Xinxiang (新乡)

1. Introduction

Xinxiang is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Henan Province, People's Republic of China, located in the northern part of Henan. The city borders Heze City of Shandong Province to the east, Zhengzhou and Kaifeng to the south, Jiaozuo City and Jincheng City of Shanxi Province to the west, and Anyang City and Hebi City to the north. Situated on the piedmont plain southeast of the Taihang Mountains, its northwestern part consists of low mountains and hills, while the rest of the area is an alluvial plain formed by the Yellow River and the Wei River, with terrain higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast. The Yellow River flows along the southern edge of the city, and the Wei River traverses the city area, passing through the urban district. The total area of the city is 8,291 square kilometers, with a permanent population of approximately 6.17 million. The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 1A, Renmin East Road, Hongqi District.

Xinxiang is an industrial city in northern Henan, a key city on the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, and a member of the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration. It was once one of the eight major towns in North China. Historically, significant events that influenced the course of Chinese history, such as the Battle of Mingtiao, the Battle of Muye, and the Chenqiao Mutiny, took place here. It also served as the provincial capital of the historical Pingyuan Province. In modern times, Xinxiang is recognized as an Excellent Tourism City of China, a National Hygienic City, a National Garden City, a National Forest City, and ranks among China's Top 100 Cities in Comprehensive Competitiveness.

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2. History

During the reigns of Yao and Shun, China was divided into nine regions, with the area of present-day Xinxiang falling under Ji, Yan, and Yu Provinces. At the end of the Xia Dynasty, King Tang of Shang attacked King Jie of Xia, leading to the Battle of Mingtiao between Fengqiu County and Changyuan County, resulting in Jie's defeat and the fall of the Xia Dynasty.

The Battle of Muye, where King Wu of Zhou conquered Shang, took place in present-day Muye District. During the Spring and Autumn Period, the area belonged to the State of Jin.

In the Western Han Dynasty, Ji County was established under Henei Commandery, with present-day Xinxiang City being the Xinzhong Township of Ji County. According to the Book of Han: Annals of Emperor Wu, in the sixth year of Yuanding (111 BCE), Emperor Wu was traveling to Goushi and "arrived at Xinzhong Township in Ji, where he obtained the head of Lü Jia and established Huojia County." In the second year of Taishi during the Western Jin Dynasty (266 CE), Ji Commandery was established, and Huojia County was placed under its jurisdiction. Huojia County was abolished during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. It was reestablished in the 23rd year of Taihe during the Northern Wei Dynasty (499 CE), with its seat at Xinle City, which is present-day Xinxiang City. In the seventh year of Tianbao during the Northern Qi Dynasty (556 CE), Huojia County was relocated to Gongcheng (present-day Huixian City). In the sixth year of Kaihuang during the Sui Dynasty (586 CE), Xinxiang County was established by dividing Ji and Huojia Counties, with its seat at present-day Xinxiang City, under Henan Commandery. According to the Taiping Huanyu Ji, the name "Xinxiang" was derived from the abbreviated form of Xinzhong Township in Ji County. In the early Tang Dynasty, it belonged to Yizhou and later to Yinzhou. In the first year of Zhenguan (627 CE), it was transferred to Weizhou. In the sixth year of Xining during the Northern Song Dynasty (1073 CE), the county was abolished and became a town. It was reinstated as Xinxiang County in the second year of Yuanyou (1087 CE), under Weizhou. During the Yuan Dynasty, it was part of Weihui Route. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was under Weihui Prefecture.

In the second year of the Republic of China (1913), the prefecture was abolished, and Xinxiang County was successively placed under Yubei Dao and Hebei Dao. In 1932, it became part of the Fourth Administrative Supervision District of Henan Province. In November 1948, Xinxiang City was established by dividing Xinxiang County. In April 1949, the People's Liberation Army's 47th Army was tasked with liberating Xinxiang City. The army commander, Liang Xingchu, had already received orders to transfer to the 38th Army but remained with the 47th Army to carry out the liberation of Xinxiang. Together with the new army commander Cao Lihuai, political commissar Zhou Chiping, and Gan Weihan, political commissar of the 70th Army (formerly the 14th Column of North China), they presented two options to the defending forces in Xinxiang: the "Beiping path" of peaceful resolution or the "Tianjin path" of self-destruction. From May 1 to 3, 1949, Li Chenxi, commander of the defending forces, sent the newly promoted deputy commander Zhao Tianxing out of the city to the 47th Army headquarters in Chenbao Village to formally request peaceful reorganization by the PLA. On May 5, 1949, Li Chenxi, as the representative of the Kuomintang defending forces in Xinxiang, signed the "Agreement on Handling the Kuomintang Defending Forces in Xinxiang" with the Communist Party representative in Chenbao Village, declaring the peaceful liberation of Xinxiang. The signing site was located west of Chenbao Village Primary School. On the morning of May 7, the Xinxiang Military Control Commission, primarily composed of the 70th Army, along with other party, government, and military personnel, entered the city. They issued Military Control Commission Order No. 1, announcing the liberation of Xinxiang, establishing revolutionary order, and unifying military and civil administration in the city. Gan Weihan and Liu Gang served as the director and deputy director, respectively.

In August 1949, Pingyuan Province was established. On August 17, 1949, the newly formed provincial government of Pingyuan Province moved from Heze, Shandong, to Xinxiang. At 3 p.m. on August 20, the Pingyuan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, the People's Government of Pingyuan Province, and the Pingyuan Provincial Military District held an inauguration ceremony in Xinxiang. Pan Fusheng served as the provincial party secretary, Chao Zhepu as the provincial government chairman, and Liu Zhiyuan as the provincial military district commander. Two days later, the Pingyuan Daily was launched, with its first editorial titled "Strive to Build a New Pingyuan Province." The municipal government was located near the Third Middle School, and Xinxiang Prefecture was established, with its administrative office in Jiaozuo. In 1952, Pingyuan Province was abolished, and Xinxiang City became a directly administered city of Henan Province, with Xinxiang Prefecture relocating to Xinxiang City. In 1958, Xinxiang City was placed under the leadership of Xinxiang Prefecture, serving as the prefecture's administrative seat. In 1967, Xinxiang Prefecture was renamed Xinxiang Region. In 1974, Xinxiang City was reinstated as a directly administered city of Henan Province. In January 1978, it was again placed under the leadership of Xinxiang Region. In 1982, it was elevated once more to a directly administered city. In September 1983, Xinxiang County and Ji County from Xinxiang Region were transferred to Xinxiang City. In February 1986, Xinxiang Region was abolished, and Huixian, Huojia, Yuanyang, Yanjin, and Fengqiu Counties, as well as Changyuan County from Puyang City, were placed under the jurisdiction of Xinxiang City. In November 1988, Ji County was abolished and established as Weihui City, and Huixian County was abolished and established as Huixian City.

In December 2015, Xinxiang City was approved as a pilot city for comprehensive reform in industrial cluster innovation and development, becoming one of five pilot cities nationwide and the only one in central and western China.

In July 2019, Changyuan County was abolished and established as the county-level Changyuan City, with the administrative region of the former Changyuan County serving as the administrative region of Changyuan City. The People's Government of Changyuan City is located at No. 368 Renmin Road, Puxi Subdistrict. Changyuan City is directly administered by Henan Province and managed by Xinxiang City on its behalf.

3. Geography

Xinxiang City is located in the northern part of Henan Province, between 113°23' and 114°59' east longitude, and 34°53' and 35°50' north latitude. It is 600 kilometers from the capital Beijing and 80 kilometers from the provincial capital Zhengzhou. To the east, it borders the oil city Puyang and connects with western Shandong; to the south, it neighbors the Yellow River, facing Zhengzhou and Kaifeng across the river; to the west, it adjoins Jiaozuo and borders Shanxi Province; to the north, it leans against the Taihang Mountains and is adjacent to Hebi and Anyang.

The terrain within Xinxiang is predominantly plains, with mountainous areas also present in the north.

The total area is 8,169 square kilometers, of which the planned urban area covers 625 square kilometers (the current actual built-up area is 186.86 square kilometers), and the cultivated land area is 5.684 million mu.

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Annual | |--------------|-------|-------|-------|-------|--------|--------|--------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|--------| | Record High °C | 18.9 | 24.8 | 29 | 36.1 | 38 | 40.9 | 40.5 | 37.7 | 36.8 | 34.3 | 27.7 | 23.9 | 40.9 | | Record High °F | 66.0 | 76.6 | 84.2 | 97.0 | 100.4 | 105.6 | 104.9 | 99.9 | 98.2 | 93.7 | 81.9 | 75.0 | 105.6 | | Avg. High °C | 5.3 | 9 | 14.5 | 21.8 | 27 | 31.5 | 31.6 | 30.4 | 26.7 | 21.4 | 13.7 | 7.3 | 20 | | Avg. High °F | 41.5 | 48.2 | 58.1 | 71.2 | 80.6 | 88.7 | 88.9 | 86.7 | 80.1 | 70.5 | 56.7 | 45.1 | 68.0 | | Daily Mean °C | 0 | 3.4 | 8.8 | 15.9 | 21.2 | 25.8 | 27.1 | 25.9 | 21.3 | 15.3 | 7.8 | 1.9 | 14.5 | | Daily Mean °F | 32.0 | 38.1 | 47.8 | 60.6 | 70.2 | 78.4 | 80.8 | 78.6 | 70.3 | 59.5 | 46.0 | 35.4 | 58.1 | | Avg. Low °C | −4.1 | −1.2 | 3.6 | 10.2 | 15.7 | 20.3 | 23.1 | 22.1 | 16.9 | 10.4 | 3.1 | −2.3 | 9.8 | | Avg. Low °F | 24.6 | 29.8 | 38.5 | 50.4 | 60.3 | 68.5 | 73.6 | 71.8 | 62.4 | 50.7 | 37.6 | 27.9 | 49.7 | | Record Low °C | −13.9 | −16.0 | −6.2 | −0.7 | 7.6 | 12.4 | 17.2 | 13.5 | 7.5 | −0.9 | −12.8 | −11.5 | −16.0 | | Record Low °F | 7.0 | 3.2 | 20.8 | 30.7 | 45.7 | 54.3 | 63.0 | 56.3 | 45.5 | 30.4 | 9.0 | 11.3 | 3.2 | | Avg. Precipitation mm | 4.7 | 7.1 | 18.6 | 25.3 | 49.3 | 64 | 150.9 | 122.4 | 58.7 | 31.8 | 15.9 | 5.2 | 553.9 | | Avg. Precipitation inches | 0.19 | 0.28 | 0.73 | 1.00 | 1.94 | 2.52 | 5.94 | 4.82 | 2.31 | 1.25 | 0.63 | 0.20 | 21.81 | | Avg. Relative Humidity (%) | 61 | 59 | 59 | 61 | 64 | 64 | 78 | 80 | 76 | 71 | 68 | 63 | 67 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Xinxiang City currently administers 4 municipal districts, 5 counties, and oversees 3 county-level cities on behalf of the province.

• Municipal Districts: Hongqi District, Weibin District, Fengquan District, Muye District
• County-level Cities: Weihui City, Huixian City, Changyuan City
• Counties: Xinxiang County, Huojia County, Yuanyang County, Yanjin County, Fengqiu County

In addition to the formal administrative divisions, Xinxiang City has established the following economic functional zones: National-level Xinxiang High-tech Industrial Development Zone, National-level Xinxiang Economic and Technological Development Zone, Pingyuan Urban-Rural Integration Demonstration Zone, and Xigong Residential Area.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Ethnic Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|--------------------------|----------------|-------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------|----------------------| | 410700 | Xinxiang City | Xīnxiāng Shì | 8,290.89 | 6,251,929 | Hongqi District | 453000 | 36 | 77 | 41 | 1 | | 410702 | Hongqi District | Hóngqí Qū | 154.44 | 607,515 | Xijie Subdistrict | 453000 | 7 | 2 | 1 | | | 410703 | Weibin District | Wèibīn Qū | 64.27 | 239,956 | Jiankanglu Subdistrict | 453000 | 7 | 1 | | | | 410704 | Fengquan District | Fèngquán Qū | 114.54 | 148,168 | Baoxi Subdistrict | 453000 | 2 | 2 | 1 | | | 410711 | Muye District | Mùyě Qū | 98.63 | 378,775 | Rongxiaolu Subdistrict | 453000 | 7 | 2 | | | | 410721 | Xinxiang County | Xīnxiāng Xiàn | 393.13 | 354,688 | Xiaoji Town | 453700 | | 6 | 1 | | | 410724 | Huojia County | Huòjiā Xiàn | 469.88 | 398,137 | Chengguan Town | 453800 | | 9 | 2 | | | 410725 | Yuanyang County | Yuányáng Xiàn | 1,304.00 | 749,199 | Yuanxing Subdistrict| 453500 | 3 | 8 | 8 | | | 410726 | Yanjin County | Yánjīn Xiàn | 887.96 | 443,068 | Wenyan Subdistrict | 453200 | 3 | 4 | 6 | | | 410727 | Fengqiu County | Fēngqiū Xiàn | 1,225.51 | 704,532 | Chengguan Town | 453300 | | 13 | 6 | 1 | | 410781 | Weihui City | Wèihuī Shì | 858.86 | 476,867 | Chengjiao Township | 453100 | | 7 | 6 | | | 410782 | Huixian City | Huīxiàn Shì | 1,681.42 | 845,588 | Chengguan Subdistrict| 453600 | 2 | 12 | 8 | | | 410783 | Changyuan City | Chángyuán Shì | 1,038.24 | 905,436 | Puxi Subdistrict | 453400 | 5 | 11 | 2 | |

5. Economy

In recent years, Xinxiang City has demonstrated a steady growth trend in its economic development, primarily reflected in the following aspects:

5.1 GDP Growth and Industrial Structure Optimization

In the first three quarters of 2024, Xinxiang City achieved a regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 267.235 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 4.8%. In terms of industrial structure, the added value of the primary industry was 25.831 billion yuan, growing by 3.7%; the added value of the secondary industry was 110.88 billion yuan, increasing by 5.6%; and the added value of the tertiary industry was 130.524 billion yuan, rising by 4.3%. This indicates that Xinxiang's economic structure is gradually optimizing, with the tertiary industry's contribution to economic growth steadily strengthening.

5.2 Fixed Asset Investment and Industrial Development

Xinxiang City has performed notably in fixed asset investment. In the first half of 2024, the city's fixed asset investment grew by 12.4% year-on-year, surpassing the provincial average. Industrial investment saw significant growth, particularly in high-tech manufacturing and emerging industries. For instance, Xinxiang successfully attracted a number of high-tech industrial projects with a total investment exceeding ten billion yuan, covering fields such as new energy, electronic information, and intelligent manufacturing.

5.3 Consumer Market and Foreign Trade Development

In the first half of 2024, Xinxiang City's total retail sales of consumer goods reached 59.688 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.1%, which is higher than the provincial average. Furthermore, Xinxiang has actively promoted foreign trade development by optimizing the business environment and hosting various trade activities, thereby boosting import and export volumes.

5.4 Technological Innovation and Industrial Upgrading

Xinxiang City places high importance on technological innovation, enhancing the overall competitiveness of its industrial chain through promoting industrial restructuring and technological innovation. For example, the city has strengthened cooperation with Shanghai Jiao Tong University to advance the construction of an innovation center in the biopharmaceutical field. Concurrently, Xinxiang has implemented policies for large-scale equipment renewal and consumer goods replacement to foster high-quality development.

5.5 Regional Economic Status and Future Outlook

As a crucial node city in Henan Province, Xinxiang holds a significant position within the provincial economy. Although its per capita GDP has long been below the provincial average, Xinxiang's total economic output has steadily increased in recent years and maintained a relatively high ranking nationwide. Looking ahead, Xinxiang will continue to leverage its geographical advantages, industrial strengths, and policy benefits to drive high-quality economic development.

Xinxiang City has achieved notable progress in economic growth, industrial structure optimization, technological innovation, consumer market expansion, and foreign trade development, demonstrating promising prospects for future growth.

6. Transportation

• Railways: Beijing–Guangzhou Railway, Xinyang–Yanzhou Railway, Xinxiang–Yuezhou Railway, Beijing–Guangzhou High-Speed Railway, Jinan–Zhengzhou High-Speed Railway
• Expressways: G4 Beijing–Hong Kong–Macau Expressway, Changzhi–Jiyuan Expressway, Zhengzhou–Jiaozuo–Jincheng Expressway
• National Highways: National Highway 107

7. Education

7.1 Higher Education

• Henan Normal University
• Henan Institute of Science and Technology
• Xinxiang Medical University
• Xinxiang University
• Henan Institute of Technology
• Xinxiang Radio and Television University
• Henan Institute of Technology
• Xinxiang Vocational and Technical College

7.2 Secondary Education

• Xinxiang No.1 High School
• The High School Attached to Henan Normal University
• Xinxiang No.2 High School
• Xinxiang No.10 High School
• Weihui No.1 High School
• Yanjin No.1 High School
• Yuanyang No.1 High School
• Huojia No.1 High School
• Fengqiu No.1 High School
• Changyuan No.1 High School
• Hongli High School
• Huojia Senior High School
• Xinxiang No.11 High School
• Xinxiang Yingcai School

8. Population

At the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 6.166 million. Among them, the urban permanent resident population was 3.639 million, and the rural permanent resident population was 2.527 million. The urbanization rate of the permanent resident population was 59.01%, an increase of 0.62 percentage points from the end of the previous year. The annual number of births was 43,000, with a birth rate of 6.90‰; the number of deaths was 46,000, with a death rate of 7.40‰; the natural decrease in population was 3,000, with a natural growth rate of -0.5‰.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, as of 00:00 on November 1, 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 6,251,929. Among them, the male population accounted for 50.23%; the female population accounted for 49.77%. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 100.91. The population aged 0–14 accounted for 23.17%; the population aged 15–59 accounted for 59.15%; the population aged 60 and above accounted for 17.68%, of which the population aged 65 and above accounted for 13.04%. For every 100,000 people, 11,743 had a university education (referring to college or above); 20,163 had a high school education (including technical secondary school); 37,885 had a junior high school education; and 20,994 had a primary school education (the above figures for various educational levels include graduates, dropouts, and current students of all types of schools).

Surnames originating from Xinxiang include: Jiang (including Lü, Shang, Lu, Cui, Ding, Gao, Shen, Mu, Qiu, Zhang, Chai, Ke, Li, Qi, He, Nie, Huan, Wang, Yi, Luo, Nian, Wei, Gai, Zha, Kan, Yu, Lu, Zuo, You, Ming, Jing, Xu, Xie, Ji, Rong, Bo, Ping, Ma, Yan, Feng, Lian, Shao, Yong, Rao, Dongguo, Lai, Wu, Gu), Lin (including Wang, Chai, Sun, Gu, Li), Mao, Feng, Ji, Fan, Gong (including Gong, Hong, Gong, Duan), Zuo (Zuo), Ning, Yan, etc.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic population was 6,202,678, accounting for 99.21%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 49,251, accounting for 0.79%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic population increased by 542,167, a growth of 9.58%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.05 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 1,571, a growth of 3.29%, and its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.05 percentage points.

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9. Culture

Xinxiang City has achieved remarkable progress in cultural development in recent years, primarily reflected in the following aspects:

9.1 Enrichment and Diversity of Cultural Activities:

Xinxiang City has organized a large number of public cultural activities. For instance, during the 2025 Spring Festival period, over 1,100 various cultural events were held, including New Year's Eve galas, temple fairs in characteristic streets, and New Year poetry gatherings, attracting more than 7.3 million participants. Additionally, during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, the city organized over 2,300 public cultural activities, covering concerts, choral art exhibitions, Henan opera performances, and more, greatly enriching the cultural life of its citizens.

9.2 Protection and Inheritance of Cultural Heritage:

Xinxiang City places emphasis on the protection and revitalization of historical and cultural heritage. In recent years, through systematic research on Muye culture and Yellow River culture, the Yellow River Culture Research Center was established, and the Konghou (an ancient Chinese harp) intangible cultural heritage inheritance project was launched. Simultaneously, Xinxiang City has actively promoted cultural relic protection projects, such as the preservation and development of the Gongcheng Site and Mengjin Site.

9.3 Integration of Culture and Tourism:

Xinxiang City vigorously develops the cultural tourism industry, promoting the deep integration of cultural tourism with modern service industries. By implementing the strategy of integrating culture, tourism, and cultural creativity, Xinxiang City successfully established a national 5A-level scenic area and developed new formats such as characteristic homestays and study tours. Furthermore, the city focuses on developing cultural and creative products with local characteristics, such as mooncake gift boxes featuring "Xinxiang Elements" and the mascot "Xiao Xin," further enhancing the market competitiveness of the cultural tourism industry.

9.4 Artistic Creation and Development of the Cultural Industry:

In recent years, Xinxiang City has achieved fruitful results in artistic creation, producing a large number of outstanding works in drama, skits, songs, calligraphy, painting, and more. Meanwhile, the Xinxiang municipal government has also promoted the development of the cultural industry by establishing special funds for cultural industries and optimizing cultural industry planning.

9.5 Enhancement of Public Cultural Services:

Xinxiang City has digitized and informatized public cultural services through the construction of the "Xinxiang Culture and Tourism Cloud" public cultural digital platform, cumulatively serving over 1.95 million people. Additionally, the city has carried out activities such as "Public Culture Classes" and "Cultural Lectures" to improve the cultural literacy and aesthetic abilities of the public.

9.6 Cultural Brand Building:

Xinxiang City has promoted the inheritance and development of local culture by organizing events such as the "Yanmai Food Cup" Yanjin Story Writing Competition. At the same time, the city is committed to building cultural brands with local characteristics, such as "Spring Fills the Central Plains" and "Hundred Cities, Ten Thousand Events," further enhancing the city's cultural influence.

Xinxiang City has achieved significant results in cultural development, not only enriching the cultural life of its citizens but also promoting the high-quality development of the cultural and cultural tourism industries. These efforts have not only enhanced the cultural soft power of Xinxiang City but have also laid a solid foundation for the city's sustainable development.

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Named after the abbreviation of Xinzhong Township in Ji County, hence the name Xinxiang.

Hongqi District

Changyuan City

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Pomegranate flower