Tianshui (天水)

1. Introduction

Tianshui City, historically known as Shanggui, Chengji, and Qinzhou, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Gansu Province, People's Republic of China. Located in the southeastern part of Gansu Province, it is a crucial node on the Silk Road. Designated by the Gansu Provincial People's Government as a provincial sub-central city, Tianshui is the second-largest city in Gansu, the central city of southeastern Gansu, a secondary core city of the Guanzhong–Tianshui Economic Zone, and an important node city in the Guanzhong Plain urban cluster. It is situated in the upper reaches of the Wei River. The city borders Pingliang City to the north, Dingxi City to the west, Longnan City to the south, and Baoji City in Shaanxi Province to the east.

Situated at the junction of the Loess Plateau and the Qinling Mountains, the northwestern part of the city features loess ridges, hills, and gullies, while the southeastern part, encompassing the Qinling and Guan Mountains, consists of rocky mountainous areas and forests. The city spans the Yangtze River and Yellow River basins, with the Wei River flowing from west to east across its territory. Tianshui covers a total area of 14,277 square kilometers and has a population of 3.3117 million. The municipal people's government is located in Qinzhou District.

Tianshui is a National Historical and Cultural City of China and a vital passage along the ancient Silk Road, often referred to as the "Little Jiangnan of the Northwest." The city boasts numerous cultural and historical sites, among which the Maijishan Grottoes are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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2. History

Historical Changes

| Establishment | Spring and Autumn Period | |-------------------|------------------------------| | Current Status | Tianshui City, Gansu Province | | Western Han | Shanggui County | | Northern Song/Liao Dynasty | Chengji County | | Modern Era | Tianshui → Tianshui Special Administrative Region → Tianshui City |

As early as the tenth year of Duke Wu of Qin during the Spring and Autumn Period (688 BCE), the Qin state established Gui County here, which, along with Ji County (present-day Gangu County), marked the beginning of county establishment in China. It was later successively known as Shanggui County, Chengji County, and Qinzhou.

In the third year of the Yuanding era of Emperor Wu of Han (114 BCE), Tianshui Commandery was established by dividing Longxi Commandery. Its name originated from the legend of "Heavenly River Pouring Water," hence the name "Tianshui." During the Eastern Han and Three Kingdoms periods, it was renamed Hanyang Commandery, and during the Western Jin Dynasty, it was changed back to Tianshui Commandery. Additionally, in the first year of the Huangchu era of Emperor Wen of Wei (220 CE), Qinzhou was established within the region but was later abolished. It was reinstated in the fifth year of the Taishi era of Emperor Wu of Jin (269 CE). Until the Qing Dynasty, the jurisdiction of Qinzhou still corresponded to the area of present-day Tianshui.

In the second year of the Republic of China (1913), Qinzhou was abolished and Tianshui County was established, a name that has been used ever since. In August 1949, the People's Liberation Army entered Tianshui County and established the Tianshui Special Administrative Supervision Region, later renamed the Tianshui Special Administrative Region. In February 1950, Tianshui City was established by separating from Tianshui County. In July 1985, the Tianshui Prefecture was abolished, and Tianshui City was elevated to a prefecture-level city. Tianshui County was merged into Tianshui City, establishing the Qincheng and Beidao districts. The counties of Hui, Liangdang, Xihe, and Li, originally under the Tianshui Prefecture, were transferred to the newly established Longnan Prefecture, while Zhang County was transferred to Dingxi Prefecture. On September 30, 2004, the State Council approved the renaming of Qincheng District to Qinzhou District and Beidao District to Maiji District, with the official renaming taking effect on January 1, 2005.

3. Geography

Tianshui City is demarcated by the Qinling Mountains, straddling the Yellow River Basin and the Yangtze River Basin. The Wei River flows through the northern part of the city, with all rivers north of the Qinling Mountains converging into it. The western source of the Jialing River—the Xihan River (also known as the Rhinoceros River)—originates in the southern part of the city, and all rivers south of the Qinling Mountains flow into the Jialing River.

Tianshui is an important stop along the Silk Road, standing alongside Dunhuang, Wuwei, Zhangye, Jiuquan, and the many Thousand-Buddha Caves once found in Xinjiang as historical witnesses on the ancient Buddhist route. The Maijishan Grottoes include several Buddhist caves commissioned by Yuan Wu, Prince of Wudu and second son of Emperor Wen of the Western Wei, for the posthumous merit of his mother.

3.1 Climate

Located in the transitional zone between the subtropical and warm temperate zones, and with complex topography, Tianshui exhibits distinct climatic variations across different regions. Precipitation in the north is significantly less than in the south. Winter temperatures hover around freezing, making it the southern boundary for centralized winter heating, with relatively low precipitation. Summers are somewhat muggy, and annual precipitation is concentrated from May to September. The average temperature in January is −2.0°C, while in July it is 22.8°C. During spring, Tianshui is occasionally affected by dust storms, while autumn is predominantly overcast and rainy. Annual sunshine duration is approximately 1,910 hours (43.6%).

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Annual | |----------------------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|---------|---------|---------|----------| | Record high °C | 12.1 | 20.2 | 27 | 31.8 | 33.9 | 37.2 | 38.2 | 36.1 | 36.2 | 28.5 | 21.6 | 14.7 | 38.2 | | （°F） | 53.8 | 68.4 | 80.6 | 89.2 | 93 | 99 | 100.8 | 97 | 97.2 | 83.3 | 70.9 | 58.5 | 100.8 | | Average high °C | 3.9 | 7.5 | 13 | 19.7 | 24.3 | 27.5 | 29.3 | 27.9 | 22.6 | 16.8 | 10.9 | 5.2 | 17.4 | | （°F） | 39 | 45.5 | 55.4 | 67.5 | 75.7 | 81.5 | 84.7 | 82.2 | 72.7 | 62.2 | 51.6 | 41.4 | 63.3 | | Daily mean °C | −1.5 | 1.9 | 6.9 | 13 | 17.5 | 21.1 | 23.2 | 22 | 17.2 | 11.3 | 5.1 | −0.4 | 11.4 | | （°F） | 29.3 | 35.4 | 44.4 | 55.4 | 63.5 | 70 | 73.8 | 71.6 | 63 | 52.3 | 41.2 | 31.3 | 52.6 | | Average low °C | −5.4 | −2.2 | 2.2 | 7.4 | 11.8 | 15.6 | 18.2 | 17.4 | 13.3 | 7.5 | 1 | −4.3 | 6.9 | | （°F） | 22.3 | 28 | 36 | 45.3 | 53.2 | 60.1 | 64.8 | 63.3 | 55.9 | 45.5 | 33.8 | 24.3 | 44.4 | | Record low °C | −19.2 | −16.6 | −10.0 | −6.4 | 1.8 | 5.5 | 10.6 | 8.4 | 1.2 | −5.1 | −11.6 | −17.4 | −19.2 | | （°F） | (−2.6) | 2.1 | 14 | 20.5 | 35.2 | 41.9 | 51.1 | 47.1 | 34.2 | 22.8 | 11.1 | 0.7 | (−2.6) | | Average precipitation mm | 4.9 | 6.8 | 17.8 | 34.9 | 53.1 | 71.4 | 87.2 | 86.9 | 76.9 | 46.5 | 10.7 | 3.7 | 500.8 | | （inches） | 0.19 | 0.27 | 0.7 | 1.37 | 2.09 | 2.81 | 3.43 | 3.42 | 3.03 | 1.83 | 0.42 | 0.15 | 19.71 | | Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 5 | 5.2 | 7.9 | 8.9 | 10.5 | 11.2 | 11.8 | 10.7 | 11.2 | 10.6 | 5.4 | 3 | 101.4 | | Average relative humidity (%) | 61 | 60 | 59 | 57 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 71 | 76 | 76 | 70 | 64 | 66 | | Mean monthly sunshine hours | 144.3 | 128.4 | 142.2 | 182 | 201.7 | 190 | 195.7 | 193.4 | 125.4 | 123.7 | 133.4 | 151 | 1,911.2 |20 | | Percentage of Possible Sunshine | 46 | 42 | 39 | 47 | 47 | 44 | 45 | 47 | 34 | 35 | 43 | 50 | 43 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Tianshui City administers 2 districts, 4 counties, and 1 autonomous county.

Districts: Qinzhou District, Maiji District Counties: Qingshui County, Qin'an County, Gangu County, Wushan County Autonomous County: Zhangjiachuan Hui Autonomous County Tianshui Economic and Technological Development Zone is a national-level economic and technological development zone established by Tianshui City.

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 620500 | Tianshui City | Tiānshuǐ Shì | 14,277.20 | 2,984,659 | Qinzhou District | 741000 | 10 | 101 | 12 | | 620502 | Qinzhou District | Qínzhōu Qū | 2,374.48 | 656,689 | Dacheng Subdistrict | 741000 | 7 | 16 | | | 620503 | Maiji District | Màijī Qū | 3,483.02 | 556,102 | Daobei Subdistrict | 741000 | 3 | 17 | | | 620521 | Qingshui County | Qīngshuǐ Xiàn | 1,982.83 | 240,597 | Yongqing Town | 741400 | | 15 | 3 | | 620522 | Qin'an County | Qín'ān Xiàn | 1,604.07 | 416,337 | Xingguo Town | 741600 | | 17 | | | 620523 | Gangu County | Gāngǔ Xiàn | 1,582.02 | 506,801 | Daxiangshan Town | 741200 | | 13 | 2 | | 620524 | Wushan County | Wǔshān Xiàn | 1,996.17 | 363,727 | Chengguan Town | 741300 | | 13 | 2 | | 620525 | Zhangjiachuan Hui Autonomous County | Zhāngjiāchuān Huízú Zìzhìxiàn | 1,254.62 | 244,406 | Zhangjiachuan Town | 741500 | | 10 | 5 |

5. Economy

Tianshui is a city in Gansu with an early start in economic development and serves as a major industrial hub in the northwest region. It is the only city within the Guanzhong-Tianshui Economic Zone located in Gansu Province. Currently, its industrial sector is primarily based on processing and manufacturing, with three leading industries: electronics and electrical appliances, machinery manufacturing, and light industry and textiles.

In 2022, the city's gross domestic product (GDP) reached 81.388 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year growth of 5.3%. Specifically, the added value of the primary industry was 15.565 billion yuan, up by 6%; the secondary industry added 22.032 billion yuan, an increase of 4.9%; and the tertiary industry contributed 43.791 billion yuan, growing by 5.2%. The primary industry accounted for 19.1% of the regional GDP, the secondary industry for 27.1%, and the tertiary industry for 53.8%. Calculated based on the resident population, the per capita GDP for the year was 27,538 yuan, marking a 5.7% increase from the previous year.

6. Transportation

6.1 Highways

Tianshui is situated between the two major cities of Xi'an and Lanzhou, with the G30 Lianhuo Expressway, National Highway 310, and National Highway 316 passing through the city. It is also connected to surrounding counties and districts by expressways. Among them, the S16 Tianbei Expressway, linking the two main urban areas of Qinzhou and Maiji in Tianshui City, is the first expressway in Gansu Province. Currently, the Tianshui North Ring Expressway and South Ring Expressway are under construction.

6.2 Railway

Tianshui Railway Station is a station along the Longhai Railway. It was the last railway station built on the mainland by the government of the Republic of China and is under the jurisdiction of the Lanzhou Railway Bureau, serving as a first-class passenger and freight station. Tianshui South Station commenced operations on July 9, 2017, along with the Baoji–Lanzhou High-Speed Railway. The Tianshui to Longnan Railway is currently under construction, with the line running from Sanyangchuan Station to Longnan West Station. Additionally, the Tianshui section of the Lanzhou to Hanzhong High-Speed Railway is in the planning stage.

Longhai Railway Stations: Putaoyuan Station, Yuanlong Station, Weitan Station, Boyang Station, Shetang Station, Tianshui Station, Yangjiahe Station, Nanhechuan Station, Sanyangchuan Station, Weinan Town Station, Xinyang Town Station, Majiamo Station.

6.3 Aviation

Tianshui Airport was opened on September 28, 2008. It is a dual-use military and civilian airport, operating flights to and from Xi'an, Tianjin, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Dalian, and Yinchuan. The relocation and construction project for the new dual-use military and civilian Tianshui Airport has commenced.

6.4 Rail Transit and Public Transportation

The city operates numerous taxis, and the bus system has dedicated routes connecting the main urban area with surrounding townships. The first phase of Tianshui Tram Line 1 is already in operation, with its starting point at Wulipu in Qinzhou District and its terminal at Tianshui Railway Station in Maiji District. The second phase is under construction.

7. Education

Higher Education Institutions

• Tianshui Normal University
• Gansu Industrial Polytechnic College
• Gansu Forestry Polytechnic College
• Gansu Mechanical and Electrical Polytechnic College

Senior High Schools

• Gansu Province Tianshui No.1 High School (Provincial Model School)
• Tianshui No.2 High School (Provincial Model School)
• Tianshui No.3 High School
• Tianshui No.4 High School
• Tianshui No.6 High School
• Tianshui No.8 High School
• Tianshui No.9 High School (Provincial Model School)

Junior High Schools

• Tianshui Yifu Experimental Middle School
• Tianshui No.5 Middle School
• Tianshui Longyuan Middle School
• Tianshui No.7 Middle School

Vocational Education

• Tianshui No.2 Normal School
• Tianshui Health School
• Tianshui Vocational and Technical School

8. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 2,984,659. Compared with the 3,262,549 people recorded in the Sixth National Population Census, the population decreased by 277,890 over the past ten years, a decline of 8.52%, with an average annual growth rate of -0.89%. Among them, the male population was 1,499,444, accounting for 50.24% of the total population; the female population was 1,485,215, accounting for 49.76% of the total population. The sex ratio (with females as 100) was 100.96. The population aged 0–14 was 620,206, accounting for 20.78% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 1,857,154, accounting for 62.22% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 507,299, accounting for 17% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 384,911, accounting for 12.9% of the total population. The urban population was 1,360,186, accounting for 45.57% of the total population; the rural population was 1,624,473, accounting for 54.43% of the total population.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic group population was 2,786,656, accounting for 93.37%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 198,003, accounting for 6.63%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic group population decreased by 260,090, a decline of 8.54%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.02 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities decreased by 17,800, a decline of 8.25%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.02 percentage points.

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9. Culture

Tianshui City, located in the southeast of Gansu Province, is a city with a long history and profound cultural heritage. As one of the important birthplaces of the Chinese nation and Huaxia civilization, Tianshui boasts over 8,000 years of civilization history, more than 3,000 years of written records, and over 2,700 years of city-building history. Tianshui is renowned for its "Five Major Cultures," represented by the Fuxi Culture, Dadiwan Culture, Early Qin Culture, Grotto Culture, and Ancient Battlefield Culture of the Three Kingdoms period. These cultural resources constitute Tianshui's rich historical and cultural foundation.

9.1 Historical Culture

Tianshui is the birthplace of Fuxi, the legendary ancestor of Chinese civilization. The Fuxi Temple, an important site for worshipping Fuxi, is known as the "First Temple of China." Additionally, the Dadiwan site has unearthed artifacts such as the earliest specimens of dryland crops and painted pottery in China, making it a significant source of Huaxia civilization. Early Qin Culture is also prominently reflected in Tianshui, as it served as an early capital of the Qin state. It was here that the Qin people established the first unified feudal centralized state in Chinese history—the Qin state. During the Three Kingdoms period, Tianshui was a strategic location contested by the Wei and Shu kingdoms.

9.2 Cultural Heritage and Tourism

Tianshui City is rich in cultural heritage and tourism resources. The city has 470 cultural relic protection units at various levels, including one UNESCO World Heritage site (the Maijishan Grottoes) and 17 national key cultural relic protection units. The Maijishan Grottoes, one of China's four major grottoes, are hailed as the "Oriental Sculpture Gallery" and were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014. Furthermore, Tianshui is home to numerous historical and cultural attractions, such as the Fuxi Temple, Guatai Mountain, Nanguo Temple, and the Elephant Mountain in Gangu.

9.3 Cultural Activities and Modern Development

In recent years, Tianshui City has achieved remarkable results in cultural development. The municipal government has actively promoted the construction of a culturally strong city, improved cultural infrastructure, and established a four-tier public cultural service system at the municipal, county, township, and village levels. Tianshui has also hosted various cultural events, such as the Public Sacrifice Ceremony for Fuxi and the Qingshui Xuanyuan Cultural Tourism Festival, enriching the cultural lives of residents and tourists. Additionally, the city places great emphasis on the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage, implementing a series of cultural relic preservation projects.

9.4 Culinary Culture

Tianshui's culinary culture is equally diverse and vibrant. From traditional "Tianshui Guagua" to modern innovative stews, it showcases the locals' ingenious use of ingredients and their pursuit of a better life. The culinary culture complements the local tourism resources, offering visitors a unique gastronomic experience.

9.5 Economic and Social Development

Tianshui City has also made significant achievements in economic and social development. In 2023, the city's regional GDP reached 85.678 billion yuan, representing a growth of 5.4% compared to 2022. Tianshui successfully ranked among China's "Top Ten Charming Check-in Cities," which not only recognizes its cultural and tourism resources but also affirms its economic and social progress.

With its profound historical and cultural heritage, rich cultural relics, and diverse cultural activities, Tianshui City has become a captivating cultural hub. Whether for history enthusiasts or ordinary tourists, everyone can find their own cultural experience here.

10. Sister Cities

• Bendigo, Australia
• Dongli District, Tianjin
• Hebei District, Tianjin
• Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province
• Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province
• Shihezi City, Xinjiang
• Yangzhou City, Jiangsu Province
• Handan City, Hebei Province
• Jining City, Shandong Province
• Putuo District, Shanghai

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Named after Tianshui Commandery.

Qinzhou District

Maiji District

Han
Hui
Manchu
Mongol

Sophora japonica

Rose