Yancheng (盐城)

1. Introduction

Yancheng City, abbreviated as Yan, also known as Yanfu, and historically called Yandu, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. It is located in the central-eastern coastal area of Jiangsu Province. The city has a coastline of 582 kilometers, accounting for 61% of the total coastline length of the province. It borders Nantong City and Taizhou City to the south, Yangzhou City and Huai'an City to the west, Lianyungang City to the northwest, and faces the Yellow Sea to the east. Situated in the northern part of the Yangtze River Delta, the area north of the North Jiangsu Main Irrigation Canal belongs to the Huang-Huai Plain, while the area south is divided into two parts—the area west of the Chuanchang River belongs to the Lixiahe Plain, and the area east belongs to the Coastal Plain. The terrain within the city is flat, crisscrossed by rivers and canals. Water networks such as the Guan River, the Abandoned Yellow River, the North Jiangsu Main Irrigation Canal, the Sheyang River, the Xinyang Port, the Tongyu Canal, and the Chuanchang River run through the city. The total area of the city is 16,931 square kilometers, making it the largest prefecture-level city in Jiangsu Province by area. The Municipal People's Government is located at No. 21 Century Avenue, Yandu District.

Yancheng boasts a long coastline and vast coastal mudflats and wetlands, making it an ideal habitat for migratory birds. The Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase I) have been inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.

nix

2. History

The area now known as Yancheng was inhabited by the Huaiyi people before the Zhou dynasty. During the division of the Nine Provinces, it belonged to Qingzhou. In the Spring and Autumn period, it was part of the State of Wu, later falling under the State of Yue. During the Warring States period, it was under the State of Chu. In the Qin dynasty, it was part of Donghai Commandery. In the early Western Han dynasty, it was the fief of Liu Chan, Marquis of Sheyang. During the Western Han period, Yancheng was still a seaport located on the coastline, with its primary industry being salt production through boiling seawater, from which it derived its name.

In the fourth year of the Yuanshou era of Emperor Wu of Han (119 BCE), Yandu County was established, marking the beginning of Yancheng's status as a county. Sun Jian once served as the County Deputy of Yandu. During the Three Kingdoms period, it belonged to the State of Wei, and the county system was abolished. It was reinstated in the Western Jin dynasty. In the seventh year of the Yixi era of the Eastern Jin dynasty (411 CE), it was renamed Yancheng, which is the origin of its current name. During the Northern and Southern dynasties, it was known as Yancheng Commandery. In the early Sui dynasty, it remained a county under Jiangdu Commandery. In the late Sui dynasty, Wei Che occupied the area and declared himself king, dividing it into Xin'an and Anle counties. The early Tang dynasty reinstated Yancheng County. In the Song dynasty, it belonged to Chuzhou.

For a considerable period in modern history (until the formation of the Yancheng Special Administrative Region in 1949-1950), the area of today's prefecture-level Yancheng City was divided among different secondary administrative regions. For example, during the Qing dynasty, it was divided between Huai'an Prefecture and Yangzhou Prefecture, with the urban area split between Yancheng County of Huai'an Prefecture and Dongtai County (or Xinghua County of Taizhou) of Yangzhou Prefecture. The core area of present-day Yancheng City (formerly Yancheng County) belonged to Huai'an Circuit in the Yuan dynasty, to Huai'an Prefecture of the Southern Zhili in the Ming dynasty, and to Huai'an Prefecture of Jiangnan Province in the early Qing dynasty. In the sixth year of the Kangxi era (1667), after Jiangsu and Anhui were separated into distinct provinces, it fell under Huai'an Prefecture of Jiangsu Province. In the early Republic of China period, Yancheng County was under the Jianghuai Circuit of Jiangsu Province.

During the Nationalist Government period, Yancheng County was the leading county of the Sixth Administrative Inspection District of Jiangsu Province, which also governed Dongtai County and Xinghua County. In the later stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the New Fourth Army crossed the Yangtze River northward and established its headquarters in Yancheng, controlling the nearby areas of Yancheng and Funing. The northern part of Dongtai County was separated to establish Taibei County; the eastern part of Yancheng County was separated to establish Yandong County; the eastern part of Funing County was separated to establish Fudong County; and the northern part of Yancheng County was separated to establish Jianyang County, totaling four new counties. In 1946, Yancheng County was renamed Yeting County, with its urban area designated as Yeting City. In 1949, Yeting City was abolished, the Yeting County designation was removed, and the original name Yancheng County was restored. Additionally, Taibei County was renamed Dafeng County due to its name overlapping with Taipei County in Taiwan Province (now New Taipei City); Jianyang County was renamed Jianhu County due to its name overlapping with Jianyang County in Fujian Province; and Yandong County and Fudong County were adjusted to become Sheyang County and Binhai County.

The establishment of other counties in the Yancheng region: Funing County was separated from Shanyang County of Huai'an Prefecture in the ninth year of the Yongzheng era of the Qing dynasty (1731); Dongtai County was separated from Taizhou of Yangzhou Prefecture in the thirty-third year of the Qianlong era (1768); Xiangshui County was newly established in 1966. In 1983, Yancheng County was abolished, and Yancheng City was established, administering two districts (Urban District and Suburban District) and seven counties: Xiangshui, Binhai, Funing, Sheyang, Jianhu, Dafeng, and Dongtai. In 1987, Dongtai was established as a county-level city; in 1996, Dafeng was established as a county-level city, and the Suburban District was abolished to establish Yandu County. In 2004, the Urban District was renamed Tinghu District, Yandu County was abolished to establish Yandu District, and the towns of Wuyou, Bufeng, and Biancang from the former Yandu County were transferred to Tinghu District. In July 2015, Dafeng was converted from a county-level city to a district, establishing Dafeng District of Yancheng City.

3. Geography

Yancheng is situated in the coastal plain and Lixiahe Plain in the central-eastern part of Jiangsu Province, bordering the Yellow Sea to the east. It is specifically located between 32.85°–34.2° north latitude and 119.57°–120.45° east longitude. It borders Nantong to the south, Yangzhou and Taizhou to the southwest, Huai'an to the west, and faces Lianyungang across the Guan River to the north.

Yancheng lies in the northern part of the northern subtropical zone, characterized by a subtropical monsoon climate. The annual average temperature is 15.1°C, with an average frost-free period of about 220 days per year and an average annual precipitation of 1,004.3 mm. It is renowned as the "Oriental Wetland, Water-Green Yancheng."

Yancheng Meteorological Data (1991-2020)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |-----------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|---------|----------|----------|----------|----------| | Avg High (℃ / °F) | 6.4 (43.5) | 8.8 (47.8) | 13.5 (56.3) | 19.8 (67.6) | 25.2 (77.4) | 28.5 (83.3) | 31.1 (88.0) | 30.7 (87.3) | 27.1 (80.8) | 22.2 (72.0) | 15.7 (60.3) | 8.9 (48.0) | 19.8 (67.7) | | Daily Mean (℃ / °F) | 2.0 (35.6) | 4.0 (39.2) | 8.3 (46.9) | 14.2 (57.6) | 19.8 (67.6) | 23.7 (74.7) | 27.3 (81.1) | 26.9 (80.4) | 22.8 (73.0) | 17.2 (63.0) | 10.8 (51.4) | 4.3 (39.7) | 15.1 (59.2) | | Avg Low (℃ / °F) | -1.2 (29.8) | 0.4 (32.7) | 4.2 (39.6) | 9.5 (49.1) | 15.2 (59.4) | 20.0 (68.0) | 24.2 (75.6) | 24.0 (75.2) | 19.4 (66.9) | 13.3 (55.9) | 7.0 (44.6) | 0.9 (33.6) | 11.4 (52.5) | | Avg Precipitation (mm / in) | 31.9 (1.26) | 33.2 (1.31) | 53.1 (2.09) | 49.9 (1.96) | 78.0 (3.07) | 138.5 (5.45) | 220.8 (8.69) | 182.9 (7.20) | 84.5 (3.33) | 48.1 (1.89) | 53.3 (2.10) | 30.1 (1.19) | 1,004.3 (39.54) | | Avg Relative Humidity (%) | 73 | 73 | 72 | 72 | 73 | 78 | 83 | 84 | 80 | 75 | 75 | 72 | 76 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Yancheng City currently administers 3 municipal districts, 5 counties, and manages 1 county-level city on behalf of a higher authority.

• Municipal Districts: Tinghu District, Yandu District, Dafeng District
• County-level City: Dongtai City
• Counties: Xiangshui County, Binhai County, Funing County, Sheyang County, Jianhu County

Additionally, Yancheng City has established the following urban functional zones: National-level Yancheng Economic and Technological Development Zone, Jiangsu Province Yannan High-tech Industrial Development Zone

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (sq km) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | |-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------| | 320900 | Yancheng City | Yánchéng Shì | 16,931.29 | 6,709,629 | Tinghu District | 224000 | 30 | 95 | | 320902 | Tinghu District | Tínghú Qū | 1,072.25 | 901,007 | Dongtinghu Subdistrict | 224000 | 12 | 6 | | 320903 | Yandu District | Yándū Qū | 1,050.32 | 832,584 | Yanbin Subdistrict | 224000 | 6 | 8 | | 320904 | Dafeng District | Dàfēng Qū | 3,008.08 | 645,603 | Fenghua Subdistrict | 224100 | 2 | 11 | | 320921 | Xiangshui County | Xiǎngshuǐ Xiàn | 1,473.80 | 459,156 | Xiangshui Town | 224600 | | 8 | | 320922 | Binhai County | Bīnhǎi Xiàn | 1,949.60 | 820,084 | Dongkan Subdistrict | 224500 | 3 | 11 | | 320923 | Funing County | Fùníng Xiàn | 1,438.78 | 794,036 | Fucheng Subdistrict | 224400 | 4 | 13 | | 320924 | Sheyang County | Shèyáng Xiàn | 2,605.72 | 759,403 | Hede Town | 224300 | | 13 | | 320925 | Jianhu County | Jiànhú Xiàn | 1,157.07 | 609,346 | Tanghe Subdistrict | 224700 | 3 | 11 | | 320981 | Dongtai City | Dōngtái Shì | 3,175.67 | 888,410 | Dongtai Town | 224200 | | 14 |

5. Economy

It produces rice, wheat, cotton, and other crops. Yancheng is an important production area for cotton and freshwater fish in China, as well as an emerging base for sericulture in Jiangsu Province.

The industry encompasses light textiles, electronics, machinery, chemicals, food, building materials, and more. Among these, the "Yanwu" brand tape recorder once gained nationwide fame due to its distinctive advertising. Currently, a series of enterprises such as the Yueta Group, Zhongda Group, and Jiangdong Group have become new economic growth points. The only passenger vehicle enterprise in Jiangsu Province, "Dongfeng Yueda Kia Automobile Co., Ltd.," is located in Yancheng. In terms of clean energy, Yancheng boasts the largest offshore wind turbine units in China.

In 2003, Yancheng ranked 83rd among the top 100 cities in mainland China in terms of comprehensive strength. By 2004, it had risen to 75th place, and by 2008, it had climbed to 53rd. In 2013, it further advanced to 42nd place. In 2013, Yancheng achieved a regional GDP of 347.55 billion yuan, with a per capita regional GDP of 48,161.80 yuan (equivalent to 7,776.56 USD based on the average annual exchange rate in 2013), surpassing the national average.

6. Transportation

Yancheng's transportation sector has developed rapidly in recent years. Yancheng is a crucial north-south transportation hub in eastern Jiangsu, with expressways connecting all its counties and districts. It is also an important area within Jiangsu's water network.

6.1 Expressways

The total expressway mileage in the city is 359.08 kilometers. Three expressways—G15 Shenyang-Haikou Expressway (formerly known as the "Coastal Expressway"), G1515 Yanjing Expressway (formerly known as the "Nanjing-Jingjiang-Yancheng Expressway"), and G1516 Yanhuai Expressway (formerly known as the "Suzhou-Huai'an-Yancheng Expressway" or "Yancheng-Xuzhou Expressway")—have been completed, forming a ring around Yancheng's urban area. Additionally, there are the Jiangsu Coastal High-Grade Highway and the Jianhu-Funing Expressway. National Highways 204 and 343 pass through the area.

6.2 Railways

• China High-Speed Railway: Xinchang Railway
• China High-Speed Railway: Qingyan Railway
• China High-Speed Railway: Xuyan Passenger Dedicated Line
• China High-Speed Railway: Yantong High-Speed Railway
• China High-Speed Railway: Yantong High-Speed Railway
• Xuyan Passenger Dedicated Line

6.3 Civil Aviation

Yancheng Nanyang Airport is a national Class I open aviation port. It has already opened international and regional flights to destinations such as Hong Kong, Seoul (South Korea), and Taiwan, and will gradually launch flights to Southeast Asian countries and Japan.

6.4 Ports

Yancheng Port comprises four port areas: Dafeng Port Area, Binhai Port Area, Sheyang Port Area, and Chenjiagang Port Area. Among these, Dafeng Port Area is a national Class I open port and the main port area of Yancheng Port.

6.5 Waterways

The city has a total of 4,504 kilometers of waterways, accounting for one-fifth of the total waterway mileage in Jiangsu Province, making it a major city for water transport.

6.6 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)

Officially launched on May 1, 2010, it is the 17th BRT line in China and the 2nd in Jiangsu Province. The system currently operates 13 lines: BRT Line 1 (B1), BRT Line 2 (B2), BRT Line 3 (B3), and BRT Branch Lines 1 through 8 (BZ1-BZ8), as well as the Elevated Ring Lines (H1, H2).

7. Education

7.1 Higher Education

7.1.1 Undergraduate

• Yancheng Teachers University
• Yancheng Institute of Technology

7.1.2 Vocational College (Associate Degree)

• Yancheng Vocational Institute of Industry Technology
• Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine
• Yancheng Preschool Teachers College
• Mingda Vocational and Technical College
• Yancheng Technician College

7.2 Primary and Secondary Education

7.2.1 Four-Star High Schools

Yancheng No.1 High School, Jiangsu Yancheng High School, Yancheng Tianjiabing High School, Yancheng Longgang High School, Yancheng Wuyou High School, Jiangsu Dafeng Senior High School, Yancheng Dafeng District Xinfeng High School, Yancheng Dafeng District Nanyang High School, Jiangsu Dongtai High School, Dongtai Anfeng High School, Dongtai Tangyang High School, Jiangsu Sheyang High School, Sheyang No.2 High School, Jiangsu Jianhu Senior High School, Jiangsu Shanggang Senior High School, Jiangsu Funing High School, Jiangsu Binhai High School, Binhai County Batan High School, Jiangsu Xiangshui High School, Yancheng Shiyang High School, Yancheng Dagang High School, Yancheng Mingda High School

7.2.2 High-Quality High Schools and Primary Schools in Yancheng Urban Area

• High Schools: Yancheng No.1 High School, Jiangsu Yancheng High School, Yancheng Tinghu Senior High School
• Middle Schools: Yancheng Junior High School (Yancheng Luming Road Junior High School), Yancheng No.1 Junior High School, Yancheng Yulong Road Experimental School, Yancheng Jingshan Middle School, Yancheng Tinghu New District Junior High School, etc.
• Primary Schools: Yancheng No.1 Primary School (Yancheng Experimental Primary School), Yancheng Juheng Road Primary School, Yancheng Yulong Road Experimental School, Yancheng Jiefang Road Experimental School, Yancheng Yandu Road Primary School, Yancheng Chuanchanghe Primary School, Yancheng No.2 Primary School, Yancheng Tinghu New District Experimental Primary School, etc.

7.3 Vocational Education

• Jiangsu Yancheng Technician College
• Yancheng Biological Engineering Higher Vocational and Technical School
• Yancheng Electromechanical Higher Vocational and Technical School
• Yancheng Higher Normal School
• Jiangsu Yannan Secondary Specialized School

8. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 6,709,629. Compared with the 7,262,200 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was a decrease of 552,571 people over the ten-year period, a decline of 7.61%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.79%. Among them, the male population was 3,379,832, accounting for 50.37% of the total population; the female population was 3,329,797, accounting for 49.63% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 101.5. The population aged 0–14 was 1,008,518, accounting for 15.03% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 3,867,738, accounting for 57.64% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 1,833,373, accounting for 27.32% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 1,333,685, accounting for 19.88% of the total population. The urban population was 4,301,656, accounting for 64.11% of the total population; the rural population was 2,407,973, accounting for 35.89% of the total population.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 6,688,061, accounting for 99.68%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 21,568, accounting for 0.32%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population decreased by 559,075, a decline of 7.71%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.11 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities increased by 6,504, a growth of 43.18%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.11 percentage points.

9. Religion

Yongning Temple, originally named Huguo Yongning Chan Temple, was first built in the sixth year of the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty (624 AD) and is one of the thirty-six major temples of the Tang Dynasty. Located in Huancheng Village, Tinghu District, the current abbot is Master Mingshan, the supervisor is Master Chengyuan, and there are over 20 monks in the temple.

10. Culture

Yancheng has been home to many notable figures, including Chen Lin, one of the "Seven Masters of the Jian'an Period" renowned throughout the land; the renowned physician Xu Daodu of the Northern and Southern Dynasties; water control experts Feng Daoli and Sun Yushu from the Qing Dynasty; calligrapher Song Cao; and painter Wan Lan, among others.

The "Hundred Performances" of Jianhu enjoyed great fame as early as the Tang Dynasty. Qingfeng Shibatuan is one of the three and a half birthplaces of Chinese acrobatics (the other two are Liaocheng in Shandong and Wuqiao in Hebei; the "half" refers to Tianqiao in Beijing).

Yancheng is one of the primary birthplaces and popular regions of Huai Opera.

Yancheng is home to the Yongning Chan Temple, which was first built in the Tang Dynasty; the ancestral hall of Lu Xiufu, a Prime Minister of the Southern Song Dynasty; the former residence of the famous Ming Dynasty calligrapher Song Cao; and the hometowns of modern celebrities Hu Qiaomu and Qiao Guanhua.

10.1 Dialects

Chinese - Jianghuai Mandarin - Hongchao Cluster - Huaidong Subcluster - Jianyan Dialect Area:

• Tinghu, Jianhu, Yandu, areas south of Huangshagang in Sheyang and north of Doulonggang in Dafeng.

Chinese - Jianghuai Mandarin - Hongchao Cluster - Huaidong Subcluster - Binfu Dialect Area:

• Binhai, Funing, southern Xiangshui, areas north of Huangshagang in Sheyang.

Chinese - Jianghuai Mandarin - Hongchao Cluster - Huaidong Subcluster - Haizhou Dialect Area:

• Northern Xiangshui.

Chinese - Jianghuai Mandarin - Tongtai Cluster:

• Areas south of Doulonggang in Dafeng, and Dongtai.

In the coastal areas of Dafeng, Dongtai, and Sheyang, Chinese - Wu Chinese - Taihu Cluster - Qihai Dialect is spoken. This is the result of immigrants from Haimen and Qidong reclaiming wasteland a century ago.

11. Sister Cities

Domestic

• Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province
• Dandong City, Liaoning Province
• Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang Province
• Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province
• Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province
• Huaibei City, Anhui Province

International

• Petrogradsky District, Saint Petersburg, Russia
• Kashima City, Japan
• Namwon City, South Korea
• San Diego, United States

nix

nix

nix

nix

Yandu District

Tinghu District

The Han ethnic group accounts for 99.68% of the population; ethnic minorities account for 0.32%.

Privet, Ginkgo

Zinnia, Peony