shaoguan's gross regional product (preliminary accounting figure) reached 156.393 billion yuan, an increase of 0.2% over the previous year. Specifically, the added value of the primary industry was 22.456 billion yuan, up 4.9%; the added value of the secondary industry was 55.669 billion yuan, down 2.5%; and the added value of the tertiary industry was 78.267 billion yuan, up 0.7%. The per capita gross regional product for the year was 54,664 yuan, an increase of 0.1%. The proportion of the three industrial sectors adjusted from 13.9:36.1:50.0 in 2021 to 14.4:35.6:50.0.

In 2022, the gross regional product of Shaoguan's urban districts was 74.295 billion yuan, a decrease of 1.6% compared to the previous year, accounting for 47.5% of the city's total; the gross regional product of the counties was 82.098 billion yuan, an increase of 2.0%, accounting for 52.5% of the city's total.

6.1 Industry

Shaoguan is a major heavy industrial city in Guangdong with a solid industrial foundation.

In the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, the Chinese government successively developed Shaoguan as a heavy industrial base in South China and a strategic rear area for Guangdong, establishing a series of large state-owned industrial enterprises, which laid the foundational role of industry in Shaoguan's economy.

By the 1970s, Shaoguan had become an important industrial base in Guangdong. Since the 1980s, Shaoguan's industrial development has progressed slowly.

Entering the 21st century, Shaoguan has essentially formed a comprehensive industrial city characterized by prominent resource-based industries, strong processing industries, and a significant share of some light industries.

Steel, non-ferrous metals, electric power, machinery, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and toys are the seven pillar industries of Shaoguan.

Within Shaoguan City, there is the Dongguan (Shaoguan) Industrial Transfer Industrial Park. Based on high-tech enterprises, the Guan-Shao Park focuses on two key leading industries—equipment manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, and medical devices—emphasizing complete equipment, complete sets of equipment, and intelligent equipment, expanding the equipment manufacturing industry cluster, and building a headquarters base for the equipment manufacturing industry in Guangdong. By the end of 2022, Shaoguan City had 634 industrial enterprises above designated size, an increase of 95 from the end of the previous year. The total industrial added value for the year was 46.777 billion yuan, a decrease of 0.3% from the previous year. The added value of industries above designated size was 37.793 billion yuan, down 1.8%.

6.1.1 Notable Industrial Enterprises

• Shaogang Group (among the world's top 100 steel enterprises, China's top 500 enterprises, and Guangdong's top 50 enterprises)
• Zhongjin Lingnan Shaoguan Smelter (the third largest lead-zinc smelter in China, among the nation's 500 largest industrial enterprises)
• Guangdong Yudean Group Co., Ltd. Shaoguan Power Plant
• Guangdong China Tobacco Shaoguan Cigarette Factory (one of China's 500 largest industrial enterprises, one of Guangdong's top 200 industrial enterprises)

6.2 Agriculture

Shaoguan City ranks first in the province in per capita cultivated land area.

Various regions in Shaoguan City have identified six major products—high-quality rice, vegetables, bamboo, fruits, livestock and poultry, and high-quality fish—as the city's leading industries, and another six products—tea, oil tea, Chinese medicinal herbs, flowers, sericulture, and flue-cured tobacco—as characteristic industries for each county (city, district), forming a "6+6" industrial development pattern.

In 2022, the total output value of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery in Shaoguan City was 37.601 billion yuan, an increase of 4.9% over the previous year. Specifically, agriculture grew by 3.7%, forestry by 10.7%, animal husbandry by 5.1%, and fishery by 1.0%. The sown area of grain was 1.834 million mu, an increase of 1.5% over the previous year, including a rice planting area of 1.554 million mu, down 0.4%; sugarcane planting area of 39,000 mu, down 0.9%; oil crop planting area of 605,000 mu, up 1.7%; vegetable planting area of 936,400 mu, up 7.4%; and Chinese medicinal herb planting area of 44,500 mu, up 13.8%. Total meat output was 313,800 tons, an increase of 7.1% over the previous year. This included pork output of 228,400 tons, up 6.9%, and poultry meat output of 82,400 tons, up 7.8%. The year-end inventory of live pigs was 1.9359 million head, a decrease of 1.6%. The annual number of live pigs slaughtered was 2.8139 million head, an increase of 6.2%.

There are eight provincial-level agricultural standardization demonstration zones: Nanxiong Jinyou Rice, Shaoguan Pollution-free Vegetables (Ruyuan), Xinfeng Buddha's Hand Melon, Qujiang Shatian Pomelo, Lechang Water Chestnut, Wengyuan Sanhua Plum, Lechang Pollution-free Vegetables, and Xinfeng Black-skinned Winter Melon. The city has a total of 63 municipal-level or above leading agricultural enterprises, including 1 national poverty alleviation leading agricultural enterprise, 11 provincial-level key leading agricultural enterprises, and 8 provincial-level poverty alleviation leading agricultural enterprises.

6.3 Commerce

In 2022, the total retail sales of consumer goods in Shaoguan City reached 49.397 billion yuan, an increase of 1.2% over the previous year. By consumption type: retail sales of goods were 45.455 billion yuan, up 1.0%; catering revenue was 3.942 billion yuan, up 2.9%.

6.3.1 Wholesale and Retail Trade

There are a number of specialized wholesale markets for fruits, vegetables, grain, small commodities, cloth, and aquatic products. There are specialized commercial streets for building materials, decorative materials, daily necessities, agricultural and sideline products, motorcycles, game and mountain products, second-hand goods, and mechanical and electrical products. The retail sector is dominated by enterprises such as RT-Mart, Walmart, and Yihua Department Store.

6.3.2 Real Estate

Real estate developers such as Country Garden, Poly, Evergrande, and Aoyuan have all invested in and developed large-scale commercial residential projects in Shaoguan City. In 2022, real estate development investment in Shaoguan City was 11.356 billion yuan, a decrease of 48.5% from the previous year. By region: urban districts accounted for 5.208 billion yuan, down 51.0%; counties accounted for 6.148 billion yuan, down 46.2%. By purpose: investment in commercial housing was 8.969 billion yuan, down 50.0%; investment in office buildings was 60 million yuan, down 50.1%; investment in commercial business premises was 1.268 billion yuan, down 30.5%.

6.3.3 Tourism

In 2022, Shaoguan City received 9.0872 million tourist visits, a decrease of 10.4% from the previous year. This included 3.2868 million domestic overnight tourists and 5,200 inbound overnight tourists. Total tourism revenue was 7.407 billion yuan, down 18.5%. By year-end, the city had one 5A-level scenic area, eleven 4A-level scenic areas, and twenty-eight 3A-level scenic areas, with one new 3A-level scenic area rated that year.

6.3.4 Foreign Trade

In 2022, the total import and export value of goods in Shaoguan City was 19.80 billion yuan, a decrease of 10.1% from the previous year. Exports were 9.09 billion yuan, down 1.7%; imports were 10.71 billion yuan, down 16.2%. By trade mode: general trade exports were 5.75 billion yuan, up 9.6%; processing trade exports were 3.34 billion yuan, down 16.6%. By export commodity: toy exports increased by 2.0%, mechanical and electrical product exports decreased by 10.3%, exports of textile yarns, fabrics, and related products increased by 4.1%, clothing exports decreased by 70.4%, and high-tech product exports increased by 12.4%. By export market: exports to Hong Kong decreased by 45.9%, exports to the EU increased by 10.8%, exports to the US increased by 1.6%, and exports to Japan increased by 20.2%. For the year, 43 new foreign direct investment projects were approved, with actual utilized foreign capital of 520 million yuan, a decrease of 24.1%.

7. Transportation

Shaoguan is located at a key transportation route from northern China into Guangdong. The Dayaoshan Tunnel, situated between Pingshi and Lechang on the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, is 14.3 kilometers long and was China's second-longest railway tunnel before 2005. A dedicated container train service operates between Shaoguan and Yantian Port.

• Airport: Shaoguan Danxia Airport
• Railways: Beijing–Guangzhou Railway, Beijing–Guangzhou High-Speed Railway, Ganzhou–Shaoguan Railway
• Expressways: G4 Beijing–Hong Kong–Macau Expressway, G45 Daqing–Guangzhou Expressway, G6011 Nanshao Expressway, G0423 Leguang Expressway, G0422 Wushen Expressway
• National Highways: National Highway 105, National Highway 106, National Highway 323

8. Education

According to the Seventh National Population Census in November 2020, among the city's permanent residents, there were 331,559 people with a university education (referring to junior college and above), 456,394 people with a high school education (including secondary specialized schools), 978,465 people with a junior high school education, and 744,191 people with a primary school education. The population with the above-mentioned various levels of education includes graduates, dropouts, and current students from all types of schools. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the number of people with a university education per 100,000 increased from 6,595 to 11,613, the number with a high school education decreased from 16,192 to 15,985, the number with a junior high school education decreased from 39,028 to 34,270, and the number with a primary school education decreased from 26,172 to 26,065.

Among the city's permanent residents, the illiterate population (people aged 15 and above who cannot read) was 83,443. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the illiterate population decreased by 19,619, and the illiteracy rate dropped from 3.65% to 2.92%, a decrease of 0.73 percentage points.

8.1 Higher Education

• Shaoguan University
• Guangdong Songshan Polytechnic College
• Shaoguan Open University
• Shaoguan Technician College
• Shaoguan Second Technician College
• Guangdong Southern Technician College
• Shaoguan Staff University

9. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 2,855,131. Compared with the 2,826,246 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 28,885 people over the past ten years, representing a growth of 1.02% and an average annual growth rate of 0.1%. Among them, the male population was 1,452,541, accounting for 50.87% of the total population; the female population was 1,402,590, accounting for 49.13% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 103.56. The population aged 0–14 was 616,617, accounting for 21.6% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 1,713,802, accounting for 60.03% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 524,712, accounting for 18.38% of the total population, of which those aged 65 and above numbered 374,489, accounting for 13.12% of the total population. The urban population was 1,636,895, accounting for 57.33% of the total population; the rural population was 1,218,236, accounting for 42.67% of the total population.

9.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group numbered 2,798,832, accounting for 98.03%; ethnic minorities numbered 56,299, accounting for 1.97%. Among them, the Yao ethnic group numbered 33,976, accounting for 1.19%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han population increased by 20,240, a growth of 0.73%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.29 percentage points; the ethnic minority population increased by 8,645, a growth of 18.14%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.29 percentage points. Among them, the Yao population increased by 429, a growth of 1.28%, with its proportion of the total population remaining unchanged.

9.2 Languages

Approximately 70% of Shaoguan's population belongs to the Hakka ethnic group, (in Qujiang, Ruyuan, Renhua, Lechang, Nanxiong, Shixing, Wengyuan, Xinfeng) and three districts (Beijiang, Wujiang, Zhenjiang). Wengyuan, Shixing, Xinfeng, Qujiang, Ruyuan, and Renhua are purely Hakka counties (where Hakka people account for over 80% of the population). Among the people of Nanxiong, some speak Hakka, while others speak the Northern Guangdong local dialect. Among the people of Lechang, some speak Hakka, while others speak the Northern Guangdong local dialect[18].

The Shaozhou local dialect, also known as "Shi Na Hua," is currently only used by some elderly residents in Shaoguan.

In modern society, Cantonese and Mandarin are the primary communication languages for the people of Shaoguan.

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10. Culture

In recent years, Shaoguan City has achieved remarkable accomplishments in cultural development, primarily reflected in the following aspects:

Improvement of the Public Cultural Service System:
Shaoguan City has significantly enhanced the quality and coverage of public cultural services by implementing a series of cultural benefit projects. By the end of 2023, the city had established 11 municipal and county-level public libraries, 11 cultural centers, 12 museums, 1 art gallery, 106 cultural stations, and 1,433 comprehensive cultural service centers, achieving full coverage in administrative villages (communities). Additionally, Shaoguan has innovated new public cultural spaces such as "Fengdu Study Rooms," promoting the diversification and intelligentization of cultural services.

Development of the Cultural Industry:
In recent years, Shaoguan's cultural industry has gradually formed an industrial system centered on cultural product manufacturing, cultural services, and cultural product sales. In particular, the development of red cultural resources, such as the opening of the Northern Guangdong Memorial Hall of the Red Army's Long March and the advancement of red tourism projects, has injected new vitality into Shaoguan's cultural tourism. Furthermore, Shaoguan has focused on exploring local cultural resources, creating distinctive literary and artistic works such as "New Nine Chapters of Shaoyue" and "Mailbox No. 51."

Integration of Culture and Tourism and Brand Building:
Shaoguan City actively promotes the deep integration of culture and tourism by organizing various festival activities and cultural tourism projects, such as the "One County, One Product" folk festival activities and the Ruyuan "October Festival" cultural tourism activities. These efforts have successfully shaped multiple local cultural brands. At the same time, Shaoguan is committed to developing the cultural and tourism industries into strategic pillar industries, striving to build the city into a "back garden," "health and wellness destination," and "experience hub" for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Enhancement of Cultural Soft Power:
Shaoguan City continuously improves its cultural soft power through a series of cultural innovation initiatives, such as the "Fengdu Study Room+" model and the development of derivative cultural and creative products. Additionally, Shaoguan showcases its rich folk arts and cultural activities by organizing events like the Mass Art Festival.

Protection and Utilization of Cultural Heritage:
Shaoguan City places emphasis on the protection and development of cultural heritage. It has restored a number of national, provincial, and municipal-level cultural relic protection units and successfully been selected as a typical case for the revitalization and utilization of cultural relics and historic sites in Guangdong Province. Moreover, Shaoguan promotes the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage by conducting activities related to intangible cultural heritage transmission and publishing relevant books.

Shaoguan City has achieved significant results in cultural development, making breakthrough progress not only in the construction of the public cultural service system but also demonstrating strong development potential and innovation capabilities in the cultural industry, integration of culture and tourism, cultural brand building, and cultural heritage protection. These accomplishments provide robust support for Shaoguan's cultural prosperity and socio-economic development.

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Zhenjiang District

Lecheng City

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