Shangluo (商洛)

1. Introduction

Shangluo City, abbreviated as Shang, historically known as Shangluo, Shangluo, Shangzhou, and Shangluo, is a prefecture-level city under the jurisdiction of Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China. It is located in the southeastern part of Shaanxi Province, at the southern foot of the Qinling Mountains, bordering Hubei and Henan provinces. The city derives its name from the Shang Mountain and Luo River within its territory. The city borders Weinan City to the north, Xi'an City to the west, Ankang City to the southwest, Shiyan City of Hubei Province to the south, and Nanyang City and Sanmenxia City of Henan Province to the east. Situated on the southern side of the eastern Qinling Mountains, the terrain is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast, with alternating mountains and valleys. Major rivers include the Luo River, which belongs to the Yellow River basin, and the Dan River, Jinqian River, Qianyou River, and Xun River, which belong to the Yangtze River basin. The city covers a total area of 19,587 square kilometers, with a population of 2.3574 million. The municipal government is located in Shangzhou District.

2. Etymology

Shang Mountain: Shangluo City derives its name from the Shang Mountain within its territory. Shang Mountain is one of the famous mountain ranges in Chinese history, located in the eastern section of the Qinling Mountains. Since ancient times, it has been a place for literati and scholars to retreat and travel. Luo River: The Luo River is an important river flowing through Shangluo City, serving as a tributary of the Han River. The Luo River basin is a significant geographical landmark in the Shangluo region.

3. History

According to the Records of the Grand Historian, Xie, the Minister of Education, was enfeoffed in Shang for his meritorious service in assisting Yu in controlling floods, establishing the State of Shang. In the 26th year of Qin Shi Huang's reign (221 BCE), Shang County was established, named after Mount Shang. Artifacts unearthed at the ancient city ridge in present-day Danfeng County, bearing roof tiles with the character "商" (Shang), prove this area was the fief of Shang Yang of the Qin state. During the Western Han Dynasty, it belonged to the Hongnong Commandery of the Sili region, roughly encompassing the two counties of Shangluo and Shang County. Shangluo County was named for its location on the upper reaches of the Luo River. As the character "雒" (with a water radical) was considered inauspicious for the Han Dynasty, Shangluo was changed to Shangluo (using a different character). In the Eastern Han Dynasty, it fell under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Governor of the Capital; during the Three Kingdoms period, it belonged to the Jingzhao Commandery of Cao Wei. Emperor Wen of Wei later changed the "雒" in Shangluo back to "洛". In the Western Jin Dynasty, it was part of Sizhou. In the 2nd year of the Taishi era (266 CE), Emperor Wu of Jin established Shangluo Commandery by separating the southern part of Jingzhao Commandery.

During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, in the 13th year of the Taihe era of Northern Wei (489 CE), Luozhou was established at Shangluo City. In the 1st year of the Xuanzheng era of Northern Zhou (578 CE), Luozhou was renamed Shangzhou. In the 3rd year of the Kaihuang era of Sui (583 CE), the commanderies of Shangluo and Shangyong were abolished, while Shangzhou was retained. In the 3rd year of the Daye era (607 CE), Shangzhou was abolished and Shangluo Commandery was re-established, with its seat at Shangluo, governing five counties: Shangluo, Shangluo (Shang County was renamed Shangluo by Emperor Wen of Sui), Luonan, Fengyang, and Shangjin. In the 1st year of the Wude era of Tang (618 CE), Shangluo Commandery was changed to Shangzhou. In the 1st year of the Tianbao era (742 CE), Shangzhou was abolished and Shangluo Commandery was reinstated. In the 1st year of the Qianyuan era (758 CE), Shangluo Commandery was again abolished and changed back to Shangzhou.

During the Northern Song Dynasty, Shangzhou initially belonged to Shaanxi Circuit and later to Yongxingjun Circuit. In the 2nd year of the Zhenyuan era of Jin (1154 CE), the counties of Shangluo and Fengyang were downgraded to towns and merged into Shangluo and Luonan counties. In the 1st year of the Zhiyuan era (1264 CE), Shangluo County was abolished, and the prefecture (Shangzhou) took over county-level administration. In the Yuan Dynasty, Shangzhou first belonged to Anxi Circuit and later to Fengyuan Circuit. During the Ming Dynasty, it was part of Xi'an Prefecture and called Shangzhou. In the 7th year of the Hongwu era (1374 CE), Shangzhou was downgraded to a county. In the 13th year of the Chenghua era (1477 CE), it was restored to a prefecture. In the 1st year of the Tianqi era (1621 CE), to avoid the naming taboo of Emperor Guangzong Zhu Changluo, the character "洛" was again changed to "雒". In the 3rd year of the Yongzheng era of Qing (1725 CE), it was elevated to Zhili Shangzhou, belonging to Shaanxi Province. In the 47th year of the Qianlong era (1782 CE), Xiaoyi Ting was established from parts of Xianning, Lantian, and Zhen'an counties, belonging to Xi'an Prefecture, which was the predecessor of Zhashui County.

In the 2nd year of the Republic of China (1913 CE), Shangzhou was abolished and replaced by three counties: Shang County, Luonan, and Zhashui, which belonged to Guanzhong Circuit; while Shanyang, Shangnan, and Zhen'an counties belonged to Hanzhong Circuit. On July 13, 1949, the Shang County People's Government was established, and the Southern Shaanxi Administrative Office of the Shaan-Gan-Ning Border Region was set up in Shang County, governing seven counties: Shang County, Luonan, Shangnan, Danfeng, Shanyang, Zhen'an, and Zhashui. In 1950, it was renamed the Shangluo Prefecture Commissioner's Office of Shaanxi Province, still governing the above seven counties. In December 1958, Danfeng County (divided into Shangnan and Shang County) and Zhashui County (merged with Zhen'an County) were abolished. In October 1961, the seven-county structure was restored. In September 1964, due to the character "雒" being considered obscure, "商雒" was changed to "商洛". In June 1988, Shang County was abolished and replaced by the county-level Shangzhou City. In December 2001, the Shangluo Prefecture was abolished, and the prefecture-level Shangluo City was established.

4. Geography

Located in the southeastern part of Shaanxi Province, on the southern foothills of the eastern Qinling Mountains, at the junction of Shaanxi, Hubei, and Henan provinces, and in the upper reaches of the Dan River, between 108°34′20″ to 111°1′25″ east longitude and 33°2′30″ to 34°24′40″ north latitude. The terrain is predominantly mountainous, with a temperate monsoon climate.

Meteorological Data for Shangluo City (1971–2000)

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Record high °C (°F) | 18.7(65.7) | 23.7(74.7) | 29.3(84.7) | 33.9(93.0) | 36.3(97.3) | 38.3(100.9) | 38.2(100.8) | 38.4(101.1) | 39.3(102.7) | 31.6(88.9) | 26.4(79.5) | 21.3(70.3) | 39.3(102.7) | | Average high °C (°F) | 6.0(42.8) | 8.3(46.9) | 13.0(55.4) | 20.2(68.4) | 24.8(76.6) | 28.6(83.5) | 30.1(86.2) | 29.1(84.4) | 23.9(75.0) | 18.9(66.0) | 13.1(55.6) | 7.9(46.2) | 18.7(65.6) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | 0.5(32.9) | 2.6(36.7) | 7.2(45.0) | 13.8(56.8) | 18.2(64.8) | 22.2(72.0) | 24.4(75.9) | 23.5(74.3) | 18.5(65.3) | 13.1(55.6) | 7.3(45.1) | 2.2(36.0) | 12.8(55.0) | | Average low °C (°F) | −3.7(25.3) | −1.5(29.3) | 2.6(36.7) | 8.4(47.1) | 12.7(54.9) | 16.8(62.2) | 20.1(68.2) | 19.4(66.9) | 14.4(57.9) | 8.8(47.8) | 3.0(37.4) | −2(28) | 8.3(46.9) | | Record low °C (°F) | −13.7(7.3) | −13.3(8.1) | −6.6(20.1) | −2.0(28.4) | 2.4(36.3) | 9.3(48.7) | 13.1(55.6) | 11.7(53.1) | 3.9(39.0) | −4.6(23.7) | −9.1(15.6) | −13.9(7.0) | −13.9(7.0) | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 8.2(0.32) | 11.7(0.46) | 31.4(1.24) | 50.0(1.97) | 66.2(2.61) | 80.2(3.16) | 124.3(4.89) | 98.4(3.87) | 97.0(3.82) | 68.5(2.70) | 25.5(1.00) | 7.1(0.28) | 668.5(26.32) | | Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 5.0 | 5.3 | 8.7 | 9.2 | 10.2 | 10.5 | 12.7 | 11.7 | 11.6 | 10.4 | 6.5 | 3.7 | 105.5 |

5. Administrative Divisions

Shangluo City administers 1 district and 6 counties.

District: Shangzhou District Counties: Luonan County, Danfeng County, Shangnan County, Shanyang County, Zhen'an County, Zhashui County

Administrative Division Map of Shangluo City

| Division Code | Division Name | Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Township-level Divisions | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 611000 | Shangluo City | Shāngluò Shì | 19,587.31 | 2,041,231 | Shangzhou District | 726000 | 12 Subdistricts, 86 Towns | | 611002 | Shangzhou District | Shāngzhōu Qū | 2,645.62 | 472,978 | Chengguan Subdistrict | 726000 | 4 Subdistricts, 14 Towns | | 611021 | Luonan County | Luònán Xiàn | 2,830.89 | 365,736 | Chengguan Subdistrict | 726100 | 2 Subdistricts, 14 Towns | | 611022 | Danfeng County | Dānfèng Xiàn | 2,407.58 | 247,259 | Longjuzhai Subdistrict | 726200 | 1 Subdistrict, 11 Towns | | 611023 | Shangnan County | Shāngnán Xiàn | 2,315.44 | 203,796 | Chengguan Subdistrict | 726300 | 1 Subdistrict, 9 Towns | | 611024 | Shanyang County | Shānyáng Xiàn | 3,532.42 | 359,967 | Chengguan Subdistrict | 726400 | 2 Subdistricts, 16 Towns | | 611025 | Zhen'an County | Zhèn'ān Xiàn | 3,487.39 | 253,786 | Yongle Subdistrict | 711500 | 1 Subdistrict, 14 Towns | | 611026 | Zhashui County | Zhàshuǐ Xiàn | 2,367.97 | 137,709 | Qianyou Subdistrict | 711400 | 1 Subdistrict, 8 Towns |

6. Economy

Compared to relatively impoverished regions, the local economy primarily relies on agriculture, forestry and fruit cultivation, and traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, with gold mining as a main industry. However, in the second half of 2016, Shaanxi Province officially announced the discovery of a large jade deposit during exploration in Shangluo City. The resource volume amounts to millions of tons, with a potential economic value exceeding one hundred billion Chinese yuan. This jade deposit consists of high-quality quartz-based jade and dolomite-based jade, featuring a rare combination of purple and green hues. As a result, Shaanxi Province has increased the number of identified mineral types in the province from 91 to 92.

7. Transportation

National Highway 312 passes through the area. The Shanghai–Xi'an Expressway passes through the area. China State Railway Group's Nanjing–Xi'an Railway passes through the area (with stations Shangluo Railway Station and Shangluo North Railway Station).

8. Education

There is a complete education system from kindergarten to university.

Higher Education Institutions Shangluo University

Middle and High Schools Shangluo Middle School Shangluo Junior Middle School Shangzhou District Middle School Shangzhou District Middle School West Suburb Campus Shangzhou District Middle School Longshan Campus Dajing Middle School Yaoshi Middle School Banqiao Middle School Majie Middle School Longwangmiao Middle School Liuwan Middle School Heilongkou Middle School Muhuguan Middle School Heishan Middle School Yecun Middle School Shahezi Middle School

Kindergartens and Primary Schools Shangluo Primary School Shangluo Kindergarten

9. Population

At the end of 2022, the city's permanent resident population was 2.0206 million, a decrease of 6,200 people compared to the previous year. Among them, the number of births was 13,200.

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the city's permanent resident population was 2,041,231. Compared with the 2,341,742 people from the Sixth National Population Census, the total decrease over the ten years was 300,511 people, a decline of 12.83%, with an average annual growth rate of -1.36%. Among them, the male population was 1,048,301, accounting for 51.36% of the total population; the female population was 992,930, accounting for 48.64% of the total population. The sex ratio of the total population (with females as 100) was 105.58. The population aged 0–14 was 419,981, accounting for 20.57% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 1,224,182, accounting for 59.97% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 397,068, accounting for 19.45% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 280,509, accounting for 13.74% of the total population. The urban population was 980,505, accounting for 48.03% of the total population; the rural population was 1,060,726, accounting for 51.97% of the total population.

9.1. Ethnic Groups

Among the city's permanent resident population, the Han ethnic population was 2,030,615, accounting for 99.48%; the population of various ethnic minorities was 10,616, accounting for 0.52%. Compared with the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, the Han ethnic population decreased by 300,276 people, a decline of 12.88%, with its proportion of the total population decreasing by 0.06 percentage points; the population of various ethnic minorities decreased by 235 people, a decline of 2.17%, with its proportion of the total population increasing by 0.06 percentage points.

10. Religion

Shangluo City, located in the central part of Shaanxi Province, is a region with a long history and rich culture. In terms of religion, Shangluo City is home to five coexisting religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity, and Catholicism. Buddhism was introduced during the Eastern Han Dynasty, and Buddhist temples such as the Yungai Temple were established in Shanyang County during the Tang Dynasty. Taoism was introduced during the Tang Dynasty by figures like Han Xiangzi and Lü Dongbin, forming centers of Taoist activities in areas such as Tianzhu Mountain and Tayun Mountain. Islam was introduced through the Silk Road during the Ming Dynasty and is mainly distributed in Zhen'an County. Christianity and Catholicism were introduced from the late 19th to the early 20th century, with Catholicism developing rapidly during the Republic of China period, establishing multiple churches and missionary schools. Despite the variety of religions, the number of believers is not large.

11. Culture

Shangluo City, located in the southeastern part of Shaanxi Province, is a city with a long history and rich culture. The culture of Shangluo integrates the Yellow River culture and the Yangtze River culture, possessing profound historical accumulation and unique regional characteristics. Shangluo is one of the important birthplaces of Chinese civilization, featuring the 1.1-million-year-old "Luonan Man" site and the national first-class cultural relic, the red pottery human-head pot, which showcase the wisdom and curiosity of ancient humans.

Shangluo City has a deep cultural heritage. Since ancient times, it has been a military stronghold and cultural crossroads at the border of the Qin and Chu states. It has nurtured a wealth of intangible cultural heritage, such as the national-level intangible cultural heritages including Shangluo Flower Drum, Qin Opera, Shangluo Daoqing, and Luonan Jingban storytelling. Additionally, Shangluo is also the hometown of poetry, where renowned poets like Li Bai, Bai Juyi, and Li Shangyin left behind a large number of poetic works.

Shangluo also boasts numerous historical relics and red cultural resources, such as the Shangyu Ancient Road, the tomb murals of the Four Hermits, and the Shangluo Revolutionary Base Area. These all add unique charm to Shangluo's cultural tourism.

Shangluo City is not only blessed with beautiful natural scenery but is also a city rich in cultural resources and historical depth. Its diverse cultural forms and abundant historical relics make it an important window for studying Chinese civilization.

12. Sister Cities

Emmen, Netherlands (Established on April 3, 2011) Jinan-gun, South Korea (Established on May 25, 2015)

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Shangzhou District

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