Linyi (临沂)

1. Introduction

Linyi City, abbreviated as Yi, historically known as Langya and Yizhou, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Shandong Province, People's Republic of China. It is classified as a Type II large city. Located in the southeastern part of Shandong Province, it derives its name from the Linyi River. The city borders Zaozhuang City and Jining City to the west, Tai'an City, Zibo City, and Weifang City to the north, Rizhao City to the east, Lianyungang City of Jiangsu Province to the southeast, and Xuzhou City of Jiangsu Province to the south. It lies in the transitional zone between the Yimeng mountainous area of the Shandong Hills and the alluvial plain of the Yi and Shu Rivers, with terrain higher in the north and lower in the south. The three major mountain ranges—Yi Mountain, Meng Mountain, and Ni Mountain—are distributed in the north, the central area consists of hills, and the south is a plain. The Yi River, Shu River, and Si River all originate from the Yimeng Mountains and flow into the East China Sea. Linyi is the prefecture-level city with the largest area and population in Shandong Province. The municipal government is located at No. 17 Beijing Road, Lanshan District. Linyi is recognized as a National Civilized City (third batch), an Excellent Tourism City of China, a National Garden City, a National Hygienic City, a National Environmental Protection Model City, and a National Forest City.

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2. History

During the Shang Dynasty, the states of Tan, Ju, and Fei emerged in the region. After the Zhou Dynasty overthrew the Shang, the states of Lu and Qi became crucial pillars for the Zhou court in controlling the eastern territories. Besides being divided among Qi, Lu, and other states, the Linyi area also included 20 other states recorded in the Spring and Autumn Annals: Qiyang, Zhongqiu, Zhuqiu, Fei, Fang, Tai, Dongyang, Wucheng, Qiuyu, Zhuan, Yang, Xiang, Cishi, Genmou, Yuqiu, Qi, Meng, Yun, Tangfu, Gai, Ai, Jizhang, Mi, and Yanling. During the Warring States period, the various feudal states in the region were successively annexed by Qi and Chu. By the late Warring States period, the southern part belonged to Chu, and the northern part to Qi.

After the Qin Dynasty unified the six states, the commandery-county system was implemented locally, dividing the nation into 36 commanderies. The Linyi area was divided between Langya Commandery and Tan Commandery. During the Western Han Dynasty, commanderies and feudal states coexisted. The Linyi area was divided among Langya Kingdom, Donghai Commandery, and Chengyang Kingdom under Xuzhou, as well as Taishan Commandery under Yanzhou. The Eastern Han Dynasty inherited the Western Han system, dividing the area among Licheng Commandery, Donghai Commandery, Langya Commandery, and Langya Kingdom under Xuzhou, as well as Taishan Commandery, Dongguan Commandery, Dong'an Commandery, and Chengyang Kingdom under Yanzhou. During the Three Kingdoms period, the region belonged to the state of Wei. By the end of Wei, it was divided among Donghai Kingdom, Langya Kingdom, Dongguan Commandery, and Taishan Commandery. In the Western Jin Dynasty, it was divided among Langya Kingdom, Donghai Commandery, Lanling Commandery, and Dongguan Commandery under Xuzhou, as well as Taishan Commandery under Yanzhou. After the Jin court moved south, the region successively belonged to Later Zhao, Eastern Jin, Former Yan, Later Yan, Southern Yan, Former Qin, and Northern Wei.

Emperor Yuan of Jin established the Southern Donghai Commandery, Southern Langya Commandery, Southern Dongping Commandery, and Southern Lanling Commandery in Jiangcheng County. The Southern Langya Commandery was temporarily administered in Jincheng, located in Jiangcheng County. Jincheng was built by Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. The Records of the Three Kingdoms: Book of Wu: Biography of Sun He records: "In the twelfth month of the second year of Baoding (267 AD), Sun Hao camped outside Jincheng." By the first year of Xiankang (335 AD) of Emperor Cheng of Jin, Huan Wen served as the Internal Historian of Southern Langya Commandery and was stationed in Jincheng, Jiangcheng County. He requested to carve out territory from Jiangcheng County, Danyang Commandery, to establish the commandery. Soon after, Southern Langya Commandery was formally established in Jiangcheng County, and Jiangcheng County was transferred to Southern Langya Commandery. In the seventh year of Xiankang (341 AD), the western part of Jiangcheng County was separated to establish Linyi County. In the sixth year of Yongming (488 AD) of the Southern Qi Dynasty, Emperor Wu of Qi believed that Baixia Fort in Jiangcheng County (located at present-day Beigu Mountain outside Zhongyangmen, Nanjing City) was strategically positioned along the river and mountains, so he moved the seat of Southern Langya Commandery from Jincheng to Baixia Fort, renaming it Baixia City. In the tenth year of Taijian (578 AD) of the Chen Dynasty, Southern Langya Commandery was abolished and Jianxing Commandery was established.

During the Sui Dynasty, the region was divided among Yizhou (Langya Commandery), Sizhou (Xiapi Commandery), Mizhou (Gaomi Commandery), Haizhou (Donghai Commandery), and Xuzhou (Pengcheng Commandery). In the Tang Dynasty, it was divided among Yizhou (Langya Commandery), Mizhou (Gaomi Commandery), and Xuzhou (Pengcheng Commandery). During the Song Dynasty, it was divided among Yizhou (Langya Commandery), Mizhou (Gaomi Commandery), and Huaijun Army, among others. After the Song court moved south, the region was divided among Yizhou, Juzhou, Pizhou, and Tai'an Zhou under the Shandong East Circuit of the Jin Dynasty. In the Yuan Dynasty, it belonged to the Yidu Route under the Shandong East-West Circuit Pacification Commission of the Central Secretariat. During the Ming Dynasty, it was divided between Yanzhou Prefecture and Qingzhou Prefecture under the Shandong Provincial Administration Commission. In the early Qing Dynasty, this arrangement continued. In the twelfth year of the Yongzheng reign (1734 AD), Yizhou was elevated to Yizhou Prefecture, with Lanshan County established as its attached county, while Juzhou was downgraded to a regular department. The region belonged to Yizhou Prefecture, comprising six counties and one department: Lanshan, Tancheng, Fei County, Yishui, Mengyin, Rizhao, and Juzhou. In 1668, a major earthquake occurred in Rizhao.

After the establishment of the Republic of China, prefectures and departments were abolished, and a three-tier system of province, circuit, and county was implemented. In 1913, Yizhou Prefecture was abolished, and Juzhou was changed to Ju County. In 1914, Shandong Province was divided into four circuits. Lanshan County was renamed Linyi County, and the Linyi area was divided between Jining Circuit and Jiaodong Circuit. This system was abolished in 1918. On October 22, 1925, the newly established Langya Circuit was created, covering the entire former territory of Yizhou Prefecture, with its administrative seat in Linyi County. In 1928, Langya Circuit was abolished, and the counties were directly subordinate to the province. In 1936, the Third District Administrative Inspector's Office of Shandong Province was established. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Battle of Linyi took place here. Zhang Zizhong and Pang Bingxun led their troops in a bloody battle against the Japanese forces for over 40 days. The Japanese 5th Division suffered 1,444 killed and 5,268 wounded from mid-February to mid-April 1938, with the vast majority of casualties occurring during the Battle of Linyi. The Chinese Communist Party established anti-Japanese base areas here. In August 1940, the Shandong Province Wartime Work Promotion Committee was established in Qingtuo Temple, Yinan County. In September 1943, it was renamed the Shandong Province Wartime Administrative Committee. In August 1945, the Shandong Provincial Government was established in Dadian Town, Junan County.

In July 1948, the three administrative regions of Central Shandong, Southern Shandong, and Binhai were merged into the Central and Southern Shandong Administrative Region, with the Central and Southern Shandong Administrative Office established (based in Linyi City), governing seven special districts and 49 counties. By October 1, 1949, the Linyi area was divided among Yimeng Special District, Nishan Special District, Taizao Special District, and Binhai Special District. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, administrative divisions were adjusted. In May 1950, the Central and Southern Shandong Administrative Region was abolished. Based on Yimeng Special District, Yishui Special District was established, governing nine counties. Based on Binhai Special District, Linyi Special District was established, governing nine counties. In January 1953, Ganyu, Donghai, Pi County, and Xinhailian City, originally part of Linyi Special District, were transferred to Jiangsu Province. In July 1953, Yishui Special District was abolished. Except for Rizhao County, which was transferred to Jiaozhou Special District, all other counties under its jurisdiction were incorporated into Linyi Special District. Simultaneously, Pingyi County, which had previously been transferred to Teng County Special District, was returned to Linyi Special District. In March 1956, Rizhao County was transferred to Linyi Special District. By April 1961, Linyi Special District governed Linyi City and 12 counties: Tancheng, Cangshan, Linshu, Junan, Yinan, Yishui, Yiyuan, Mengyin, Pingyi, Fei County, Rizhao, and Ju County. On March 22, 1985, Rizhao County and the Shijiu Office were abolished and re-established as county-level Rizhao City. On June 12, 1989, Rizhao City was upgraded to a prefecture-level city. On December 2, 1989, Yiyuan County was transferred to Zibo City. In January 1992, Ju County was transferred to Rizhao City. By this point, Linyi Prefecture governed Linyi City and nine counties: Tancheng, Cangshan, Junan, Yishui, Mengyin, Pingyi, Fei County, Yinan, and Linshu. In December 1994, Linyi Prefecture and county-level Linyi City were abolished, and prefecture-level Linyi City was established. The former Linyi City was divided into three county-level districts: Lanshan, Hedong, and Luozhuang. Prefecture-level Linyi City governed the three districts of Lanshan, Luozhuang, and Hedong, and nine counties: Tancheng, Cangshan, Junan, Yishui, Yinan, Pingyi, Fei County, Mengyin, and Linshu. On January 21, 2014, Cangshan County was renamed Lanling County.

3. Geography

Linyi City is located in the southeast of Shandong Province, at the junction of the Yangtze River Delta Economic Circle and the Bohai Rim Economic Circle. It lies within the South Shandong Port-adjacent Industrial Belt, the Marine Industry Linkage Development Demonstration Base, and the East Longhai National Key Development Zone. To the east, it connects with Rizhao and is near the Yellow Sea; to the west, it borders Zaozhuang, Jining, and Tai'an; to the north, it adjoins Zibo and Weifang; and to the south, it neighbors Xuzhou and Lianyungang in Jiangsu Province. It is roughly situated at the center of the Beijing-Shanghai corridor, with the Beijing-Shanghai Expressway passing through its territory. The city is named after the Yi River, the second largest river in Shandong Province and the largest inland river in the province, which runs north-south through Linyi. It spans latitudes 34°22′N to 36°13′N and longitudes 117°24′E to 119°11′E, covering a total area of 17,191.2 square kilometers. The maximum north-south distance is 228 kilometers, and the maximum east-west width is 161 kilometers. Linyi is the largest city in Shandong Province by both area and population.

In terms of climate, Linyi City experiences a typical temperate monsoon climate, with hot and rainy summers influenced by the southeast monsoon, and cold, dry winters.

Average Meteorological Data for Linyi City from 1981 to 2010

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |---------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------| | Avg High °C (°F)| 6.6 (43.9) | 9.4 (48.9) | 13.4 (56.1) | 20.2 (68.5) | 25.7 (78.4) | 29.4 (84.9) | 30.7 (87.3) | 30.0 (86.0) | 26.5 (79.7) | 21.2 (70.2) | 13.4 (56.1) | 6.6 (43.9) | 19.1 (66.3) | | Daily Mean °C (°F)| -0.5 (31.1) | 1.7 (35.0) | 6.6 (43.9) | 13.8 (56.9) | 19.4 (66.9) | 23.9 (75.0) | 26.4 (79.5) | 25.7 (78.3) | 21.4 (70.5) | 15.6 (60.1) | 8.1 (46.6) | 1.7 (35.1) | 13.8 (56.9) | | Avg Low °C (°F) | -4.3 (24.3) | -2.0 (28.4) | 2.8 (37.0) | 8.9 (48.0) | 14.6 (58.3) | 19.3 (66.7) | 23.0 (73.4) | 22.3 (72.1) | 17.4 (63.3) | 11.1 (52.0) | 3.7 (38.7) | -2.2 (28.0) | 9.5 (49.1) | | Avg Precipitation mm (inches)| 12.0 (0.47) | 16.0 (0.63) | 24.1 (0.95) | 32.7 (1.29) | 77.1 (3.04) | 94.5 (3.72) | 235.1 (9.26) | 193.1 (7.60) | 72.0 (2.83) | 41.2 (1.62) | 24.5 (0.96) | 10.5 (0.41) | 832.8 (32.78) | | Avg Precipitation Days (≥0.1mm)| 3.1 | 4.7 | 5.4 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 8.5 | 14.6 | 11.0 | 7.5 | 5.6 | 5.1 | 3.6 | 82.6 | | Avg Relative Humidity (%)| 61 | 60 | 59 | 59 | 64 | 70 | 82 | 82 | 74 | 68 | 65 | 63 | 67 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Linyi City currently administers 3 municipal districts and 9 counties.

• Municipal Districts: Lanshan District, Luozhuang District, Hedong District
• Counties: Yinan County, Tancheng County, Yishui County, Lanling County, Fei County, Pingyi County, Junan County, Mengyin County, Linshu County

In addition to the formal administrative divisions, Linyi has also established the following economic functional zones: National-level Linyi Economic and Technological Development Zone, National-level Linyi High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, Linyi Lingang Economic Development Zone, and Beicheng New District.

| Division Code | Division Name | Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 371300 | Linyi City | Linyi Shi | 17,191.21 | 11,018,365 | Lanshan District | 276000 | 30 | 118 | 8 | | 371302 | Lanshan District | Lanshan Qu | 891.01 | 1,844,089 | Jinqueshān Subdistrict | 276000 | 4 | 8 | | | 371311 | Luozhuang District | Luozhuang Qu | 568.55 | 899,455 | Shengzhuāng Subdistrict | 276000 | 6 | 3 | | | 371312 | Hedong District | Hedong Qu | 933.77 | 908,324 | Jiǔqū Subdistrict | 276000 | 8 | 3 | | | 371321 | Yinan County | Yinan Xian | 1,719.28 | 806,390 | Jièhú Subdistrict | 276300 | 1 | 13 | 1 | | 371322 | Tancheng County | Tancheng Xian | 1,195.12 | 885,156 | Tánchéng Subdistrict | 276100 | 1 | 9 | 3 | | 371323 | Yishui County | Yishui Xian | 2,413.96 | 967,570 | Yíchéng Subdistrict | 276400 | 2 | 15 | 1 | | 371324 | Lanling County | Lanling Xian | 1,724.02 | 1,104,391 | Biànzhuāng Subdistrict | 277700 | 2 | 14 | 1 | | 371325 | Fei County | Fei Xian | 1,659.90 | 798,403 | Fèichéng Subdistrict | 273400 | 1 | 10 | 1 | | 371326 | Pingyi County | Pingyi Xian | 1,822.95 | 892,276 | Píngyì Subdistrict | 273300 | 1 | 13 | | | 371327 | Junan County | Junan Xian | 1,750.85 | 841,035 | Shízìlù Subdistrict | 276600 | 1 | 15 | | | 371328 | Mengyin County | Mengyin Xian | 1,601.61 | 485,252 | Méngyīn Subdistrict | 276200 | 1 | 8 | 1 | | 371329 | Linshu County | Linshu Xian | 1,010.19 | 586,024 | Línshù Subdistrict | 276700 | 2 | 7 | |

5. Economy

With the construction and electrification of the Beijing-Shanghai Expressway, Jiaoxin Railway, Heyan-Rizhao Railway, the reopening of Linyi Airport with an annual passenger throughput exceeding 560,000, and the expansion of the Linyi Wholesale Market, the city's economic development has gained strong momentum. It is now striving to build itself into the third pole of the "Golden Triangle" economy outside the provincial capital and the peninsula. The climate is humid and temperate, suitable for the comprehensive development of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, sideline industries, and fisheries, yielding abundant agricultural, sideline, and local specialty products. Non-metallic mineral deposits, primarily building materials, are large in reserves and high in quality, and the city has been designated as a building materials base by the province. Water resources are abundant with excellent quality, and there is a well-developed network of road and rail transportation. The city boasts over a dozen industrial sectors, including building materials, light and textile industries, food processing, chemicals, machinery, electronics, electric power, and coal mining. The history of handicraft production is long, featuring unique styles. Communication facilities are comprehensive and cover the entire city.

• Linyi International Commodity Fair
• Linyi Economic and Technological Development Zone
• National Linyi High-Tech Industrial Development Zone
• Linyi Lingang Economic Development Zone

6. Transportation

6.1 Railway

• Rilan High-Speed Railway: Linyi North Station
• Jiaoxin Railway: Linyi East Station
• Yanshi Railway: Linyi Station
• Wari Railway
• Zaolin Railway
• Dongping Railway
• Yishu Railway

6.2 Highway

• G2 Beijing-Shanghai Expressway (Mengyin-Tancheng Section)
• G25 Changshen Expressway (Yishui-Linshu Section)
• G1511 Rilan Expressway (Pingyi-Yinan Section)
• S27 Zhanlin Expressway (Yinan Section)
• S29 Bintai Expressway (Mengyin-Pingyi Section)
• S30 Dongliang Expressway (Yishui-Mengyin Section)
• S38 Lancao Expressway (Lanling-Junan Section)
• National Highway 205 passing through
• National Highway 206 passing through
• National Highway 327 and National Highway 233 passing through

6.3 Aviation

Linyi Qiyang Airport (IATA: LYI; ICAO: ZSLY), formerly known as Linyi Shubuling Airport, is a 4D-level civil aviation airport located in Linyi City, Shandong Province, and the first civil airport in Shandong Province.

6.4 Planned and Under Construction

• Second Channel of Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway
• Rizhao-Laiwu Intercity Railway
• Jinan-Laiwu-Linyi-Lianyungang Intercity Railway
• Linqu-Yishui Railway
• Linyi Rail Transit
• Central Shandong High-Speed Railway
• Linlin Expressway: Linzi to Yinan Expressway
• Linteng Expressway: Linyi to Tengzhou Expressway

7. Education

7.1 Universities

• Linyi University
• Qingdao University of Technology (Linyi)
• Shandong Medical College
• Linyi Vocational College
• Linyi Vocational College of Science and Technology

7.2 Secondary Schools

7.2.1 High Schools

• Linyi No.1 High School
• Linyi No.2 High School
• Linyi No.3 High School
• Linyi No.4 High School, Linyi No.7 High School
• Linyi No.39 High School
• Luozhuang No.1 High School
• Hedong No.1 High School (now Linyi No.24 High School)
• Pingyi No.1 High School
• Feixian No.1 High School
• Wolong High School
• Yishui No.1 High School

7.2.2 Middle Schools

• Linyi Yihe Experimental School
• Linyi No.3 High School (Middle School Division)
• Linyi Experimental Middle School
• Linyi No.6 Middle School
• Linyi No.8 Middle School
• Linyi No.9 Middle School, Linyi No.10 Middle School
• Luozhuang No.2 Middle School (now Linyi No.20 Middle School)

7.3 Primary Schools

• Linyi No.1 Experimental Primary School
• Linyi No.2 Experimental Primary School
• Linyi No.3 Experimental Primary School
• Linyi No.4 Experimental Primary School
• Linyi Shengli Experimental Primary School
• Affiliated Primary School of Linyi Normal University
• Linyi Economic and Technological Development Zone No.1 Experimental Primary School
• Linyi Yihe Experimental School

8. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 11.0184 million, accounting for 10.85% of the province's total population, ranking first in the province. The sex ratio was 104.66%, and the proportion of the elderly population aged 65 and above was 14.12%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census, the population increased by 979,000 over the past decade, a growth of 9.75%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.93%, which was 0.4 and 0.35 percentage points higher than the national and provincial averages, respectively. There were 3.9 million households in the city's permanent resident population, with a household population of 10.666 million. The permanent resident population in the municipal districts was 3.652 million, accounting for 33.14% of the city's total permanent resident population, an increase of 5.8 percentage points compared to 2010. The permanent resident population in the 9 counties was 7.366 million, accounting for 66.86% of the city's total permanent resident population. The male population was 5.634 million, accounting for 51.14%, while the female population was 5.384 million, accounting for 48.86%. The sex ratio was 104.66, 0.41 percentage points lower than the national average, and increased by 1.28 percentage points compared to 2010. The population aged 0–14 was 2.585 million, accounting for 23.46%; the population aged 15–59 was 6.27 million, accounting for 56.91%; and the population aged 60 and above was 2.163 million, accounting for 19.63%, of which the population aged 65 and above was 1.555 million, accounting for 14.12%. Compared with 2010, the proportion of the population aged 0–14 increased by 5.33 percentage points, which was 5.51 and 4.68 percentage points higher than the national and provincial averages, respectively, while the proportion of the population aged 15–59 decreased by 10.61 percentage points.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Linyi City is home to 53 ethnic groups, with the Han ethnic group being the majority, comprising 10.6088 million people, accounting for 99.45% of the permanent resident population. There are 52 ethnic minorities, with a population of 58,300, accounting for 0.55% of the permanent resident population. The Hui ethnic group is the largest minority, with 46,800 people, accounting for 0.44% of the permanent resident population, while other ethnic minorities total 11,500 people, accounting for 0.11% of the permanent resident population.

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9. Culture

9.1 National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units

• Site of the Headquarters of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army
• Beizhai Tomb Complex
• Ancient City of the State of Tan
• Jin Dynasty Tomb at Xiyan Pond
• Beigoutou Site
• Ancient City Site of Xiaogucheng
• Ancient City Site of the State of Zeng
• Ancient City Site of Nanwucheng
• Ancient City Site of Feixian County
• Huang Shengqing Que and Gong Cao Que (Stone Gate Towers)
• Site of the Birthplace of the New Fourth Army Headquarters and the East China Military Region/East China Field Army

9.2 Scenic Spots and Historical Sites

There are over 300 scenic spots and historical sites, including the Yinqueshan Han Tombs (one of China's top ten archaeological discoveries since the founding of the People's Republic), the East China Martyrs' Cemetery (a national cultural relics protection unit), the Former Residence of Wang Xizhi, the Hometown of Yan Zhenqing, Han Dynasty Pictorial Stone Tombs, the Linyi Confucian Temple, the Five Sages Temple, the Hometown of Wang Xiang, Baoquan Temple, the Jiliu Stele, Yan Forest, the Cenotaph of Zuo Baogui, Han Dynasty Que (Stone Gate Towers), the Tomb of Xunzi, the Ancient Battlefield of Maling, the Sun Tang Memorial Hall, Stone Carvings and Statues at the Tomb of Wang Jing, the Site of the Maling Pass on the Great Wall of Qi, the Beigoutou Site, the Site of the Red Coat Army Uprising at Maqi Mountain, and the Hometown of Liu Hong, the Sage of Calculation.

10. Sister Cities

• Jinhae District, South Korea (October 25, 2003)
• Eskilstuna Municipality, Sweden (September 22, 2008)
• Salisbury City, Australia
• District XV of Budapest, Hungary
• Gunpo City, South Korea
• Lommel City, Belgium
• Sungai Petani, Malaysia

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Named for its proximity to the Yi River.

Lanshan District

Lanshan District

Han Chinese account for 99.45% of the resident population; ethnic minorities make up 0.55% of the resident population.

Ginkgo

Yizhou Begonia