Guangan (广安)

1. Introduction

Guang'an City is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China, located in the northeastern part of Sichuan. The city borders Dianjiang County and Changshou District of Chongqing Municipality to the east, Yubei District and Hechuan District of Chongqing to the south, Suining City to the west, Nanchong City to the northwest, and Dazhou City to the northeast. Situated in the hilly region of the central Sichuan Basin, the Huaying Mountains stretch across the city. It lies approximately 200 kilometers west of Chengdu and over 100 kilometers south of Chongqing. The Qu River runs from north to south through the central part of the city, while the Jialing River flows through the western area. The city covers a total area of 6,339 square kilometers, with a population of 3.2549 million. The municipal government is located in Guang'an District. Guang'an is a major agricultural city and a key grain-producing area in Sichuan Province, as well as the hometown of Deng Xiaoping, the chief architect of China's reform and opening-up. With a mild climate, abundant rainfall, and fertile land, it is a primary grain-producing region in northeastern Sichuan. The rice and corn produced here are known for their fragrance and nourishing quality, often referred to as "golden soup and jade rice," earning Guang'an the nickname "Golden Guang'an."

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2. History

Guang'an is located in the eastern part of Sichuan Province. During the Spring and Autumn period, it belonged to the State of Ba and is one of the birthplaces of Ba culture. In ancient times, it was part of Liangzhou. During the Zhou Dynasty, it was under the jurisdiction of the State of Ba. In the ninth year of King Huiwen of Qin (316 BC), the State of Ba was conquered, and Ba Commandery was established. In the sixth year of the Jian'an era of the Eastern Han Dynasty (201 AD), Ba Commandery was renamed Baxi Commandery and placed under Yizhou. During the Western Jin Dynasty, Liangzhou was separated from Yizhou, and Baxi Commandery was placed under it. In the first year of the Jianyuan era of the Southern Qi Dynasty (479 AD), Hanchu County (governed in present-day Hanchu Village, Liemian Town, Wusheng County) was established from the northern part of Dianjiang County and placed under Dongdangqu Commandery. In the third year of the Putong era of the Southern Liang Dynasty (522 AD), Shi'an County (governed in present-day north of Guang'an District) was established from Dangqu County and placed under Beidangqu Commandery. In the third year of the Datong era (537 AD), Linshui County (governed in present-day Linzhou City, Xingren Town) was established from the eastern part of Dangqu County and placed under Linshan Commandery. In the first year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (581 AD), the seat of Linshui County was moved to Yuechi Creek (present-day Chengbei Town). In the third year of the Kaihuang era (583 AD), Linshan Commandery was abolished and merged into Quzhou. In the eighteenth year of the Kaihuang era (598 AD), Shi'an County was renamed Congcheng County and placed under Dangqu Commandery.

In the first year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (618 AD), Congcheng County was renamed Shi'an County, and Fengle County (governed in present-day Gucheng Village, Hengsheng Town, Guang'an District) was established from it, both placed under Quzhou. Linshui County was renamed Linshui County and placed under Linzhou, but was transferred to Quzhou the following year, with its seat moved to Kunlou Town. In the eighth year of the Wude era (625 AD), Fengle County was abolished and merged into Shi'an County. In the second year of the Wansui Tongtian era (697 AD), Yuechi County was established from Nanchong County and Xiangru County and placed under Guozhou Commandery. In the first year of the Tianbao era (742 AD), Shi'an County was renamed Qujiang County, and Quzhou was renamed Linshan Commandery. In the first year of the Qianyuan era (758 AD), it was restored to Quzhou and Shi'an County.

In the second year of the Qiande era of the Song Dynasty (964 AD), Linshui County was renamed Linshui County. In the second year of the Kaibao era (969 AD), a military commandery was established in Nonghui Town at the foot of Xiuping Mountain (also known as Cuiping Mountain or Yinding Mountain) in Qujiang County. Taking the meaning of "broad land and peaceful settlement," it was named Guang'an Commandery and placed under Kuizhou Circuit. At the request of Liu Rensui, the Transport Commissioner of Western Sichuan, Emperor Taizu of Song personally designated Nonghui Town as the location for Guang'an Commandery, which governed three counties: Qujiang County from Quzhou, Xinming County from Hezhou, and Yuechi County from Guozhou. Qujiang County served as the seat of Guang'an Commandery. This is the origin of the name "Guang'an." In the third year of the Kaixi era (1207 AD), Hexi Town was elevated to Hexi County (governed in present-day Xinchang Town, Yuechi County). In the second year of the Xianchun era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1266 AD), Guang'an Commandery was renamed Ningxi Commandery.

During the Yuan Dynasty, Guang'an Prefecture was established. In the second year of the Zhiyuan era (1265 AD), Dingyuan County was established from Hanchu County. In the fourth year of the Zhiyuan era (1267 AD), Wusheng Commandery was established, taking the meaning of "overcoming Song with military might." Later, Wusheng Commandery was elevated to Dingyuan Prefecture. In the fifteenth year of the Zhiyuan era (1278 AD), Ningxi Commandery was renamed Chongning Commandery. The following year, Chongning Commandery was abolished, and Xinming and Hexi counties were merged into Yuechi County. Together with Qujiang County, they were placed under Shunqing Prefecture. In the twentieth year of the Zhiyuan era (1283 AD), Guang'an Prefecture was established, with its seat in Qujiang County, governing Qujiang and Yuechi counties, and placed under Shunqing Circuit. Linshui County was merged into Dazhu County, and Hanchu County was abolished. In the twenty-fourth year of the Zhiyuan era (1287 AD), Dingyuan Prefecture was downgraded to Dingyuan County and placed under Hezhou, Chongqing Circuit. In the twelfth year of the Zhizheng era (1352 AD), Guang'an Prefecture came under the rule of Ming Yuzhen's Daxia regime.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Guang'an Zhou was established. In the fourth year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1371 AD), Guang'an Prefecture was renamed Guang'an Zhou and placed under Shunqing Prefecture. In the ninth year of the Hongwu era (1376 AD), Guang'an Zhou gained jurisdiction over Qu and Dazhu counties. In the tenth year of the Hongwu era (1377 AD), Qujiang County was abolished and merged into Guang'an Zhou. In the first year of the Chenghua era (1465 AD), Guang'an Zhou gained jurisdiction over Linshui County. The following year, the seat of Linshui County was moved to Dingping Town. In the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen era (1644 AD), Guang'an Zhou came under the rule of Zhang Xianzhong's Daxi regime.

In the seventh year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1668 AD), Yuechi County was abolished and merged into Guang'an Zhou, while the other three counties were placed under Shunqing Prefecture. In the eighth year of the Kangxi era (1669 AD), Dingyuan County was abolished and merged into Hezhou. In the sixtieth year of the Kangxi era (1721 AD), Yuechi County was re-established and placed under Shunqing Prefecture. In the sixth year of the Yongzheng era (1728 AD), Dingyuan County was re-established and placed under Chongqing Prefecture.

In 1913, Guang'an County was established. In the second year of the Republic of China (1913 AD), the Zhou system was abolished, and Guang'an Zhou was renamed Guang'an County. Guang'an, Linshui, and Yuechi counties were placed under the Northern Sichuan Circuit, which was renamed Jialing Circuit the following year. Dingyuan County was placed under the Eastern Sichuan Circuit, which was renamed Dongchuan Circuit the following year. In 1914, Dingyuan County was renamed Wusheng County. In the nineteenth year of the Republic of China (1930 AD), the Jialing and Dongchuan circuits were abolished. In the twenty-fourth year of the Republic of China (1935 AD), Guang'an and Linshui counties were placed under the Tenth Administrative Inspectorate District of Sichuan Province, while Yuechi and Wusheng counties were placed under the Eleventh Administrative Inspectorate District.

After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, in 1950, Guang'an and Linshui counties were placed under Dazhu Special District, while Yuechi and Wusheng counties were placed under Nanchong Special District. In 1953, Dazhu Special District was abolished, with Guang'an County transferred to Nanchong Special District and Linshui County transferred to Daxian Special District. In 1968, Nanchong and Daxian Special Districts were renamed Nanchong and Daxian Prefectures. In April 1978, Huaying Workers' and Peasants' District was established from parts of Guang'an and Yuechi counties and placed under Nanchong Prefecture. In October 1979, Huaying Workers' and Peasants' District was renamed Huayun Workers' and Peasants' District. In February 1985, Huayun Workers' and Peasants' District was abolished, and Huaying City was established at the county level. In July 1993, Guang'an Prefecture was established, with its administrative office located in Guang'an County, governing Guang'an, Yuechi, Wusheng, and Linshui counties, as well as Huaying City. On July 31, 1998, Guang'an Prefecture and Guang'an County were abolished, and the prefecture-level Guang'an City was established. The former Guang'an County became Guang'an District. In February 2013, Qianfeng District was established from Guang'an District.

During the 2020 Southern China floods, as of 11:00 on July 13, continuous heavy rainfall had resulted in 2 deaths in Guang'an City.

3. Geography

Guang'an City is situated at the junction of northern and eastern Sichuan. The topography is higher in the east and lower in the west. The Huaying Mountain divides the city into two distinct parts with different surface features: Linshui County in the east belongs to the parallel fold ridge-valley region of eastern Sichuan, while Guang'an District, Yuechi County, Wusheng County, and Huaying City in the west belong to the hilly region of central Sichuan. The Jialing River and Qu River flow through the area. Medium and shallow hills cover 4,091 square kilometers, accounting for 64.66% of the city's total area; deep hills cover 270 square kilometers, accounting for 4.3%; mountainous areas cover 1,747 square kilometers, accounting for 23.23%; and flatlands cover 509 square kilometers, accounting for 8.3%.

3.1 Climate

Guang'an City has a subtropical monsoon climate. The average annual sunshine duration ranges from 1,200 to 1,342 hours. The frost-free period lasts 306 to 328 days, with an average of only 6.2 frost days per year. Due to the warm climate and long frost-free period, the fields remain green throughout the year, with flowers blooming and fruits fragrant. The city's average annual temperature ranges from 17°C to 17.6°C, with minimal interannual variation but significant monthly variation. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 6°C. The hottest month is July, with an average temperature of 27.8°C. The extreme low temperature can reach -3.8°C, while the extreme high temperature can reach 40.5°C. The average annual precipitation ranges from 1,014 mm to 1,282 mm, with the highest recorded at 1,485 mm and the lowest at 836.6 mm. Precipitation varies across seasons: spring receives 209 mm to 275 mm, summer 401 mm to 405 mm, autumn 278 mm to 320 mm, and winter 37 mm to 58 mm. Temperature and precipitation trends are generally consistent.

Guang'an City Meteorological Data (1981–2010)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |--------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------| | Record high °C (°F)| 17.1 (62.8) | 22.4 (72.3) | 31.8 (89.2) | 35.7 (96.3) | 37.1 (98.8) | 36.8 (98.2) | 39.1 (102.4) | 41.8 (107.2) | 41.9 (107.4) | 34.3 (93.7) | 25.4 (77.7) | 17.7 (63.9) | 41.9 (107.4) | | Average high °C (°F) | 9.2 (48.6) | 11.9 (53.4) | 16.7 (62.1) | 22.2 (72.0) | 26.4 (79.5) | 28.5 (83.3) | 31.8 (89.2) | 32.1 (89.8) | 27.3 (81.1) | 21.1 (70.0) | 16.2 (61.2) | 10.3 (50.5) | 21.1 (70.1) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | 6.6 (43.9) | 8.7 (47.7) | 12.5 (54.5) | 17.5 (63.5) | 21.8 (71.2) | 24.3 (75.7) | 27.2 (81.0) | 27.2 (81.0) | 23.1 (73.6) | 17.7 (63.9) | 13.1 (55.6) | 7.9 (46.2) | 17.3 (63.2) | | Average low °C (°F) | 4.6 (40.3) | 6.4 (43.5) | 9.6 (49.3) | 14.1 (57.4) | 18.2 (64.8) | 21.2 (70.2) | 23.8 (74.8) | 23.5 (74.3) | 20.2 (68.4) | 15.6 (60.1) | 11.0 (51.8) | 6.1 (43.0) | 14.5 (58.2) | | Record low °C (°F)| -2.7 (27.1) | -0.1 (31.8) | -0.4 (31.3) | 4.8 (40.6) | 9.3 (48.7) | 14.2 (57.6) | 17.8 (64.0) | 17.5 (63.5) | 12.8 (55.0) | 3.2 (37.8) | 2.5 (36.5) | -2.7 (27.1) | -2.7 (27.1) | | Average precipitation mm (inches)| 15.8 (0.62) | 19.4 (0.76) | 38.0 (1.50) | 84.4 (3.32) | 150.0 (5.91) | 167.4 (6.59) | 211.2 (8.31) | 133.1 (5.24) | 118.7 (4.67) | 93.2 (3.67) | 42.7 (1.68) | 21.2 (0.83) | 1,095.1 (43.1) | | Average relative humidity (%)| 87 | 84 | 80 | 80 | 79 | 84 | 81 | 79 | 83 | 87 | 87 | 88 | 83 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Guang'an City administers 2 districts, 3 counties, and 1 county-level city on behalf of the higher-level government.

• Districts: Guang'an District, Qianfeng District
• County-level City: Huaying City
• Counties: Yuechi County, Wusheng County, Linshui County

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |-------------------|-------------------|--------------------|----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------|---------------| | 511600 | Guang'an City | Guǎng'ān Shì | 6,339.22 | 3,254,883 | Guang'an District | 638000 | 15 | 99 | 10 | | 511602 | Guang'an District | Guǎng'ān Qū | 1,027.75 | 744,115 | Nongjiu Subdistrict | 638000 | 6 | 16 | 3 | | 511603 | Qianfeng District | Qiánfēng Qū | 505.61 | 232,255 | Dafosi Subdistrict | 638000 | 4 | 8 | | | 511621 | Yuechi County | Yuèchí Xiàn | 1,478.80 | 742,747 | Jiulong Subdistrict | 638300 | 2 | 23 | 2 | | 511622 | Wusheng County | Wǔshèng Xiàn | 956.13 | 555,897 | Yankou Town | 638400 | | 19 | 4 | | 511623 | Linshui County | Línshuǐ Xiàn | 1,907.41 | 707,537 | Dingping Town | 638500 | | 25 | | | 511681 | Huaying City | Huáyíng Shì | 463.52 | 272,332 | Shuanghe Subdistrict| 638600 | 3 | 8 | 1 |

5. Economy

• In 2018, the city achieved a GDP of 125.02 billion yuan, with per capita disposable income of urban residents reaching 33,079 yuan and per capita net income of rural residents reaching 14,931 yuan.
• Guang'an is a region primarily focused on agriculture, with main products including grains, oil crops, pigs, silkworm cocoons, and fruits.
• The industry is mainly resource-based, comprising raw material industries and light textile industries. Industrial products primarily include electricity, coal, cement, silk and silk fabrics, beverages, and food. Key industrial enterprises, aside from coal mines, include the Qujiang Cement Plant, Xikou Cement Plant, Dongxiguan Power Station, and China Resources Blue Sword Guang'an Beer Co., Ltd. China Huadian Corporation has constructed a pithead power plant in Guang'an with an installed capacity of 2.4 million KW (4×30+2×60), which is currently the largest enterprise in the area.
• Sichuan Guang'an Aizhong Co., Ltd. is currently the only listed company in Guang'an City.

6. Transportation

• Aviation: There is no airport within Guang'an City. Nearby airports include Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, Nanchong Gaoping Airport, and Dazhou Heshi Airport.

• Railway: The Xiangyang-Chongqing Railway runs north-south through the area, with six stations: Guangange Station and Guang'an Station in Qianfeng District; Lushi Station, Huaying Station, Gaoxing Station, and Qinghua Station in Huaying City. The double-track line of the Xiangyang-Chongqing Railway was completed and opened to traffic in 2009. The Lanzhou-Chongqing Railway main line passes through Wusheng County, with a branch line starting from Nanchong, passing through Yuechi Station, Guang'annan Station, and Huayingnan Station, and merging into the Xiangyang-Chongqing Railway at Gaoxing Station. Guang'an Rail Transit Line 1 (Cloud Rail): From Deng Xiaoping's Former Residence Scenic Area to Guang'an South Railway Station, expected to be completed and operational by 2020.

• Highway: As of the end of 2013, there are three national expressways in the area: G42 Shanghai-Chengdu Expressway, G65 Baotou-Maoming Expressway, and G75 Lanzhou-Haikou Expressway; four national highways: G318, G210, G212, and G350; two provincial highways: S304 and S203; 54 county roads, 12 graded passenger stations, and 4 graded freight stations. Additionally, the newly constructed G85 Bazhong-Guang'an-Chongqing Expressway and Suining-Guang'an Expressway are expected to open by the end of 2015.

• Water Transport: The four operational areas of Guang'an Port, with an annual handling capacity of 2 million tons, connect to the Yangtze River "Golden Waterway" via the Qujiang and Jialing Rivers, providing direct shipping routes to Chongqing, Wuhan, Nanjing, and Shanghai.

7. Education

7.1 Higher Education

As of 2020, Guang'an City has only one higher education institution at the college level, Guang'an Vocational and Technical College. However, Guang'an has also begun actively seeking educational cooperation and exchanges with undergraduate-level universities in neighboring cities through the Sichuan-Chongqing Gaozhu New Area, a joint project with Chongqing, to enhance Guang'an's development level. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, Guang'an is also committed to establishing or introducing some undergraduate universities or higher vocational colleges through a higher education breakthrough project.

7.2 High Schools

• Guang'an Friendship Middle School
• Guang'an Middle School
• Guang'an No. 2 Middle School
• Daishi Middle School
• Guang'an No. 3 Middle School (formerly Guangfu Middle School)
• Guang'an Huaqiao Middle School
• Guang'an Shisun Middle School
• Guang'an Hengsheng Middle School
• Guang'an Siyuan Middle School
• Guang'an Foreign Language Experimental School
• Guang'an No. 4 Middle School
• Guang'an Yucai School
• Huaying Middle School
• Huaying No. 1 Middle School
• Guang'an Experimental Middle School
• Linshui Middle School
• Linshui County No. 2 Middle School
• Linshui County Jiulong Middle School
• Linshui County Fenghe Middle School
• Linshui County Shiyong Middle School
• Linshui County Tantong Middle School
• Linshui Jinding Experimental School
• Sichuan Linshui Experimental School
• Yuechi Middle School
• Yuechi No. 1 Middle School
• Yuechi County Luodu Middle School
• Yuechi County Guxian Middle School
• Wusheng Middle School
• Wusheng County Liemian Middle School
• Wusheng County Zhongxin Middle School
• Wusheng County Feilong Middle School
• Wusheng County Leshan Middle School
• Wusheng County Xieli Middle School

8. Population

According to the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the city's resident population was 3,205,476. Compared with the Fifth National Population Census, the population decreased by 970,174 over the decade, a reduction of 23.23%. The average annual decrease was 2.61%. Among them, the male population was 1,603,068, accounting for 50.01%; the female population was 1,602,408, accounting for 49.99%. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 100.04. The population aged 0-14 was 693,504, accounting for 21.63%; the population aged 15-64 was 2,109,284, accounting for 65.81%; and the population aged 65 and above was 402,688, accounting for 12.56%.

At the end of 2016, the city's total registered population was 4.672 million, of which the rural population was 3.598 million and the urban population was 1.074 million. At the end of the year, the city's resident population was 3.265 million, of which the urban population was 1.267 million and the rural population was 1.998 million. The urbanization rate was 38.8%, an increase of 1.6 percentage points from the previous year.

According to the 2020 Seventh National Population Census, the city's resident population was 3,254,883. Compared with the 3,205,476 people from the Sixth National Population Census, the population increased by 49,407 over the decade, a growth of 1.54%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.1%. Among them, the male population was 1,647,064, accounting for 50.6% of the total population; the female population was 1,607,819, accounting for 49.4% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 102.44. The population aged 0-14 was 571,240, accounting for 17.55% of the total population; the population aged 15-59 was 1,876,579, accounting for 57.65% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 807,064, accounting for 24.8% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 637,052, accounting for 19.57% of the total population. The population residing in urban areas was 1,434,388, accounting for 44.07% of the total population; the population residing in rural areas was 1,820,495, accounting for 55.93% of the total population.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 3,242,810, accounting for 99.63%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 12,073, accounting for 0.37%. Compared with the 2010 Sixth National Population Census, the Han population increased by 40,919, a growth of 1.28%, but its proportion of the total population decreased by 0.26 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 8,488, a growth of 236.76%, and its proportion of the total population increased by 0.26 percentage points.

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9. Sister Cities

• Boulogne-Billancourt, Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France
• Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea

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Named after the meaning of "expansive land and peaceful settlement."

Guang'an District

Guang'an District

The Han population accounts for 99.63%; the ethnic minority populations account for 0.37%.

Camphor tree

Osmanthus